The Vietnam 5-year visa exemption certificate allows overseas Vietnamese and their foreign spouses or children to enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 5 years, with stays of up to 180 days per visit. This long-term document eliminates the need to apply for a visa before each trip. Below you will find eligibility rules, required documents, fees, and the step-by-step application process.
What Is the Vietnam 5-Year Visa Exemption?
The Vietnam 5-year visa exemption (officially: Certificate of Visa Exemption) is a document issued by Vietnamese authorities that permits its holder to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times without a visa for up to 5 years. It is not a visa in the traditional sense – it is a certificate that waives the visa requirement for eligible individuals.
The certificate acts as the longest-validity entry document available for Vietnam. Key characteristics:
- Validity: Up to 5 years from the date of issuance
- Stay per entry: Maximum 180 days (6 months)
- Entries: Unlimited within the validity period
- Purpose: Visiting family, handling private matters, or administrative procedures in Vietnam
- Cannot be extended – but the stay duration per entry can be extended (see below)
The certificate expires at least 6 months before the holder’s passport expiration date. To receive the full 5-year validity, your passport must have at least 5 years and 6 months of remaining validity at the time of application.
Note: This is different from the Vietnam e-Visa, which is a 90-day electronic visa available to all nationalities for $25-$50 USD.
Who Is Eligible for the Vietnam 5-Year Visa?
Three categories of applicants qualify for the 5-year visa exemption certificate:
- Overseas Vietnamese – Vietnamese nationals residing abroad who do not hold a valid Vietnamese passport
- Foreign spouses and children of overseas Vietnamese – married partners or children (including adopted children) of Vietnamese people living abroad
- Foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens – married partners or children of Vietnamese citizens currently residing in Vietnam
Who Is NOT Eligible?
- Foreign nationals with no family connection to Vietnam
- Tourists or business travelers without Vietnamese family ties
- Individuals banned from entering Vietnam under Articles 21 and 28 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners
If you do not qualify for the 5-year exemption but still want a long-term option, consider the Vietnam business visa (up to 1 year) or the standard e-Visa for shorter stays.
Required Documents for the 5-Year Visa Exemption
The documents you need depend on which eligibility category you fall into.
For Overseas Vietnamese
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Application form | Form NA9 – fill out online at the official portal and print with barcode |
| Passport | Valid for at least 1 year (some embassies require 6 months from entry date) |
| Photos | 2 recent passport photos (4×6 cm or 2×2 inches, white background, no glasses, no headwear) |
| Proof of Vietnamese origin | One certified copy (see list below) |
Accepted proof of Vietnamese origin:
- Vietnamese birth certificate
- Certificate of Vietnamese citizenship
- Decision for recovery or renunciation of Vietnamese citizenship
- Certificate of loss of Vietnamese citizenship
- Vietnamese passport (valid or expired)
- Vietnamese Identity Card (valid or expired)
- Latest voter’s card
- Family Register Book (sổ hộ khẩu)
- Travel document or ID issued before 1975
- Documents from foreign authorities proving Vietnamese origin
If you have none of the above, you may submit a guarantee letter from an overseas Vietnamese association in your country of residence or from a Vietnamese citizen.
For Foreign Spouses and Children
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Application form | Form NA9 |
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months from entry date |
| Photos | 2 recent passport photos (same specs as above) |
| Relationship proof | Certified copy of marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption decision |
| Vietnamese family member’s documents | Copy of spouse’s/parent’s Vietnamese passport, birth certificate, or ID |
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
You can apply for the 5-year visa exemption at a Vietnamese embassy/consulate abroad or at the Vietnam Immigration Department if you are already in Vietnam.
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all required documents listed above. Make sure:
– Photos meet the exact specifications (white background, recent, no glasses)
– All copies are certified or notarized
– Your passport has sufficient validity
Step 2: Fill Out the Online Application
Visit the official portal at mienthithucvk.mofa.gov.vn to complete Form NA9 online. Print the form – it must display a barcode in the top-left corner. The barcode should include your country code (e.g., “AUS” for Australia, “USA” for the United States) followed by 9 digits.
Important: If the barcode shows only digits without the country code, fill out a new form to get a corrected barcode.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Option A – At a Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate (from abroad):
Submit documents in person or by registered mail (depending on the embassy). Some embassies require:
– In-person submission only
– A self-addressed prepaid return envelope for mail-back service
– Payment by money order or cashier’s check (no personal checks)
Option B – At Vietnam Immigration Department (if already in Vietnam):
- Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District
- Ho Chi Minh City: 254 Nguyen Trai, District 1
Step 4: Collect Your Certificate
Processing takes 5 to 7 working days from the date of complete document submission. You will receive your original passport back along with the Certificate of Visa Exemption.
Fees for the 5-Year Visa Exemption
Fees vary depending on where you apply.
| Application Location | First-Time Fee | Re-Issuance Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Immigration Department | $20 USD | $10 USD |
| Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate abroad | Varies by location | Varies by location |
Additional costs to budget for:
– Passport photos: $5-$15 USD (depending on country)
– Notarization of documents: $10-$30 USD per document
– Return postage (mail applications): $10-$25 USD
Embassy fees differ by country – contact your nearest Vietnamese embassy for current pricing. The fees above for the Immigration Department are set by Vietnamese government regulations.
Duration of Stay and Extensions
The 5-year visa exemption allows a maximum stay of 180 days (6 months) per entry. Here is how the extension rules work:
- If the certificate has more than 6 months of validity remaining: You can extend your temporary stay for another 180 days without leaving Vietnam
- If the certificate has less than 6 months of validity remaining: The stay period equals the remaining certificate validity and cannot be extended
How to Extend Your Stay
To extend without exiting Vietnam, submit the following to the Immigration Department:
- Valid passport
- Application form NA5 (Visa issuance and stay extension)
- Documents proving eligibility for visa exemption
- Notarized copy of the Vietnamese sponsor’s passport or ID
- Temporary resident certificate
5-Year Visa vs. Other Vietnam Visa Options
| Feature | 5-Year Exemption | e-Visa | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | Up to 5 years | 90 days | 30-90 days |
| Stay per entry | 180 days | 90 days | 30-90 days |
| Entries | Unlimited | Single or multiple | Single or multiple |
| Cost | $10-$20 USD | $25-$50 USD | $25-$50 + stamping fee |
| Who can apply | Vietnamese overseas + families | All nationalities | All nationalities (by air only) |
| Processing time | 5-7 working days | 3 working days | 2-4 working days |
| Apply online? | Partially (form only) | Fully online | Approval letter online |
| Extendable stay? | Yes (180 more days) | No | Yes |
For a detailed comparison of all visa categories, see our guide to Vietnam visa types.
Important Rules and Restrictions
Keep these rules in mind when using the 5-year visa exemption:
- Same passport for entry and exit: You must use the same passport to enter and exit Vietnam. If your passport expires and you get a new one, you must apply for a new certificate
- Purpose of visit: The certificate is only for visiting family or handling private administrative matters – not for employment or business
- Not valid for work: If you want to work in Vietnam, you need a separate work permit and work visa (LD category)
- Certificate expires before passport: The certificate validity ends at least 6 months before your passport expires
- Lost or stolen certificate: You must apply for re-issuance with the same documents plus a copy of the old certificate or a loss report
FAQs About the Vietnam 5-Year Visa
How much does a 5-year visa exemption cost?
The fee is $20 USD for first-time issuance and $10 USD for re-issuance at the Vietnam Immigration Department. Embassy fees abroad vary by country. Additional costs include notarized copies and passport photos.
Can I work in Vietnam with a 5-year visa exemption?
No. The 5-year visa exemption is strictly for visiting family or handling private matters. To work in Vietnam, you need a separate work visa (LD category) and a valid work permit.
How long can I stay in Vietnam per visit with the 5-year visa?
You can stay up to 180 days (6 months) per entry. If you need to stay longer, you can extend your temporary residence for another 180 days without leaving the country, provided the certificate has more than 6 months of validity remaining.
What is the difference between the 5-year visa exemption and the e-Visa?
The 5-year exemption is a long-term certificate for overseas Vietnamese and their families, valid for 5 years with 180-day stays. The e-Visa is a short-term electronic visa available to all nationalities, valid for 90 days, costing $25-$50 USD.
Can I apply for the 5-year visa exemption while in Vietnam?
Yes. You can apply at the Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City if you are already in the country. Processing takes 5-7 working days.
What happens if my passport expires before the 5-year certificate?
The certificate automatically expires 6 months before your passport expiration date. If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new 5-year visa exemption certificate – the old one cannot be transferred.
Do children need their own 5-year visa exemption certificate?
Yes. Each family member, including children, needs their own certificate. Children apply under the “foreign spouse or child” category using their own passport and a birth certificate proving the relationship to the Vietnamese family member.
Is the 5-year visa exemption the same as a spouse visa?
It is commonly called a “spouse visa” because many holders are foreign spouses of Vietnamese citizens. However, it also covers children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese, as well as overseas Vietnamese themselves.
Can I enter Vietnam through any border crossing with the 5-year visa?
Yes. The Certificate of Visa Exemption allows entry through any approved international checkpoint in Vietnam, including airports, land border crossings, and seaports.
How do I check if my 5-year visa exemption is still valid?
Check the expiration date printed on the certificate. Remember that it expires at least 6 months before your passport. If you are unsure, contact the Vietnamese embassy that issued it or the Vietnam Immigration Department.
