Vietnam 5 year visa exemption| Guide to application and eligibility

Vietnam 5-year visa exemption stands as a remarkable opportunity for individuals to have extended entry options into the nation. This article is a comprehensive guide to help you explore the eligibility criteria, benefits, and process to apply for this visa. Let’s read it!

1. Who is eligible to apply 5-year visa to Vietnam?

The opportunity for a 5-year visa to Vietnam extends to a specific group of individuals, granting them extended access to the country. Here are the types of people who are eligible to apply for this visa:

• Individuals of Vietnam nation origin living abroad.
• Spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens or Vietnamese people residing overseas.
• An individual who holds a passport with a validity of at least one year.

Note:

• Individuals holding a 5-year Vietnam visa exemption certificate can travel to Vietnam without needing a visa for five years. During each visit, they are permitted a maximum stay of 180 days in Vietnam. 
• Those desiring a stay exceeding 180 days without leaving the country can extend their visa with the help of a relative, allowing an extension of up to 6 months. 
• The visa exemption certificate remains valid for a maximum of 5 years but expires at least 6 months before the expiration date of the holder’s passport or equivalent document.

2. Benefits of Vietnam 5 year visa?

If you get a Vietnam 5-year visa exemption, you can get a lot of notable advantages:

• Travel without a visa to Vietnam for 5 years: Acquiring this exemption eliminates the need for re-applying for a Vietnam visa. Each entry allows a continuous stay of up to 180 days.
• Cost savings: It is a more economical choice because the 5-year visa exemption provides access to Vietnam without the need for continuous visa renewal.

3. Certificate forms of Vietnam visa 5 year

The 5-year Vietnam visa exemption certificate comes in two variations. They are the stamped and detached certificates.

• Stamped Certificate: This type is directly attached to the passport. It is granted to foreigners or Vietnamese individuals residing abroad with foreign passports.
• Detached Certificate: It is issued to Vietnamese citizens settling abroad solely with a Permanent Residence Card or to foreigners from nations lacking diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Individuals eligible for the stamped certificate also receive the detached version if their passport lacks available pages.

4. 3 steps to get a 5 year Vietnam visa 

If you are interested in getting a 5-year visa exemption for Vietnam, here are three steps to help guide you through the process.

4.1 Step 1: Prepare Vietnam 5 year visa requirements

The necessary documents for getting a Vietnam 5-year visa exemption based on the applicant groups, specifically:

• Vietnamese residing abroad
• Spouses or children of Vietnamese nationals living overseas, or Vietnamese citizens.

If you’re an overseas Vietnamese, here are the documents that you need to prepare:

1. An application form for the visa exemption certificate
2. Two recent passport photos measuring 4x6cm, with a white background, straight face, bare head, and no colored glasses.
3. A valid foreign passport, international travel document, or Permanent Residence Card that is valid for at least one year.
4. Documents proving that you are eligible for the Vietnam visa exemption. This could include a certificate of Vietnamese citizenship, a Vietnamese passport (valid or expired), an Identity Card (valid or expired), a Birth Certificate, and a Family Registration Book.

If you’re a foreigner who is the spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen, let’s prepare:

1. An application form for the visa exemption certificate
2. Two recent passport photos measuring 4x6cm, with a white background, straight face, bare head, and no colored glasses.
3. A valid foreign passport or international travel document with at least one year of validity.
4. Documentation proving your relationship to the Vietnamese citizen. This could include a Marriage Registration certificate, Birth Certificate, Adoption Certificate, a Certificate of relationship with the father, mother, or children, or other valid documents as regulated by Vietnamese Law.

4.2 Step 2: Submit the prepared documentation to the granting authority

In step 2, you need to submit the prepared documentation to the appropriate granting authority responsible for issuing visa exemption certificates. They could be:

• Vietnamese diplomatic missions or consulates abroad, catering to the needs of overseas Vietnamese (details available through contact information).
• The Vietnam Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security, for those currently residing in Vietnam.

4.3 Step 3: Receive your original passport and 5 year Vietnam visa certificate

When the process is completed. you can receive your original passport and the granted 5-year Vietnam visa exemption certificate. This document allows for multiple entries into Vietnam within the five-year validity period.

5. Vietnam 5 year visa cost

Have you been considering applying for a Vietnam 5-year visa exemption? It is important to note that the cost of the visa exemption may vary depending on the authority with which you apply and the physical address where you will receive your certificate. It’s always a good idea to do your research and compare pricing before submitting your application.

6. Processing time of Vietnam 5-year visa

If you are currently in Vietnam, you can submit your visa exemption application to the visa agent. They will act on your behalf and liaise with the Vietnam Immigration Department to process your visa. The certificate will be issued within 5 working days.

If you are residing abroad, you can submit all the necessary visa exemption documents to the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in your location. The processing time is 5 working days. It will contain transferring your documentation to the Vietnam Immigration Department, communication between the Vietnam Immigration Department and the relevant office in your residing country. 

It takes 5 working days to process the visa

7. Vietnam 5 year visa’s validity

The 5-year visa exemption grants multiple entries to Vietnam within its validity. Each entry allows a stay of up to 180 days. After this duration, leaving and re-entering the country is necessary to comply with the 180-day rule.

If someone prefers not to exit Vietnam after 180 days, they can apply for an in-country visa exemption extension for an additional 90-day stay. However, each extension is limited to 90 days only. Moreover, if the applicant’s passport, Green Card, or Temporary Card has a validity shorter than 5 years and 6 months, their visa exemption duration will also be shortened.

8. How to renew a 5-Year Vietnam visa?

If your 5-year visa exemption certificate is lost, expired, damaged, or requires information modification, you can renew it at the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in the country of your residence or the Vietnam Immigration Department. Firstly, you must submit a renewal request file, which includes the following documents:

• A valid foreign passport, international travel documents, or a Permanent Residence Card from a foreign country, valid for at least 01 year.
• Two recent color photographs (4*6cm) with a white background, displaying a straight face and without headwear or colored glasses.

Important notes:

• If your visa exemption certificate is lost, you are required to complete a Report of a 5-year visa exemption certificate loss.
• For an expired or damaged visa exemption, you must provide the original or a copy of the previous 5-year visa exemption certificate.

9. How to get Vietnam temporary residence card with 5-year visa exemption?

One drawback of the Vietnam 5-year visa exemption is the need to extend the exemption every 180 days. To avoid this process, an alternative option is obtaining a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card, granting a stay of up to 3 years. 

To acquire the Temporary Residence Card, you should prepare:

• Original passport
• Two 4*6cm photos with a white background
• Information form for a temporary residence card (form NA8)
• Vietnam entry dispatch (applicable for overseas Vietnamese)

These documents need to be submitted to the Vietnam Immigration Department, either personally or through an appointed agent. Following a processing period of 5-7 working days, you will receive your Vietnam Temporary Residence Card.

The 5-year visa exemption for Vietnam is a great option for those who plan to frequently visit the country. It is important to carefully review all requirements and guidelines before submitting your application for this type of visa. If you have any questions related to your visa, contact us for more information.