Canadian citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam, even for short trips. The e-visa, valid for up to 90 days, suits tourism and short business stays. Those working long term need a work visa and a temporary residence card.
Canadian citizens are not exempt from visas when entering Vietnam, even for a stay of just a few days. Before boarding your flight, you need a visa that matches the purpose of your trip.
The type of visa depends on whether you are travelling for tourism, business, work or long-term residence. This guide explains how to choose the right visa and what to consider when staying in Vietnam for an extended period.
Are Canadians exempt from visas?
No. Canada is not on Vietnam's list of unilateral visa exemptions. Holders of Canadian passports need a visa for every trip to Vietnam, whether short or long.
Canadians should not rely on being exempt at the border. The most reliable approach is to apply for a visa before flying.
90-day e-visa for short trips
The e-visa is best suited to tourism, visiting friends or family, or short business trips of under 90 days. From 15 August 2023, Vietnam issues e-visas to citizens of all countries, including Canada. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days, allows single or multiple entries, and does not permit work in Vietnam.
The state fee is USD 25 for a single-entry e-visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry e-visa. Processing usually takes 3 working days, and may take longer during peak periods, so apply well before your flight. You should only apply through the official portal, evisa.gov.vn.
The e-visa can only be used when entering and exiting through border gates on the permitted list, so choose your gate before booking travel. Basic documents include:
- A Canadian passport valid for the duration of your stay
- A photo of the passport information page
- A 4x6 cm portrait photo on a white background, without a hat or glasses
- Expected entry date, exit date and border gate
- Expected accommodation address in Vietnam
DN1, DN2 business visas and visiting relative visas
If you are coming to work with a company in Vietnam, offer services for sale, or make repeated trips to meet partners, a DN1 or DN2 visa is often more suitable than an e-visa. The maximum validity is 12 months. This visa type requires sponsorship from a company in Vietnam, and Gateway will determine the appropriate type based on your itinerary.
A business visa does not replace a work permit. If you sign an employment contract with a company in Vietnam, you need to follow the work permit process and apply for an LĐ visa.
If you have a spouse, or a child under 18, residing in Vietnam, or a relative who is a Vietnamese citizen, a visiting relative visa may be suitable. The TT code has a maximum validity of 12 months, and the VR code up to 180 days. The application requires documents proving the relationship, such as a marriage registration certificate or a birth certificate.
Work visas and work permits
Canadians recruited to work in Vietnam need a work permit, or a written confirmation that they are exempt from needing one, before applying for a work visa. LĐ1 and LĐ2 visas have a maximum validity of 2 years. Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP is currently the applicable regulation on work permits for foreigners.
Decree 393/2026/NĐ-CP was issued on 20 October 2026 and takes effect from 5 December 2026, expanding certain cases that are exempt from needing a work permit. Gateway will check the specific documents required under this decree when preparing each case.
The employer is responsible for submitting the work permit application. Documents issued in Canada usually need legalisation and certified translation. The exact list of documents depends on the position. The process runs as follows:
- The employer defines the position and the reason for hiring a foreign worker
- The employee prepares degrees, certificates of work experience and a legalised criminal record check
- The employer submits the work permit application or exemption confirmation request
- Once the documents are approved, the employer applies for an entry approval letter so the employee can obtain an LĐ visa
Long-term stay: temporary residence cards and other considerations
An e-visa cannot be used for continuous long-term stays. If you work or live in Vietnam for an extended period, you will need a temporary residence card (TRC) under the appropriate code. Under the amended Law 47/2014, the validity of a temporary residence card must be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of your passport.
Under Law 51/2019/QH14, LĐ1 and LĐ2 temporary residence cards have a maximum validity of 2 years and may not exceed the validity of the work permit or exemption confirmation. Law 118/2025/QH15, effective from 1 July 2026, adds some categories of temporary residence cards and electronic identification accounts for foreigners.
Regarding the 5-year exemption from visas, eligibility typically relates to people of Vietnamese origin or to marital or blood relationships with Vietnamese citizens. Canadians qualify only if they have a corresponding relationship. The permitted stay under this document should be checked case by case.
Visas valid for longer than 90 days are not available through the e-visa system. If you need a longer validity period, contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada directly before booking travel. When applying for a temporary residence card, the application usually includes:
- A passport valid long enough for the requested card validity
- A visa of the correct category in the passport, or documents proving a change of purpose
- A valid work permit or exemption confirmation
- The application form for a temporary residence card and the company's sponsorship letter
Common visa application mistakes
Most problems arise from choosing the wrong visa type or entering incorrect information. Review the following points before booking travel.
- Assuming Canadian citizens are exempt from visas like some other countries, and only finding out at the airport that they cannot board the flight
- Using an e-visa or tourist visa to work under an employment contract
- Applying for an LĐ visa before obtaining a work permit or exemption confirmation
- Applying for an e-visa through a commercial website instead of the official portal, paying extra fees and exposing passport details
- Visa details differing by one character from the passport, leading to refusal to board or refusal of entry
How Gateway can help
Gateway determines the appropriate visa based on your purpose, expected length of stay in Vietnam and Canadian nationality, then prepares your documents in the correct order. The state fee for an e-visa is USD 25 or USD 50, and service fees are quoted case by case. Visa issuance is decided by the competent Vietnamese authorities.
- Determining the appropriate visa based on your purpose and length of stay in Vietnam
- Applying for a single-entry or multiple-entry e-visa
- Requesting an entry approval letter for visas that require sponsorship
- Guidance on obtaining your visa, entering Vietnam, and extending temporary residence when eligible
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