Vietnam Golden Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Vietnam is quickly becoming one of Southeast Asia’s most attractive destinations for expats, digital nomads, investors, and high-skilled professionals. With its stunning beaches, vibrant cities, rich culture, and booming economy, it’s no surprise that many are looking for ways to stay longer than a standard tourist visa allows. Enter the much-anticipated Vietnam Golden Visa — a game-changing program offering multi-year residency options designed to attract global talent and capital.

This guide explains everything currently known about the Vietnam Golden Visa, including eligibility, benefits, investment requirements, application processes, and the latest policy updates.

Find out what international travelers need to know about living in Vietnam long-term

What Is the Vietnam Golden Visa?

"Golden visa" is not an official term under Vietnamese law, but it has become the common shorthand for a cluster of long-stay residency programmes that Vietnam has been building since 2025.

This proposed long-term residency program is designed to attract foreign investors, highly skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, retirees, and affluent individuals who wish to establish long-term ties with Vietnam.

Unlike a traditional tourist visa, the proposed Golden Visa would allow eligible foreigners to reside in Vietnam for an extended period, potentially between 5 and 10 years, while enjoying multiple-entry privileges and easier residency procedures.

The Golden Visa Pilot Program

1. The Talent Visa (SVEC) — Live Now

Several reports have discussed talent-focused residency initiatives aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals. Readers should verify the latest legal status through official government channels.

Who qualifies:

• Academics, professors, researchers, and scientists from internationally recognised universities and institutions
• Professionals in digital technology: software engineers, data scientists, AI specialists
• Senior executives and founders at major global enterprises
• Internationally recognised artists, cultural figures, and elite athletes

Professionals invited by Vietnamese universities, research bodies, or large enterprises approved by the relevant ministries

Key details:

• Valid for five years, multiple entries
• No stated minimum income requirement — eligibility is based on expertise and field, not financial thresholds
• Each stay can last up to 90 days before departure is required

Applications must be nominated by a Vietnamese institution — individuals cannot self-nominate independently.

Apply online through Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security national portal.

The honest caveat: This is a high-bar programme. If you are a mid-level remote worker or freelancer, this visa is almost certainly not for you. PhD-level scientists, C-suite executives at Fortune 500 firms, award-winning artists — these are the profiles the decree was written for.

2. UĐ1 and UĐ2 Visas — Launching 1 July 2026

Proposed visa categories for highly skilled professionals and their dependents have been discussed publicly, but applicants should confirm implementation status before relying on them. This is the freshest development in Vietnam's long-stay visa landscape and one that most guides published before mid-2026 simply have not covered yet.

• UĐ1 targets high-quality digital technology professionals and other foreign nationals entitled to preferential treatment under Vietnam's laws and National Assembly resolutions. Think STEM experts, university professors, chief engineers, strategic investors, and senior leadership at major global companies with a credible Vietnamese sponsor.
• UĐ2 is issued to the spouse and children (under 18) of UĐ1 holders, keeping families together without requiring separate visa tracks.

Both are valid for up to five years.

3. The Proposed 10-Year Golden Visa — Still in Development

Investment thresholds mentioned in public discussions remain subject to official approval and may change. In May 2025, the government announced plans for a residence-by-investment golden visa operating on two tiers:

• 5-year residency — investment threshold reported around USD 250,000
• 10-year residency — investment threshold reported around USD 400,000

A pathway to permanent residency after five years of continuous stay
Proposed investment sectors include Vietnamese enterprises, government-approved industries, and potentially the tourism sector through the Tourism Advisory Board's recommendations. Pilot locations suggested by the TAB include Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc.

Vietnam Golden Visa information for investors, entrepreneurs, and global residents

The Traditional Investor Visa Framework (DT1 to DT4)

While the golden visa proposal moves through government review, the DT Investor Visa  (DT1–DT4) remains the practical long-stay route for anyone committing capital to Vietnam. It has four tiers under Law No. 51/2019/QH14:

Visa	Investment Required	Validity
DT1	VND 100 billion+ (~USD 4M+)	Up to 5 years (TRC extendable to 10 years)
DT2	VND 50–100 billion (~USD 2M–4M)	Up to 5 years
DT3	VND 3–50 billion (~USD 120K–2M)	Up to 3 years
DT4	Under VND 3 billion (<~USD 120K)	Up to 12 months

Key difference from the proposed golden visa: DT visas require active participation in a business — not passive investment. Buying a property does not qualify. You need registered business capital in a Vietnamese enterprise.

DT1 holders who maintain their investment and live in Vietnam continuously for five years can apply for permanent residency, making it the closest thing to a formal golden visa pathway that actually exists in law today.

Step-by-Step Application Blueprint

Navigating the bureaucracy requires a precise order of operations. Missing an enterprise filing timeline or using expired certificates will trigger automated rejections.

1. Corporate Setup & Licensing: Weeks 1–4

If utilizing the DT path, register your business entity with the local Department of Planning and Investment (DPI). Secure your Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) and Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC). Ensure capital funds match these documents perfectly.

2. Dossier Digitalization: Week 5

Gather your core documents: passport (valid for at least 1 year), certified proof of capital contribution (bank statements/audited financials), and a health insurance policy showing coverage of at least USD 50,000.
Translate and legally notarize all non-Vietnamese documents into Vietnamese.

3. Portal Submission & Entry Letter: Days 1–5

Your sponsoring enterprise or legal representative submits Form NA2 (or Form GV-01/02 for the pilot portal) via the National Public Service Portal (dichvucong.gov.vn). If approved, the Immigration Department issues an official Entry Pre-Approval Letter within 5 working days.

4. Visa Stamping & Biometrics: Upon Arrival

Present your printed approval letter, passport, and photos at a designated international airport counter (e.g., Tan Son Nhat in HCMC or Noi Bai in Hanoi) or a Vietnamese embassy abroad.
Pay the official stamping fees ($25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry).
For the Golden Visa Pilot, attend your scheduled provincial biometrics appointment.

Learn about Vietnam Golden Visa requirements, benefits, and application processes

Key Benefits of the Vietnam Golden Visa

Potential benefits discussed in policy proposals may include longer residency periods and simplified travel arrangements, subject to future regulations. Holders enjoy significant advantages that make long-term living feel seamless:

• Unlimited entries and exits — No more worrying about visa runs.
• Work and business rights — Start or run a business, take employment without a separate work permit.
• Property ownership — Buy residential or commercial real estate with ownership tied to the visa duration (renewable), bypassing standard foreigner limits.
• Family inclusion — Bring loved ones along.
• Path toward permanence — Time on the visa counts toward eligibility for permanent residence applications after five years of legal stay.
• Lifestyle perks — Live affordably in world-class destinations while enjoying modern amenities, excellent food, and a growing international community.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Incorrect document legalization – Some embassies issue apostilles that Vietnam doesn't recognize; use embassy/consulate legalization or the new online apostille verification pilot (launched March 1, 2026)
• Insurance coverage gaps – Policies must state "coverage in Vietnam" (not worldwide); travel-insurance riders rejected
• Salary in foreign currency – GV-Talent must convert to USD at the SBV mid-rate on the last working day of each year
• Investment date mismatch – USD 300,000 must be transferred after March 20, 2026; earlier deposits don't count
• Cap exhaustion – MPI updates remaining quotas quarterly; portal stops accepting applications when the cap is reached

Plan your move to Vietnam with this complete Golden Visa

Common Mistakes & Warnings

1. "I'll just buy real estate for residency."
Does not work. Real estate purchase alone does not qualify for a DT visa. You need a separate business investment.

2. "I'll register high capital on paper."
Risky move. Vietnam's inter-agency data sharing flags discrepancies. If you register VND 10 billion but only contribute VND 3 billion, the immigration agency will request bank statements. Detection = visa refusal + penalties for fraudulent declaration.

3. "I can work anywhere with my TRC."
Not exactly. Your TRC ties employment rights to your registered entity. Working in your own company is fine. Outside employment requires a separate Ministry of Labour work permit.

4. "Vietnam golden visa includes citizenship."
No. Long-term residency does not automatically confer citizenship or voting rights. Vietnam's Nationality Law was amended in July 2025 to waive five-year residency requirements for investors contributing to national development in certain circumstances, but citizenship remains a separate, complex process.

5. "Buying property gives me residency."
No. Real estate purchase alone does not qualify for a DT visa. You need a separate business investment.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Vietnam Golden Visa

Can my family join me?
Yes. DT visa holders can bring family members under the TT visa categories. From July 2026, UĐ1 holders will be able to sponsor spouses and children under 18 through the new UĐ2 category. The proposed golden visa is expected to include similar family provisions.

Can I work in Vietnam on these visas?
It depends on the visa type. DT visa holders are engaged in business and investment activity. UĐ1 holders are professionals in defined fields. The talent visa (SVEC) has some ambiguity around whether holders can take local employment versus remote-only work — check current MPS guidance before assuming work rights.

Can I include my family?
Yes. DT investors can sponsor spouses and children under 18. UD1 holders get UD2 cards for family members.