Not all foreigners enter Vietnam under diplomatic or special categories (NG1–NG4). For most visitors, workers, investors, or relatives, visa applications must be processed through the Immigration Management Agency (IMA).
Article 16 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam explains the procedures for agencies, organizations, and individuals inviting or guaranteeing foreigners in these cases.
Who this applies to (and common use cases)
Applies to foreigners not in Article 8 NG1–NG4 (diplomatic/official).
Typical scenarios:
-
Companies inviting partners (DN) — “How do we sponsor a short business visit?”
-
Employers hiring expats (LĐ) — “What goes first: work permit or visa sponsorship?”
-
Investors (ĐT) — “Which documents prove investment eligibility?”
-
Universities/centers (DH) — “How to sponsor a student or intern?”
-
Family visits (VR/TT) — “Can a spouse/parent in Vietnam invite relatives?”
One-time sponsor onboarding with IMA (for organizations)
Before your first sponsorship, eligible entities file a notification dossier with the IMA:
Who must notify:
-
Vietnamese enterprises, social organizations, NGOs
-
Branches of foreign traders
-
Representative offices of foreign economic/cultural/professional organizations
What to submit (once):
-
Certified copy of the organization’s establishment license/decision from a competent authority
-
Specimen seal & authorized signature introduction of the legal representative
Note: Update the IMA if any registered details (name, seal, signatory, address) change.
Step-by-step: Visa sponsorship through the IMA
-
Prepare sponsorship dossier (per visa purpose):
-
Invitation/guarantee letter on letterhead (purpose, stay dates, entry gate, contact)
-
Foreigner’s passport (valid ≥ 6 months) + biodata copy
-
Purpose-proof documents (examples):
-
ĐT: investment certificate/enterprise records
-
LĐ: work permit/eligibility per Labor Code
-
DN: cooperation/meeting documents
-
DH: admission/placement letter
-
VR/TT: proof of relationship/host status
-
-
-
Submit to IMA (agency/organization/individual sponsor files directly).
-
Processing timelines:
-
Standard cases: IMA reviews & replies within 5 working days, then notifies the Vietnamese mission abroad to issue the visa.
-
Border-gate visa requests:
-
Standard (Art. 18.1 a–d): within 3 working days
-
Urgent (Art. 18.1 dd–e): within 12 working hours
-
-
-
IMA reply issued → Sponsor informs the foreigner of the approval reference and next steps.
-
Foreigner receives visa at the overseas Vietnamese mission (embassy/consulate) or at the authorized border gate as approved.
When to request a border-gate visa (and what to include)
Use this route when timing/logistics justify issuance at arrival (permitted legal grounds).
Your application must state:
-
Specific entry checkpoint (airport/land gate/seaport)
-
Expected entry date/time
-
Reason for border-gate issuance (e.g., tight protocol schedule, itinerary constraints)
Pro tip: Align the traveler’s ticket/itinerary and entry gate with the authorization to avoid inspection delays.
Fees & payments
-
Sponsors pay the IMA notification fee for visa issuance.
-
The foreigner pays consular visa fees at the mission (if applicable).
-
Keep receipts/reference numbers for audit and traveler guidance.
Compliance checklist (copy/paste for internal use)
-
✅ Correct visa symbol (DN/ĐT/LĐ/DH/VR/TT…) matches the purpose
-
✅ Sponsor notification dossier on file with IMA (for organizations)
-
✅ Passport validity ≥ 6 months; clear biodata copy
-
✅ Entry checkpoint/date specified (especially for border-gate requests)
-
✅ Purpose proof attached (investment, employment, study, kinship)
-
✅ Contact person (phone/email) for IMA and mission coordination
-
✅ Inform traveler promptly upon IMA reply with clear pickup instructions
Common pitfalls to avoid
-
Mismatched purpose vs. visa type (e.g., working on a tourist/business visa)
-
Entry through a gate not listed in the approval
-
Insufficient passport validity or unclear scans
-
Missing or outdated sponsor seal/signature on file
-
Duplicate/last-minute submissions without grounds for urgency
FAQs
How long does standard IMA sponsorship take?
Within 5 working days for IMA reply, after which the mission issues the visa per notification.
Can individuals sponsor family members?
Yes—Vietnamese citizens and foreigners with valid TRC/PRC can invite eligible relatives (VR/TT) with relationship proof.
Is a work permit required before an LĐ visa?
Follow the Labor Code sequence—work-permit eligibility/documentation typically underpins the LĐ visa sponsorship.
Can we switch to a border-gate visa late in the process?
Only if approved by IMA under the eligible grounds; otherwise, continue via the designated mission.
VietnamEntryVisa.com (Nguyen Adventure, trusted since 2010; top Trustpilot/Tripadvisor ratings) supports:
-
Pre-check of invitation/guarantee letters to reduce refusals
-
Document packaging aligned with Article 16 requirements
-
Border-gate visa justifications and itinerary alignment
-
Urgent handling (same-day/12-hour border-gate categories where legally viable)
-
Clear traveler instructions for mission pickup or arrival procedures
Make sponsorship smooth, compliant, and fast. Start your dossier review and submission with VietnamEntryVisa.com.