Comprehensive Guide to Vietnam Business Visa
Getting the right Vietnam business visa is essential for anyone planning to visit. It’s not as complicated as it seems; once you understand the process, everything will fall into place. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to get your Vietnam business visa without issues.
What is a Vietnam Business Visa?
A Vietnam Business Visa (also known as a DN visa) is a short-term visa issued to foreigners entering Vietnam for business-related purposes. This visa lets you participate in business-related activities like attending conferences, signing contracts, or meeting with partners. However, it does not permit you to work in Vietnam.
There are two main categories of business visas:
- DN1 Visa: For foreigners working with Vietnamese enterprises or organizations legally registered and operating in Vietnam.
- DN2 Visa: For those coming to Vietnam to offer services, set up a commercial presence, or carry out activities under international agreements to which Vietnam is a party.
Currently, the maximum validity for a Vietnam business visa is up to 3 months, regardless of whether it is a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. In the past, longer durations were sometimes granted, but current regulations limit most business visas to 90 days.
Note: A Vietnam business visa allows business activities. You can also take leisure trips during your stay, but it does not permit employment.
Vietnam Business Visa Requirements
Before you can get a business visa to Vietnam, you need to prepare a few important documents. These papers prove who you are, why you are visiting, and that a company in Vietnam is officially inviting you.
What do you need to prepare?
- A passport that’s still valid for at least six months and has at least two blank pages
- A passport photo, 4x6 cm with a white background
- A visa application form. If you apply through the embassy, use the form they provide. For a visa on arrival, the NA2 form is usually required
- An invitation letter or sponsorship letter from a Vietnamese company
- A copy of the company’s business license (some embassies may ask for this)
- A visa approval letter if you plan to get your visa on arrival
Among these, the invitation letter is essential. Without it, you won’t be able to apply for a business visa. The letter must come from a legally registered company in Vietnam.
How to Apply for a Vietnam Business Visa
A Vietnam Business Visa cannot be applied for through the eVisa portal. Instead, you must go through a Vietnamese embassy or use the visa on arrival option (available for air travel only).
Through the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate
If you would rather sort out your Vietnam business visa before flying, you can go through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate. To do that, you will need a local company in Vietnam to act as your sponsor — they will request an official visa approval letter for you from the Immigration Department.
Application Process:
Step 1: Ask your sponsor to apply for the visa approval letter
Your sponsor in Vietnam, a legally registered company, will apply to the Immigration Department for your visa on your behalf. Required documents usually include:
- A scanned copy of your passport
- The sponsor’s business registration certificate
- Form NA2 (completed online at https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/huong-dan-dvbl-xdnc)
- Form NA16 (company details and signature)
- Other documents as required
- Processing takes about 5–7 working days after submitting all required documents.
- Once approved, the Immigration Department will:
- Send the official visa approval letter (also known as “entry permit”) to your sponsor
- Fax a copy directly to the registered Vietnamese embassy or consulate where you plan to apply for the visa
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Once you receive the visa approval letter from your sponsor, prepare the following:
- The original visa approval letter
- A completed Vietnam business visa application form (the form may differ by country)
- Your original passport
- One or two passport-sized photos (4x6 cm)
- The visa fee, which varies depending on:
- The visa duration (1–3 months)
- Number of entries (single/multiple)
- Embassy or consulate processing fees
You may be allowed to submit your documents either in person or by mail, based on their individual procedures.
Step 3: Receive your visa
Processing usually takes about three to five business days. Once it’s approved, the visa will be stamped into your passport, and you will be ready to travel to Vietnam for business purposes.
Note: Make sure to check the website of the specific Vietnam embassy/consulate you are applying to, as requirements, fees, and procedures may vary.
Visa on Arrival (for Air Travelers Only)
If you are flying to Vietnam, you can choose the visa on arrival (VOA) option. The steps are similar, but the visa is stamped at the airport instead of the embassy.
Application Process:
Step 1: Request a visa approval letter in advance
You or your sponsor must apply for the approval letter through a licensed Vietnamese agency. The application is submitted to the Immigration Department and typically takes 5–7 working days to process. Once approved, you will receive:
- A Vietnam business visa invitation letter
- A blank visa application form
Both documents are sent by email. You need to print them out before traveling.
Step 2: Prepare all required documents for arrival
Before boarding your flight to Vietnam, make sure you have the following:
- A printed copy of the visa approval letter
- A completed visa application form
- Your original passport (valid for at least 6 months with two blank pages)
- Two passport-sized photos (4x6 cm, white background)
- Visa stamping fee in cash:
- USD 25 for a single-entry visa
- USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa
The stamping fee must be paid in USD. Cards are not accepted.
Step 3: Submit documents and receive your visa at the airport
Upon landing, go to the visa-on-arrival counter at one of Vietnam’s international airports. Bring your documents and pay the required stamping fee at the counter. After verification, the immigration officer will stamp the Vietnam Business Visa directly into your passport, allowing you to enter the country.
This process usually takes 15–30 minutes, depending on airport traffic.
Note: Visa on arrival is only available at the following airports:
Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Cat Bi, Lien Khuong, Can Tho, and Phu Quoc.
Vietnam Business Visa Processing Time and Fee
The time and fee to get a Vietnam Business Visa depend on the method you choose: visa on arrival or embassy application. Both options require a Vietnam business visa invitation letter issued by the Immigration Department, and each has different cost structures and timelines.
1. Visa at the Embassy or Consulate
This option requires support from a sponsor in Vietnam, who must apply for a visa approval letter on your behalf. After receiving the letter, you can submit your application and documents to your country's Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
Processing time:
- 5–7 working days for the sponsorship letter
- Additional time at the embassy depends on their internal processing
Fees:
- Set individually by each embassy or consulate
- Usually vary based on visa length and number of entries
- Extra fees may apply for processing the Vietnam business visa sponsorship
Note: Fees may vary by provider. Make sure to verify credentials and service scope before paying.
2. Visa on Arrival (VOA)
This method applies only if you arrive in Vietnam by air. You must obtain a pre-approved invitation letter before flying. After paying the government fee at the airport, you will receive your visa stamp on the spot.
Processing time:
- 5–7 working days for the invitation letter
- 2–3 working days for urgent cases
- 30–60 minutes at the airport for visa stamping
Fees: A Visa on arrival includes two types of fees:
- Service fee for the invitation letter: from USD 90 to USD 270, depending on the agency and urgency
- Cash payment required for stamping fee at the airport:
| Visa Type | Stamping Fee (USD) |
| 1 month, single-entry | 25 |
| 1 month, multiple-entry | 50 |
| 3 months, single-entry | 25 |
| 3 months, multiple-entry | 50 |
| 6 months, multiple-entry | 95 |
| 12 months, multiple-entry | 135 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I apply for a Vietnam business visa without a sponsor?
No. A local company in Vietnam must act as your sponsor to issue the required invitation letter.
2. Can a business visa be converted to a work permit?
No. A business visa does not allow employment. You must apply separately for a work permit and a temporary residence card (TRC).
3. Can I extend my Vietnam business visa?
Yes. Most business visas can be extended through your sponsor before expiry, subject to current immigration rules.
4. Can I enter Vietnam with a business visa via land or sea?
No, not with a Visa on Arrival. You must apply at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in advance for land or sea entry.
5. Can I get a multiple-entry Vietnam business visa?
Yes, but it depends on your sponsor’s application and what’s approved by the Immigration Department. Your visa may allow just one entry or multiple entries during its validity.
Conclusion
A Vietnam business visa can be secured with ease when you work with a trusted sponsor. Before you begin the process, think carefully about your travel plans to choose the visa type that suits your schedule. You will need to prepare documents, get the official invitation letter, and apply through the right channel based on how you enter Vietnam.
If you want everything done right from the start, Seniworld can guide you through every stage. We sort out the paperwork, follow up with immigration, and make sure you get the visa that fits your needs. Reach out to our team for fast and reliable support.