Thai citizens moving to Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Thai nationals typically move to Socialist Republic of Vietnam through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security), so check each route below for its primary source.
We cover 8 Vietnam routes — 4 can be started without a job offer, and 5 lead to permanent residence.
Tourist entry
No. Thai nationals require a visa to enter Socialist Republic of Vietnam, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
No nationality-specific treaty routes apply.
Consular processing: a Socialist Republic of Vietnam consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
What this means for Thai citizens
Of the 8 Socialist Republic of Vietnam routes we cover, 4 can be started without an employer sponsor and 5 can lead to permanent residence. Expect a language test or qualification-recognition step, since language alignment is only partial.
All Socialist Republic of Vietnam routes open to Thai applicants
General routes available to all nationalities. Click any to read the full guide.
Work Visa (LD) and Work Permit
Employer-sponsored work visa (LD) paired with a MoLISA work permit, the standard route for foreign employees in Vietnam.
Job offer required · Leads to permanent residence
Investor Visa (DT1-DT4)
Tiered investor visa (DT1 to DT4) for foreign investors and representatives, graded by the amount of capital contributed.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
Residence card that lets eligible visa holders live in Vietnam for a multi-year period without repeated visa renewals.
Job offer required · Leads to permanent residence
Permanent Residence Card
Vietnam's permanent residence status for qualifying long-term residents, including certain family of Vietnamese citizens and contributors.
No job offer needed · Leads to permanent residence
Family / Dependent Visa (TT)
Dependent visa for the spouse, children or parents of certain visa holders or of Vietnamese citizens.
Job offer required · Leads to permanent residence
E-visa
Online single or multiple-entry visa for short tourism or business visits, issued through Vietnam's national e-visa system.
No job offer needed · Temporary
5-year Talent Visa
Nomination-only 5-year multiple-entry visa for highly skilled professionals and global talent, launched in 2025.
No job offer needed · Temporary
Student / Intern Visa (DH)
Visa for foreign students and interns enrolled with a Vietnamese educational institution or training programme.
Job offer required · Temporary
Frequently asked questions
Can Thai citizens enter Socialist Republic of Vietnam without a visa?+
No. Thai nationals require a visa to enter Socialist Republic of Vietnam, even for short tourism. A separate residence or work route is required for long-term stay.
Which Socialist Republic of Vietnam visa routes are best suited to Thai applicants?+
Thai nationals typically move to Socialist Republic of Vietnam through its standard work, study, family, and skilled-migration routes rather than through a dedicated bilateral scheme. Eligibility and processing times are set by Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security), so check each route below for its primary source.
Where do Thai applicants typically apply for a Socialist Republic of Vietnam visa?+
Applications are typically processed at a Socialist Republic of Vietnam consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with Socialist Republic of Vietnam's immigration authority without a consular visit.
Do Thai citizens need a job offer to move to Socialist Republic of Vietnam?+
Not necessarily. 4 of the 8 Socialist Republic of Vietnam routes we cover can be started without an employer sponsor, while the rest need a sponsoring employer or job offer. If you do not have an offer yet, the no-sponsor routes are the place to start.
Can Thai citizens get permanent residence in Socialist Republic of Vietnam?+
Yes. 5 of the 8 Socialist Republic of Vietnam routes we cover lead toward settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.