Working Visa
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Jenny Pham
Vietnam, a Southeast Asian nation brimming with economic dynamism and cultural allure, has emerged as a captivating destination for both leisure and professional pursuits. With its burgeoning industries, attractive investment opportunities, and rich cultural heritage, Vietnam beckons individuals seeking to expand their horizons and contribute to its thriving landscape.
For those seeking to embark on a professional journey in Vietnam, acquiring the requisite work authorization is paramount. The Vietnam Working Visa serves as the official gateway to legally establishing oneself in the Vietnamese workforce. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of Vietnam Working Visas, empowering you to navigate the process with clarity and confidence.
What's Working Visa?
A Vietnam Working Visa is a type of visa that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in Vietnam for the purpose of employment. For those seeking to embark on a professional journey in Vietnam, acquiring the requisite work authorization is paramount.
Here are the key details about obtaining a Vietnam Working Visa:
- Validity: Up to 2 years days, single or multiple entry
- Government fee: $25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry
- Processing time: 5 working days
Working Visa can be collected at the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate abroad or at the designated port.
Types of Working Visa
The realm of Vietnam Working Visas encompasses two primary categories:
- LĐ1 Visa: This visa is granted to foreign nationals who possess a work permit exemption certificate, streamlining the application process.
- LĐ2 Visa: This visa caters to foreign nationals who require a work permit to legally engage in employment within Vietnam.
This work Vietnam visa is valid for up to 02 years and can be extended. But in case the work permit is valid for less than 1 year, the validity of the corresponding work visa is equal to that of the work permit.
Document requirements
To successfully navigate the Vietnam Working Visa application, it is crucial to assemble the necessary documentation:
- Original valid passport
- Operation license of the company/office where the foreigner is working for (it can be the Business registration certificate, or investment license, or operation license of a branch or representative office);
- Certificate of seal specimen or Statement of Seal Use by the Company
- Form NA16 – Registration form for the seal and signature of the legal representative of the enterprise operating in Vietnam;
- Form NA5 – Application for visa, visa extension, extension of stay for foreigners in Vietnam. You can download it here.
- 01 3*4cm photo
- Work permit or work permit exemption certificate.
- Copy of valid passpor
How to apply Vietnam Working Visa
To obtain a work visa for Vietnam, both the employing entity in Vietnam and the foreign employee need to follow these five steps:
STEP 1: DOCUMENT PREPARATION BY THE SPONSOR VIETNAM COMPANY
The company in Vietnam, acting as the sponsor, must prepare the required documents to apply for a work permit for the foreign employee.
STEP 2: SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTS
A representative of the employing entity submits the prepared documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department or the Immigration Office under the Department of Public Security in the city or province where the company’s head office is located (Or it can be applied online on the Public service portal Ministry of Security with the company token USB)
- Visa Fee: Pay the required visa fee at the time of submission (if required).
- Appointment Note: Receive an appointment note indicating the expected date for the visa processing result.
- Fax Charge: If the work visa is to be stamped at a Vietnamese embassy/consulate in a foreign country, a fax charge must be paid.
STEP 2: RECEIVE THE WORK VISA LETTER FOR VIETNAM
On the appointed date, the company’s representative visits the Immigration Department/Office to receive the visa letter, if it has been issued (if it is applied in person).
Or the Visa letter will be updated on Public service portal Ministry of Security and sent to the Company email once it is approved.
STEP 4: INFORM THE FOREIGN WORKER
Once the visa letter is obtained, the company notifies the foreign employee via email, fax, or express courier, so they can complete the visa procedure.
STEP 5: PAY THE VISA FEE AND COLLECT THE VISA
The foreign employee will visit the office of the Vietnamese embassy/consulate in their home country to submit the following:
- Form NA1: Vietnamese Visa Application form, attached with a 3x4cm photo.
- Original Valid Passport: The original passport for stamping.
- Visa Letter Copy: A copy of the visa letter issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department/Office.
- Visa Fee: Pay the visa fee as determined by the embassy/consulate to get the work visa stamped in their passport.
