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

Vietnamese business visa is categorized as DN1 and DN2 visa (formally DN, of which:

• DN1 visa – to be granted to foreigners who work with other businesses and organizations with legal status in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.

• DN2 visa – to be granted to foreigners who come to Vietnam to offer services, establish a commercial presence or perform other activities under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

While people with Vietnam tourist visas are not permitted to work in Vietnam, those with a business visa are allowed to take a leisure trip during their business in Vietnam.

Before Covid, a Vietnamese business visa is available in:

• 1-month single/multiple entry

• 3-month single/multiple entry, and

• 1-year multiple entry (for US Passport holders only).

But at the moment, a business visa for Vietnam is good for 3 months at maximum.

In order to get a Vietnam business visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You are not prohibited from entering Vietnam.

• You must have a sponsor company in Vietnam (the company you will work for after entering Vietnam) that is willing to sponsor your visa and travel. It must be a real company, not a service one, as you may encounter certain hardships if using a service/ghost one.

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Vietnam and have at least 02 blank pages.

• Your portrait photos (4*6cm, or 2*2 inch, white background, in paper or .jpg, depending on your way of Vietnam business visa application).

A. Getting a Vietnamese business visa at the Vietnam embassy/consulate

In case you want to get a Vietnamese business visa this way, you have to visit the nearest Vietnam embassy/consulate. You can find the list of Vietnamese embassies and consulates worldwide here.

The application process for a Vietnam business embassy visa will be as follows:

Step 1: Get the Vietnam business visa sponsorship letter

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

• Photo of foreigner’s passport

• Certified copy of Business registration of the sponsor company

• Form NA2 (to be completed online here https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/huong-dan-dvbl-xdnc)

• Form NA16

• other documents as required.

This process will take around 5 – 7 working days from receipt of the full required documents by Immigration.

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

• issue the sponsorship letter to your sponsor, and also

• fax a letter for your business visa stamping to the registered office of the Vietnam embassy/consulate.

Step 2: Prepare documents for Vietnam business visa stamping

Your sponsor will send the invitation letter obtained in step 1 to you. And you will print it out, and put it with other required documents, including but not limited to:

• a completed Vietnam visa application form,

• your original passport,

• your photos, and

• visa fee which depends on the embassy/consulate.

Step 3: Get Business visa stamp

You submit your prepared documents to the registered Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam by mail or in person, depending on its regulations.

Once your Business Visa has been approved, it will be affixed to your passport and you can use it to enter the country.