Vietnam’s immigration law for foreigners in 2026 is the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam No. 47/2014/QH13, amended by Law 51/2019/QH14, Law 23/2023/QH15 and two 2025 laws. The latest consolidated text is No. 62/VBHN-VPQH of 23 March 2026. Key points: e-visas of up to 90 days, a 45-day stay under unilateral visa exemption, and temporary residence cards of up to 10 years depending on category. Info Travel advises on how the law applies to your case – WhatsApp +84327828822.
This guide explains Vietnam’s immigration law in plain English: how the law is organised, the rules that matter most for visas, entry, exit and residence, and which decrees and circulars currently implement it. It is general information, not legal advice – always check your specific case with the immigration authority or a qualified adviser.
Which texts make up the Vietnam immigration law for foreigners?
- Law No. 47/2014/QH13 (16 June 2014, in force 1 January 2015) – the base law.
- Law No. 51/2019/QH14 (in force 1 July 2020) – introduced e-visa rules, change-of-purpose rules and new visa symbols.
- Law No. 23/2023/QH15 (in force 15 August 2023) – e-visas extended to up to 90 days, single or multiple entry; stay under unilateral exemption raised to 45 days. See Vietnam immigration law amendments.
- Law No. 118/2025/QH15 (amending several security and public-order laws) and the Law on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters No. 103/2025/QH15 – both in force 1 July 2026 and included in the consolidated text.
For an up-to-date reading, use consolidated text No. 62/VBHN-VPQH, issued by the Office of the National Assembly on 23 March 2026 (replacing consolidation 30/VBHN-VPQH of 2023). Vietnamese citizens are covered by a separate law, the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens No. 49/2019/QH14.
Structure of the law
| Chapter | Subject | Articles |
|---|---|---|
| I | General provisions (definitions, principles, reuse of existing data) | 1–6a |
| II | Visas: types, symbols, validity, e-visa, exemptions, procedures | 7–19a |
| III | Entry: conditions and refusal of entry | 20–22 |
| IV | Transit | 23–26 |
| V | Exit, exit suspension, forced exit | 27–30 |
| VI | Residence: temporary (Section 1) and permanent (Section 2) | 31–43 |
| VII | Rights and obligations of foreigners and sponsors | 44–45a |
| VIII | Responsibilities of state agencies and final provisions | from 46 |
Visas, e-visas and visa exemption
Visas are single or multiple entry, and each symbol matches one purpose (DL tourism, DN business, LĐ work, ĐT investment, TT family visit, DH study, EV e-visa, and so on). Maximum validity under Article 9:
- SQ: up to 30 days; HN, DL, EV: up to 90 days; VR: up to 180 days.
- DN1, DN2, DH, TT, NN1–NN3, ĐT4, PV1, PV2 and others: up to 1 year.
- LĐ1, LĐ2: up to 2 years; ĐT3: up to 3 years; LS, ĐT1, ĐT2: up to 5 years.
The full list is in Vietnam visa types and symbols.
- E-visa: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, applied for by the foreigner on the official e-visa site; the law sets a 3-working-day decision time. The Government decides which nationalities and border gates qualify (Article 19a).
- Unilateral visa exemption: citizens of countries exempted by the Government may stay 45 days per entry; the passport should be valid for at least 6 months.
- Change of visa purpose: generally not allowed, with exceptions set out in the law – for example investors, family members of the sponsor, and people holding a work permit or work-permit exemption confirmation.
State fees follow Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC (e.g. USD 25 single-entry e-visa, USD 50 multiple-entry) – see Vietnam visa fees.
Latest entry and exit rules
Entry conditions (Article 20): a valid passport or international travel document, a visa unless exempt, and not falling under a refusal ground. Article 21 lists refusal grounds such as failing the conditions, children under 14 travelling unaccompanied, forged documents, expulsion within the previous 3 years, forced exit within the previous 6 months, or disease-control and security reasons.
Exit conditions (Article 27): a valid passport, a valid temporary residence certificate, temporary residence card or permanent residence card, and not being subject to an exit suspension.
Exit suspension (Articles 28–29): may apply to foreigners involved in criminal, civil, commercial, labour, administrative or family cases, who must enforce a judgment, who have unpaid tax or unpaid administrative fines, or for defence and security reasons. A suspension lasts up to 3 years and can be extended. It is ordered by courts, investigation and enforcement agencies, tax authorities or the Minister of Public Security, depending on the ground. Procedures are detailed in Circular 71/2026/TT-BCA. If you think a suspension applies to you, read exit ban for foreigners in Vietnam.
Residence: declaration, residence cards, permanent residence
- Temporary residence declaration (Article 33): the accommodation provider (hotel, landlord, host family) declares the foreigner; paper declarations within 12 hours, or 24 hours in remote areas; declare again after moving or changing passport. Since 21 May 2026 a single nationwide Ministry of Public Security system is used – see temporary residence declaration.
- Extension (Article 35): requested by the sponsor; decided within 5 working days.
- Temporary residence card (Articles 36–38): filed by the sponsor at the immigration office where it is based; decided within 5 working days. Maximum terms: ĐT1, UĐ1, UĐ2 – 10 years; NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT2, DH – 5 years; NN1, NN2, ĐT3, TT – 3 years; LĐ1, LĐ2, PV1 – 2 years. The card must expire at least 30 days before the passport. More in temporary residence card.
- Permanent residence (Articles 39–43): available to certain groups, such as people with merit to Vietnam, scientists and experts residing in Vietnam, people sponsored by a Vietnamese parent, spouse or child with permanent residence (after at least 3 years of continuous temporary residence), and stateless people resident since 2000 or earlier. Lawful accommodation and stable income are required. Decision within 4 months, extendable by 2 months.
Rights and obligations of foreigners and sponsors
Foreigners are protected in life, dignity and property and may travel freely except in restricted areas; some categories may sponsor relatives. They must obey Vietnamese law, act in line with their entry purpose, carry their passport and residence papers, and give them to accommodation providers for declaration.
Sponsors must handle invitation procedures, guide the foreigner, and notify the immigration authority in writing when a foreigner still holds valid papers but no longer needs sponsorship (for example after resigning). Businesses may only employ or host foreigners who are legally resident (Article 45a). Breaches are sanctioned under Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP – for example, overstays of under 16 days may be fined VND 500,000–2,000,000, with higher fines for longer overstays.
Decrees, circulars and resolutions implementing the law
| Document | Content | In force |
|---|---|---|
| Consolidated text 62/VBHN-VPQH (23/3/2026) | Consolidates Law 47/2014 and all amending laws | Reference text |
| Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA | Amends Circular 04/2015 (forms NA1–NA17) and Circular 31/2015 (visa, residence card and extension procedures) | 1/7/2026 |
| Circular 71/2026/TT-BCA | Exit suspension and entry refusal procedures; replaces Circular 79/2020/TT-BCA | 10/7/2026 |
| Circular 87/2026/TT-BCA | How foreigners’ temporary residence is declared and received; replaces Circular 53/2016/TT-BCA | 24/7/2026 |
| Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC | Fees for visas, residence cards, permanent residence; replaces Circulars 25/2021 and 62/2023 | 1/4/2026 |
| Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP | Administrative sanctions on security, public order and social safety, including immigration and residence breaches | 15/12/2025 |
| Resolutions 127/NQ-CP (14/8/2023) and 389/NQ-CP (2/12/2025) | E-visa for all nationalities; list of and additional e-visa border gates | As stated in each resolution |
| Resolutions 44/NQ-CP and 229/NQ-CP (2025) | 45-day unilateral visa exemption for 24 countries | Until 14/3/2028 and 14/8/2028 |
New forms under Circular 70/2026 are explained in Vietnam immigration NA forms. To apply or check anything online, use only the official Vietnam immigration and e-visa websites. This list can change, so check a document’s status before relying on it.
How Info Travel can help
The immigration law has many exceptions, and every file differs in passport validity, purpose and sponsor. Info Travel (DGROUP TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd) helps you:
- identify the right visa, residence card or permanent residence category for your real purpose;
- check whether a change of purpose, extension or residence card is possible under the current rules;
- prepare documents on the Circular 70/2026 forms and organise temporary residence declaration;
- find a lawful solution after an overstay or an exit suspension.
Fees are quoted per case via WhatsApp/Zalo +84327828822.
FAQ
Which law currently governs foreigners’ entry and residence in Vietnam?
Law 47/2014/QH13, as amended by Law 51/2019/QH14, Law 23/2023/QH15 and the 2025 laws in force from 1 July 2026. The latest consolidated version is 62/VBHN-VPQH of 23 March 2026.
How long is a Vietnam e-visa valid?
Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. State fees are USD 25 (single) or USD 50 (multiple).
Can I switch from a tourist visa to a work visa inside Vietnam?
As a rule a visa’s purpose cannot be changed, except in cases the law allows (for example with a work permit or work-permit exemption confirmation). Each case needs checking.
How long can a temporary residence card be?
It depends on the symbol: up to 10 years for ĐT1, UĐ1, UĐ2; 5 years for DH, ĐT2, LS and others; 3 years for TT, ĐT3, NN1, NN2; 2 years for LĐ1, LĐ2, PV1 – always at least 30 days shorter than your passport’s validity.
Info Travel – visa solutions for foreigners in Vietnam
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