Business, work and investor visas all need a sponsor, but only some allow long-term work and lead to a residence card. Compare them to choose right first time.
Foreigners coming to Vietnam for work usually choose between three visa groups: business (DN), work (LĐ) and investor (ĐT). The wrong choice can get the file returned, and can also mean you cannot get a temporary residence card later and have to leave the country to apply again. Here is how they differ under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.
Business visa DN1, DN2
- DN1: for people working with an enterprise or organisation with legal status in Vietnam.
- DN2: for people offering services, setting up a commercial presence or doing other activities under international treaties.
- Valid for up to 12 months.
- Suits meetings, market research, negotiations, project inspections and short training.
- Does not allow work under an employment contract, and does not qualify for a temporary residence card.
Work visa LĐ1, LĐ2
- LĐ1: for people with a confirmation that they are exempt from a work permit.
- LĐ2: for people who must hold a work permit.
- Valid for up to 2 years.
- Requires the work permit or exemption confirmation before the visa application.
- Leads to an LĐ1 or LĐ2 temporary residence card, valid in line with the permit, up to 2 years.
Investor visa ĐT1 to ĐT4
Issued to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organisations investing in Vietnam, according to capital contributed.
- ĐT1: VND 100 billion or more, or investment in sectors or areas eligible for investment incentives as decided by the Government. Visa up to 5 years, residence card up to 10 years.
- ĐT2: VND 50 billion to under 100 billion, or sectors in which investment and development are encouraged. Visa up to 5 years, card up to 5 years.
- ĐT3: VND 3 billion to under 50 billion. Visa up to 3 years, card up to 3 years.
- ĐT4: under VND 3 billion. Visa up to 12 months, no residence card.
Which fits your situation
- A few days or weeks to meet partners, attend a trade fair or research the market: an e-visa (up to 90 days) or a DN visa, depending on whether you have an inviting company. Some nationalities are also visa-exempt for short stays.
- Hired by a company in Vietnam: the employer obtains the work permit first, then an LĐ2 visa and a residence card.
- Sent by the parent company as an intra-company transferee: the employer obtains a work permit exemption confirmation, then an LĐ1 visa and a residence card.
- Contributing capital to set up or buy into a company: an ĐT visa by capital level. VND 3 billion or more can lead to a residence card.
- Spouse and children under 18 coming along: a TT family visa based on the LĐ or ĐT holder, then a TT card.
How sponsored visas work
DN, LĐ and ĐT visas all need an organisation in Vietnam to invite and sponsor you. The sponsor sends a visa request to the immigration authority. Under the Law, the authority replies within 5 working days of receiving the request and notifies the Vietnamese mission abroad where you collect the visa. In certain cases set by law, the visa can be collected at an international border gate.
A company sponsoring for the first time must first file a notification with its establishment papers and a specimen of its seal and signature. Actual timing depends on the case and the season.
Three common mix-ups
- Using a DN visa for long-term work. A DN visa does not replace a work permit. Working without a permit can lead to fines and deportation.
- Applying for an LĐ visa before the work permit is issued. The permit or exemption confirmation has to come first.
- Investing under VND 3 billion and expecting an investor residence card. The ĐT4 category only gets a visa of up to 12 months.
If you already entered on another visa
As a rule, a visa cannot change purpose. The Law makes exceptions when you can prove you are an investor; when you are the parent, spouse or child of the individual sponsoring you; when an organisation sponsors you to work and you already hold a work permit or exemption confirmation; or when you entered on an e-visa and hold a work permit or exemption confirmation. Outside these cases you usually have to leave and apply for the right visa.
Frequently asked questions
Can a DN visa be extended? Your stay can be extended or a new visa issued while the sponsor still needs you for the same purpose. If you move into a regular job, switch to the work permit and LĐ visa route.
Do investors need a work permit? Owners and capital-contributing members of a limited liability company, and the chair or members of the board of a joint stock company, contributing VND 3 billion or more do not need a permit, but the company must notify the authority at least 3 working days in advance. An investor working in another role in the company may still need a permit.
Gateway works out the right visa from your and your company's actual plans, then prepares the sponsorship, work permit and residence card in the right order.
Need help with your own case?
See our Vietnam Visa service, or send a request for a free consultation.
Get a quote
