To be issued a Vietnam visa, foreigners must (1) hold a valid passport/travel document, (2) not fall under any suspension-from-entry grounds (Article 21), and (3) have a Vietnam-based inviter/guarantor unless exempt (e.g., e-Visa under Clause 3, Article 17). Additional purpose-specific documents are required for investment, work, study, legal practice, etc.
Who this helps (and the questions it answers)
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Tourists & family visitors: “Do I need a sponsor for an e-Visa?”
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Employers/HR & investors: “What documents do we need to sponsor a foreign employee/investor?”
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Students & lawyers: “Which proofs are required for admission or law practice?”
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Travel planners: “How do I avoid rejection for missing or mismatched information?”
Core conditions (apply to all visa applicants)
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Valid passport/travel document (sufficient validity and blank pages).
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No entry suspension under Article 21 (e.g., national security risks, false documents, serious infectious disease concerns).
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Vietnam-based inviter/guarantor (agency, organization, or individual) — not required for e-Visa cases exempted by Clause 3, Article 17.
e-Visa tip: For eligible nationalities and purposes, the e-Visa path typically does not require a local guarantor and is fully online.
Purpose-based documentation (what you’ll need in addition to the basics)
| Purpose | Visa categories commonly used | Required proof (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism / short business visit | DL (tourism), DN (business with VN enterprises) | Trip details; for DN, business invitations/meetings with a Vietnamese enterprise. |
| Investment | ĐT (Investor) | Investment registration/certificate or documents under the Law on Investment; proof of investor status. |
| Employment (work) | LĐ (Work) | Vietnam work permit/eligibility per the Labor Code; employer sponsorship, job contract/approval. |
| Study / internship / training | DH (Study) | Admission/acceptance letter from a Vietnamese educational institution or training provider. |
| Legal practice | (Often under professional categories tied to ĐT/LĐ as applicable) | Vietnam law practice license issued under the Law on Lawyers (for foreign lawyers). |
| Conferences/meetings | HN | Conference/workshop invitation and event details from host in Vietnam. |
| Family/relatives | VR / TT | Proof of relationship (for TT dependents) or visit confirmation (VR) consistent with your purpose. |
Match your purpose to the right category. Submitting tourist (DL) for employment activity risks refusal or later revocation.
Real-world scenarios (answer-style)
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Tourist using the e-Visa path: No guarantor required (Clause 3, Article 17). Ensure passport validity and accurate personal data; choose the correct entry port.
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Company hiring a foreign specialist: Employer first secures work-permit eligibility and prepares sponsorship; applicant uses LĐ with supporting labor documents.
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Foreign investor seeking a multi-year horizon: Provide investment certificate/registration to apply under ĐT.
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Student accepted by a VN university: Use DH with admission letter; maintain contact details that match school records.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
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❌ Purpose mismatch (e.g., working on DL): leads to refusal or revocation later.
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❌ Missing or outdated proof (e.g., investor papers not aligned with current registration): update documents before filing.
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❌ Data inconsistencies (name/passport number/entry port): double-check every field; use one passport consistently across all filings.
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❌ Assuming e-Visa equals any activity: e-Visa is purpose-bound (typically tourism/business lite). For employment, use LĐ.
Quick compliance checklist (copy/paste)
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✅ Passport valid beyond intended stay, with blank pages
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✅ No Article-21 suspension grounds
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✅ Correct visa category matches true purpose (DL/DN/LĐ/ĐT/DH/HN/VR/TT…)
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✅ Purpose proofs ready (work permit eligibility, investment certificate, admission letter, invites)
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✅ If using e-Visa, confirm eligibility, entry port, and dates
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✅ All names/numbers/dates exactly match the passport and supporting documents
FAQs
Do I need a local sponsor for an e-Visa?
Often no—Clause 3, Article 17 provides exemptions for e-Visa cases. Confirm your eligibility and purpose.
Can I switch from tourist (DL) to work (LĐ) inside Vietnam?
Conversions are regulated and case-specific; many require exit and re-entry with proper approvals. Plan the correct category before travel.
What if my documents are not ready by my travel date?
Don’t apply with incomplete or incorrect proofs. Consider adjusting your travel or using expedited services once documents are compliant.
VietnamEntryVisa.com (operated by Nguyen Adventure, trusted since 2010 with excellent Trustpilot/Tripadvisor ratings) helps you:
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Map your purpose to the correct visa (DL/DN/LĐ/ĐT/DH/HN/VR/TT) per Article 10
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Pre-check documents (investment, work-permit eligibility, admission, invitations) to avoid mismatches
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Navigate e-Visa exemptions (Clause 3, Article 17) and confirm entry ports/dates
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Choose processing that fits your timing: Standard, 1-Day, Same-Day, Holiday
Apply confidently—submit the right documents for the right purpose.
Start your compliant application at VietnamEntryVisa.com.