What You Should Know About Visa and Immigration in Vietnam

This gorgeous country will not leave anyone disappointed. With its rich culture and wonderful people, anyone can feel the urge to relocate to Vietnam once they see what it’s like. It doesn’t come as a surprise that more and more expats choose to relocate here. There are a couple of things you should know about visas and immigration before you move to Vietnam. Informing yourself about visa and immigration in Vietnam before your relocation will help you greatly. You can start packing and purchase your ticket to Vietnam, knowing you didn’t skip any necessary steps. Let’s see what the most important things you should know are before you start moving to Vietnam.

Visa and immigration in Vietnam: a tough process?

When looking at the visa and immigration process in Vietnam, it may seem difficult at first. But, once you do enough research, this feeling will pass. Moving to any foreign country is a big change. To make this process easier on yourself, inform yourself thoroughly. But, this does not imply knowing everything there is to know just about immigration in Vietnam. Researching the lifestyle and culture you’ll experience there is just as important. As for the visa process, you want to make sure all the paperwork and documentation are in order. Once you’ve done this, nothing can go wrong. It’s all about being patient and ready to move. When you plan your move carefully and step by step, you make sure you aren’t in for any surprises. You can go on your flight knowing you did everything you could for a smooth relocation to Vietnam.

A city in Vietnam with tall buildings.
You can relocate to Vietnam quickly and stress-free when you inform yourself about visa and immigration in Vietnam.

Documentation needed for a Vietnam visa

What documentation will you need before you can get a visa for Vietnam? As with every other country, you will need a valid passport. Besides this, a passport-sized photo, your criminal record, your application, and an authorization document from the Immigration Department are a must. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of your arrival in Vietnam. The process of applying for a visa is the same, no matter how long you’ll be staying. You can easily apply for a visa online before you arrive in Vietnam. Obtaining a visa can be a fast process, however, the time necessary to obtain one can vary. So, patience is key when going to a different country, no matter which one you are going to.

Vietnam has three different types of visas. There is a diplomatic visa, a tourist visa, and a business visa. There are a couple of very important differences between the tourist and the business visa. Most importantly, when it comes to the necessary documentation, a business visa requires you to give an official entry clearance from your employer. If you don’t have an employer that can give you this document, you can ask your business partner or a different sponsor to help you. No matter which visa you choose to apply for, you will need to pay an application fee when applying. An E-visa is valid for a single entry and can only last for thirty days.

Traffic in the capital of Vietnam you will be able to see once you find out all about visa and immigration in Vietnam.
You can start your new life in Vietnam quickly when you obtain the right visa.

Tourist and business visas

When talking about visa and immigration in Vietnam, tourist and business visas are the most important things you should know. The tourist visa in Vietnam typically lasts for thirty days. During this time, you can leave and enter Vietnam freely. This is the most popular type of visa issued for people coming to Vietnam. Citizens of certain countries are granted entry without a visa. However, even if you are from one of these countries, if you wish to stay in Vietnam for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. Once you arrive in Vietnam, you can ask for an extension of your visa. You can extend it for up to three months total, and you will need to do so with an official tourist agency.

One of the pros of getting a business visa is that it lasts longer than a tourist one. A business visa for Vietnam can last for up to a year. As mentioned above, you will need a sponsor in order to obtain a business visa. However, if you can’t find one, you can still get a business visa. But, it will last significantly shorter. Without a sponsor, your business visa for Vietnam will last up to ninety days, making it equal to a tourist visa. Just like with the tourist visa, you can leave and enter Vietnam as you wish once you obtain it. A business E-visa is only valid for thirty days, just like the tourist E-visa, and is only valid for a single entry. A work permit is different than a business visa. This allows you to work at a job in Vietnam as a foreigner.

Once you get a hold of visa and immigration in Vietnam, you can quickly enjoy its natural wonders such as this river
Once you gather all the necessary paperwork, you can start planning the packing and moving process.

Vietnam’s temporary and permanent residency card

For people looking to move to Vietnam, a residency card can be the way to go. A temporary residency card can be issued instead of a visa. It can be issued to a foreigner who has a work permit, an Investment Certificate, or a Law Practice Registration Certificate. As for the work permit, these can be valid for up to two years. You need to obtain a working visa at least two weeks before you start your new job in Vietnam. Residency cards are much more difficult to obtain than a visa. If you wish to obtain a permanent residency card, you will need to live in Vietnam for at least three years. You will also need to have a temporary residency card before you can apply for a permanent one. This card will need to be renewed every ten years.

To sum up

Visa and immigration in Vietnam can be tricky. With so much paperwork and procedures, it may seem like a lot. However, your hard work and dedication will eventually pay off. Vietnam is a lovely country and worth taking the extra steps needed to move there. When you know exactly what documents and paperwork you will need, this process becomes a lot easier. You can shift your focus from the stress of obtaining a visa to planning the packing and moving process. Keep thinking about the new and exciting life that waits on the other side of the plane ticket to motivate yourself through this process.

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