Have you ever wondered if doing business in Vietnam, what documents are needed before arriving? Explore a detailed walkthrough on securing a business visa Vietnam in this article! This complete resource provides detailed information on the procedures, requirements, and essential insights when applying for this visa. Let's delve into it right away!
Business visa Vietnam, also known as the commercial visa, and identified by symbols DN1 and DN2. It is issued to foreigners entering the country for purposes such as working with Vietnamese businesses, providing technical training within foreign-invested companies in Vietnam, signing contracts, and attending meetings, among others.
The maximum validity period for a business visa is one year. The duration of the commercial visa granted to foreigners varies based on individual cases and the legal profile of the sponsoring company. It is determined to be following the specific circumstances and needs of the applicant.
Are you curious about coming to Vietnam for business? Let's find out the different types available for a business visa Vietnam for your business activities in the country.
The DN1 visa is a commercial visa designed for foreigners engaged in employment with legally recognized businesses and organizations.
To facilitate foreign employment under the DN1 visa, businesses seeking to hire foreign workers are required to submit their legal documents to act as sponsors for the visa application. Typically, businesses eligible to sponsor foreigners for the DN1 visa include the following types:
Limited liability company (LLC).
Joint stock company (CP).
Branch or representative office of a Limited Liability Company or Joint Stock Company with foreign investment.
Companies with foreign investment capital.
Domestic companies (100% Vietnamese capital).
The DN2 visa is a commercial visa intended for foreigners coming to Vietnam, mainly to provide services and establish a business presence. This visa allows individuals to offer services by setting up a commercial presence in another member country. As specified in the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), an international treaty governed by the WTO.
As Vietnam is a signatory member of the GATS, the DN2 visa plays a crucial role in facilitating international business activities within the country. Grasping the nuances of the DN2 visa is essential for individuals seeking to participate in business and service provision ventures in Vietnam.
Furthermore, business visa Vietnam is also categorized into six types, taking into account the number of entries and the extension period:
One-month single-entry visa: the visa allows the holder to enter Vietnam once and stay for a maximum period of one month for business-related activities
One-month multiple-entry visa: the visa allows the holder to enter Vietnam multiple times within one month for business-related activities.
Three-month single-entry visa: This visa is valid for 3 months but only has 1 entry and exit. The visa will expire immediately when the foreigner uses up the number of entries or exits.
Three-month multiple-entry visa: This visa is valid for 3 months and allows foreigners to enter and exit multiple times, with no limit on the number of exits and entries, until the visa expires.
Six-month multiple-entry visa: allows the holder to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times for business purposes within six months.
One-year multiple-entry visa: permits the holder to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times for business purposes over a one-year.
Business visa is issued to foreigners entering Vietnam for purposes of business
The qualification requirements for obtaining and covering the expenses of a business visa Vietnam apply to various categories, including:
Foreign investors: Those individuals who have invested in enterprises or projects in Vietnam fall under this category.
Business purposes: Individuals engaged in business-related activities, such as information exchange, contract signing, and collaboration, are eligible for a business visa.
Representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs): Individuals representing non-governmental organizations operating in Vietnam are included in the list of eligible applicants.
Foreign workers: This category encompasses individuals from abroad who hold either a valid work permit or a work permit exemption certificate, allowing them to be employed in Vietnam.
Foreign lawyers: Individuals who have received official licensing from the Ministry of Justice in Vietnam to practice law as foreign attorneys are also eligible for a business visa.
Certain nationals qualify for an exemption from business visa in Vietnam allowing them to engage in business activities for a specified duration without obtaining a visa. The eligible countries are included in the table below:
|
No. |
Countries |
Visa exemption period |
|
1 |
Brunei |
14 days |
|
2 |
Myanmar |
14 days |
|
3 |
Belarus |
15 days |
|
4 |
Denmark |
15 days |
|
5 |
Finland |
15 days |
|
6 |
France |
15 days |
|
7 |
Germany |
15 days |
|
8 |
Italy |
15 days |
|
9 |
Japan |
15 days |
|
10 |
Norway |
15 days |
|
11 |
Sweden |
15 days |
|
12 |
Russia |
15 days |
|
13 |
South Korea |
15 days |
|
14 |
Spain |
15 days |
|
15 |
United Kingdom (BNO not included) |
15 days |
|
16 |
Philippines |
21 days |
|
17 |
Cambodia |
30 days |
|
18 |
Indonesia |
30 days |
|
19 |
Laos |
30 days |
|
20 |
Kyrgyzstan |
30 days |
|
21 |
Malaysia |
30 days |
|
22 |
Singapore |
30 days |
|
23 |
Thailand |
30 days |
|
24 |
Panama |
90 days |
|
25 |
Chile |
90 days |
|
26 |
APEC card holders |
90 days |
At present, there are three available methods for applying for a business visa Vietnam. These include:
Individuals can choose to apply for a business visa by visiting a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General in their home country or abroad. This traditional method involves submitting the necessary documents and fulfilling the application requirements in person.
For added convenience, travelers have the option of applying for a business visa upon arrival at the Vietnamese airport. This process, known as visa-on-arrival, allows applicants to complete the necessary paperwork and receive their visa at the airport upon landing. It is a streamlined process often chosen by those who prefer flexibility in their travel plans.
Another method is the electronic visa (E-visa) application, which can be done online. This process involves submitting the required information and documents through an online platform. E-visas are becoming increasingly popular due to their simplicity and the ability to complete the application from anywhere with internet access.
Foreigners can choose to apply for a business visa at their country's Vietnam Embassy/Consulate
Depending on the form of applying for a business visa Vietnam you will have to prepare different required documents:
To meet the business visa Vietnam requirements, applicants are expected to provide a set of specific documents, which include:
Valid passport: A passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and a minimum validity period of 6 months beyond the intended travel dates.
Passport-size photo: Recent passport-size photo (4x6cm) featuring a white background. The applicant should maintain a straight face, without wearing spectacles.
Work permit or exemption: For business visas, a valid work permit or an exemption from a work permit is required.
Letter of invitation or sponsorship: A letter from a Vietnamese company serving as an invitation or sponsorship, confirming the purpose of the applicant's travel to Vietnam for professional reasons.
For sponsoring enterprises, meticulous preparation of documentation to demonstrate business operations is imperative. This includes:
Entry application: Submission of the entry application form for foreigners wishing to enter Vietnam (Form NA2).
Notarized business registration certificate: A notarized copy of the business registration certificate to validate the legitimacy of the sponsoring enterprise.
Visa application form (Form NA5): Completion of Form NA5 for applying for a visa to enter Vietnam.
For those opting for offline visa processing, Form NA16 can be obtained at the Embassy.
To facilitate your visa-on-arrival application process for a business visa Vietnam, ensure you have the following documents:
Pre-approved visa letter: Obtain a pre-approved visa letter from a Vietnamese government entity.
Passport:
Ensure your passport has at least two blank visa and immigration stamp pages.
Confirm that your passport has a validity period of at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival.
Photographs:
Provide two recent passport-size (4x6cm) identical photos.
Photos should feature a white backdrop, and the person should face forward without wearing glasses.
Work permit documentation: For business-related visas, present valid work permits or documentation proving exemption from a work permit.
Letter of invitation or sponsorship:
Prepare a letter of invitation or sponsorship from a Vietnamese company.
Ensure the letter contains evidence clearly stating that your visit to Vietnam is for business reasons.
The content of the letter should be comprehensive, outlining the specifics of your invitation and the professional engagement during your stay in Vietnam.
To initiate the application process for an E-visa, you need to gather and prepare the following documents and information:
Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months.
Passport photo: Provide a clear picture of page 2 of your passport.
Passport-size photograph: Include a recent passport-size photo (4x6cm) featuring a white background. Ensure the photo depicts you with a straight face and without glasses.
Address details: Specify an interim address for your residence in Vietnam.
Payment method: Have a legitimate overseas debit or credit card ready for the transaction.
Travel information: Indicate the date of entry and exit. Choose from the 33 ports in Vietnam that accept E-Visas.
Contact information: Provide a valid email address for the registration process.
Invitation or sponsorship letter: Although not mandatory for all e-visa applications, having a letter of invitation or sponsorship from a Vietnamese company can be beneficial.
The passport photo size required when applying for a Vietnam business visa is 4x6 cm
In the upcoming section, we will provide you with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to apply for a business visa Vietnam. We aim to equip you with all the necessary information, ensuring a seamless and successful application process.
To start the process, the designated guarantee company in Vietnam will undertake the preparation of the necessary documents. These documents will then be submitted to the Vietnam Immigration Department to secure an entry guarantee letter.
Following the approval and issuance of the entry guarantee letter, the guarantee company will dispatch an entry notification to the foreign applicant. Subsequently, the foreigner is required to print out this official dispatch and assemble the essential documents needed for the visa stamping phase.
Once the foreigner has the official entry dispatch and all the requisite documents in hand, the next step involves applying for the visa stamp. This typically entails submitting the documentation to the relevant authorities for visa processing.
Upon successful processing, the foreigner will receive a visa stamp on their passport. This grants them the authorization to enter and engage in work activities at the designated guarantee company in Vietnam.
The process of applying for a business visa Vietnam at the airport is quite similar to the Embassy application procedure. The key difference lies in the visa stamping location. Unlike the Embassy, where the visa is stamped beforehand at the airport, foreigners get their visa stamped upon arriving in Vietnam for work or visit purposes.
Begin by applying for an immigration guarantee letter. The designated guarantee company in Vietnam will handle this process by applying to the Vietnam Immigration Department. Subsequently, the results will be sent as a PDF file to the foreigners who are in the process of planning their entry into the country.
Upon receiving the visa results, foreigners will need to gather additional required documents, as mentioned earlier, to facilitate their travel to Vietnam.
Upon arrival at the Vietnam airport, proceed to the Visa-on-arrival podium. Present the necessary documents to the Immigration Officer, and then complete the process by paying the required fee to have the DN1/DN2 visa stamped on your passport.
Acquiring a business visa Vietnam online (E-visa) is a process that involves both foreign individuals and businesses within the country acting as hosts or sponsors. For foreign businessmen, the application unfolds in four distinct stages:
Gather all the necessary documents required for the business visa application process.
Navigate to the Vietnam E-visa page and complete all essential information. Specifically, choose "Business Activities" as your trip's objective to progress to the next stage. Obtain the application's registration code during this phase.
The cost for a 1-month single-entry business visa is $25. Make the payment using available online methods. After payment, await the processing result.
To check the outcome, input your registration code, email, and birthdate in the search field on the official website. If your application aligns with all visa requirements, an E-Visa will be sent to you via email. Download the PDF file, print the E-visa, and present it during Vietnam entrance checks.
You can choose to apply for a visa on arrival whenever arrive at Vietnam airport
Allow us to assist you in analyzing and identifying the optimal and most convenient method for applying for a business visa Vietnam. Following this assessment, you can then select the way that aligns best with your specific requirements.
|
Criteria |
Visa-on-arrival |
E-visa |
Visa submitted at the Embassy |
|
Where to apply for a visa |
At the airport where foreigners enter Vietnam |
Apply online, through the national immigration portal |
At the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate General abroad |
|
When to apply |
While entering Vietnam |
Before entering Vietnam |
Before entering Vietnam |
|
Entry gate |
One of 8 international airports in Vietnam |
One of 33 international border gates |
Any Vietnamese border gate where foreigners are allowed to enter |
|
Validity/duration |
Maximum 3 months, single-entry/multiple entries |
30 days, single-entry |
Maximum 3 months, single-entry/multiple entries |
|
Extention |
Can be extended in Vietnam |
Cannot be extended in Vietnam |
Can be extended in Vietnam |
When applying for a business visa Vietnam, it's essential to take note of several important considerations:
Eligibility criteria: Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for a business visa, which may include having a legitimate business purpose for your visit.
Required documents: Gather all the necessary documents, such as a valid passport, passport-sized photos, and any specific documents required for business visa applications.
Application procedure: Understand the application process, whether applying at an embassy, through an e-visa system, or on arrival at the airport. Be aware of the specific steps and requirements for each method.
Invitation or sponsorship letter: If applicable, prepare a letter of invitation or sponsorship from a Vietnamese company, as this may be required for certain types of business visas.
Validity period: Check the validity period of the visa and plan your trip accordingly. Be aware of any limitations on the duration of your stay.
Extension possibilities: Understand the rules and procedures for extending your business visa if needed, and be aware of any restrictions on the number of extensions allowed.
Fee structure: Be aware of the applicable fees for the visa application. Understand whether there are additional fees for expedited processing or other services.
Processing time: Consider the processing time for different visa application methods. Plan your application well in advance to ensure timely approval.
Legal compliance: Ensure that your application complies with all relevant immigration laws and regulations in Vietnam.
Keep copies: Make copies of all submitted documents and keep them in a safe place. These copies can be useful in case of any issues or for future reference.
Stay informed: Stay updated on any changes in visa regulations or requirements. Check with official sources or contact the embassy for the latest information.
Discovering all the essentials about the business visa Vietnam is crucial for a seamless application process and a successful stay in the country. From understanding the eligibility criteria to being aware of the required documents, and the application procedure, the comprehensive guide above covers everything you need to know. Remember to research carefully and prepare early!
If you have any further inquiries or require additional assistance, do not hesitate to contact us via phone at +84 28 7303 6167 or send an email to [email protected]. We operate 24/7, and are prepared to provide the support you need!
