All you need to know about the Vietnam Business Visa and how to apply. Let’s explore the Vietnam Business Visa and its related guidelines in this article.

1. What is a Vietnam Business Visa and How Long is it Valid?

A Vietnam business visa is a short-term visa issued to foreigners who will be working with or for a company in Vietnam, attending meetings or negotiations, or signing contracts, and do not have a valid working visa or temporary residence card.

The Vietnamese business visa is categorized into DN1 and DN2 visas (formerly DN):

DN1 visa – to be granted to foreigners who enter Vietnam to work with a business or organization that has legal status. These businesses can include limited liability companies (LLCs), joint stock companies, branches of LLCs and joint stock companies, companies with foreign investment, and domestic companies. The business or organization must sponsor the foreigner to obtain the DN1 visa.

DN2 visa – to be granted to foreigners who enter Vietnam to offer services, establish a company, or engage in other trading activities under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member. For this type of visa, foreigners do not need to work for a specific Vietnamese business or organization. However, they must have a sponsoring enterprise or agency to guarantee their entry and ensure they are entering Vietnam for the correct purpose.

A business visa allows foreign nationals to temporarily live and work in Vietnam (Source: Collected).

While individuals with Vietnam tourist visas are not allowed to work in Vietnam, those with a business visa are permitted to take leisure trips during their business stay in the country.

A Vietnamese business visa is available in the following options:

• 1-month single/multiple entry
• 3-month single/multiple entry
• 6-month business visa
• 1-year multiple entry 

2. All About Vietnam Business Visa Requirements

For all foreigners or countries that offer Vietnam visa-free entry must apply a visa for work or long-term business stays beyond the allowed duration. 

To obtain a business visa for Vietnam, you must meet the following requirements:

• First, you are permitted entry into Vietnam.
• You must have a sponsoring company in Vietnam (the company you will work for after entering Vietnam) that is willing to sponsor your visa and travel. This must be a legitimate company, not a service or ghost company, as using the latter may cause difficulties.
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Vietnam and must have at least 2 blank pages.
• You must provide portrait photos (4×6 cm or 2×2 inches, white background), either in paper form or as a .jpg file, depending on your method of application.

3. How to Get a Business Visa?

You have several options for applying for a Vietnam business visa:

• At a Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in your home country
• Upon arrival at one of Vietnam’s 8 international airports
• Online via the Vietnam e-visa portal

Before diving into the details, let’s quickly review the three methods:

Now, let’s explore each option together.

3.1 At a Vietnam Embassy/Consulate

If you choose to obtain a Vietnamese business visa this way, you will need to visit the nearest Vietnam embassy or consulate. You can find a list of Vietnamese embassies and consulates worldwide here.

The application process for a Vietnam business visa at an embassy or consulate is as follows:

– Step 1: Get the Vietnam Business Visa Sponsorship Letter

Your sponsor company in Vietnam must apply for your business visa sponsorship letter (also known as a business visa invitation letter, business visa approval letter, or Vietnam entry permit) with the Vietnam Immigration Department. 

The required documents of Vietnam Business Visa include:

• A photo of the foreigner’s passport
• Certified copy of the sponsor company’s business registration
• Form NA2 (to be completed online here: NA2 Form)
• Form NA16
• Any other required documents

This process typically takes around 5-7 working days once the Immigration Department receives all the necessary documents.

If the application is approved, the Vietnam Immigration Department will:

• Give the sponsorship letter to your sponsor
• Fax a letter for your business visa stamping to the registered Vietnam embassy or consulate.

– Step 2: Gather Documents for Vietnam Business Visa Stamping

Your sponsor will send you the invitation letter obtained in Step 1. Print it out and gather the following required documents:

• A completed your Vietnam visa application form
• Your original passport
• Your photos
• Visa fee (amount varies by embassy/consulate)

👉Step 3: Obtain the Business Visa Stamp

Submit your prepared documents to the registered Vietnam Embassy or Consulate either by mail or in person, depending on their regulations.

Once your business visa is approved, it will be affixed to your passport, allowing you to enter Vietnam.

3.2 Getting a Vietnam Business Visa on Arrival (VOA)

The process for obtaining a business visa on arrival is similar to getting an embassy business visa. However, instead of having the visa stamped at a Vietnam embassy or consulate, you will get it stamped at the Vietnam airport upon arrival.

The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Get the Vietnam Business Visa Sponsorship Letter

Your sponsor in Vietnam will acquire the business visa sponsorship letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department and send it to you.

Step 2: Get Documents Ready for Business Visa Stamping

You will need to prepare documents the following:

• A printout of your business visa sponsorship letter
• A completed your Vietnam visa application form
• Your original (passport Valid 6 month)
• Your photos for Vietnam business visa

Visa stamping fee:

• Pay $25 for a single entry visa
• Pay $50 for a multiple entry visa

👉Step 3: Get Your Business Visa Stamped

Upon arrival at a Vietnam airport, present the above documents to the Vietnam Immigration Officer to get your visa stamped onto your passport. Afterward, complete the entry procedure to enter Vietnam and begin your work.

Note: No matter if you want an embassy visa or a visa on arrival, we are here to assist you and your sponsor in obtaining your business visa sponsorship letter hassle-free.

3.3 Getting a Vietnam Business E-visa

Citizens of 80 countries can apply for a Vietnam business e-visa. Check the full list here.

However, the business e-visa is valid for only 90 days with a single entry and multiple entry . But cannot be extended without leaving Vietnam. Therefore, if you plan to stay in Vietnam for more than 90 days, it is recommended to opt for one of the other two visa options.

You can apply for a business e-visa for Vietnam yourself, or the inviting organization/company can apply on your behalf.

👉Applying for a Vietnam Business E-visa Personally

To apply for a business visa online:

• Complete the online application form on the Vietnam Immigration Portal and select “Business Activities” as the purpose of your travel from the dropdown menu.
• Upload a picture of yourself and a scanned image of your passport.
• Pay the visa fee then wait for your application to be processed.
• If your Vietnam business e-visa application is approved, you can download the visa and present it at the entry checkpoint in Vietnam.

👉Inviting Organization/Company Applies for Your Vietnam Business E-Visa

If the company you will join is applying for your business visa, they must register on the Vietnam Immigration Portal, where they will receive an account and an electronic signature.

The company needs to:

• Upload a scanned image of your passport and your photos
• Pay the visa fee

Once their application is approved, they will send you the registration code so you can print out your e-visa and enter Vietnam.

This e-visa process usually takes 3 working days to complete, though it may take longer depending on the volume of visa applications being processed.

All foreign nationals traveling to Vietnam for short-term business purposes are required to obtain a business visa (Source: Collected).

Note: If you find the process complicated or need to get your visa urgently, feel free to contact us. We can assist you in obtaining it within 1-3 working days.

4. Vietnam Business Visa Fees

The fee for a Vietnam Business Visa depends on the application method:

If you are applying for a Vietnam Business Visa On Arrival:

• From $100

If you are applying for a Vietnam Business E-Visa:

• From $25 –  $75

If you are applying for a Vietnam Business Visa at an Embassy/Consulate:

• The fee varies depending on the specific Embassy or Consulate.

This is the stamping fee for a Vietnam Business Visa on Arrival:

• Single-entry – 1 month: USD $ 25
• Multiple-entry – 1 month: USD $ 50
• Single-entry – 3 months: USD $ 25
• Multiple-entry – 3 months: USD $ 50

*Note: For an embassy visa or visa on arrival (VOA), you and your sponsor will need to pay certain charges for the sponsorship letter.

We can assist you in obtaining your business visa easily and quickly, within 1-3 working days, at a reasonable price. Contact us at (+84) 918 212 468 or send an email to Support@vietnamtouristservices.com.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Can I Extend My Vietnam Business Visa?

Yes, the embassy visa and visa on arrival can be extended within Vietnam, but the e-visa cannot.

2. I’m traveling to Vietnam as an expert sponsored by my company. Can I take my wife with me?

Yes, you can. If your wife is traveling with you and your company agrees to sponsor her entry, we can assist both of you in obtaining invitation letters for Vietnam.

In this case, you will receive a DN1 visa, and your wife will receive a TT/VR visa for Vietnam.

3. Do I Need to Provide a Sponsor Letter for a Business Visa Extension?

Yes, to extend a business visa, you need to submit a sponsor letter along with other documents to the Vietnam Immigration Office. These documents include legal documents of the sponsor enterprise, a passport valid for at least 6 months, an application form for visa issuance, and a temporary residence confirmation.

4. How Long Can I Stay with My Vietnam Business Visa?

According to Article 17 – Law No. 47/2014/QH13, you can stay for a maximum of 90 days per entry with a business visa. The visa itself is valid for up to 1 year (12 months) and allows for either single or multiple entries.