British citizens can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days per entry under Resolution 44/NQ-CP (valid 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028). For stays of up to 90 days, get an e-visa (state fee USD 25 single entry, USD 50 multiple entry). If you are coming to teach English or work as a professional, you need a work permit, an LĐ visa and a residence card, backed by a criminal record check and legalised degree certificates. Info Travel prepares the whole file. Message us on WhatsApp +84327828822.
The 45-day visa exemption for UK citizens
The United Kingdom is one of 12 countries on Vietnam’s unilateral exemption list under Resolution 44/NQ-CP of 7 March 2025. Under the current rules:
- You may stay up to 45 days from the entry date, whatever your passport type or purpose of visit.
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months, and you must not be barred from entry.
- You may not work while in Vietnam on visa-free status.
- The exemption covers UK citizens. If you hold another form of British nationality (not British citizen), check with a Vietnamese mission before you travel.
See Vietnam visa exemption explained for how the scheme works and how the 45 days are counted.
Which visa suits your trip?
| Situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Holiday or visiting friends, under 45 days | Visa exemption |
| Long trip of 46–90 days, or hopping around Southeast Asia | Multiple-entry e-visa (USD 50) |
| Job interviews or market research | Exemption or e-visa; a DN visa if a company invites you |
| Teaching, professional or management job | LĐ visa via approval letter plus a work permit |
| Married to a Vietnamese citizen | TT visa, family residence card or 5-year exemption certificate |
An e-visa is valid for up to 90 days and normally takes about 3 working days to process. An approval-letter visa can be collected at the Vietnamese Embassy in London or stamped on arrival at an international airport. Visa on arrival only works with a pre-approved letter.
Teaching English in Vietnam: the work permit file
Native-speaker teachers are the largest group of British workers in Vietnam. Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, foreign teachers need a work permit unless an exemption applies. A typical file includes:
- Your degree and teaching certificate (for example TEFL or CELTA, as the school requires), with consular legalisation.
- A criminal record certificate from the competent UK authority, or a Vietnamese one if you have been living here. See criminal record certificate in Vietnam.
- A health certificate from an approved medical facility.
- Certified Vietnamese translations. See notarised translation.
- Your passport, photos and the employer’s paperwork.
Some UK documents are accepted only for a limited time after issue, so time your applications carefully. The latest rules are summarised in Vietnam work permit rules 2026.
Entered visa-free and now have a job offer
Many British travellers find work after they arrive. Since the 2023 amendments, people who entered visa-free or on an e-visa can be considered for a new visa inside Vietnam if an eligible organisation sponsors them and they hold a work permit or other qualifying documents. The usual sequence is:
- The employer or school prepares the work permit file.
- Once the permit is issued, you switch to an LĐ work visa.
- You then apply for an LĐ residence card. Under Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC the fee is USD 145 for a card valid up to 2 years.
Do not let your 45 days lapse while you wait. Under Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, an overstay of under 16 days can already bring a fine of VND 0.5–2 million.
British missions in Vietnam
If you lose your passport or need an emergency travel document, contact the British Embassy in Hanoi or the British Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City. Addresses are listed in our directory of foreign embassies in Vietnam. Once you have a new passport, any visa or residence card linked to the old one must be dealt with at the immigration office before you leave Vietnam.
Info Travel services for UK citizens
- Advice on exemption, e-visa or approval-letter visa
- Work permits for teachers and professionals, plus legalisation and translation of documents
- Changes of visa purpose, LĐ residence cards and TT cards for family members
- Extensions, overstay resolution and airport fast track
Fees are quoted per file. Message us on WhatsApp/Zalo at +84327828822. Our team works in English.
FAQ
I work remotely for a UK company. Do I need a work permit?
Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad visa at present. If you work remotely for an overseas employer, get advice on your specific situation. If you work for an organisation in Vietnam, you need a work permit.
Does my UK degree really need legalising?
Under current rules, foreign documents submitted to Vietnamese authorities usually need consular legalisation, unless a treaty or reciprocity exemption applies. Check with the receiving authority.
How are the 45 days counted?
From the entry date on your entry stamp. Leave before the last day to avoid being treated as an overstayer.
Info Travel – visa solutions for foreigners in Vietnam
📞 WhatsApp/Zalo: +84327828822 – Hotline: +84903782118
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