Under Article 14, Vietnamese agencies/organizations and certain individuals can invite or guarantee foreigners to enter Vietnam for business, work, study, visits, or other lawful purposes. Sponsors must verify the visitor’s purpose, follow legal procedures, and take responsibility for compliance during the stay.
Who this helps (and the questions it answers)
-
HR & companies: “Can our Vietnam-registered business sponsor foreign staff or partners?”
-
Universities/NGOs: “How do we invite a student, researcher, or volunteer?”
-
Families: “Can a Vietnamese spouse or a foreign TRC/PRC holder invite relatives?”
-
Travel planners: “When do we need a sponsor letter vs. an e-Visa?”
1) Who is eligible to invite/guarantee?
A. Agencies & organizations (registered in Vietnam)
-
Government bodies & socio-political organizations (e.g., ministries, provincial departments)
-
Vietnamese businesses/enterprises (employers, partners, clients)
-
Educational institutions (schools, universities, training centers)
-
International organizations & NGOs legally operating in Vietnam
These entities must use the correct legal channel, keep records, and ensure the foreigner’s purpose matches the invitation (e.g., meetings, employment, study).
B. Individuals
-
Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam
-
Foreigners holding valid TRC/PRC in Vietnam (typically to invite relatives)
Example: A Vietnamese citizen may invite a foreign spouse/child for a family visit.
2) When is a sponsor typically required?
-
Work & business: employment, long-term assignment, technical support, partner meetings beyond ordinary tourism
-
Study & training: university admission, internships, academic exchanges
-
Family visits: spouse/children/parents visiting residents in Vietnam
-
Conferences & seminars: organized participation with a host institution
For short tourism or simple business visits, many nationalities can use an e-Visa (no sponsor). When in doubt, confirm the visa category and supporting documents.
3) Sponsor responsibilities (what the law expects)
-
Purpose alignment: Invite for the correct purpose; no using tourist status for work/study
-
Compliance support: Assist with temporary residence declarations, renewals/changes as applicable
-
Oversight: Cooperate with authorities if issues arise; help ensure lawful conduct and timely departure
-
Accurate paperwork: Provide truthful information and keep documentation on file
4) What documents are commonly requested (by role)
Exact document sets depend on the visa category and local authority requirements. Expect to provide proof of status, purpose, and contactability.
For agencies/organizations
-
Proof of legal status (e.g., registration/license, tax/enterprise profile)
-
Official invitation/guarantee letter stating purpose, duration, itinerary, entry port
-
Contact person details (name, title, phone, email)
For individuals (family invitations)
-
ID/Passport (Vietnamese citizen) or TRC/PRC + passport (foreign resident)
-
Proof of relationship (marriage/birth certificate, etc.)
-
Invitation letter with address in Vietnam and planned dates/entry point
For the invited foreigner
-
Passport (commonly ≥ 6 months validity) & clear biodata scan
-
Photo meeting Vietnam e-visa/photo standards
-
Purpose evidence (e.g., employment offer, admission/meeting invitation, family relationship)
-
Accommodation and onward travel details as applicable
5) Practical scenarios (answer-style)
-
Company hire: A Vietnam-registered firm invites a specialist for a work-purpose visa; later, a work permit/TRC may be pursued per labor rules.
-
University exchange: A university issues an official invitation to a student/researcher; the applicant uses it to support the study visa.
-
Family reunion: A Vietnamese citizen invites a foreign spouse for a family visit; relationship proof is included.
6) Common mistakes to avoid
-
Mismatched purpose: Entering on tourist status to work or study
-
Incomplete sponsor info: Missing registration details or vague invitation letters
-
Ignoring residence rules: Skipping temporary residence declaration after arrival
-
Wrong entry port/dates: Approval says one port, traveler arrives at another (for certain visa types)
Quick sponsor checklist (copy/paste)
-
✅ We are an eligible sponsor (agency/organization/qualified individual)
-
✅ Purpose & visa type correctly selected (work, study, business, family)
-
✅ Accurate invitation/guarantee letter with contact person listed
-
✅ Proof of status (registration, TRC/PRC, relationship docs) ready
-
✅ Visitor’s passport validity and photo meet requirements
-
✅ Plan for residence reporting and any follow-on procedures (extensions, permits)
FAQs
Do all nationalities need a sponsor?
No. Many nationalities can use an e-Visa for short stays without a sponsor. Sponsorship is common for work/study/family cases.
Can a foreign TRC holder invite non-relatives?
Article 14 typically covers relatives/family. For non-family invitations, use a qualified organization (company, school, NGO).
Who is liable if the invitee breaks the rules?
Sponsors share responsibility to the extent of their role (accurate info, lawful purpose, cooperation with authorities).
VietnamEntryVisa.com (operated by Nguyen Adventure, trusted since 2010; excellent Trustpilot/Tripadvisor ratings) helps:
-
Identify whether you need a sponsor or an e-Visa
-
Draft compliant invitation/guarantee letters and pre-check document sets
-
Manage Standard, 1-Day, Same-Day, and Holiday processing options
-
Guide residence declarations and next-step procedures (where applicable)
Make sponsorship simple and compliant. Start with a quick eligibility review and the right document templates at VietnamEntryVisa.com.