Socialist Republic of Vietnam visas
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.
8 routes · 4 without a sponsor · 5 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Vietnam Immigration Department ↗ · Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Ministry of Justice (Vietnam) (MoJ) — Supervises the legal profession and the Vietnam Bar Federation. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; immigration service agents are not separately licensed.
Visa routes (8)
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.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 23 July 2026
Investor Visa (DT1-DT4)
Tiered investor visa (DT1 to DT4) for foreign investors and representatives, graded by the amount of capital contributed.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
Residence card that lets eligible visa holders live in Vietnam for a multi-year period without repeated visa renewals.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Permanent Residence Card
Vietnam's permanent residence status for qualifying long-term residents, including certain family of Vietnamese citizens and contributors.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Family / Dependent Visa (TT)
Dependent visa for the spouse, children or parents of certain visa holders or of Vietnamese citizens.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
E-visa
Online single or multiple-entry visa for short tourism or business visits, issued through Vietnam's national e-visa system.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
5-year Talent Visa
Nomination-only 5-year multiple-entry visa for highly skilled professionals and global talent, launched in 2025.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Student / Intern Visa (DH)
Visa for foreign students and interns enrolled with a Vietnamese educational institution or training programme.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Socialist Republic of Vietnam have?+
We cover 8 Socialist Republic of Vietnam visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, investor, general residence, family, visitor and short business, skilled migration, and study. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Socialist Republic of Vietnam visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
4 of the 8 Socialist Republic of Vietnam routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 4 are employer-sponsored.
Which Socialist Republic of Vietnam visas lead to permanent residence?+
5 of the 8 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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