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APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) in Vietnam: 2026 Rules

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) lets Vietnamese business people travel to APEC economies without applying for a visa each time (the US and Canada only give fast-track lanes), valid for up to 5 years. Since 1 July 2026 the procedure follows Decision 28/2026/QD-TTg (replacing Decision 09/2023/QD-TTg): applicants must be 18+, have worked at the company for 12 months, paid social insurance there for at least 6 months, and the company must have operated for 24 months. There are two steps: get written approval from the competent authority, then file with the Immigration Department. The fee is 700,000 VND under Circular 81/2026/TT-BTC. Foreign ABTC holders can enter Vietnam visa-free, usually for up to 60 days per visit.

On this page

Who is eligible
Conditions from 1 July 2026
Two-step process
Fee and validity
Participating economies
FAQ

Who is eligible

Staff of credit institutions, finance, securities and insurance firms, state groups and corporations: deputy head of department, chief accountant or above.
Staff of other companies: head of department or above.
Officials attending APEC meetings; staff of trade offices in APEC economies.

Conditions from 1 July 2026

Aged 18+, full legal capacity, not banned from leaving Vietnam.
At least 12 months with the applying organisation and 6 months of social insurance contributions there.
Company operating for at least 24 months and compliant with tax and customs obligations.

Two-step process

Approval letter from the competent ministry, the State Bank, the Ministry of Finance, the provincial People’s Committee or the state group (6 working days to process plus 2 to sign; up to 15 working days if verification is needed).
Card application to the Vietnam Immigration Department within 6 months of the approval letter, in person, online or by post: 3 working days after a complete file and fee, then waiting time for each economy’s pre-clearance.

Documents: application form, two 3×4 cm photos, appointment decision or labour contract, the original approval letter, passport copy, and trade contracts or financial statements if any.

Fee and validity

700,000 VND per issue, re-issue or exchange (Circular 81/2026/TT-BTC, from 1 July 2026).
Valid up to 5 years, not beyond passport expiry; available as a physical and a virtual card.

Participating economies

Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. The US and Canada are transitional members: no visa waiver, only fast-track lanes.