1. What is a Vietnam investor visa?

Vietnam investor visa (DT visa) is a type of visa issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam. 

2. Types of Vietnam investor visa

According to the Law No. 51/2019/QH14, Vietnam investor visa is categorized into four types:

Type	Validity duration	Conditions
DT1	5 years	– Contributing capital of VND 100 billion or more- Or investing in business lines, areas of investment incentives decided by the Government
DT2	5 years	– Contributing capital of VND 50 billion to less than VND 100 billion- Or investing in business lines of investment encouragement decided by the Government
DT3	3 years	Contributing capital of VND 3 billion to less than VND 50 billion
DT4	12 months	Contributing capital of less than VND 3 billion

3. Benefits for investor visa holders

• Long-term stay in Vietnam according to the validity period of the investor visa
• Extend the visa following this visa extension instruction
• For DT1, DT2 and DT3 visa holders:
  • Apply for a temporary residence card which is valid for up to 10 years
  • Sponsor their relatives to get Vietnam TT visa 
  • Not required to apply for a work permit (which is another frustrating procedure for foreigners in Vietnam)

4. What are the requirements to apply for the Vietnam investor visa

According to the Article 10 Law No. 47/2014/QH13, Clause 5 Article 1 Law No. 51/2019/QH14, the applicant of DT visa shall be granted once it satisfies the following requirements:

• Having a passport with at least six months validity remaining and at least two blank visa pages
• Having papers proving the investment in Vietnam in accordance with the Law on Investment
  • Investment Registration Certificate, or M&A Approval Notification
  • Enterprise Registration Certificate
  • Documents proving capital contribution: Financial statement or confirmation of the bank
• Invited or sponsored by agencies, organizations or individuals in Vietnam, except for some special cases
• Not falling into the cases which are suspended from entry

5. How to get an Investor Visa for Vietnam?

The procedure to get a Vietnam investor visa depends on where you apply for it, in Vietnam or in a foreign country.

5.1. Getting DT visa in Vietnam

If you are already in Vietnam, you should follow this procedure:

1. Step 1: Preparing and submitting required documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department

The dossiers shall include:

• Certified copy of ERC & IRC of the invested company in Vietnam (sponsor company);
• Certificate of seal specimen registration or a notice on the publication of information on seal specimen of the sponsor company on the national enterprise registration portal;
• Form NA16 – Registration form for the seal and signature of the legal representative of of the sponsor company;
• Form NA5 – Application for visa, visa extension, extension of stay for foreigners in Vietnam;
• Original valid passport;
• A photo in 4x6cm size, with white background;
• Temporary residence registration form as prescribed

Once you have gathered all the required documents, submit them to one of the Vietnam Immigration Departments in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City, where your company is based.

2. Step 2: Receiving the DT visa

After around 05 working days from submission of full documents, you will receive your Investor visa for Vietnam stamped on your passport.

5.2. Getting DT visa from foreign country

If you are in your home country, the procedure as follow:

1. Step 1: Getting Vietnam DT visa approval letter

The dossiers shall include:

• Certified copy of ERC & IRC of the invested company in Vietnam (sponsor company);
• Certificate of seal specimen registration or a notice on the publication of information on seal specimen of the sponsor company on the national enterprise registration portal;
• Form NA16 – Registration form for the seal and signature of the legal representative of the sponsor company;
• Form NA2 with Barcode – Request for pre-clearance of foreigners’ entry into Vietnam (complete here and print out).
• Photo of passport of the investor.

Your agent in Vietnam will submit them to one of the Vietnam Immigration Departments in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City.

After 5 working days, the agent will get the visa approval letter, and then send the scan copy of it to your email.

2. Step 2: Get the DT Visa’s stamp

You are now ready to apply for your DT Visa at your nearest Vietnam Embassy/Consulate General with the following documents:

• Original valid passport as prescribed by the law;
• Printed visa approval letter;
• Two photos in 4x6cm size, with white background;
• Form NA5 – Application for visa, visa extension, extension of stay for foreigners in Vietnam.

It takes up to 5 – 7 working days to process the visa. Keep in mind that you must be present at the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate General on the appointed date to receive your passport with the DT visa.