How Long Is a Vietnam Visa Valid?

1. Vietnam Visa Validity Periods

The validity of a Vietnam visa depends on the visa category shown on the visa.

- Visas bearing the code SQ are valid for up to 30 days.

- Visas bearing the codes HN, DL, and EV are valid for up to 90 days.

- Visas bearing the code VR are valid for up to 180 days.

- Visas bearing the codes NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4, LV1, LV2, DT4, DN1, DN2, NN1, NN2, NN3, DH, PV1, PV2, and TT are valid for up to 01 year.

- Visas bearing the codes LD1 and LD2 are valid for up to 02 years.

- Visas bearing the code DT3 are valid for up to 03 years.

- Visas bearing the codes LS, DT1, and DT2 are valid for up to 05 years.

- When a visa expires, a new visa may be considered for issuance in accordance with applicable regulations.

- The validity of a visa must be at least 30 days shorter than the validity of the passport or other valid international travel document.

- Where an international treaty to which Vietnam is a member provides otherwise, the visa validity period shall be granted in accordance with that treaty.

Legal basis: Article 9 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, as amended and supplemented in 2019 and 2023.

2. Latest Vietnam Visa Codes

The latest Vietnam visa codes are prescribed in Article 8 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, as amended and supplemented.

Diplomatic and Official Categories

- NG1 – Issued to members of delegations invited by the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the President, the Chairman of the National Assembly, or the Prime Minister.

- NG2 – Issued to members of delegations invited by the Standing Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vice President, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, Procurator General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, Auditor General of the State Audit Office; and members of delegations invited at the equivalent level by Ministers and equivalent-ranking officials, Provincial Party Secretaries, Municipal Party Secretaries, Chairpersons of People’s Councils, and Chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities.

- NG3 – Issued to members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of United Nations organizations, representative offices of intergovernmental organizations, and their accompanying spouses, children under 18 years of age, and domestic helpers during their term of office.

- NG4 – Issued to persons entering Vietnam to work with diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of United Nations organizations, and representative offices of intergovernmental organizations, together with their accompanying spouses and children under 18 years of age; and to persons visiting members of such offices and organizations.

Working with Vietnamese Authorities and Organizations

- LV1 – Issued to persons entering Vietnam to work with agencies and units under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam; the National Assembly, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuracy, the State Audit Office, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies; and provincial or municipal Party Committees, People’s Councils, and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities.

- LV2 – Issued to persons entering Vietnam to work with socio-political organizations, social organizations, and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Legal and Investment Categories

- LS – Issued to foreign lawyers practicing in Vietnam.

- DT1 – Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign-invested organizations in Vietnam with contributed capital of VND 100 billion or more, or those investing in sectors or areas eligible for investment incentives as decided by the Government.

- DT2 – Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign-invested organizations in Vietnam with contributed capital from VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion, or those investing in sectors encouraged for development by the Government.

- DT3 – Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign-invested organizations in Vietnam with contributed capital from VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion.

- DT4 – Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign-invested organizations in Vietnam with contributed capital of under VND 3 billion.

Business and Commercial Categories

- DN1 – Issued to foreigners working with enterprises and other organizations having legal status under Vietnamese law.

- DN2 – Issued to foreigners entering Vietnam to offer services, establish a commercial presence, or carry out other activities under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

NGO and Representative Office Categories

- NN1 – Issued to heads of representative offices or projects of international organizations and foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam.

- NN2 – Issued to heads of representative offices or branches of foreign traders, and representative offices of foreign economic, cultural, or other professional organizations in Vietnam.

- NN3 – Issued to persons entering Vietnam to work with foreign non-governmental organizations, representative offices, branches of foreign traders, and representative offices of foreign economic, cultural, and other professional organizations in Vietnam.

Study, Conference, Media, and Employment Categories

- DH – Issued to persons entering Vietnam for internship or study.

- HN – Issued to persons entering Vietnam to attend conferences or seminars.

- PV1 – Issued to resident journalists and media staff in Vietnam.

- PV2 – Issued to journalists and media personnel entering Vietnam for short-term activities.

- LD1 – Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam who are certified as exempt from work permit requirements, unless otherwise provided by an international treaty to which Vietnam is a member.

- LD2 – Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam who are subject to work permit requirements.

Tourism, Family Visit, and Other Purposes

- DL – Issued to persons entering Vietnam for tourism.

- TT – Issued to foreigners who are spouses or children under 18 years of age of foreigners holding visas coded LV1, LV2, LS, DT1, DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD1, or LD2; or to foreigners who are parents, spouses, or children of Vietnamese citizens.

- VR – Issued to persons entering Vietnam to visit relatives or for other purposes.

- SQ – Issued in the cases prescribed in Clause 3, Article 17 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014.

- EV – Electronic visa.

Official Note

The visa code shown on a Vietnam visa determines both the purpose of entry and the maximum validity period that may be granted under Vietnamese law. The actual validity period issued in each case will depend on the applicant’s passport validity, supporting documents, entry purpose, and the applicable legal basis.