South Korean citizens can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days per entry under Government Resolution 44/NQ-CP (valid 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028), whatever the passport type or purpose of the trip. For stays longer than 45 days you need an e-visa (up to 90 days; state fee USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple entry), and if you are coming to work you need a work visa, a work permit and a temporary residence card. Info Travel handles all of these for Korean travellers and Korean companies in Vietnam. Message us on WhatsApp +84327828822.
Do Koreans need a visa for Vietnam?
No, not for short trips. South Korea is one of 12 countries covered by Vietnam’s unilateral 45-day visa exemption under Resolution 44/NQ-CP of 7 March 2025. In practice:
- You may stay up to 45 days from the date of entry, and the count restarts with each new entry.
- It applies to all Korean passport types and all purposes of entry: tourism, family visits, market research and so on.
- Your passport should have at least 6 months’ validity, and you must not be on an entry-ban list.
- Visa-free entry does not allow you to work. Korean employees still need a work permit (or a confirmed exemption) and the correct visa or residence card.
The full list of exempt countries and the dates each resolution expires are kept up to date on our Vietnam visa exemption countries page. Policies change from time to time, so check again shortly before you fly.
When should a Korean traveller get an e-visa instead?
Most Korean holidaymakers heading to Da Nang, Nha Trang or Phu Quoc stay a few days and need nothing more than the exemption. An e-visa makes sense when:
- you plan to stay between 46 and 90 days, for example a long holiday, caring for a relative or a “month-living” stay across several cities;
- you will go in and out of Vietnam several times within 90 days and want to avoid questions about frequent visa-free entries;
- a short business trip needs a document that clearly shows how long you can stay.
Vietnam issues e-visas to citizens of every country, valid for up to 90 days, for single or multiple entry. Under Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC the state fee is USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry. You apply online, and processing normally takes about 3 working days. Our Vietnam e-visa service checks your photo, passport data and declared entry port before you submit.
Business and work visas for Korean managers and engineers
Korean companies in Vietnam often second managers and engineers to factories and representative offices. For these people neither the 45-day exemption nor an e-visa is a good fit, because they stay longer and need the right purpose of entry. The usual visa categories are:
| Code | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DN1, DN2 | Working with a business, offering services | Sponsored by a Vietnamese company |
| LĐ1, LĐ2 | Employment | Linked to a work permit or exemption |
| ĐT1–ĐT4 | Investors | Graded by amount of capital invested |
| TT | Accompanying family (spouse, children) | Follows the main sponsor |
For these visas the sponsoring company applies to the Immigration Department for a visa approval letter. With the letter, you can collect the visa at the Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul or have it stamped at an international airport on arrival. Visa on arrival is only possible with a pre-approved letter. You cannot simply apply when you land.
Staying beyond 45 days: extend or exit?
When your 45 visa-free days are running out, there are three lawful options:
- Get a new visa inside Vietnam if an eligible company, organisation or relative can sponsor you, for example your employer or a Vietnamese spouse.
- Leave and re-enter to start a fresh 45-day period, or re-enter on an e-visa.
- Move to a temporary residence card if you already hold a valid work, investor or family visa.
Our guide on residence card or visa extension compares the options. Do not overstay. Under Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, an overstay of under 16 days can already bring a fine of VND 0.5–2 million, and the fine rises with the length of the overstay.
Work permits and residence cards for long-term Korean residents
Koreans working in Vietnam need a work permit under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP unless an exemption applies. Once the permit is issued, the employer applies for an LĐ residence card for the employee and TT cards for an accompanying spouse and children. Under Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC the state fees for residence cards 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.
- Work permit steps: Vietnam work permit service
- Card requirements: temporary residence card
When you rent a home, the landlord or accommodation provider must declare your temporary residence, and the declaration must be made again each time you move.
Airport arrival and Korean missions in Vietnam
Busy morning arrivals at Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai can mean long immigration queues. Our airport fast track and pickup service helps executives and families with small children get through faster. If you lose your passport or need consular help, contact the Korean Embassy in Hanoi or the Korean Consulates General in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. See our list of foreign embassies in Vietnam. Visas issued on the basis of an approval letter can be collected at the Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul. Check its opening hours before you go.
How Info Travel helps Korean clients
- Advice on the right route: visa exemption, e-visa, approval-letter visa or residence card
- E-visas, urgent e-visas and DN, LĐ, ĐT and TT approval letters
- In-country extensions and changes of visa purpose where eligible
- Work permits and residence cards for staff and their families
- Airport fast track
Service fees depend on each file. Message us on WhatsApp/Zalo at +84327828822 for a quote. We work in English and Vietnamese.
FAQ
Do Korean children get the same 45-day exemption?
Yes. The exemption depends on nationality and passport, so a child with their own Korean passport may also stay up to 45 days per entry.
I entered visa-free and then got a job offer. What now?
You cannot start working on visa-free status. Your employer must obtain a work permit (or exemption) and an LĐ visa. Depending on your case, this can be done inside Vietnam or may require re-entry with an approval letter.
Is there a limit on back-to-back visa-free entries?
The 2023 amendments removed the old 30-day gap between visa-free entries, but frequent entries may lead border officers to ask about your purpose. If you actually live in Vietnam, get a proper visa or residence card.
I am Korean and married to a Vietnamese citizen. What are my options?
Depending on your documents, you can apply for a TT visa, a family residence card or a 5-year visa exemption certificate.
Info Travel – visa solutions for foreigners in Vietnam
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