Japan vs Socialist Republic of Vietnam
A neutral side-by-side of immigration systems, routes and regulators. Each row links to the underlying visa page with its primary government source.
Last reviewed:
Japan
Japan's immigration is administered by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) under the Ministry of Justice. The system uses 29 residence-status categories. Key routes include the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa with fast-track PR, Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Types 1 and 2 for designated industries, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services for knowledge workers, and Business Manager for entrepreneurs. Major reforms in 2023–24 expanded the SSW system significantly.
- Official portal
- Immigration Services Agency (ISA)
- Languages
- Japanese
- Currency
- Japanese yen
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Vietnam's Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Public Security, issues visas and residence cards, with employment authorised separately by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA). Headline routes are the employer work visa plus work permit, the tiered DT investor visas, the Temporary and Permanent Residence Cards, and a five-year Talent Visa launched in 2025; a proposed ten-year Golden Visa has been announced but is not yet in force.
- Official portal
- Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security)
- Languages
- Vietnamese
- Currency
- Vietnamese dong
How Japan and Socialist Republic of Vietnam differ
| Dimension | Japan | Socialist Republic of Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 5 | 8 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 1 | 4 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 3 | 5 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa | Work Visa (LD) and Work Permit |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | Japanese | Vietnamese |
| Currency | Japanese yen | Vietnamese dong |
| Primary regulator | JFBA | MoJ |
| Policy changes (last 12 months) | 0 | 0 |
Skilled-route head-to-head
Comparing each country’s most-used skilled-migration route side by side.
Routes unique to Japan
Routes unique to Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Visa routes side by side
Japan (5)
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa
Sponsor · To settlement · 5 years; with fast-track PR after 1–3 years.
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Sponsor · To settlement · 1 or 3 years (5 years for renewals); renewable.
Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (SSW-1 / 特定技能1号)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Up to 5 years total (not renewable beyond 5 years — must transition to SSW-2 or another status).
Business Manager Visa (経営・管理)
No sponsor · To settlement · 1 year initially; renewable for 1, 3, or 5 years.
Student Visa (留学)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · 1–2 years; renewable for duration of studies.
Socialist Republic of Vietnam (8)
Work Visa (LD) and Work Permit
Sponsor · To settlement · Work permits are commonly issued for up to about two years, with the LD visa and any residence card aligned to the permit.
Investor Visa (DT1-DT4)
No sponsor · To settlement · Validity rises with the tier - the highest tiers run for several years, while the lowest tier is shorter; residence cards align to the tier.
Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
Sponsor · To settlement · Issued for a multi-year period aligned to the underlying status (commonly up to two or three years), renewable.
Permanent Residence Card
No sponsor · To settlement · Long-term permanent residence, with the card periodically renewed as an identity document.
Family / Dependent Visa (TT)
Sponsor · To settlement · Aligned to the sponsor's status, with a temporary residence card commonly available for a multi-year period.
E-visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Issued for a limited maximum period per entry, with single or multiple-entry options.
5-year Talent Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · A five-year multiple-entry facility, with a capped stay per entry under the scheme terms.
Student / Intern Visa (DH)
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Aligned to the study or internship programme, with a temporary residence card available for the course length.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has an easier skilled-migration route, Japan or Socialist Republic of Vietnam?+
Japan’s Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa is the dominant skilled route; Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s Work Visa (LD) and Work Permit is the dominant skilled route. “Easier” depends on your salary, sponsor situation, and nationality — see each visa’s eligibility detail.
Does Japan or Socialist Republic of Vietnam have more visa routes without an employer sponsor?+
Socialist Republic of Vietnam has more: 4 of its covered routes can be pursued without an employer sponsor, against 1 for Japan. No-sponsor routes — such as digital-nomad, self-employment, and points-based skilled migration — matter most if you do not yet have a job offer.