Understanding Vietnam's various visa types and categories is essential for legal compliance when entering the country, ensuring individuals have authorization for their intended activities, and avoiding penalties. There are different visa categories for diplomatic visits, business/investment, work, study, journalism, tourism, and more. Each has specific eligibility requirements and duration of stay. Seeking advice from legal professionals in Vietnam helps ensure applicants receive guidance tailored to their unique situation and visa category.

1. Understanding Vietnam visa types and categories in Vietnam is
crucial for several reasons:
1. Why need to understand Vietnam visa types?
Legal Compliance: Different visa categories correspond to specific
legal provisions and requirements outlined in the Law on Entry, Exit,
Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Adhering to these
regulations is essential for legal compliance, and failure to do so may result
in visa denials, fines, or even deportation.
Purpose-Specific Entry: Each visa category is designed for a
particular purpose of entry, such as tourism, business, investment, work, or
study. Knowing the appropriate category ensures that individuals enter the
country with the correct visa that aligns with their intended activities. Using
the wrong visa category can lead to legal complications and potential
restrictions on activities.
Duration and Validity: Understanding the codes associated with visa
types provides information about the duration and validity of the visa.
Different visas have varying periods of validity, ranging from a few days to
several years. This knowledge is crucial for planning and ensuring that the
visa remains valid throughout the intended stay.
Specialized Requirements: Certain visa categories have specific
requirements or conditions, such as the need for work permits, investment
documents, or sponsorship letters. Being aware of these requirements is
essential to gather and submit the necessary documentation for a successful
visa application.
Exemptions and Privileges: Some visa categories may benefit from
exemptions or special privileges, such as diplomatic or official visas.
Understanding these exemptions is essential for individuals who may qualify
for special treatment based on their roles or affiliations.
Avoiding Penalties: Using the correct visa category helps individuals
avoid penalties associated with visa violations. Overstaying, engaging in
unauthorized activities, or misusing a visa can lead to legal consequences,
affecting future travel to Vietnam and potentially other countries.
Efficient Application Process: Knowing the appropriate visa
category streamlines the application process. It enables applicants to provide
accurate information and documentation, reducing the likelihood of visa
processing delays or rejections.
Customized Advice: Law firms in Vietnam, specializing in
immigration and visa matters, can provide more effective and tailored advice
when they understand the specific category and code relevant to a client’s
situation. This expertise ensures that clients receive accurate guidance based
on their unique circumstances.

2. In summary, a clear understanding of Vietnam visa types and
categories is essential for legal compliance, facilitating smooth entry,
avoiding penalties, and receiving appropriate advice from legal
professionals. It contributes to a more efficient and secure process for
individuals seeking entry into Vietnam for various purposes.
2. Vietnam Visa Types and Categories by the Law
on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of
Foreigners
 NG1: Issued for members of invited delegations of the General
Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of
Vietnam, the President, the Chairman of the National Assembly, and
the Prime Minister.
 NG2: Issued for members of invited delegations of the Standing
Committee of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of
Vietnam, the Vice President, the Vice Chairman of the National
Assembly, the Vice Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Central
Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Chief Justice of the
Supreme People’s Court, the Prosecutor General of the Supreme
People’s Procuracy, and the State Auditor General; Members of the
same level delegation of Ministers and equivalent, Provincial Party
Secretary, City Party Secretary, Chairman of the People’s Council,
Chairman of the People’s Committee of the province, and centrally-
run cities.
 NG3: Issued for members of foreign diplomatic missions, consular
offices, representatives of international organizations under the United
Nations, representatives of intergovernmental organizations, and
spouses, children under 18, and accompanying domestic helpers.
 NG4: Issued for individuals working with foreign diplomatic
missions, consular offices, representatives of international
organizations under the United Nations, and intergovernmental
organizations, along with their spouses, children under 18, and
individuals visiting members of foreign diplomatic missions, consular
offices, representatives of international organizations under the United
Nations, and intergovernmental organizations.
 LV1: Issued for individuals working with central agencies of the
Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the
Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front,
the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuracy, the
State Audit, Ministries, government-attached agencies, agencies under
the Government; Provincial Party Committee, City Party Committee,

3. People’s Council, People’s Committee of the province, and centrally-
run cities.
 LV2: Issued for individuals working with political-social
organizations, social organizations, the Vietnam Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
 LS: Issued for foreign lawyers practicing in Vietnam.
 ĐT1: Issued for foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of
foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution
value of VND 100 billion or more, or investing in preferential
investment sectors, investment incentive areas as decided by the
Government.
 ĐT2: Issued for foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of
foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution
value from VND 50 billion to less than VND 100 billion, or investing
in encouraged sectors according to the Government’s decision.
 ĐT3: Issued for foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of
foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution
value from VND 3 billion to less than VND 50 billion.
 ĐT4: Issued for foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of
foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution
value less than VND 3 billion.
 DN1: Issued for foreigners working with enterprises, other legal
entities as stipulated by Vietnamese law.
 DN2: Issued for foreigners entering to offer services, establish
commercial presence, and carry out other activities according to
international treaties of which Vietnam is a member.
 NN1: Issued for the Head of the representative office, project of an
international organization, non-governmental organization in
Vietnam.
 NN2: Issued for the head of the branch of a foreign trader,
representative office of an economic organization, cultural
organization, and other specialized organizations of a foreign country
in Vietnam.
 NN3: Issued for individuals working with foreign non-governmental
organizations, representative offices, branches of foreign traders,
representative offices of international economic organizations,
cultural organizations, and other specialized organizations of foreign
countries in Vietnam.
 DH: Issued for individuals entering for internships, study purposes.
 HN: Issued for individuals entering to attend conferences, seminars.
 PV1: Issued for journalists, resident press in Vietnam.
 PV2: Issued for journalists, press entering for short-term activities in
Vietnam.
 LĐ1: Issued for foreign individuals working in Vietnam with
confirmation not subject to a work permit, except for cases under

4. international treaties of which Vietnam is a member with different
provisions.
 LĐ2: Issued for foreign individuals working in Vietnam subject to the
requirement of having a work permit.
 DL: Issued for individuals entering for tourism.
 TT: Issued for foreigners who are spouses, children under 18 of
foreigners granted visas with codes LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3,
NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, LĐ2, or foreigners who are fathers,
mothers, spouses, children of Vietnamese citizens.
 VR: Issued for individuals entering to visit relatives or for other
purposes.
 SQ: Issued for cases as specified in clause 3 of Article 17 of the Law
on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014
(amended 2019).
 EV: Electronic visa in Vietnam.
About ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam
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