2015 Vietnam Visa Updates

[Pham Thuy Duong]

As of January 1, 2015 Vietnam will begin issuing five year visas and resident cards to foreign investors. In the past, foreign investors could only obtain one year visas and residency cards that lasted three years.

If you arrive in Vietnam on a specific Visa (e.g. tourist, business, etc), you cannot apply for a different type of Vietnam Visa while you are in the country.  You must exit the country in order to be considered for a different type of Visa.

Foreigners visiting economic zone along the border and special administration and economic zones will no longer require a visa.

People from countries that enjoy a unilateral visa exemption can visit Vietnam an unlimited number of times. However, they can only visit the country at least 30 days after the preceding visit.

Vietnamese immigration officers at border gates will be able to issue visas to citizens of countries that lack a Vietnamese consular presence, those traveling the region, those who have booked tours with international tourism agencies and those entering Vietnam to visit seriously ill relatives or attend a family funeral.

It is now possible for foreigners to be granted permanent residency which will be granted by the Minister of Public Security.

The procedures for issuing temporary residency cards have been simplified and extended the permission from three to five years.