The visa exemption certificate is issued to people of Vietnamese origin and to the foreign spouse and children of Vietnamese citizens or of overseas Vietnamese. It is valid for up to 5 years and allows a stay of up to 180 days per entry — the cheapest option for anyone returning to Vietnam regularly. You pay the government fee separately (20 USD for the first issue, 10 USD for later issues); our service fee starts from 3,200,000 VND.
Who is eligible
- People of Vietnamese origin holding a foreign passport
- Foreign spouses and children of people of Vietnamese origin
- Foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens
Proving Vietnamese origin
This is the part that decides the case. Accepted evidence includes an old Vietnamese passport or ID card, a birth certificate issued in Vietnam, old household registration records, a certificate of Vietnamese origin issued by a Vietnamese representative mission, or documents of parents proving the line of descent. Documents issued abroad must be consularly legalised and translated into Vietnamese.
Where to apply
Applications can be filed at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, or inside Vietnam with the Immigration Department. The certificate is stamped into the passport; when the passport is replaced, the certificate must be transferred to the new one.
How it works
- Contact and advice: we check whether you qualify and which origin or family documents you have, and send you a short document list.
- File handling: we receive and check your documents and file the application with the immigration authority.
- Result: we return your passport with the visa exemption certificate once it is issued.
Fees and timing
Service fees do not include the government fee. The government fee is paid separately. Final cost depends on the origin or family documents and the file.
| Item | Fee from | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| 5-year visa exemption certificate | 3,200,000 VND | about 15 days (filed in Vietnam) |
| Renewal or reissue of the certificate | 2,800,000 VND | about 15 days (filed in Vietnam) |
| Government fee | 20 USD (first issue) / 10 USD (later issues) | paid separately |
Processing times count from complete origin documents. See the full fee table.
Limits to know
The certificate does not allow employment. To work in Vietnam you still need a work permit. Each stay is capped at 180 days; to remain longer, apply for a visa or a temporary residence card before the 180 days run out.
Info Travel provides end-to-end immigration services for foreigners in Vietnam: approval letters, e-visas, visa extensions, residence cards and work permits. Same-day quote on Zalo/WhatsApp: +84327828822.
FAQ
Is there a Vietnam spouse visa exemption?
Yes. Foreign spouses (and children) of Vietnamese citizens or of people of Vietnamese origin can apply for the 5-year visa exemption certificate, allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry without a visa.
