Procedures for applying for visas for foreigners working in Vietnam

1. What is the visa for foreigners working in Vietnam?

The visa for foreigners working in Vietnam is a long-term visa issued by the Vietnamese Government to foreigners for the purpose of employment and is applicable to individuals who meet the requirements for work permits or work according to the regulations of Vietnamese labor law.

2. How long is the validity period of the work visa for foreigners?

- The maximum validity period of the work visa is not more than 03 months for cases of short-term work without a work permit

- The maximum validity period is 01 year (12 months) for cases of foreigners with work permits, exempt from work permits, or investors.

Note: In cases where foreigners want to apply for a visa with a validity period longer than 12 months, they can apply for a temporary residence card according to the regulations with a validity period of 01 to 10 years depending on each case.

3. Types of work visas for foreigners in Vietnam.

Foreigners working in Vietnam are granted 2 types of work visas: short-term work visa and long-term work visa.

- Short-term visa is a type of visa with a maximum validity period of 3 months granted to Experts, Managers, and Technical workers from abroad working in Vietnam with businesses and organizations in Vietnam with DN1, DN2 visas.

- Long-term visa for foreigners working in Vietnam is a type of visa with a maximum validity period of 1 year (12 months) applied to foreigners with work permits or with a certificate confirming that they are not eligible for work permit issuance with LĐ1, LĐ2 visas.

LĐ 1 visa is a type of visa with a maximum validity period of 1 year (12 months) granted to foreigners working in Vietnam with a confirmation that they are not eligible for work permit issuance

LĐ 2 visa is a type of visa with a maximum validity period of 1 year (12 months) granted to foreigners working in Vietnam with a work permit

Note: In case the work permit does not have a validity period of 1 year, the validity period of the visa for foreigners will be equal to the validity period of the work permit

4. Documents and regulations regarding visa application for foreigners working in Vietnam

- Law No. 47/2014/QH2013 - Law on entry, exit, transit, residence of foreigners in Vietnam.

- Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA regulating the application form for visa issuance, temporary residence for foreigners.

- Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP detailing the management of foreign workers, issuance of work permits for foreigners working in Vietnam.