Socialist Republic of Vietnam · study
Student / Intern Visa (DH)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Visa for foreign students and interns enrolled with a Vietnamese educational institution or training programme.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Aligned to the study or internship programme, with a temporary residence card available for the course length.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Student / Intern Visa (DH) for Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a sponsor-led Vietnam immigration route. Sources: official Socialist Republic of Vietnam government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/vietnam/student-visa-dh#answer
What is the Student / Intern Visa (DH) in Socialist Republic of Vietnam?
Student / Intern Visa (DH) is a sponsor-led Vietnam route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal; typical duration is Aligned to the study or internship programme, with a temporary residence card available for the course length. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The DH visa is issued to foreign students and interns coming to study or train at a Vietnamese educational institution or an organisation hosting an internship. The institution or host sponsors the application. Holders can usually obtain a temporary residence card aligned to the length of their programme and may sponsor certain family members on a dependent visa. It is a study and training route and is not in itself a settlement pathway.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Admission to study or intern at a Vietnamese educational institution or host organisation that will sponsor the visa.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ✓Enrolment in a recognised study or training programme.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ✓Means to support yourself during the programme.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ✓A passport with the required validity and no immigration or security objection.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
Common blockers
- !No place at, or sponsorship from, a recognised institution or host.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- !Studying or interning on a short-stay visa not intended for it.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- !Inability to show means to support yourself during the programme.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and personal particulars.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ·Admission or enrolment letter from the sponsoring institution or host.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ·Evidence of funds to support living costs.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ·Sponsor documents from the institution or host organisation.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your institution or host is recognised and will sponsor your DH visa.
Build the evidence pack
Obtain your admission or internship letter and sponsor documents and gather proof of funds.
Submit through the official channel
The institution or host sponsors the DH visa, and where eligible the temporary residence card, through the Immigration Department.
After approval
Enter Vietnam, obtain a residence card for the course length where eligible and renew while enrolled.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Student / Intern Visa (DH) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Student / Intern Visa (DH).
Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) · verified
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Related routes
Family / Dependent Visa (TT)
Dependent visa for the spouse, children or parents of certain visa holders or of Vietnamese citizens.
Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
Residence card that lets eligible visa holders live in Vietnam for a multi-year period without repeated visa renewals.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work part-time on a DH student visa?+
The DH visa is granted for study or internship and does not carry open work rights; any work would generally need separate authorisation. Confirm the current conditions and any limits on the official immigration page.
Can I bring family on a DH visa?+
DH holders can in some cases sponsor certain family members on a dependent (TT) visa. Whether your relatives qualify depends on the rules, so confirm the current eligibility on the official immigration page.
After I graduate, can I switch from my DH student visa to a work visa in Vietnam?+
The DH visa is a study and training route and does not carry open work rights, so to work you would move onto the employer-sponsored LD work route, which requires a job offer from a Vietnamese employer plus a work permit from the labour authorities. Confirm the current process and any switching options on the official immigration page.
Does my time studying in Vietnam on a DH visa count toward permanent residence?+
No. The DH study or intern visa is not in itself a settlement pathway, so study time alone does not put you on the permanent-residence track; a later sponsored route such as the LD work visa can lead toward settlement instead. Confirm the qualifying conditions on the official immigration page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in VietnamHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security)
Last checked: 1 June 2026