Vietnam Visa for Taiwan Passport Holders: E-Visa, Business Visa, Work Permits and Temporary Residence Cards

Holders of Taiwan passports entering Vietnam need to choose the right visa for the purpose of their trip: a short holiday or business visit, work with a company in Vietnam, or a longer stay as an expert or manager. The initial visa type determines what you can do in Vietnam and whether you can later apply for a temporary residence card.

This guide sets out the commonly used visas, working conditions, work permits and temporary residence cards. Some rules on e-visas, fees and procedures are changing, so before booking travel, send your details to Gateway to check your specific case.

Choosing the right visa for your purpose

Tourism, visiting friends or short business trips under 90 days usually suit an e-visa. An 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.

Holders of Taiwan passports are not visa-exempt for Vietnam, but they can apply for an e-visa on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn. Gateway will check your application before you submit it, because the fee is not refunded if the visa is refused. An e-visa may only be used to enter and exit through border gates on the approved list, so choose your gate before booking your flights.

• Short holiday or business trip: e-visa or tourist visa, up to 90 days
• Multiple working visits with partners or companies in Vietnam: DN1 or DN2 business visa, up to 12 months
• Holding a work permit or exemption letter: LĐ1 or LĐ2 work visa, up to 2 years
• Joining a spouse, partner or child under 18 who lives in Vietnam: TT family visit visa

Business visas and sponsored visas

People invited by a company in Vietnam to attend meetings, negotiations, site visits or multiple working visits usually fall under a sponsored visa category. The sponsoring company is responsible for preparing the legal documents and applying for the entry approval letter for the visitor.

A business visa does not replace a work permit. If you sign an employment contract or are paid by a company in Vietnam, you must follow the work permit and LĐ visa route. Gateway will determine the correct visa type from your itinerary before preparing documents.

• A passport valid well beyond the visa period being applied for
• The legal documents of the sponsoring company in Vietnam
• Documents proving the purpose of the trip
• The travel itinerary and the planned place of visa collection

Work permits for experts and managers

Taiwanese experts and managers working in Vietnam need a work permit before applying for an LĐ visa, unless they fall under an exemption. The current rules are set out in Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, effective from 07/8/2025. Work permits are issued by the Provincial People's Committee and are valid for up to 2 years.

Decree 393/2026/NĐ-CP has been issued and takes effect from 05/12/2026, replacing Decree 219/2025. Companies should check carefully when they submit applications against the effective date. Whether a recruited person is classed as an expert or a manager depends on the specific job and qualifications, and Gateway will check this for your case.

The process usually involves the following steps:

• The company defines the job position and the reason for hiring a foreign worker
• The worker prepares qualifications, proof of experience and a criminal record certificate; documents issued overseas may need legalisation and certified translation
• The company submits the work permit or exemption letter application
• Once approved, the company applies for an entry approval letter so the worker can apply for an LĐ visa

Temporary residence cards for long-term workers

E-visas and tourist visas cannot be used for long-term residence in Vietnam. Long-term workers need a temporary residence card under the appropriate code. For work purposes, LĐ1 or LĐ2 temporary residence cards are valid for up to 2 years and cannot exceed the validity of the work permit or exemption letter.

The visa type held on entry determines whether you can apply for a temporary residence card straight away, so ask before booking your trip. After arriving, foreigners must register their temporary residence with the police of their ward or commune. The fee for a temporary residence card depends on the card's validity and current rules, and Gateway will check the fee when preparing your file. The application usually includes:

• A passport valid for longer than the requested card period
• A visa matching the correct category in the passport, or proof that the purpose has been changed
• A valid work permit or exemption letter
• The application form for a temporary residence card and the company's sponsorship letter

Name on the passport and common mistakes

The information on the visa must match the passport exactly. A small error in the order of names or in a middle name can lead to being refused boarding or refused entry, even if the visa has been approved. When filling in forms, enter each character exactly as it appears on the passport information page.

Most problems come from choosing the wrong visa type or entering incorrect information. Companies and workers should check the following points before booking travel:

• Using an e-visa or tourist visa to work under an employment contract
• Applying for an LĐ visa without a work permit or exemption letter
• Submitting an e-visa through a commercial website instead of the official portal
• Visa details that differ from the passport

How Gateway can help

Gateway determines the suitable visa type based on your purpose, planned length of stay in Vietnam and nationality, then prepares your documents in the correct order. State fees are non-refundable if an application is rejected. Visas, work permits and temporary residence cards are decided by the competent Vietnamese authorities.

Contact [email protected] or +84708094198 to have your case checked.

• Identify the suitable visa type and check eligibility for an e-visa before booking travel
• Apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry e-visa
• Obtain an entry approval letter for visas requiring sponsorship, such as DN and LĐ
• Extend temporary residence or obtain a new visa for those already in Vietnam where eligible