Visa & Relocation
E-visa, work permit, investor / marriage / student routes, Phú Quốc 30-day visa-free. The honest read on what Vietnam actually offers.
17 articles in this section. Most stand on their own.
Does Vietnam have a digital nomad visa?
Short answer: not in the simple sense that Thailand, Spain and Portugal do. The longer answer is more useful — here is what Vietnam actually offers, what is in policy discussion, and what remote workers should verify.
Does Vietnam have a retirement visa?
Short answer: not in the simple sense that Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia or Indonesia do. Here are the routes Vietnamese retirees actually use, and what to verify before relying on them.
Comparing Vietnam's long-stay visa routes
There is no Vietnamese 'DTV' to compare against the work permit. What there is — work permit, investor, marriage, student — actually does map to different situations. Here is the honest comparison.
Dependent Visas: Spouses and Children of Long-Stay Foreigners
How spouses and minor children accompany the primary visa holder — TT-class dependent visas, document requirements, and visa-validity matching.
Vietnam digital nomad / 5-year visa — a reality check
An honest look at what Vietnam does and does not offer for foreign remote workers. The 'DTV' you may have read about is Thailand's visa, not Vietnam's. Here is what is actually known.
The Vietnam E-Visa: 90 Days, Multiple Entry, All Nationalities
Since 2023 the Vietnam e-visa is open to citizens of every country, valid for up to 90 days, with single or multiple entry.
Vietnam Visa-Free Countries (15 to 45 Days)
Citizens of 25+ countries can enter Vietnam visa-free for 15–45 days under bilateral agreements. When this beats the e-visa and when it doesn't.
Vietnam Investor Visa (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4)
The DT-class visa for foreigners who invest in or own a Vietnamese company. Four capital tiers, with residency duration tied to investment size.
Vietnam Marriage Visa (TT Visa for Spouses of Vietnamese)
The TT visa for foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens — up to 3 years, with a path to permanent residency after three consecutive years.
Phú Quốc 30-Day Visa-Free for Everyone
Vietnam's island special: any nationality, 30 days, no visa needed — provided you fly directly to Phú Quốc and stay on the island.
Vietnam Student Visa (DH)
The DH visa for enrolled students — language courses, undergraduate, postgraduate, and research stays at Vietnamese universities.
Temporary Residence Card (TRC / Thẻ Tạm Trú)
The physical card that turns a long-stay visa into proper residency — required for bank accounts, leases, school enrolments, and free exit/re-entry.
Transit and Airport Visa: Layovers Through Vietnam
Connecting through HAN or SGN on the way to a third country — when you need a visa for the layover and when you don't.
Vietnam Tax Residency for Foreigners (the 183-Day Rule)
Spend 183+ days in Vietnam in a year and you become a Vietnamese tax resident — liable for personal income tax on worldwide income, with treaty relief for many.
Vietnam Visa Extensions
How to extend your visa from inside Vietnam — when it's possible (some classes), when it isn't (e-visa), and what to do instead.
Visa Runs: Leaving and Re-Entering Vietnam
The cross-border hop to reset your visa. Cheaper and easier than it used to be — but Immigration is increasingly watchful of 'permanent tourist' patterns.
Vietnam Work Permit (Giấy Phép Lao Động)
The legal route for working at a Vietnamese employer. Requires sponsorship, an apostilled degree, a criminal record check and a local health check.