Vietnam · long-stay visa routes and official sources
3 routes tracked · last reviewed · every route links to its official government source
Long-term visa difficulty for Vietnam: Hard (64/100, lower is easier). Most practical route: Employer-sponsored work residence.
Common questions
What is the most practical long-term visa route to Vietnam?
Based on our July 2026 review, the most practical route is usually: Employer-sponsored work residence. Overall difficulty is rated "Hard" (64/100, lower is easier).
Can I move to Vietnam without a local job offer?
Yes — 1 of the 3 tracked routes do not require a local employer: Student visa. Each has its own income, funds, or admission requirements.
Work permit for foreign employee plus appropriate visa/temporary residence card
The route combines the work permit and the related visa or temporary residence card. The employer or foreign worker files the work-permit application before work starts, then completes the entry and residence steps.
Typical timeline / duration: Work permit duration is generally tied to contract/assignment and may be renewable subject to current rules. Some short assignments/exemptions exist and should be listed separately.
Employer/foreign employee submits work permit application to competent labour authority before work starts.
Decree 219/2025/ND-CP has applied since 7 August 2025, replacing Decree 152/2020. The employer advertises the role at least 5 days before applying, files the work-permit application between 10 and 60 days before the expected start date, and normally receives a decision within 10 working days of a complete file. The file must identify the worker as a manager, executive, expert, or technical worker and include evidence matching that category.
No general income threshold in the official page checked.
Decree 219/2025/ND-CP also relaxed the category tests: experts in priority sectors need at least 1 year of relevant experience (down from 3) and technical workers 2 years (down from 3), and the work-permit exemption list grew from 14 to 15 categories, with exempt cases notified at least 3 working days before work starts. Common evidence includes role/category proof, health certificate and criminal record, but the exact list should be confirmed with the local labour authority.
For people with real business setup or investment.
Typical timeline / duration: 2-6 months
Make or hold a qualifying investment, capital contribution, or ownership interest in a Vietnamese company or investment project and provide the corporate and capital evidence.
Provide a valid passport, visa application, photograph, investment or enterprise-registration documents, and any temporary-residence-card documents required for a stay beyond the visa period.
Register temporary residence at the Vietnamese accommodation and keep the actual investment and sponsored purpose consistent with the visa and residence documents.
For Vietnamese language, university, or training programs.
Typical timeline / duration: 2-5 months
Be accepted by a Vietnamese school, university, language centre, or other eligible educational institution for the approved study programme.
Have the educational institution or another eligible Vietnamese sponsor provide the invitation or guarantee and support the correct DH student visa procedure.
Submit a valid passport, visa application, photograph, admission or enrolment evidence, and any health, financial, or accommodation documents requested for the case.
Register temporary residence after entry and renew or change the visa or temporary-residence document through the sponsoring institution before it expires.
Visa rules change frequently. Figures and requirements above were reviewed on the dates shown; always confirm against the linked official source before applying.