Are you an overseas Vietnamese who often returns home to visit family but wants to skip the hassle of immigration procedures? Or do you have a Vietnamese spouse? A Vietnam 5 year visa is the perfect solution, making travel for you and your loved ones simpler and more convenient than ever.
With the 5-year visa exemption, you can enter and leave Vietnam multiple times without applying for a visa each time. Beyond convenience, this powerful certificate offers clear benefits: long validity and fast processing.
In the next section, we’ll guide you step by step, covering eligibility, process and required documents to ensure your application is approved smoothly.
What is a Vietnam visa exemption?
A Vietnam visa exemption (also known as Vietnam 5-year visa) allows Vietnamese residing overseas or foreigners who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens to enter and exit Vietnam for family visits without needing to apply for a visa.
This long-term Vietnam visa is valid for up to 5 years, but its validity must be at least 6 months shorter than the remaining validity of the holder’s passport or foreign residence document.
With a visa exemption, holders can stay in Vietnam for up to 6 months per visit. If the certificate is valid for less than 6 months, the permitted stay is counted until the expiration date. In certain cases, and with a valid reason, the stay can be extended for an additional 6 months.
*Note: For employment purposes or long-term residence in Vietnam, foreigners are still required to obtain a work permit and a temporary residence card.
Eligibility for a Vietnam 5 Year Visa
To be eligible for the Vietnamese visa exemption, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a valid foreign passport or international travel document with at least 1 year of validity from the intended date of entry.
- Provide proof of Vietnamese origin or former Vietnamese nationality, such as a birth certificate or documents confirming marital or family relationships.
- Not be subject to entry bans or temporary exit restrictions as outlined in Articles 21 and 28 of Law 47/2014/QH13.
How to apply for a Vietnam 5 year visa?
The process for applying for a Vietnam 5 year visa exemption certificate includes the following steps:
Step 1: Prepare the documents
For overseas Vietnamese:
– Application form for the visa exemption certificate
– Two 4×6 cm photos with a white background, bare head, and no glasses
– Passport valid for at least 12 months following entry date in Vietnam
– Documents proving eligibility for the visa exemption, such as:
- Birth certificate
- Vietnamese passport (valid or invalid)
- Identity card (valid or invalid)
- Family register book
- The latest voter’s card
- Decision to renounce Vietnamese nationality
- Certificate of loss of Vietnamese nationality
- Other documents indicating Vietnamese nationality or proving former Vietnamese nationality
For foreigners who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens:
– Application form for the visa exemption certificate
– Two 4×6 cm photos with a white background, bare head, and no glasses
– Foreign passport with at least 06 months of validity
– Documents proving the relationship between the applicant and the Vietnamese citizens, such as:
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Decision of adoption
- Other valid documents as regulated by the Vietnamese Law
Step 2: Submit documents to the competent authority
There are two ways to submit the application:
- In person at the Immigration Department for foreigners currently in Vietnam.
- Online via the National Public Service Portal, with the application submitted by post or courier.
After receiving the application, the authorities will review and verify its legality and content. If the application is valid, the applicant will be instructed to pay the fee and will receive a receipt with the scheduled date for collecting the result. For online submissions, applicants can choose to receive the result via postal service and pay the corresponding delivery fee.
Step 3: Receive the result
If you choose to receive the 5 year Vietnamese visa in person, bring your receipt and a valid ID to the Immigration Department. For applicants who choose to receive the result via postal service, the documents will be delivered according to the instructions of the postal service provider.
In cases where a visa exemption is not granted, the applicant will be notified in writing or via the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security’s portal, with the specific reason provided.
The processing time for the Vietnam visa exemption certificate is 7 working days, with results issued from Monday to Friday each week.
Secure Your Vietnam Visa Exemption Quickly and Confidently
The Vietnam visa exemption certificate offers unmatched convenience and flexibility, making it easier for overseas Vietnamese and foreigners to travel to Vietnam without the hassle of repeated visa applications. Securing this long term Vietnam visa starts with understanding the eligibility requirements and preparing a complete application.
To make the process efficient and stress-free, FISC provides comprehensive support at every stage, from assessing your eligibility and assisting with document preparation, to ensuring a seamless submission and approval experience.
