Home Arrow FAQ Arrow What Is the Vietnam 5-Year Visa?

What Is the Vietnam 5-Year Visa?

The "5-Year Vietnam Visa" is not technically a traditional visa, but rather a 5-Year Visa Exemption Certificate. It acts as a long-term travel document, allowing multiple entries into the country without needing to apply for a visa before every trip.

Who Is Eligible for the Vietnam 5-Year Visa Exemption Certificate?

The Vietnamese government exclusively reserves this 5-year waiver for two distinct groups:

  • Overseas Vietnamese: Individuals living abroad who formerly held Vietnamese citizenship or are of Vietnamese origin.
  • Immediate Foreign Family Members: Foreign spouses (husbands/wives) and children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese.

Key Rules of the Vietnam 5-Year Visa Exemption

  • Valid for up to 5 years: Make multiple trips to Vietnam without applying for a new visa each time.
  • Multiple travel purposes: The certificate can be used for family visits, tourism, business, and other personal activities.
  • Up to 180 days per visit: After 180 days, you must either leave and re-enter Vietnam or apply for a stay extension if eligible.
  • Extension available: In some cases, you may extend your stay for up to 6 months while in Vietnam, typically with supporting documents from a Vietnamese relative.
  • Passport validity matters: The certificate expires at least 6 months before your passport expires. For example, if your passport is valid for only 3 more years, the certificate will be issued for a shorter period.
  • Issued as a sticker or separate certificate: Most applicants receive a visa exemption sticker in their passport, while some may receive a separate certificate depending on their travel document or individual circumstances.

Documents Required for a Vietnam 5-Year Visa Exemption

The required documents vary depending on your eligibility, but most applicants will need:

  • A completed Form NA9.
  • A passport valid for at least one year.
  • Two recent 4 × 6 cm passport photos with a white background.

Documents proving your eligibility:

  • Overseas Vietnamese: Proof of Vietnamese origin, such as an old Vietnamese passport or ID, birth certificate, household registration book, or other official documents.
  • Foreign spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen or overseas Vietnamese: A marriage or birth certificate, along with a copy of the Vietnamese relative's passport or ID.

Documents issued outside Vietnam may need to be translated into Vietnamese and legalized or notarized, depending on where you apply.

Where to Application

You can submit your application via two main routes depending on your physical location:

  • If you are outside Vietnam: Submit your dossier in person or via secure mail to the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
  • If you are currently inside Vietnam: If you entered on a standard visa and are physically in the country, you can submit the documents directly to the Vietnam Immigration Department offices located in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City.

Steps to Apply

  • Prepare your dossier with all required documents.
  • Submit your application to the relevant office (embassy/consulate or Immigration).
  • If documents are complete, you pay the fee and receive a receipt.
  • If incomplete, you are told what to add or correct.
  • Receive your result (usually issued Monday–Friday, excluding holidays).
  • Bring your receipt and ID to collect the certificate, or use postal return if offered.

Processing Time & Fees

Once a complete, flawless dossier is accepted, official processing typically takes 5 to 15 working days once the Immigration Department has your complete dossier. Processing abroad can vary by embassy.

The official government stamping fee is historically capped at roughly $10. Fees are paid once per application and are non-refundable, even if your application is refused.

A Detail Worth Knowing Before You Travel

If you apply for and receive the 5-year visa exemption while already inside Vietnam, you can't use it to exit the country on that same trip — you'll need to leave using whatever visa you originally entered with. The 5-year exemption becomes usable starting from your next entry.

Key Takeaways

The Vietnam 5-year visa exemption is a valuable option for overseas Vietnamese and their family members who frequently travel to Vietnam. It offers convenience and cost savings compared to applying for a new visa each time. Check your eligibility, gather the required documents, and apply through the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate well in advance.

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