Vietnam Business Visa: The Complete 2026 Guide (DN, DT, Process)

Thinking about growing your business in Vietnam or working there for a local company? The Vietnam business visa is your key to entering the country legally for professional purposes. Unlike a tourist visa, it gives you specific rights and a length of stay suited to the needs of entrepreneurs, consultants and expat employees.

In this in-depth guide, I will walk you through EVERYTHING you need to know about the Vietnam business visa in 2026: the different types (DN, DT, LD), the exact step-by-step process, the required documents, real prices, the pitfalls to avoid and the alternatives depending on your situation. Whether you are a solo entrepreneur, a seconded employee or an investor, you will find concrete answers here to navigate Vietnam's administrative maze with confidence.

01What Is a Vietnam Business Visa and Who Needs One?

The Vietnam business visa is a DN visa (for "Doanh Nghiệp" = company) or DT visa (for "Đầu Tư" = investment) that allows its holder to enter Vietnam for professional activities. Unlike the tourist visa (DL), it lets you set up a company, attend business meetings or explore the Vietnamese market. On its own, it doesn't let you hold a job: for that, a work permit is still mandatory.

Who should apply for a Vietnam business visa?

• Entrepreneurs who want to set up their company in Vietnam
• Expat employees sent by their French company
• Consultants and freelancers working with Vietnamese clients
• Investors exploring business opportunities
• Sales representatives on prospecting trips
• Participants in long professional conferences or trade shows

Tip: If you are only coming for a 3-day meeting, a tourist visa may be enough. But if you plan to sign contracts, open a business bank account or stay more than 15 days, the business visa becomes essential.

The business visa differs from the electronic tourist visa in its flexibility: a longer duration (up to 12 months), multiple entries possible and, above all, it is the first step toward getting a work permit and a temporary residence card.

02The Different Types of Vietnam Business Visa (DN, DT, LD)

The Vietnamese system distinguishes several categories of professional visas. Understanding these nuances is crucial to choosing the right visa for your situation.

DN Visa (Doanh Nghiệp): The Standard Business Visa

The DN visa is the most common for expats on professional assignments. It is for people working for a Vietnamese company or a foreign company operating in Vietnam.

Key features:

• Duration: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months
• Entries: single or multiple
• Sponsorship: requires an invitation letter from a Vietnamese company
• Convertible to a work permit: yes
• Average price: 800,000 to 2,700,000 VND (€30-100) depending on duration

DT Visa (Đầu Tư): The Investor Visa

The DT visa is reserved for foreign investors who hold shares in a Vietnamese company or make significant investments.

Key features:

• Duration: up to 5 years (annual renewal)
• Entries: multiple, mandatory
• Requirements: an investment certificate or shares in a Vietnamese company
• Advantages: a simplified process for the residence card
• Average price: 2,700,000 to 5,400,000 VND (€100-200)

LD Visa (Lao Động): The Worker Visa

The LD visa is technically a work visa, issued after you obtain a work permit. It is the solution for employees on a permanent contract in Vietnam.

Key features:

• Duration: aligned with the work permit (max 2 years)
• Entries: multiple
• Prerequisite: work permit already obtained
• Process: heavier but more stable
• Average price: 1,350,000 to 4,050,000 VND (€50-150)

Tip: Most expats start with a 3-month DN visa, then convert it to an LD visa once they have their work permit. It is a common strategy to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth trips.

Business Visa Comparison Table

03The Complete Process for Getting a Vietnam Business Visa

Getting a Vietnam business visa involves several steps. Here is the process, step by step.

Step 1: Get an Invitation Letter (Letter of Approval)

This is the key document. Without it, you cannot get a business visa. The letter must be issued by:

• Your Vietnamese employer
• Your local business partner
• Your own company, if you have already set one up
• A specialized agency (the solution for solo entrepreneurs)

Documents to provide to the sponsoring company:

• A color copy of your passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• A recent passport photo (4x6 cm format, white background)
• Information about your position and the length of stay you want
• Proof of the business relationship (contract, agreement, etc.)

Processing time: 5 to 7 business days to get the approval letter.

Tip: If you are setting up your company in Vietnam, wait until you have your registration certificate before requesting the invitation letter. It makes the process much simpler.

Step 2: Apply for the Visa at the Embassy or Online

Once you have the approval letter in hand, you have two options:

Option A: Apply at the Vietnamese embassy in France

• Appointment in Paris (45-47 rue de Courcelles, 75008)
• Submit the complete application + approval letter
• Processing time: 5 business days (express in 2 days possible)
• Price: €60-120 depending on duration
• Advantage: the visa is stuck in your passport before you leave

Option B: Visa on Arrival

• Present the approval letter at the Vietnamese airport
• Pay the stamping fee
• Processing time: 30-45 minutes on arrival
• Price: 25-50 USD, cash only
• Advantage: no trip to Paris

Tip: Visa on arrival only works at international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc). If you are entering overland from Cambodia or Laos, you MUST get the visa before you leave.

Step 3: Prepare the Supporting Documents

Depending on your situation, additional documents may be required:

• For employees: a signed employment contract, translated and legalized diplomas
• For entrepreneurs: a business plan, the company's registration certificate
• For investors: proof of the investment, the company's articles of association
• For everyone: international health insurance (strongly recommended, see our guide to health insurance for expats in Vietnam)

Step 4: Entering the Country and Activation

When you arrive in Vietnam with your business visa:

1. Go to the immigration counter
2. Hand over your passport and the approval letter (if visa on arrival)
3. Pay the stamping fee in USD cash
4. Fill out the entry form (provided on the plane)
5. Collect your stamped passport

Time at immigration: 30-60 minutes depending on how busy it is.

Tip: Arrive with 50 USD in small bills for the visa fees. The ATMs after immigration only dispense VND, and the currency exchange desk applies terrible rates.

04Real Prices for a Vietnam Business Visa in 2026

Prices vary depending on several factors: duration, number of entries, urgency and the application channel. Here is a detailed table based on the official 2026 rates.

Vietnamese Embassy in Paris Rates

Express fee (+48h): +€30

Visa on Arrival Rates (Stamping Fees)

Important: These fees must be paid IN CASH (USD only) at the airport, ON TOP of the cost of the approval letter (€20-40 depending on the agency).

Additional Costs to Plan For

• Approval letter: €20-60 (depending on the agency and urgency)
• Courier service: €15-30 if you cannot go to Paris yourself
• Passport photos: €10-15 in France (or 50,000 VND / €2 in Vietnam)
• Document translation: €30-50 per document
• Apostille legalization: €5-15 per document

Realistic total budget for a 3-month multiple-entry business visa: €150-200 all-in.

Tip: Online agencies offering "€30 business visas" only sell the approval letter. You will ALWAYS have to pay the stamping fees on arrival. Read the terms carefully before paying.

05Renewing and Extending a Vietnam Business Visa

Is your business visa about to expire? You have two options: an extension in the country or a "visa run."

In-Country Extension (Gia Hạn Visa)

A visa extension lets you prolong your stay without leaving Vietnam. It is the most comfortable solution, but it is not always possible.

Conditions for an extension:

• Visa still valid (at least 7 days before expiration)
• Invitation letter from the sponsoring company
• Passport with at least 6 months of validity
• No violations of Vietnamese law

Process:

1. Your sponsor submits the application to the Immigration Department
2. Processing time: 7-10 business days
3. Your passport is returned with a new stamp
4. Extension length: generally the same as the initial visa (max 3 months)

Price: 1,350,000 to 2,700,000 VND (€50-100) depending on duration.

Tip: Extensions are NOT automatic. Some types of visa (notably converted tourist visas) cannot be extended. Check your eligibility carefully before starting the process.

The Visa Run (Border Run)

A visa run means briefly leaving Vietnam to get a new visa. It is the fallback solution when an extension is refused.

Popular visa run destinations from Da Nang:

• Laos (Savannakhet): 3-4 hours by bus, Laotian visa 30-40 USD, return the next day
• Cambodia (Phnom Penh): 1h30 flight, e-visa 36 USD, doable over a weekend
• Thailand (Bangkok): 2-hour flight, visa exemption for French citizens, a mini vacation

Full visa run budget: €150-300 (transportation + accommodation + new visa).

Warning: Vietnamese authorities monitor repeated visa runs. More than 2-3 a year can raise suspicion and complicate your future applications.

Converting to a Work Permit and Residence Card

If you work in Vietnam on a permanent basis, the long-term solution is to get a work permit and then a temporary residence card (TRC).

Advantages of the TRC:

• Validity: 1 to 5 years (depending on the employment contract)
• No more visa runs needed
• Easier to open a bank account
• Access to some services reserved for residents
• Greater credibility with the authorities

Simplified process:

1. Get a work permit (2-3 months, see our guide to administrative formalities)
2. Convert the DN visa into an LD visa
3. Apply for a temporary residence card
4. The laminated card is issued

Total price: 5,400,000 to 10,800,000 VND (€200-400) depending on duration.

06Pitfalls to Avoid With the Vietnam Business Visa

Here are the most common (and costly) mistakes.

Pitfall 1: Confusing a Business Visa With a Work Permit

A business visa authorizes you to ENTER Vietnam for business. It does NOT authorize you to work legally. For that, you need a work permit.

Consequence: Working on a business visa alone (even a DN) without a work permit = illegal work = a fine of up to 100,000,000 VND (€3,700) + possible deportation.

Tip: If you are a solo entrepreneur and your company is registered abroad (France, Singapore, etc.), you do not need a Vietnamese work permit. The business visa is enough to run your business remotely from Vietnam. But if you bill Vietnamese clients, it is a gray area: consult a specialized lawyer.

Pitfall 2: A Bogus Invitation Letter

Some unscrupulous agencies sell "ghost" invitation letters issued by nonexistent or complicit companies.

Risk: Refusal at immigration, an entry ban, blacklisting.

How to check: Ask for the sponsoring company's registration number and verify it on the website of the Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) of the relevant province.

Pitfall 3: Staying Past Your Visa (Overstay)

Staying in Vietnam after your visa expires is a serious offense.

Penalties depending on the length of the overstay:

• Under 16 days: fine of 500,000 to 2,000,000 VND (€20-75)
• 16 to 30 days: fine of 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 VND (€110-185)
• More than 30 days: fine of 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 VND (€185-370) + deportation + a 1-3 year entry ban

Tip: Set a reminder 15 days before your visa expires. That is the minimum lead time to start an extension or organize a visa run.

Pitfall 4: Skipping Health Insurance

The business visa includes NO health coverage. And medical costs in Vietnam can skyrocket without insurance.

Example: A 3-day hospital stay for dengue in Da Nang = 45,000,000 VND (€1,650) without insurance. With insurance: €0 (100% covered).

See our complete guide to health insurance for expats in Vietnam to choose the best plan for your profile.

Pitfall 5: Forgetting the Temporary Residence Declaration

If you stay more than 15 days in the same place, you are technically required to file a temporary residence declaration with the local police.

In practice:

• Hotels do it automatically
• Airbnb hosts rarely do it
• Long-term landlords are supposed to do it (but many "forget")

Penalty: A fine of 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND (€20-40) if you are checked, but this is very rare in practice.

Tip: When you sign your lease, explicitly ask the landlord whether they will file the declaration. Some refuse (a tax risk for them), which can cause problems if you apply for a visa extension.

07Alternatives to the Vietnam Business Visa

Depending on your situation, other options may be a better fit.

Vietnam E-Visa (Electronic Visa)

Since 2023, Vietnam has offered an e-visa of up to 90 days, at 25 USD for a single entry or 50 USD for multiple entries (Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC). The legal processing time is 3 business days. For the step-by-step process and official fees, see our guide on how to apply for a Vietnam visa.

Pros:

• 100% online process
• No invitation letter required
• Attractive price
• Valid for tourism AND business

Cons:

• Limited to 90 days
• Cannot be converted into a work permit
• Hard to extend

See our detailed guide to the Vietnam e-visa for the full process.

Tip: If you are coming to test the waters for 2-3 months before settling permanently, the e-visa is perfect. You can then leave and come back on a business visa once your plans are clearer.

Visa Exemption (45 Days)

French citizens benefit from a 45-day visa exemption for Vietnam, valid until March 14, 2028 (diplomatie.gouv.fr).

Ideal for:

• Short prospecting trips
• One-off business meetings
• Signing contracts

Limits:

• You cannot work legally
• Cannot be extended
• You must leave the country before entering again

Long-Term Investor Visa (5 Years)

The 5-year investor visa (DT1, DT2) is reserved for contributions of at least 50 billion VND (about 1.9 million USD). Below that, the length is shorter: up to 3 years from 3 to 50 billion VND (DT3), 12 months maximum below 3 billion VND (DT4), under Law 51/2019/QH14.

Pros:

• Maximum stability
• Unlimited multiple entries
• Simplified process for your family
• Possible work permit exemption for capital contributors above certain thresholds (check with a lawyer)

Cons:

• A substantial investment
• A complex process (a lawyer is recommended)
• Mandatory annual renewal

08Case Studies: Which Business Visa for Your Situation?

Case 1: An Employee Seconded by a French Company

Profile: An engineer sent by their French company to oversee an 18-month project in Da Nang.

Recommended solution:

1. 3-month multiple-entry DN visa (obtained through the Vietnamese partner company)
2. Arrive in Vietnam and start the project
3. Apply for a work permit (2-month process)
4. Convert to a 12-month LD visa
5. Renew after 12 months for the remaining 6 months

Total budget: €400-600 (visa + work permit + renewal)

Case 2: A Solo Entrepreneur (Digital Nomad)

Profile: A digital marketing consultant working for French clients from Da Nang.

Recommended solution:

1. 90-day e-visa to test things out (25 USD)
2. If the plan is confirmed: a 12-month DN visa through a specialized agency (invitation letter)
3. No work permit required (clients abroad)
4. Annual renewal or an occasional visa run

Total budget: €150-250/year

Tip: If you are a digital nomad, check out our complete guide to digital nomad life in Vietnam, covering all the practical aspects (internet, coworking, taxes).

Case 3: Starting a Business in Vietnam

Profile: Someone who wants to open a French restaurant in Da Nang.

Recommended solution:

1. 90-day e-visa for the initial paperwork
2. Set up the company (LLC or branch)
3. Obtain the registration certificate
4. 12-month DT visa through the newly created company
5. Apply for a 5-year temporary residence card (TRC)

Total budget: €500-1,000 (visa + company setup + TRC)

See our guide to starting a business abroad for the legal and tax aspects.

Case 4: An Active Retiree

Profile: A French retiree who wants to invest in real estate and manage their properties from Da Nang.

Recommended solution:

1. Set up a Vietnamese investment company
2. DT visa (length depends on the capital invested: 12 months maximum below 3 billion VND)
3. Temporary residence card
4. Work permit exemption to check with a lawyer, depending on the amount invested

Total budget: €1,500-3,000 (company setup + visa + TRC + legal fees)

09The Business Visa and Everyday Life in Vietnam

Getting your business visa is only the first step. Here is how it affects your daily life as an expat.

Opening a Bank Account

With a business visa of at least 3 months, you can open a Vietnamese bank account. Banks popular with expats:

• Vietcombank: the most international, app in English
• Techcombank: modern, free Visa card
• BIDV: attractive interest rates on savings

Required documents:

• Passport with a valid business visa
• Temporary residence declaration
• Vietnamese phone number
• Initial deposit: 500,000 VND (€20)

See our detailed guide to opening a bank account in Vietnam for the full process.

Renting a Home

A business visa makes renting much easier, especially for 6-12 month leases.

Average prices in Da Nang (2026):

• Downtown studio: 8,000,000 - 12,000,000 VND/month (€300-450)
• 2-bedroom apartment: 12,000,000 - 20,000,000 VND/month (€450-750)
• Villa with pool: 25,000,000 - 40,000,000 VND/month (€950-1,500)

Discover the best neighborhoods in Da Nang for your budget and lifestyle.

International Driving Permit

With a business visa, you can drive in Vietnam with your international driving permit for 3 months. After that, you have to convert your French license into a Vietnamese license.

Conversion process:

1. Certified translation of your French license
2. Medical exam (100,000 VND / €4)
3. Submit the application to the Department of Transport
4. Processing time: 15-30 days
5. Total cost: 500,000 - 800,000 VND (€20-30)

Tip: Most expats in Da Nang make do with a scooter. An international motorcycle permit is enough for routine checks, but technically only a Vietnamese license is 100% legal after 3 months.

10The Business Visa and Taxes: What You Need to Know

The business visa has significant tax implications, both in Vietnam and in France.

Vietnamese Tax Residency

You become a Vietnamese tax resident if:

• You spend more than 183 days in Vietnam in a calendar year OR
• You have a permanent place of residence in Vietnam (a lease of 12 months or more)

Consequences:

• You are taxed in Vietnam on your worldwide income
• Progressive rate: 5% to 35% depending on the bracket
• Annual tax return required

French Tax Residency

You remain a French tax resident if:

• Your household remains in France OR
• Your main professional activity is in France OR
• Your center of economic interests is in France

Watch out for double taxation! France and Vietnam have signed a tax treaty to prevent it, but the rules are complex.

See our detailed guide to expat taxes in Vietnam to optimize your situation legally.

Special Case: French Micro-Entrepreneurs in Vietnam

If you are a French micro-entrepreneur (auto-entrepreneur) working from Vietnam:

General rule:

• Fewer than 183 days a year in Vietnam: you remain a French tax resident only
• More than 183 days a year: dual residency is possible, and the tax treaty applies

Tip: Many French micro-entrepreneurs in Vietnam do strategic visa runs to stay under 183 days and avoid double taxation. It is legal but requires carefully tracking the days you are in the country.

11FAQ: Vietnam Business Visa

Can I get a Vietnam business visa without a sponsoring company?

Yes, through a specialized agency that will issue an invitation letter in the name of a partner company. It is the solution for solo entrepreneurs, freelancers and digital nomads. Expect to pay €40-80 for this service. Be aware, though: this practice is tolerated but sits in a legal gray area. To be 100% compliant, set up your company in Vietnam first or get a contract with a genuine local partner.

What is the maximum length of a Vietnam business visa?

The standard DN visa can be issued for up to 12 months with multiple entries. The DT (investor) visa can go up to 5 years, but the visa sticker must be renewed annually. For a long-term presence, the temporary residence card (TRC) remains the most stable solution, valid for up to 5 years with no annual renewal.

How long does it take to get a Vietnam business visa?

Standard timelines: 7-10 business days for the approval letter + 5-7 days for the visa at the embassy = 12-17 days in total. In an emergency (surcharge of €30-50), you can get everything in 5-7 days. Visa on arrival cuts the timeline to 7-10 days (just the time needed to get the approval letter), since the stamping happens on arrival in 30 minutes.

Does a Vietnam business visa allow you to work legally?

No, not directly. A business visa authorizes you to ENTER Vietnam for business, but to WORK legally (be employed, bill Vietnamese clients), you need a work permit. Exception: if you run your own company registered abroad and your clients are outside Vietnam, the business visa is enough (a tolerated gray area). To be 100% compliant as an employee in Vietnam, the sequence is: DN visa → work permit → LD visa → residence card.

Can I convert a tourist visa into a business visa while in Vietnam?

No, this has not been possible since 2022. You must leave Vietnam and get a new visa. Two options: go back to France and apply for the business visa at the embassy, or do a visa run to a neighboring country (Laos, Cambodia, Thailand) and get the business visa at the Vietnamese consulate there (processing time: 2-5 days). That is why we always recommend leaving with the right visa from the start, to avoid these complications and extra costs.