Vietnam Visa Types For Foreigners
If you are planning a visit to Vietnam, you need to understand the different Vietnam visa types that are suitable for your purposes of arrival. The Seni World's guide below will show you all the Vietnam visa types, including types of visa by purpose of visit and by number of entries. This guide also has the frequently asked questions for you to know clearly about Vietnam visa options. See our content below!
Types Of Visa By Purpose Of Visit
As of April 2025, there are 6 main Vietnam visa categories you'll encounter:
Main types of visas by purpose of visit | ||
No. | Type of visa | Symbol |
1 | Vietnam tourist visa | DL |
2 | Vietnam business visa | DN1, DN2 |
3 | Vietnam student or internship visa | DH |
4 | Vietnam working visa | LD1, LD2 |
5 | Vietnam investor visa | DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4 |
6 | Vietnam diplomatic visa | NG |
Other types of visas for visit | ||
7 | For lawyer | LS |
8 | For those who come to work with the departments | LV1, LV2 |
9 | For those who come to attend meetings, seminars, and conferences | HN |
10 | For foreign journalists and reporters living in Vietnam | PV1 |
11 | For spouses/children under 18 of LD1, LD2, LV1, LV2, DN1, DN2, LS, DH, DT1-3 visa holders, or parents/spouses/children of Vietnamese citizens. | TT |
12 | For unique cases on the invitation of the Vietnamese competent authorities | SQ |
Vietnam Tourist Visa (DL)
The first of the 6 main Vietnam visa types is the Vietnam tourist visa (DL), and it has key features below:
- Granted to foreigners entering Vietnam for tourism, enjoyment, or visiting parents, relatives, or friends as a traveler.
- Normally legitimate for up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry selections.
Vietnam Business Visa (DN1, DN2)
The validity of these 2 Vietnam visa types is different, generally up to at least one year, with single or multiple entry selections.
- DN1: Issued to foreigners working with different businesses, agencies, and organizations with legal entity status in Vietnam.
- DN2: Issued to foreigners coming to Vietnam to set up and process a commercial presence, establish a branch, or a foreign company.
Vietnam Student Or Internship Visa (DH)
Next is the Vietnam student or internship visa (DH). They have main points below:
- Granted to foreigners arriving in Vietnam for study or internship purposes.
- Validity is typically tied to the duration of the study or internship program.
Vietnam Working Visa (LD1, LD2):
The validity of these 2 Vietnam visa types is distinct and tied to the employment contract or agreement, up to 2 years, and can be extended.
- LD1: Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam. They are people who are exempt from work permits.
- LD2: Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam. They are people who are required to have a work permit.
Vietnam Investor Visa (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4)
These Vietnam visa options are granted to overseas investors in Vietnam. The sub-categories rely on the amount of each of them's invested capital and the sectors of investment. So there are various validity durations and benefits concerning Temporary Residence Cards.
- DT1: Investment in Vietnam of VND 100 billion (about $4 million) or greater, or in prioritized sectors or regions.
- DT2: Investment in Vietnam of VND 50 billion to less than VND 100 billion (about $2 million to $4 million), or in encouraged sectors.
- DT3: Investment in Vietnam of VND 3 billion to less than VND 50 billion (about $120,000 to $2 million).
- DT4: Investment in Vietnam of less than VND 3 billion (about $120,000)
Vietnam Diplomatic Visa (NG)
The final of the 6 main Vietnam visa types is the Vietnam diplomatic visa (DL), and it has key features below:
- Granted diplomatic missions' members, representative offices, or consular posts of international organizations of the United Nations, and intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam.
- Besides, their accompanying spouses and children under 18 are also issued the Vietnam diplomatic visa.
Besides these 6 main Vietnam visa types above, Vietnam also has a broader range of Vietnam visa categories catering to specific functions, together with:
- LS: The visa for the lawyer
- LV1: This visa is issued to people who come to work with departments, devices immediately under:
- The National Assembly
- The Government
- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam
- The Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front
- Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies
- People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities.
- The Supreme People's Court
- The Supreme People's Procuracy
- State Audit Office
- LV2: This visa is issued to people who come to work with:
- Socio-political organizations
- Social organizations
- The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- The Vietnam Cooperative Alliance
- Different social and expert agencies.
- HN: Issued to individuals who come to attend meetings, seminars, and conferences.
- PV1: Issued to foreign journalists and reporters living in Vietnam.
- TT: Granted to foreigners who are spouses, children underneath 18 years of age of foreigners who are issued visas with symbols LD1, LD2, LV1, LV2, DN1, DN2, LS, DH, DT1, DT2, DT3 visas, or overseas who are father, mother, spouses, or children of Vietnamese citizens.
- SQ: Granted to those in unique cases on the invitation of the Vietnamese competent authorities.
Types Of Visa By Number Of Entries
Based on the number of entries, there are 2 Vietnam visa types, including the single-entry visa and the multiple-entry visa.
Types of visas by number of entries | ||
No. | Type of visa | Available for |
1 | Single-entry visa | DL visa, DN1 visa, DN2 visa, and other short-term visas |
2 | Multiple entry visa | DL visa, DN1 visa, DN2 visa, DT visa, LD visa, TT visa |
Single Entry Visa
The first of the 2 Vietnam visa types, that based on the number of entries, is the single entry visa, and it has key features below:
- This visa permits you to enter Vietnam just once throughout its validity period.
- The visa expires as soon as you depart Vietnam, even if the validity duration hasn't ended.
- Single-entry visas are available for many different purposes, along with:
- Tourist visa (DL): usually remains as much as 30 or 90 days.
- Business visa (DN1, DN2): can be for shorter durations, like 1 or 3 months.
- Different other short-term visas.
Multiple Entry Visa
The next of the 2 Vietnam visa types that based on the number of entries, is the multiple entry visa. This visa has some key points like:
- This visa permits you to enter and leave Vietnam multiple times within its validity period.
- You may depart and re-enter Vietnam as often as needed as long as the visa is still valid.
- Multiple visas are also available for diverse purposes, along with:
- Tourist visa (DL): usually remains as much as 30 or 90 days, with the total visa validity up to 90 days.
- Business visa (DN1, DN2): available with many different validity periods (including 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, up to 1 year). The permitted duration of each stay may be specific.
- Investor visa (DT): relying on the sub-category (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4), multiple entry selections are available with varying validity duration.
- Working visa (LD): can be granted a multiple-entry visa, regularly tied to the period of the work permit.
- Dependent visa (TT): for members of the family of relatives of individuals who hold certain long-term visas, multiple-entry selections are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Select The Proper Vietnam Visa Types For My Visit?
Let's choose the visa type that aligns with your purpose when entering Vietnam. For example, if you are touring, a tourist visa is suitable, and for commercial enterprise activities, a business visa is required,...
Am I Able To Extend My Vietnam Visa?
Visa extensions are feasible but depend on the Vietnam visa types you hold, as well as the current guidelines. Tourist and business visas can be extended sometimes. Therefore, you need to contact the nearby immigration office or a visa agency for consultation and support.
Where Can I Apply For A Vietnam Visa?
You may apply for an eVisa online, through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country, or via a reputable visa agency, like Seni World, for a Visa on Arrival.
Conclusion
Selecting the correct one from many different Vietnam visa types is very important for a smooth and legal entry into Vietnam. If you still have any questions about this topic, asking a visa agency for support is the best way to save time and effort. With 10 years in visa, eVisa, and traveling services, Seni World will help you in consulting and processing all the Vietnam visa types. Contact us for support, and apply via our website for support from scratch.