5-Year Visa Exemption for Foreigners: Eligibility and Application Guide
The 5-year Vietnam visa exemption is a long-term entry permit granted to eligible individuals under specific conditions regulated by the Vietnamese government. The program simplifies travel procedures and strengthens ties between Vietnam and the overseas community. In this article, SeniWorld will outline the eligibility criteria, required documents, application procedures, and the applicable 5-year Vietnam visa exemption fee.
Who Is Eligible For A 5-Year Vietnam Visa Exemption?
The 5-year Vietnam visa exemption for foreigners is a special entry policy issued by the Vietnamese government, applicable to foreign nationals regardless of their nationality. In accordance with current immigration regulations, this exemption is granted to individuals who maintain close personal or family relationships with Vietnam. Eligible applicants generally fall into the following categories:
- Overseas Vietnamese: Those of Vietnamese origin who hold a foreign passport and currently reside outside of Vietnam.
- Spouses or Children of Vietnamese Citizens: Foreign nationals who are legally married to, or are the children of, Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese.
- Foreign Nationals of Vietnamese Heritage: Individuals who can provide documents confirming their Vietnamese roots, such as birth certificates, family records, or other valid supporting materials.
- Other special cases: Foreign nationals with strong cultural, economic, or familial connections to Vietnam may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by immigration authorities.
Applicants must provide sufficient evidence to verify their eligibility, as determined by the Ministry of Public Security or Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad.
The main purpose of the visa exemption certificate is to allow foreigners to enter Vietnam for the purpose of visiting relatives or resolving personal issues according to personal wishes.
How To Apply For A 5-Year Vietnam Visa Exemption?
Eligibility requirements for foreign nationals applying for a 5-year visa exemption
Passport with a minimum validity of 5 years (In case the passport has a validity of less than 5 years, it will be issued according to the validity of the passport, but the passport must be valid for at least 6 months)
Procedures for applying for a 5-year Vietnam visa exemption for foreigners according to the latest regulations
To apply for a 5-year Vietnam visa exemption, applicants need to complete the following two steps:
Step 1: Prepare Required Documents
The application for a 5-year visa exemption depends on the applicant, including Vietnamese residing abroad who do not hold a Vietnamese passport, and Foreign nationals who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese.
For Vietnamese residing abroad without Vietnamese nationality:
To apply for a 5-year Vietnam visa exemption certificate, the applicant must prepare:
- 01 Application form: The applicant must complete the online visa exemption application form and print it out.
- Foreign passport: Provide the original (for verification) along with one copy to be retained in the file. The passport must be valid for at least 12 months, but a validity of 5 years and 6 months is recommended to obtain a full 5-year exemption.
- Two (02) recent color photos, size 4cm x 6cm (or 2 inches x 2 inches), white background, straight face, no colored glasses, no headwear. One photo is to be pasted onto the application, and the other securely attached or enclosed with the form.
- Proof of Vietnamese origin: Present (or send) the original and submit 01 photocopy of one of the following documents for recordkeeping:
- Birth certificate;
- Certificate of Vietnamese nationality;
- Decision on resumption/renunciation of Vietnamese nationality;
- Confirmation of loss of Vietnamese nationality;
- Expired Vietnamese passport (those with valid Vietnamese passports are not eligible for the visa exemption certificate);
- Vietnamese national ID (valid or expired);
- Most recent voter registration card;
- Household registration book;
- Official documents issued by competent foreign authorities confirming the holder’s Vietnamese origin or ancestry.
In case none of the above documents are available, the applicant may submit one of the following:
- A guarantee letter from a Vietnamese association abroad.
These types of guarantee letters do not require additional certification or notarization.
For foreign applicants who are family members (spouse or child) of Vietnamese people or overseas Vietnamese:
To apply for a 5-year Vietnam visa exemption for foreign nationals holding a foreign passport who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese, the required documents include:
- One application form: The applicant must complete the online visa exemption application form and print it out.
- Two (02) recent color photos, size 4cm x 6cm (or 2 inches x 2 inches), white background, straight face, no colored glasses, no headwear. One photo is to be pasted onto the application, and the other securely attached or enclosed with the form.
- Foreign passport: Submit the original (or present it), and provide 01 photocopy for filing purposes. The passport must be valid for at least 12 months, but a validity of 5 years and 6 months is recommended to obtain a full 5-year exemption.
- Present (or send) the original and submit 01 photocopy of one of the following documents to prove the relationship as spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen or overseas Vietnamese:
- Marriage certificate;
- Birth certificate;
- Confirmation of parent-child relationship;
- Other legally recognized documents in accordance with Vietnamese law;
- Decision on adoption.
Step 2: Submit the required documents to the authorized agency responsible for issuing the visa exemption certificate, including:
- Foreigners submit their application to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate abroad if they are abroad.
- Foreigners currently in Vietnam submit their application for a Visa Exemption Certificate to the Vietnam Immigration Department.
- Foreigners can submit their application for a 5-year visa exemption online at the National Public Service Portal and submit it by post or express delivery.
If you do not have time to contact the Vietnam Immigration Department directly to apply for the 5-year Vietnam visa exemption, please contact SeniWorld for assistance.
Step 3: Issue a 5-year Vietnam visa exemption certificate for foreigners entering Vietnam
The competent authority will review the application and check the validity of the information. If the application is qualified and valid, the visa exemption certificate will be issued for a period of 5 years, and each entry into Vietnam will be exempt from a visa for 180 days.
5-Year Vietnam Visa Exemption Processing Time And Fee
5-Year Vietnam Visa Exemption Processing Time
Normally, processing time is 5 - 7 working days from the time the reviewing agency receives complete and valid documents.
Note:
- For cases of submitting documents by post or express delivery, the time may be extended.
- The issuance of a visa exemption certificate may take some time to review and process, so the visa applicant should submit the application well in advance of the expected date of entry.
5-Year Vietnam Visa Exemption Fee
According to Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, the fee for issuing a 5-year visa exemption certificate is as follows:
- Fee for issuing a Visa Exemption Certificate for the first time: 20 USD (Or VND calculated at equivalent exchange rate)
- Fee for issuing a Visa Exemption Certificate from the second time onwards: 10 USD (Or VND calculated at equivalent exchange rate)
Note:
- The fee can be paid in cash or by bank transfer, depending on the requirements of the receiving agency.
- In some cases, if the application is invalid or rejected, the fee paid will not be refunded.
- The applicant must retain the receipt or payment document for verification when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. My 5-year visa exemption is about to expire. Can I reapply or apply for a new visa exemption?
Yes. You can reapply or apply for a new 5-year Vietnam visa exemption following the above procedure.
2. Can the visa exemption certificate be extended or renewed?
The 5-year visa exemption certificate itself cannot be extended. However, you may apply for a new certificate when the current one expires.
3. I want to apply for a 5-year visa, but my foreign passport is valid for less than 5 years. What should I do?
In this case, you should reapply for a passport and then apply for a visa exemption. If you still use this passport to apply, you can still be granted a visa exemption, but the validity of this document will be 6 months shorter than the validity of your passport.
4. Where is the Vietnam Immigration Department located?
Here are the addresses of the Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City:
- In Hanoi: 40A Hang Bai, Hanoi, Vietnam
- In Da Nang: 7 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang
- In Ho Chi Minh City: 161 Nguyen Du, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC
The working hours of the Immigration Department are from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday (except holidays).
5. Can someone else apply on my behalf in Vietnam?
Yes. If you are in Vietnam and cannot go directly to the Immigration Office, a third party may assist you. You may also contact a visa service provider for support.
If you do not have time to contact the Vietnam Immigration Department directly to apply for the 5-year Vietnam visa exemption, please contact SeniWorld for assistance.
6. What happens if my passport expires before the visa exemption certificate does?
The certificate is only valid as long as your passport is valid. If your passport expires, the visa exemption certificate becomes invalid, and you will need to reapply with your new passport.
Conclusion
The 5-year visa exemption certificate is a practical and cost-effective solution for overseas Vietnamese and their family members who frequently travel to Vietnam. By preparing the required documents carefully and submitting the application to the appropriate authority, applicants can enjoy long-term entry privileges without the need to apply for a visa each time.
Should you have further questions or require assistance with your application, please do not hesitate to contact SeniWorld. Our team is here to support you throughout the process.