[Updated] Learn About Vietnam Visa Types For US Citizens

• September 06,2023
• 6 views

Before you travel to Vietnam, it is critical that you understand your legal standing. If you need a visa to enter Vietnam, you should know which Vietnam visa types for US citizens are best for your trip's purpose and itinerary to avoid any surprises and save time and money. We shall take a deep look at the various Vietnam visa types here.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIETNAM VISA TYPES FOR US CITIZENS

There are two main criteria for the Vietnam government to categorize the Vietnam visa types for US citizens:

• Travel objectives

• Visa validity

Classified by visit’ objectives

According to the new immigration regulations that went into effect on July 1, 2020 (Law No. 51/2019/QH14), Vietnam visas are divided into about 21 major types based on the purpose of travel. 

Vietnam visa types for US citizens in detail

Below are the most common types of Vietnam visas:

• Tourist visas (DL)

• Business visas (DN1, DN2)

• Student/internship visas (DH)

• Investor visas (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4)

• Working visas  (LD1-LD2)

• Diplomatic visas (NG)

Other popular Vietnam visas include:

Classified by visa validity

According to this criterion, Vietnam visas are generally classified as follows:

• 1 month single-entry visa

• 1-month multiple-entry visa

• 3 month single entry visa

• 3 month multiple entry visa

• 6 month multiple entry visa

• 1 year multiple entry visa

The main distinction between a single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa for Vietnam is the number of entries into the country. A single-entry visa allows visitors to enter Vietnam once during the visa validity period, whereas a multiple-entry visa permits foreigners to make numerous entry attempts.

MAIN VIETNAM VISA TYPES FOR US CITIZENS

The following are specifics regarding the six most common Vietnam visa types for US citizens:

Tourist visas for US residents

The tourist visa is provided to visitors to Vietnam solely for the purpose of tourism and not for business purposes.

A Vietnam tourist visa is divided into four types based on its validity and entry times.

• One-month, single-entry visas

• One-month, multiple-entry visas

• Three-month, single-entry visas

• Three-month, multiple-entry visas

US citizens holding longer-than-30-day tourist visas for Vietnam will only be granted a 30-day temporary residency stamp. They will be able to extend their visa in Vietnam if they wish to stay.

At the moment, there are three options for obtaining a tourist visa to Vietnam:

• Obtaining a Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA), which is highly recommended for individuals flying to Vietnam by plane.

• Registering for an Embassy visa.

• Registering for a Vietnam E-Visa (available for a one-month single entrance and exclusively for nationals of 80 countries).

Business visas for Americans

The second option among many Vietnam visa types for US citizens is the business visa, which is presently divided into:

• DN1 visas: to be issued to foreigners who collaborate with other lawful firms and organizations in compliance with Vietnamese regulations.

• DN2 visas: will be issued to foreigners who travel to Vietnam to provide services, establish a commercial presence, or engage in other activities permitted by international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

A Vietnam business visa is classified into four types based on its validity and number of entries:

• One-month and single-entry visas

• One-month and multiple-entry visas

• Three-month and single-entry visas

• Three-month and multiple-entry visas

At the moment, there are two options for obtaining a business visa to Vietnam: 

• Obtaining a Vietnam visa on arrival (VOA), which is highly recommended as no sponsor letter from a Vietnam company is required to apply.

• Getting Vietnam Embassy visas.

Student visas

A Vietnam student visa is issued to students who are enrolled in a university course in Vietnam.

Normally, this Vietnam visa type is obtained after arriving in Vietnam. You can enter Vietnam on a tourist visa and then change your visa status at the Immigration Office after enrolling in the course. The most convenient approach to obtaining this type of visa for Vietnam is to have an agency do it for you.

Working visas

A Vietnam working visa is provided to foreigners who come to work in Vietnam, such as teachers. It is classified as follows:

• LD1: to be awarded to foreigners who come to work in Vietnam with a work permit exemption certificate, unless otherwise allowed for in international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

• LD2: To be provided to foreigners who need a work permit in Vietnam to work. Vietnam visa types for US citizens are only valid for a maximum of two years. If US passport holders wish to stay in Vietnam for a longer period of time, they must consider registering for an LD temporary residency card.

• To obtain a work visa in Vietnam, US residents must request to apply for an LD visa approval letter at the Vietnam Immigration Department. Then, depending on the type of visa approval letter foreigners wish to receive, they will receive a visa stamped at the Vietnam mission in foreign countries or at their port of entry upon their arrival there.

Note:

• The most significant document for a Vietnam work visa application is a work permit or work-permit-free written confirmation. If US citizens want to receive this type of visa but do not have a work permit, they must first obtain a business visa with the company they intend to contribute to. Once you obtain your work permit, you can easily apply for Vietnam e visa to work in Vietnam.

• A criminal record or a health check is usually not required when applying for a Vietnam work visa.

• The cost of a Vietnam work visa is divided into two parts: the fee for the working visa acceptance letter and the fee for stamping at a Vietnam embassy or port.

Investor visas

An investor visa for Vietnam is a type of visa that overseas investors can obtain in Vietnam. It is classified as follows:

• DT1: to be granted to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of at least VND 100 billion or investing in the business fields and areas of investment incentives determined by the Vietnam Government. 

• DT2: to be provided to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations engaging in Vietnam with a capital contribution of VND 50–under VND 100 billion or participating in the business fields of investment promotion determined by the Vietnam Government. 

• DT3: will be provided to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital investment of less than VND 50 billion. 

• DT4: To be provided to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with less than VND3 billion in capital. 

Diplomatic visas

A Vietnam diplomatic visa is issued to:

• Members of a delegation visiting Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese ministries or other high-ranking government officials.

• Those who go to work with consulate members or visit them for a short length of time.

Diplomatic visas offer individuals who represent foreign governments the chance to visit Vietnam

A diplomatic visa to Vietnam is free until agreed upon by the Vietnamese embassy and the applicant's home country. To get a Vietnam diplomatic visa, the applicant must send an official letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department to the relevant agencies in their home country. A diplomatic visa is valid for up to 12 months in Vietnam. A diplomatic visa is valid for up to 12 months in Vietnam.

VIETNAM E-VISA: THE IDEAL OPTION FOR ALL FOREIGNERS

There are numerous Vietnam visa types for US passport holders, which makes visitors confused when they apply for one. Consequently, foreigners register for a visa that does not meet their travel purposes, especially visa validity, or match their objectives. To make the visa procedures run more smoothly, it is advised that visitors from the US consider using the visa services. Vietnam E-Visa is proud of having many years of experience in providing consultancy services for all expats worldwide. To get more information about the Vietnam visa types for US citizens or related details about this topic, access the Vietnam e-visa gov website or contact us directly through our hotline: +1 315 715 8498.

The preceding article goes into great detail on Vietnam visa types for US citizens. We truly wish you a pleasant trip to the beautiful S-shaped country of Vietnam. If you have any concerns or wish to know more, please contact us at  +1 315 715 8498 or email support@e-visa-gov.com.

Application Vietnam Visa Online