Republic of the Philippines 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:
Republic of the Philippines
The Bureau of Immigration, under the Department of Justice, administers most visas in the Philippines, while the Philippine Retirement Authority runs the well-known Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV). Headline routes include the 9G pre-arranged employment visa (paired with a Department of Labor and Employment work permit), the 13A non-quota immigrant visa by marriage, the SRRV and investor routes (SIRV, SVEG), and a Digital Nomad Visa established by Executive Order in 2025.
- Official portal
- Bureau of Immigration (Philippines)
- Languages
- Filipino, English
- Currency
- Philippine peso
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 Republic of the Philippines and Socialist Republic of Vietnam differ
| Dimension | Republic of the Philippines | Socialist Republic of Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Total routes covered | 8 | 8 |
| Routes without employer sponsor | 6 | 4 |
| Routes leading to permanent residence | 5 | 5 |
| Typical full settlement timeline | — | — |
| Dominant skilled visa | 9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa | Work Visa (LD) and Work Permit |
| Skilled visa salary minimum | — | — |
| Skilled visa processing time | — | — |
| Skilled visa government fees | — | — |
| Official languages | Filipino, English | Vietnamese |
| Currency | Philippine peso | Vietnamese dong |
| Primary regulator | IBP | 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 Republic of the Philippines
Routes unique to Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Visa routes side by side
Republic of the Philippines (8)
9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa
Sponsor · Non-settlement · Granted in line with the employment contract, commonly for periods of one to three years and renewable.
13(A) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage
Sponsor · To settlement · Probationary for the first year, then permanent on conversion once the marriage is confirmed subsisting.
Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
No sponsor · To settlement · Indefinite stay with multiple-entry privileges while the qualifying deposit and conditions are maintained.
Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)
No sponsor · To settlement · Probationary on issue, then indefinite stay for as long as the qualifying investment is maintained.
Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)
No sponsor · To settlement · Resident status with multiple-entry privileges while the qualifying enterprise and employment continue.
Digital Nomad Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Designed for up to about one year, renewable once, subject to the implementing rules.
9(A) Temporary Visitor Visa
No sponsor · Non-settlement · Short initial stay on entry, extendable in increments up to the maximum allowed for temporary visitors.
Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13)
No sponsor · To settlement · Permanent residence once granted, subject to maintaining status.
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, Republic of the Philippines or Socialist Republic of Vietnam?+
Republic of the Philippines’s 9(G) Pre-Arranged Employment 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 Republic of the Philippines or Socialist Republic of Vietnam have more visa routes without an employer sponsor?+
Republic of the Philippines has more: 6 of its covered routes can be pursued without an employer sponsor, against 4 for Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 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.