Moving to Vietnam
4 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.
A job offer
Vietnam work permit
Work permit (Decree 219/2025/ND-CP) with LD2 visa and Temporary Residence Card
Experts, managers and skilled workers hired by a Vietnamese employer, typically with a bachelor's degree and 2 years' experience.
- What you need
- Expert: bachelor's degree or higher plus at least 2 years of relevant experience (1 year in priority fields such as science, technology and digital transformation).
- Technical worker: at least 1 year of technical training plus 2 years' experience, or 3 years' experience.
- Criminal record certificate; can be submitted with the work permit application online.
- Employer sponsorship; job vacancy must be posted at least 5 days before filing.
- Not for
- Remote work for foreign employers (no nomad visa)
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Employer files through the National Public Service Portal 10-60 days before the start date.
- How long it takes
- Work permit decision within 10 working days of a complete file (target).
- First permit
- Work permit up to 2 years; TRC matched to the permit (reported up to 2 years).
- Renewal
- Work permit can be extended once, up to 2 more years, then reapply (reported).
- Family
- Spouse and children can get TT visas and cards.
Invest
Vietnam investor visa
Investor visa (DT1-DT3) and investor Temporary Residence Card
People investing at least VND 3 billion (about USD 115,000) in a Vietnamese company, which gives a residence card of up to 3 years.
- What you need
- Capital contribution of at least VND 3 billion for DT3 (TRC up to 3 years). DT2: VND 50-100 billion (TRC up to 5 years). DT1: VND 100 billion+ (TRC up to 10 years). DT4 (under VND 3 billion) gets a 12-month visa but no TRC. (VND 3,000,000,000)
- Investment registration and enterprise registration certificates for the Vietnamese company.
- Not for
- Passive savers: this needs a real business investment
- Anyone seeking citizenship by investment (Vietnam has none)
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Company sponsors the DT visa and TRC through the Immigration Department or provincial immigration police.
- How long it takes
- Not verified.
- First permit
- TRC up to 3 years (DT3), 5 years (DT2) or 10 years (DT1).
- Renewal
- Renewable while the investment is maintained.
- Family
- Spouse and children can get dependant visas and cards linked to the investor.
Treaties and special cases
Vietnam 90-day e-visa
Electronic visa (e-visa), up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
Long trial stays in Vietnam: an online visa for up to 90 days for USD 25 (single entry) or USD 50 (multiple).
- What you need
- Available to citizens of all countries since 15 August 2023; valid up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Enter through a designated airport, land border or seaport. (90)
- Passport valid at least 6 months; photo and passport scan uploaded online.
- Not for
- Living in Vietnam long term: there is no retirement or digital nomad visa, so long stays mean repeated e-visas with exits
- Working in Vietnam
- Where you apply
- Online. Only on the official portal evisa.gov.vn (many look-alike agent sites charge more).
- How long it takes
- Reported about 3 working days.
- First permit
- Up to 90 days.
- Renewal
- Not reliably extendable in country; most people leave and apply for a new e-visa (unverified).
- Family
- Each traveller applies separately.
- Your passport
- UK citizens can also enter visa-free for 45 days (Resolution 44/NQ-CP, reported valid to 14 March 2028). US and Canadian citizens need the e-visa or a consular visa.
Treaties and special cases Rules need confirming
Vietnam spouse visa
TT visa and Temporary Residence Card for relatives of Vietnamese citizens
Foreign spouses of Vietnamese citizens, the most practical long-stay route for retirees with a Vietnamese partner.
- What you need
- Legal marriage to a Vietnamese citizen (marriage certificate, legalised if foreign); Vietnamese spouse sponsors.
- Not for
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Provincial immigration police or the Immigration Department.
- How long it takes
- Not verified.
- First permit
- TRC of up to 3 years.
- Renewal
- Renewable.
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 3 years.
- Family
- Children of Vietnamese citizens also qualify.
Secondary legal-commentary sources only.