E-visa (EV), 90 days: Apply only on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn (the second official address is thithucdientu.gov.vn); many lookalike sites add markups. The 90 day e-visa replaced the old 30 day version on August 15, 2023, under Law 23/2023/QH15. US passport holders are eligible, as e-visas are open to citizens of all countries and territories. The e-visa does not authorize work for a Vietnamese employer. Vietnam has no digital nomad visa, and the golden visa package discussed by officials in 2025 has not been enacted; the only enacted part of that discussion is the invitation only Special Visa Exemption Card covered on this page.
Country page
Living in Vietnam long term
The United States has no visa exemption with Vietnam, so the default entry is the 90 day e-visa at USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple entry. Real long stays run through temporary residence cards: work (LD, up to 2 years), investment (DT1 to DT3, with cards up to 10, 5, and 3 years set by contributed capital), family (TT, up to 3 years), and study (DH, up to 5 years). Permanent residence exists only in four narrow cases in the immigration law, citizenship requires 5 years of permanent residence, and there is no retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, and no enacted golden visa.
Numbers on this page apply to holders of a US passport. Page last verified: 2026-10-15
Rules change. Confirm the current rules with the official source or the consulate for Vietnam before you apply, pay a fee, or book travel around a date in this table.
Every route, with the math
Scroll sideways for the full table. The route name stays in view.
| Route | Income required | Investment required | Total cost | Processing time | Days allowed | Renewal rules | Tax residency trigger | Years to permanent residency | Years to citizenship | Last verified | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-visa (EV), 90 days Tourist allowance | Not applicable. There is no income or funds test for the e-visa. | Not applicable | USD 25 for a single entry e-visa, USD 50 for a multiple entry e-visa, paid online through the portal payment gateway. The fee is not refunded if the application is refused. | 3 working days, per the official e-visa portal. The portal advises applying at least one to two weeks before travel to allow for corrections. | Up to 90 days per grant, for a single entry or for multiple entries within the validity printed on the visa | The e-visa is not extendable and not renewable. A holder who has a Vietnamese agency, organization, or individual as sponsor can be granted a new visa in country without having to exit (Article 16 of the immigration law, as amended in 2019). Everyone else must leave and apply for a new e-visa. Where immigration grants an extension of the certified stay instead, the official fee is USD 10 per filing. | One 90 day stay does not trigger it. A person becomes a tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months counted from the first arrival date, or if they hold a regular residence in Vietnam, for example a home rented under leases totaling 183 days or more in the tax year (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC, Ministry of Finance, implementing the Personal Income Tax Law). | Not a residence status. Time on an e-visa does not count toward permanent residence, which is granted only in the four cases listed in Article 39 of the immigration law (contributions honored by the State, scientists and experts proposed at minister level, sponsorship by a Vietnamese citizen parent, spouse, or child, and stateless persons resident since 2000 or earlier). | Citizenship requires permanent residence first. Naturalization requires 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the date the permanent residence card is granted, plus Vietnamese language ability and proof of livelihood (Article 19 of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality, as amended in 2025). Time on an e-visa does not count. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Visa exemption for US passport holders: none Tourist allowance | Not applicable | Not applicable | No fee, because there is no exemption. The practical cost of entry for a US citizen is the e-visa fee, USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple entry. | None. There is no exemption to apply for; a US citizen must hold a visa, normally the e-visa, before traveling to mainland Vietnam. | 0 days for mainland Vietnam: no exemption applies. Exception: up to 30 days on Phu Quoc Island only, for travelers who enter Phu Quoc directly and stay on the island | Not applicable. The Phu Quoc stay cannot be extended as an exemption; staying longer or traveling to the mainland requires a visa. | Not applicable on a Phu Quoc stay alone. The general rule: tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months from the first arrival date, or holding a regular residence in Vietnam (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC). | Not a residence status. Visa exempt stays do not count toward permanent residence, which is granted only in the four Article 39 cases of the immigration law. | Not a residence status. Citizenship requires permanent residence first: 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the permanent residence card date, plus Vietnamese language ability and proof of livelihood (Article 19 of the nationality law, as amended in 2025). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Special Visa Exemption Card (Decree 221/2025/ND-CP) Other | Not applicable. There is no income test; eligibility is by nomination against the category benchmarks in the decree. | Not applicable. Investor category applicants qualify by standing, for example leading a company in the world top 100 by market capitalization, not by a set investment in Vietnam. | No application fee is published in Decree 221/2025/ND-CP. The card is issued to nominated individuals by the Immigration Department. | Decree 221/2025/ND-CP sets no public application window or decision time. Cards are processed by the Immigration Department for nominated individuals only. | Up to 90 days per entry, with multiple entries, on a card valid for up to 5 years | The card is not renewed. Continued access depends on a fresh nomination, and the card can be revoked if the holder stops meeting the criteria. A holder can instead request a visa, a stay extension, or a temporary residence card on a normal basis. | The general rule applies: tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months from the first arrival date, or holding a regular residence in Vietnam (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC). Repeated 90 day entries can cross the 183 day line. | Not a residence status. Stays on the card do not count toward permanent residence, which is granted only in the four Article 39 cases of the immigration law. | Citizenship requires permanent residence first: 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the permanent residence card date, plus language and livelihood conditions (Article 19 of the nationality law, as amended in 2025). Card stays do not count. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Work: LD1 and LD2 visas and temporary residence card Work | Not applicable. Vietnamese law sets no minimum salary for a work permit. The job must be an approved manager, executive, expert, or technical worker position, and experts and technical workers must document matching qualifications and experience. | Not applicable | Temporary residence card up to 2 years: USD 145. Entry visa: USD 25 single entry, or USD 145 multiple entry for a visa valid over 1 year to 2 years (Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended). The work permit fee is set by the provincial People's Council where the employer is based; there is no national rate. | Visa approval requested by the sponsor: 5 working days from a complete file (Article 16 of the immigration law). Work permit: 5 working days from a complete application (Decree 152/2020/ND-CP). Temporary residence card: 5 working days from a complete dossier, per the Immigration Department procedure. | Visa up to 2 years. Temporary residence card up to 2 years, matching the work permit, which is issued for up to 2 years | A work permit can be extended once, for up to 2 more years; after that a new permit application is required. An expired temporary residence card is considered for a new card while the job and permit continue (Article 38 of the immigration law). | Tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months from the first arrival date. A card holder also has a regular residence in Vietnam for tax purposes, because the residence recorded on the temporary residence card counts as a regular residence (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC). Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non residents only on Vietnam source income. | Work residence alone does not lead to permanent residence. Permanent residence is granted only in the four Article 39 cases of the immigration law. For most US citizens the realistic case is sponsorship by a Vietnamese citizen spouse, parent, or child permanently residing in Vietnam, after 3 consecutive years of temporary residence, with lawful housing and a stable income (Article 40). | Citizenship requires permanent residence first: 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the permanent residence card date, plus Vietnamese language ability and proof of livelihood (Article 19 of the nationality law, as amended in 2025). Time on a work card does not count toward that 5 years. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Investment DT1: capital of VND 100 billion or more Investor | Not applicable. The test is contributed capital, not income. | Contributed capital of VND 100 billion or more (about USD 3.9 million), or investment of any amount in a sector or area granted special investment incentives by the Government | Temporary residence card over 5 to 10 years: USD 165. Visa: USD 155 multiple entry (valid over 2 to 5 years) or USD 25 single entry (Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended). | Visa approval requested by the sponsor: 5 working days from a complete file. Temporary residence card: 5 working days from a complete dossier, per the Immigration Department procedure. | Visa up to 5 years. Temporary residence card up to 10 years, the longest card Vietnam issues | An expired temporary residence card is considered for a new card while the investment is maintained (Article 38 of the immigration law). The capital must stay at the DT1 level to keep the tier. | Tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months from the first arrival date. A card holder also has a regular residence in Vietnam for tax purposes, because the residence recorded on the temporary residence card counts as a regular residence (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC). | Investment alone does not lead to permanent residence. Permanent residence is granted only in the four Article 39 cases of the immigration law. For most US citizens the realistic case is sponsorship by a Vietnamese citizen spouse, parent, or child after 3 consecutive years of temporary residence, with lawful housing and a stable income (Article 40). | Citizenship requires permanent residence first: 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the permanent residence card date, plus Vietnamese language ability and proof of livelihood (Article 19 of the nationality law, as amended in 2025). Investment size does not shorten this path. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Investment DT2: capital of VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion Investor | Not applicable. The test is contributed capital, not income. | Contributed capital of VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion (about USD 2.0 million to USD 3.9 million), or investment in a sector or area the Government lists as encouraged for development | Temporary residence card over 2 to 5 years: USD 155. Visa: USD 155 multiple entry (valid over 2 to 5 years) or USD 25 single entry (Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended). | Visa approval requested by the sponsor: 5 working days from a complete file. Temporary residence card: 5 working days from a complete dossier, per the Immigration Department procedure. | Visa up to 5 years. Temporary residence card up to 5 years | An expired temporary residence card is considered for a new card while the investment is maintained (Article 38 of the immigration law). | Tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months from the first arrival date. A card holder also has a regular residence in Vietnam for tax purposes, because the residence recorded on the temporary residence card counts as a regular residence (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC). | Investment alone does not lead to permanent residence. Permanent residence is granted only in the four Article 39 cases of the immigration law. For most US citizens the realistic case is sponsorship by a Vietnamese citizen spouse, parent, or child after 3 consecutive years of temporary residence, with lawful housing and a stable income (Article 40). | Citizenship requires permanent residence first: 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the permanent residence card date, plus Vietnamese language ability and proof of livelihood (Article 19 of the nationality law, as amended in 2025). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Investment DT3: capital of VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion Investor | Not applicable. The test is contributed capital, not income. | Contributed capital of VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion (about USD 120,000 to USD 2.0 million) | Temporary residence card over 2 to 5 years (a 3 year card): USD 155; a card issued for up to 2 years costs USD 145. Visa: USD 155 multiple entry (valid over 2 to 5 years) or USD 25 single entry (Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended). | Visa approval requested by the sponsor: 5 working days from a complete file. Temporary residence card: 5 working days from a complete dossier, per the Immigration Department procedure. | Visa up to 3 years. Temporary residence card up to 3 years | An expired temporary residence card is considered for a new card while the investment is maintained (Article 38 of the immigration law). | Tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months from the first arrival date. A card holder also has a regular residence in Vietnam for tax purposes, because the residence recorded on the temporary residence card counts as a regular residence (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC). | Investment alone does not lead to permanent residence. Permanent residence is granted only in the four Article 39 cases of the immigration law. For most US citizens the realistic case is sponsorship by a Vietnamese citizen spouse, parent, or child after 3 consecutive years of temporary residence, with lawful housing and a stable income (Article 40). | Citizenship requires permanent residence first: 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the permanent residence card date, plus Vietnamese language ability and proof of livelihood (Article 19 of the nationality law, as amended in 2025). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Investment DT4: capital of under VND 3 billion Investor | Not applicable. The test is contributed capital, not income. | Contributed capital of under VND 3 billion (under about USD 120,000) | Visa only: USD 25 single entry. Multiple entry costs USD 50 (up to 90 days), USD 95 (over 90 days to 180 days), or USD 135 (over 180 days to 1 year), per Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended. | Visa approval requested by the sponsor: 5 working days from a complete file (Article 16 of the immigration law). Visas collected at a Vietnamese mission abroad follow the mission's filing process. | Visa up to 12 months. No temporary residence card is available at this tier | An expired visa is considered for a new visa (Article 9 of the immigration law). There is no card to renew at this tier. In country changes to another visa category are possible when the holder qualifies and has a sponsor. | Tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months from the first arrival date, or if renting a home under leases totaling 183 days or more in the tax year (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC). A 12 month DT4 stay crosses the day count test. | Not by itself. Permanent residence is granted only in the four Article 39 cases of the immigration law. For most US citizens the realistic case is sponsorship by a Vietnamese citizen spouse, parent, or child after 3 consecutive years of temporary residence, with lawful housing and a stable income (Article 40). | Citizenship requires permanent residence first: 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the permanent residence card date, plus Vietnamese language ability and proof of livelihood (Article 19 of the nationality law, as amended in 2025). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Family: TT visa and temporary residence card, plus the 5 year visa exemption certificate Other | Not applicable. There is no income threshold; the applicant documents the family relationship and the sponsor's status in Vietnam. | Not applicable | Temporary residence card: USD 155 for a card of over 2 to 3 years, USD 145 for up to 2 years. Visa: USD 25 single entry, or USD 135 multiple entry up to 12 months. Visa exemption certificate: USD 10 (Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended). | Temporary residence card: 5 working days from a complete dossier, per the Immigration Department procedure. Visa exemption certificate: 5 working days from a complete dossier (Decree 82/2015/ND-CP). | TT visa up to 12 months. Temporary residence card up to 3 years. Visa exemption certificate for family of Vietnamese citizens: valid up to 5 years, with 180 days of stay per entry | An expired temporary residence card is considered for a new card while the family relationship and the sponsor's status continue (Article 38 of the immigration law). The visa exemption certificate is reissued on expiry while eligibility continues. | Tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months from the first arrival date. A card holder also has a regular residence in Vietnam for tax purposes, because the residence recorded on the temporary residence card counts as a regular residence (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC). | This is the main road in. A foreigner sponsored by a Vietnamese citizen parent, spouse, or child who permanently resides in Vietnam can be granted permanent residence after 3 consecutive years of temporary residence in Vietnam, with lawful housing and a stable income (Articles 39 and 40 of the immigration law). The 3 years are measured from entry and exit stamps. | Family ties change the citizenship math. A spouse, parent, or child of a Vietnamese citizen can be exempt from the language, 5 year permanent residence, and livelihood conditions of Article 19 of the nationality law, as amended in 2025. Without that tie, naturalization requires 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the permanent residence card date. Keeping US citizenship alongside Vietnamese citizenship requires the President's approval. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Study: DH visa and temporary residence card Study | Not applicable. There is no statutory income threshold; the sponsoring school or university must confirm admission or enrollment. | Not applicable | Visa: USD 25 single entry, or USD 135 multiple entry up to 12 months. Temporary residence card: USD 145 for up to 2 years, or USD 155 for over 2 to 5 years (Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended). Tuition is set by the institution and is separate. | Visa approval requested by the school as sponsor: 5 working days from a complete file. Temporary residence card: 5 working days from a complete dossier, per the Immigration Department procedure. | DH visa up to 12 months. Temporary residence card up to 5 years, issued in line with the length of the study program | An expired temporary residence card is considered for a new card while enrollment continues (Article 38 of the immigration law). | Tax resident if present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year, or for 12 consecutive months from the first arrival date. A card holder also has a regular residence in Vietnam for tax purposes, because the residence recorded on the temporary residence card counts as a regular residence (Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC). Scholarship and stipend treatment depends on the payer and the tax rules, not on the visa. | Study alone does not lead to permanent residence. Permanent residence is granted only in the four Article 39 cases of the immigration law. For most US citizens the realistic case is sponsorship by a Vietnamese citizen spouse, parent, or child after 3 consecutive years of temporary residence, with lawful housing and a stable income (Article 40). | Citizenship requires permanent residence first: 5 years or more of permanent residence counted from the permanent residence card date, plus Vietnamese language ability and proof of livelihood (Article 19 of the nationality law, as amended in 2025). Study time does not count. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Permanent residence card (the thuong tru) Other | No fixed amount. Article 40 of the immigration law requires a lawful place of residence and a stable income that ensures the applicant's livelihood in Vietnam. No official figure is published. | Not applicable | USD 100 for the permanent residence card, for a new issue or a reissue (Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended). | The Minister of Public Security decides within 4 months of a complete dossier; the limit can be extended by up to 2 months when further verification is needed (Article 41 of the immigration law). The approved applicant collects the card within 3 months of the approval notice. | Indefinite residence. The card itself is exchanged for a new card every 10 years | The status has no expiry. The card is exchanged for a new one every 10 years at the provincial police of the place of permanent residence (Article 43 of the immigration law). A holder who leaves Vietnam to reside permanently in another country must return the card at the border. | A permanent residence card holder has a regular residence in Vietnam under Circular 111/2013/TT-BTC and is treated as a tax resident, taxed on worldwide income. | This route is the permanent residence grant itself. | After 5 years or more of permanent residence, counted from the date this card is granted, plus Vietnamese language ability and proof of livelihood (Article 19 of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality, as amended in 2025). Spouses, parents, and children of Vietnamese citizens, and persons of special merit or benefit to Vietnam, can be exempt from the residence, language, and livelihood conditions. Keeping a foreign nationality alongside Vietnamese nationality requires the President's approval. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
Route notes
Visa exemption for US passport holders: none: Vietnam's 45 day unilateral visa exemption covers 25 countries, all European states plus Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Belarus (Resolution 128/NQ-CP of 2023, extended by Resolution 229/NQ-CP of 2025). The United States is not on the list, and no bilateral agreement exempts US ordinary passports. The Phu Quoc exception (Prime Minister Decision 80/2013/QD-TTg) covers any nationality entering Phu Quoc directly, including travelers who transit a Vietnamese international airport on the way to the island; leaving the island for mainland Vietnam requires a visa.
Special Visa Exemption Card (Decree 221/2025/ND-CP): Created by Decree 221/2025/ND-CP, effective August 15, 2025, and issued by the Immigration Department as an electronic or chip based card. Eligible people are invited guests of national leaders, scholars and scientists, investors and senior executives of major global corporations, and prominent figures in culture, arts, sports, and tourism with significant public influence, each against benchmarks set in the decree annexes. It is a nomination scheme run through authorized agencies and organizations, not an open application, and it is the only part of the golden visa package discussed publicly in 2025 that has been enacted (reported).
Work: LD1 and LD2 visas and temporary residence card: LD1 covers workers confirmed exempt from a work permit, including owners and capital contributing members of a limited liability company with VND 3 billion or more contributed, and foreigners married to a Vietnamese citizen and living in Vietnam. LD2 covers workers who need a work permit. The employer sponsors the visa approval, the work permit, and the card. Work permits and exemptions are governed by Decree 152/2020/ND-CP, as amended by Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. The card fee and visa fee follow the national schedule in Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended by Circular 62/2023/TT-BTC.
Investment DT1: capital of VND 100 billion or more: DT1 also covers representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam at this level. A DT1 holder does not need a separate work permit for their own investment activity. Card and visa durations are set by Articles 38 and 9 of the immigration law (Law 47/2014/QH13, as amended in 2019 and 2023). Fees follow Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended.
Investment DT2: capital of VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion: DT2 also covers representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam at this level. The encouraged sectors and areas are decided by the Government, so capital below the band can still qualify on that basis. Durations are set by Articles 9 and 38 of the immigration law; fees follow Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended.
Investment DT3: capital of VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion: This is the tier most small and mid sized foreign business owners reach. The contributed capital recorded on the investment registration certificate and enterprise registration certificate decides the tier, and dropping below VND 3 billion drops the investor to DT4, which has no residence card. Durations are set by Articles 9 and 38 of the immigration law; fees follow Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended.
Investment DT4: capital of under VND 3 billion: DT4 is a visa only tier. Most solo founders and micro business owners start here. Raising recorded contributed capital to VND 3 billion or more moves the investor to DT3 and residence card eligibility. Durations are set by Article 9 of the immigration law; fees follow Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended.
Family: TT visa and temporary residence card, plus the 5 year visa exemption certificate: TT covers spouses and children under 18 of most visa and temporary residence card holders, and parents, spouses, and children of Vietnamese citizens. The 5 year visa exemption certificate (Decree 82/2015/ND-CP) is the alternative for spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens and for overseas Vietnamese: 180 days per entry, and the stay can be extended in country for USD 10 per extension. A foreigner married to a Vietnamese citizen and living in Vietnam is also exempt from a work permit, so a spouse can work on TT status with the exemption confirmed. Durations are set by Articles 9 and 38 of the immigration law; fees by Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended.
Study: DH visa and temporary residence card: DH covers study at Vietnamese schools, universities, and training institutions, which act as the sponsor. The card issued follows the program length even though the legal maximum is 5 years. Study status is not an employment status; paid work requires its own work permit or exemption under labor law. Durations are set by Articles 9 and 38 of the immigration law; fees by Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC, as amended.
Permanent residence card (the thuong tru): Article 39 of the immigration law limits permanent residence to four cases: (1) foreigners awarded medals or honorary titles for contributions to Vietnam; (2) scientists and experts temporarily residing in Vietnam who are proposed by a minister or the head of a ministry level agency; (3) foreigners sponsored by a parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen permanently residing in Vietnam; (4) stateless persons who have resided continuously in Vietnam since 2000 or earlier. The 3 year temporary residence test in case 3 is measured from entry and exit stamps, totaling at least 3 years within the most recent 4 years. Cases 1 and 2 are filed with the Immigration Department; cases 3 and 4 with the provincial immigration office. Separately, a regime under Decree 327/2025/ND-CP lets major investors, experts, scientists, and senior managers working at the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang be considered for permanent residence after at least 3 consecutive years working at the center, with approval at minister level (reported).