Japanese citizens can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days per entry under Resolution 44/NQ-CP (valid 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028), whatever the passport type or purpose of the trip. Short business trips can be made visa-free or on an e-visa (up to 90 days; USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple entry). Seconded staff, investors and their families need DN, LĐ, ĐT or TT visas and a temporary residence card. Info Travel supports Japanese companies and travellers end to end, including urgent cases. Message us on WhatsApp +84327828822.
Visa-free entry for Japanese citizens
Japan is one of the 12 countries covered by Vietnam’s unilateral 45-day exemption under Resolution 44/NQ-CP of 7 March 2025. Key points:
- You can stay up to 45 days from the entry date, and the count restarts with each entry.
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months.
- You may travel for tourism, family visits, partner meetings and investment research, but you may not do actual work.
Read about the different visa categories in Vietnam visa types and symbols.
Business trips: which document do you need?
| Purpose of the trip | Suitable document |
|---|---|
| Meetings, site visits or trade fairs under 45 days | Visa exemption |
| Several business trips within 3 months | Multiple-entry e-visa (USD 50, up to 90 days) |
| Extended work with a Vietnamese partner | DN business visa via approval letter |
| Technical guidance, machine installation, working at a subsidiary | LĐ visa plus a work permit or confirmed exemption |
| Investing capital or setting up a company | ĐT1–ĐT4 visa, depending on the amount invested |
One important point: an engineer sent to install or service equipment is working, even if the stay is only a few weeks. Companies should check their work permit obligations under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP before sending staff.
Approval letters and urgent visas
For DN, LĐ, ĐT and TT visas, the Vietnamese company or relative applies to the Immigration Department for a visa approval letter. With the letter, Japanese travellers can:
- collect the visa at the Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo or the Consulates-General in Osaka or Fukuoka; or
- receive a visa on arrival at an international airport in Vietnam. This is only possible with a pre-approved letter, and the fee is paid at the counter according to the current fee schedule.
For trips that come up at short notice, Info Travel can arrange urgent approval letters and urgent e-visas. Timing depends on the file and on actual processing by the authorities.
Long-term Japanese staff: residence cards and residence declaration
Once a work permit (or exemption) and an LĐ visa are in place, the employer applies for the expatriate’s temporary residence card, and an accompanying spouse and children receive TT cards. Under Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC the fees are USD 145 (up to 2 years), USD 155 (over 2 up to 5 years) and USD 165 (over 5 up to 10 years), depending on the card type.
Japanese expatriates often live in hotels or serviced apartments. The accommodation provider must make the temporary residence declaration. In a private rental, the landlord declares, and this can be done online. Each move requires a new declaration, otherwise extensions and card applications can run into problems.
Airport fast track for executive delegations
Immigration queues at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat can be long at peak times. Our airport fast track and pickup service speeds up arrival for executives and delegations, and we can combine it with visa on arrival for groups holding an approval letter.
Japanese missions in Vietnam
For a lost passport or consular assistance, contact the Embassy of Japan in Hanoi or the Consulates-General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. See our directory of foreign embassies in Vietnam. For general entry and exit rules, see Vietnam entry and exit regulations.
Info Travel services for Japanese clients
- Advice on the right document for each business trip
- E-visas, urgent e-visas, and DN, LĐ, ĐT and TT approval letters
- Work permits and residence cards for expatriates and their families
- Visa extensions, residence declarations and airport fast track
Fees depend on each file. Message us on WhatsApp/Zalo at +84327828822 for a quote.
FAQ
Does a Japanese engineer installing machinery for two weeks need a work permit?
It depends. Some short assignments may not require a work permit but still need a confirmation or notification under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. Check before sending staff.
Can I travel in and out of Vietnam on my residence card?
Yes. A valid temporary residence card replaces a visa, so you can leave and re-enter without applying for a new one.
I have just invested in a Vietnamese company. Can I get an ĐT visa right away?
You need documents proving the investment, such as the enterprise or investment registration certificate. Which ĐT1–ĐT4 code you receive depends on the amount of capital.
Info Travel – visa solutions for foreigners in Vietnam
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