Procedures of applying for a visa to enter Vietnam for foreigners

1. What is an entry permit?

Entry Permit (or entry approval letter) is a document granted by the Immigration Department to foreigners entering Vietnam. Once approved, foreigners will easily apply for a Vietnam Visa at the Embassy or at airports and international border gates.

When an entry permit has been issued, foreigners can easily get a Vietnam visa at the border gate at Vietnam's international airports (Noi Bai airport, Tan Son Nhat airport) or at Vietnamese diplomatic missions in host countries (Vietnam Embassy/Consulate).

To be guaranteed an entry permit, you need to contact an enterprise, a support company such as Vietnam Booking. The entry permit will be approved as soon as possible.

2. Conditions for foreigners to enter Vietnam

a. Passports and visas

• When foreigners enter Vietnam under unilateral visa exemption, their passports must be valid for at least 06 months or more.

• The entry time must be at least 30 days from the last time you exit from Vietnam.

b. Cases of which entry is not allowed

According to Article 21 of the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence for foreigners in Vietnam at No. 47/2014/QH13, there are cases when entry is not allowed as follows:

• Under-14 children who are not accompanied by their parents, guardians or authorized persons.

• Those who have forged papers or made false declarations to obtain entry, exit or residence papers.

• Those who suffer mental diseases or infectious diseases which threaten the community’s health.

• Those who were expelled from Vietnam within the last 3 years, counted from the effective date of the expulsion decisions.

• Those who were compelled to leave Vietnam within the last 6 months, counted from the effective date of the decisions on compelled exit.

• For epidemic prevention and control.

• In the circumstance of natural disasters.

• For national defense, security or social order and safety.

3. Procedures of applying for an entry approval letter

Step 1. Apply for a written approval to use foreign workers

The guarantee company must prepare the required documents and submit it to the Industrial Park Management Board or the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in the province of the guarantee company to apply for a written approval to use foreign workers.

If the company still has written approval of appropriate employment, this step may be skipped.

Step 2: Obtain written approval of the province-level People's Committee 

In this step, the Company guaranteeing foreign experts to enter Vietnam will submit the written approval of using foreign workers and other documents to the province-level People's Committee.

After that, the guarantee company will receive a written approval for the foreign expert to come to Vietnam to work.

Step 3: Apply for approval from the Department of Health

In this step, the guarantee company will need to prepare:

• A copy of the written approval of the province-level People's Committee.

• Isolation plan.

• Commitment to comply with regulations on Covid-19 Prevention.

After that, the guarantee company will receive the Official Letter of Approval from the Department of Health allowing foreigners to be isolated when entering Vietnam.

Step 4: Apply for an entry permit

The guarantee company needs to prepare the following documents:

• Scanned copy of valid foreigner's passport.

• Official Request for approving foreigners entering the country (Form NA2).

• A copy of the valid visa or temporary residence card (if any).

• University degree and documents proving that foreigners have 3 - 5 years working experience.

• Notarized copy of business registration certificate, investment registration certification.

• Notarized copy of tax code registration certificate.

• Written introduction of legal seal and signature of competent persons of the organization (form NA16).

• Letter of introduction/authorization of the enterprises + ID card/temporary residence card (if sending employees to submit).

• The original or a notarized copy of the approval letter of the province-level People's Committee.

• Confirmation of booking a hotel with standard isolation from 3 stars to 5 stars.

• Valid health insurance or guarantee companies commits to cover all medical expenses for foreigners if foreigners are infected with disease.

• Flight details if entering Vietnam by air (including flight number, flight itinerary, and port of entry). In case there is no flight information, the guarantee company must notify the Immigration Department as soon as it is available.

After preparing the above documents, the staff of the guarantee company will bring the documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, depending on the address where the enterprise is located.

After 3 working days, the guarantee company will receive an entry guarantee letter for its foreign experts to enter.

Step 5. Notify relevant authorities

After receiving the entry permit, the guarantee company needs to notify the Department of Health and relevant agencies to prepare all items ready for foreigners to enter according to regulations.

After that, the foreign expert will follow the Vietnam entry procedure to enter Vietnam.

These are all documents and procedures for entry into Vietnam for foreigners. Individuals and organizations that have foreigners entering Vietnam should pay attention to the entry process and procedures in accordance with the law so that the entry can go smoothly.