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Visa and Work permits
Visas
A Vietnamese entry visa is required for all foreigners wishing to visit Vietnam, except for citizens of countries having bilateral visa exemption agreements with Vietnam.

There are two ways of obtaining an entry visa to Vietnam as follows:
  • visas issued by a Vietnam consular office outside Vietnam – foreigners may apply and collect the entry visa at a Vietnam consular office in the country in which the foreigner resides
  • visas on arrival – foreigners may collect the entry visa upon arrival at an international airport in Vietnam. A letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department is required to be produced for obtaining a visa on arrival.
The practice for issuing visas and renewals changed in 2009, although there was no change in the law. At the time of writing, visas are not being issued for more than three months and renewals will only be issued for one month. It is necessary to leave Vietnam to get a new visa.

People with work permits or who are exempt (considered below) can obtain temporary residency cards (TRC) for up to three years. Applications for TRCs are relatively straightforward.

Work permits
Virtually all foreigners working in Vietnam for three months or more are required to obtain a work permit. Exceptions exist, including for foreigners:
  • entering Vietnam to work for a period of less than three months
  • who are members of limited liability companies with two or more members
  • who are the owners of one member limited liability companies
  • who are members of the Board of Management of joint stock companies established in Vietnam
  • entering Vietnam to offer services
  • entering Vietnam to deal with issues arising from urgent situations with a work duration of less than three months, but if for more than three months then after working for three months in Vietnam the foreigner must carry out procedures to register for issuance of a work permit
  • who are lawyers licensed by the Ministry of Justice to practice as such in Vietnam
  • who are heads of representative offices, project offices, and foreigners assigned to represent all activities in Vietnam by foreign non-government organizations
  • transferred internally within an enterprise and within the List of Commitments on Services of Vietnam as specified in the WTO Schedule, comprising the following services: business services; information services; construction services; distribution services; education services; environmental services; financial services; health services; tourism services; services of entertainment culture; and transportation services
  • going to Vietnam to supply expert and technical consulting services including research, formulation, evaluation monitoring and assessment, management and implementation of a program of project using official development aid (ODA) in accordance with provisions or agreements in international treaty on ODA signed by a competent authority of Vietnam and of the foreign country
  • licensed to operate in the information and newspaper sector in Vietnam by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • in other certain circumstances which are in accordance with the Prime Minister’s regulations.
Work permits are issued with the same duration as the term of the labor contracts or contracts between the Vietnamese party and the foreign party but will not exceed three years. Work permits may be renewed. Obtaining work permits is a time consuming process and employers are recommended to commence the application preparation as early as possible.