Vietnam's 45-day visa exemption for 12 countries: who qualifies

Citizens of 12 countries, namely Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, can enter Vietnam without a visa and stay for 45 days from the date of entry, whatever their passport type or purpose of entry. The legal basis is Government Resolution 44/NQ-CP of 7 March 2025, in force from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028.

This guide covers who qualifies, the entry conditions, how the 45 days are counted, and what to do if you want to stay longer or come to work.

The 12 countries

• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• Russia
• Japan
• South Korea
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Norway
• Finland

How the 45 days work

You may stay 45 days counted from the date of entry, not from your booking or departure date. The exemption covers every passport type, from ordinary passports to diplomatic and official ones.

The purpose of entry is not restricted either: tourism, visiting family or meeting business partners are all fine. Working in Vietnam is the exception, as it still needs a work permit and the matching visa (see below).

Entry conditions

Holding a passport from one of the 12 countries does not by itself guarantee entry.

The exemption applies only if you meet the entry conditions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Viet Nam, namely:

• A valid passport issued by the competent authority of your country of citizenship.
• The passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
• You do not fall into a case where entry is refused.

How long the policy runs

The policy runs from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028 and may be extended. As of October 2026, no newer resolution has changed the list of 12 countries. Because the policy has an end date and can change, check again before each trip.

Staying longer than 45 days

• A short trip that runs past 45 days, such as tourism, family visits or business: apply for an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Processing usually takes about 3 working days, and the government fee is USD 25 (single entry) or USD 50 (multiple entry). E-visa holders must enter and exit through the ports that accept e-visas.
• A long-term purpose such as work, investment or joining family: apply from the start for the visa that matches your purpose, with a sponsor in Vietnam.

Visa-free entry does not allow work

Although the exemption covers any purpose of entry, foreigners may not work in Vietnam without a work permit (or a confirmation of exemption) and the matching work visa, after which they can apply for a temporary residence card. HR teams should not let a foreign hire start work while they are in Vietnam on visa-free entry.

Diplomatic, official and seaman's passports

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa exemption list, some of the 12 countries also have separate arrangements for diplomatic and official passports, with longer stays than 45 days:

• Japan: 90 days for diplomatic and official passports.
• South Korea and Russia: 90 days for diplomatic and official passports under bilateral agreements.
• France: 3 months within a 6-month period for diplomatic passports.
• Italy: 90 days within a 6-month period for diplomatic passports.
• Spain: 90 days within 180 days from the date of entry for diplomatic passports.
• Russia: the list shows 30 days for seaman's passports. Holders of these passports should check which rule applies to their trip.

How this differs from Resolution 229/NQ-CP

Resolution 229/NQ-CP of 8 August 2025 gives citizens of 12 other European countries (including Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland) up to 45 days visa-free, but for tourism only, from 15 August 2025 to 14 August 2028. Resolution 44/NQ-CP does not restrict the purpose of entry.

Notes

• Staying beyond 45 days is an overstay. Get an e-visa or the right visa before your 45 days run out.
• British National (Overseas) passport holders are not exempt and need a visa to enter Vietnam.
• If you enter visa-free and later decide to stay long term, you usually need to leave and re-enter on the right visa.
• The policy has an end date and can change, so check before you travel.
• Gateway can check your case or file an e-visa for you.