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What You Should Know about Vietnam’s Business Visa (DN Visa)
The Immigration Law of Vietnam provides a wide range of visa types catering to visitors of all purposes. To comply with local regulations, you should always check for the visas and permits specific to your needs.
If you’re a businessperson coming to Vietnam to meet partners, sign contracts, or do administrative work, you’ll need a business visa in Vietnam (labeled as DN Visa). This is granted to foreigners with an invitation (among other required documents) from a business partner or employer based in Vietnam. The employer must guarantee the foreigner’s entry permission by submitting all information to the state agency’s online website and getting approval.
Definition of a DN Visa
The validity of a DN visa varies from 30 days to one year (12 months). A DN visa is typically issued with a validity of one month, three months, six months, or 12 months. As a result, it can only enable foreigners to stay and work short-term in the country. You can also choose between a single-entry and multiple-entry visa. Two types of business visa are available, depending on your planned activities:- DN1 – For foreigners invited to do business with companies in Vietnam operating in compliance with the Vietnamese law.
- DN2 – For foreigners entering to promote services, establish a commercial presence, or conduct other activities under Vietnam’s international agreements.
Are you eligible to apply for DN Visa?
Vietnam’s Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence for Foreigners lets you apply for a DN visa if you have a valid passport and invitation from within Vietnam, and you’re not subject to any entry restrictions (such as geopolitical status, deportation, or children without guardians). Here’s a list of cases where you can apply for a business visa:- You’re invited by a Vietnamese company, but you don’t have a work permit yet.
- You’re a student invited for an internship at a Vietnamese company.
- You want to establish a business presence under Vietnam’s trade agreements.
Vietnam Business Visa: Requirements & Restrictions for Applying
If you plan to visit Vietnam for business, consider these requirements and restrictions:
STEP 1
STEP 2
The process to apply for DN Visa is currently quite strict but as long as you satisfy all the requirements and submit a complete set of required documents, you’ll have a smooth experience.
1. When do foreign workers have to apply for a work permit in Vietnam?
In most cases, international businesspeople are required to apply for a work permit to stay and work in Vietnam for any period. However, you don’t need a work permit if you are:- Head of an international organization/non-governmental organization in Vietnam
- Promoting a service or handling a business error in Vietnam for less than threemonths
- Doing business, volunteering, educating, or working for the press in Vietnam under one of Vietnam’s international trade agreements
- A licensed lawyer as prescribed in the Law on Lawyers
- An investor in an LLC or JSC with over VND 3 billion in invested capital
- Married to a Vietnamese native living in Vietnam
2. Procedures for getting a Business Visa in Vietnam
The following procedures are in line with Decree 152/2020/ND-CP from the Vietnamese government.A. For cases that involve applying for a work permit
Step 1 Apply for approval of the need to employ foreign workers
At least 30 days before the expected date of employment of foreign workers, the employer (except for contractors) must:Time estimate for state agencies to process dossiers: Within ten days from the date of receiving the complete and valid dossiers.
State agencies typically take around five working days to process the complete and valid dossiers. After that, you’ll receive your visa approval letter.
B. For cases not eligible for a work permit
Step 1 Apply for approval of the need to employ foreign workers (whether this step is done or not depends on each case)
If applicable, at least 30 days before the expected date of employment of foreign workers, the employer (except for contractors) must:Time estimate for state agencies to process dossiers: Within ten days from the date of receiving the complete and valid dossiers.
Here are the documents to be included in the dossier of application:
- A written request to certify that the foreign worker is not eligible for a work permit.
- Proof that the foreign worker is not eligible for a work permit
- Health certificate/health examination certificate
- Written approval of the need to employ foreign workers (if applicable)
- Valid passport
State agencies typically take around five working days to process complete and valid dossiers. After that, you’ll receive your visa approval letter.
3. Terms for Business Visas
Once you’ve obtained a work permit (as shown in case A), the work permit lasts two years.
Otherwise, if you aren’t eligible for a work permit (case B), your DN visa and certification of ineligibility can also last two years. The same time frame applies to re-issuance.
To renew your business visa, submit your updated dossier within 5 and 45 days of the current visa’s expiration.
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FAQs
The term "business visa" gets tricky in the Vietnamese context. In Vietnam, there are several kinds of visas that might be used for business purposes, and their requirements, validity and conditions differ. As a rule of thumb, DN business visa is the one you should apply for when working in Vietnam. Find more information on business visa types
This depends on several factors such as your country of origin, previous working experience, a position you apply for etc. However, the process will be smoother with the assistance of a professional visa partner with a vast network of contacts in Vietnam.
Again, this depends on the kind of visa you apply for. Business visas and work permits should be sponsored by the employer while agencies can sponsor an Invitation Letter for a tourist visa.
Yes. If you need to stay longer in Vietnam, your employer or business partner will act on your behalf to extend your business visa. The maximum length of extension is one year with multiple-entry visits.
No. E-visa is only available for tourist visa.
No. You have to exit Vietnam and apply for a business visa from outside the country.
Of course. Business visa is applicable to business activities, including contract signing.
The cost may vary based on the validity of the business visa. You need to confirm with your visa agent of choice whether the cost covers only the service fee or covers the stamp fee as well.
