Long-term stay in Vietnam for US citizens
The Vietnam e-Visa allows a maximum of 90 days. For longer stays, US citizens need a business visa (DN), temporary residence card, or work permit through a Vietnamese employer.
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| e-Visa maximum | 90 days, not extendable |
| Business visa (DN) | Multiple entry, up to 1–2 years |
| Temporary Residence Card | 1–2 years, multiple entry |
| Work permit | Required to work legally |
| Retirement visa | Not available in Vietnam |
Note: Vietnam does not have a digital nomad visa or retirement visa for foreigners. Long-term stays require sponsorship from a Vietnamese employer, organization, or family member.
Options for US citizens who want to stay longer
Business and work visa (DN visa)
The DN visa is issued to foreigners working in Vietnam or conducting business. Your Vietnamese employer or sponsoring organization applies for a visa approval letter from the Vietnamese Immigration Department. Once approved, you apply for the DN visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate before arrival, or obtain it as a visa on arrival with the approval letter. DN visas can be issued for single or multiple entry for periods of 3 months to 2 years depending on your work permit duration.
Work permit
To work legally in Vietnam, US citizens need a work permit issued by the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA). Your employer applies on your behalf. Requirements include: a relevant university degree or professional certificate, at least 3 years of experience in your field, a clean criminal record certificate from the US (apostilled), and a health certificate from a Vietnamese hospital. Work permits are valid for up to 2 years and renewable.
Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
After obtaining a work permit and DN visa, you can apply for a TRC at the provincial Immigration Management Department. The TRC is valid for 1–2 years (matching your work permit duration) and allows multiple entries without needing a separate visa for each trip. Apply within 30 days of arriving on your DN visa.
Family-based long stay
US citizens married to Vietnamese citizens can apply for a TRC through family sponsorship. The Vietnamese spouse must sponsor the application at the local Immigration Management Department. This allows stays of 1–2 years and is renewable.
Work permit — step by step
- 1
Secure a job offer from a Vietnamese employer.
- 2
Your employer submits a work permit application to the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) on your behalf.
- 3
Prepare your documents: university degree or professional certificates (apostilled), criminal record certificate from the US (apostilled), health certificate from a Vietnamese hospital, and passport-sized photos.
- 4
All foreign documents must be legalized (apostilled in the US) and then notarized/translated into Vietnamese.
- 5
Once the work permit is approved (typically 5–10 business days), your employer uses it to obtain a visa approval letter from the Immigration Department.
- 6
Apply for a DN visa at a Vietnamese consulate in the US, or use the approval letter for a visa on arrival.
- 7
After arriving in Vietnam, apply for your Temporary Residence Card within 30 days at the local Immigration Management Department.
What US citizens cannot do on an e-Visa
The Vietnam e-Visa is for short-term tourism and business visits only. On an e-Visa, US citizens cannot:
- Take up employment or receive a Vietnamese-sourced salary
- Enroll as a full-time student at a Vietnamese institution
- Conduct commercial or business activities that require a business license
- Stay beyond 90 days — the e-Visa cannot be extended inside Vietnam
- Re-enter on the same single-entry e-Visa after exiting Vietnam
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Information compiled from official government sources and verified data: