While most foreigners to Vietnam receive a standard visa sticker directly inside their passport, immigration authorities occasionally issue a separate physical document known as a loose-leaf visa.
This guide breaks down who needs a loose-leaf visa, when it is required, and what documents are necessary to obtain one.
What is a Vietnam loose-leaf visa?
A Vietnam loose-leaf visa is a visa issued as a separate document rather than being affixed directly to the foreign national’s passport or other international travel document.
This separate visa is still a valid Vietnamese visa and is not a substitute for a passport or other travel document. Whether a foreign national can enter Vietnam depends on the information stated on the visa, including its validity period, number of entries, purpose of entry, and other applicable conditions.
Therefore, before preparing the application, it is important to determine whether the foreign national falls under a case where a Vietnam loose-leaf visa is required under Vietnamese regulations.
When is a Vietnam loose-leaf visa required?
According to Article 11 of Consolidated Document No. 62/VBHN-VPQH of 2026 on the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, a loose-leaf visa is issued in certain cases, including:
- The passport has no remaining pages for visa issuance.
- Nationals from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
- Foreigner hold an international travel document.
- The visa is issued for diplomatic, national defense, or security reasons.
- Other cases specified in Point b, Clause 2, Article 7 of the Law.
In practice, holders of ordinary Chinese passports from mainland China must need a Vietnam loose-leaf visa when entering Vietnam.
This is related to the introduction of a new Chinese electronic ordinary passport containing a map depicting the “nine-dash line.” Following the introduction of this passport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued Official Dispatch No. 3771/BNG-LS dated November 22, 2012. Accordingly, Vietnam does not affix a visa to or stamp this type of passport and instead uses a loose-leaf visa.
Therefore, when completing immigration procedures in Vietnam, holders of ordinary Chinese passports containing the “nine-dash line” map need to use a loose-leaf visa rather than having the visa issued directly in their passport.
*Note: This requirement does not apply in the same way to holders of Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan travel documents.
How to obtain a Vietnam loose-leaf visa
The procedure for obtaining a loose-leaf visa may vary depending on the foreigner’s immigration status and method of entry.
For foreigners applying for a temporary residence card, the loose-leaf visa will be issued together with the application result.
For those entering Vietnam with an eVisa, the loose-leaf visa procedure can generally be completed at the Vietnamese border checkpoint.
Step 1: Prepare documents
- Passport
- One 4x6cm photo
- Vietnam eVisa
- Visa application form
Additional documents may be required depending on the specific case and entry point.
Step 2: Apply for the loose-leaf visa at the border checkpoint
Upon arrival at a Vietnamese border checkpoint, foreigners proceed to the designated visa counter and present the required documents. The immigration officer will review the documents and provide instructions for completing the loose-leaf visa issuance procedure.
Step 3: Receive the visa and complete immigration procedures
Once the procedure is completed, the foreigner receives the loose-leaf visa and proceeds with the immigration process. The entry stamp is recorded on the loose-leaf visa document.
FAQs
Is a loose-leaf visa a Vietnamese visa?
Yes. A loose-leaf visa is still a Vietnamese visa.
The main difference is its form of issuance. Instead of being affixed directly to the passport or other international travel document, the visa is issued as a separate document. This is why it may also be referred to as a separate visa.
Can a loose-leaf visa be single-entry or multiple-entry?
Yes. The number of entries permitted depends on the type and validity of the visa issued. For example, if a foreign national is issued a multiple-entry visa, the corresponding loose-leaf visa reflects the applicable multiple-entry validity and should be kept for subsequent entries into Vietnam.
Can a loose-leaf visa still be used if the foreigner changes their passport?
No. If the passport is changed after the loose-leaf visa has been issued, the foreigner must apply for a new visa using the new passport details before entering Vietnam.
Does a loose-leaf visa replace a passport?
No. A loose-leaf visa and a passport are two different documents.
The passport or international travel document serves as the foreign national’s travel document, while the loose-leaf visa confirms the conditions under which the foreign national is permitted to enter Vietnam.
Both documents should be carried when required for immigration procedures.
Why choose professional assistance for a Vietnam loose-leaf visa?
A loose-leaf visa is required in certain cases under Vietnamese immigration regulations, such as for holders of ordinary Chinese passports containing the “nine-dash line” map, passports with no remaining visa pages, and certain cases involving diplomatic or security reasons.
For foreigners entering Vietnam for the first time, senior business professionals, or groups of guests who need to complete the loose-leaf visa and immigration procedures within a limited timeframe, handling the process independently at the airport can sometimes be unfamiliar and time-consuming.
To help streamline the process, FISC provides fast track services with priority airport assistance, including support with the issuance of the loose-leaf visa quickly and conveniently.
Contact FISC today for detailed advice and to schedule Fast Track services for your foreign experts and business partners.
