Vietnam does not have a specific visa for digital nomads (as of this writing), but they offer a tourist visa option that allows visitors from many countries to stay for 30 days with the possibility of an extension.
The tourist visa can be obtained as an e-visa (single entry only and good for 30 days) or a traditional visa (multi-entry and can be extended up to six months). In both instances, you can get the visa upon arrival, but you need to apply beforehand.
Digital nomads, who typically work for companies or run businesses in other countries, are not subject to Vietnamese employment laws. However, since Vietnam lacks legislation specifically for digital nomads, they may need to explore other visa options to ensure a legal stay in the country.
In this article, we’ll guide you on how to apply for either an e-visa or a traditional visa for tourists. Based on our research and talks with fellow remote workers in Vietnam, the e-visa is the more popular route for digital nomads—it’s convenient—but the traditional visa may be more apt if you plan to stay beyond a month.
Quick Facts
- Visa length: e-visa (30 days), traditional visa (up to 6 months if approved)
- Minimum income: not specified, but enough for touring Vietnam is a safe bet
- Cost of a visa: $25 (e-visa, single entry); $50 (traditional visa, multiple entry)
- Timeline for visa processing: 3-4 business days
Vietnam Digital Nomad Visa Option Table of Contents
- Who Needs to Apply for a Vietnam Visa?
- Requirements for a Vietnam Visa Digital Nomads Should Follow
- How to Apply for Vietnam’s e-Visa
- How to Apply for a Traditional Visa
Who Needs to Apply for a Vietnam Visa?
You need a Vietnam visitor’s visa if you’re:
- currently outside of Vietnam
- entering Vietnam for tourism purposes (digital nomads usually fall under this)
- attending conferences or events held in Vietnam
- a journalist planning to work or report in Vietnam
- a foreign investor seeking business opportunities in Vietnam
Note, however, that the e-visa option is available for the same purposes, but it allows for a single entry and a maximum stay of 30 days. If you need to stay longer in Vietnam, you can opt for the traditional visa.
Requirements for a Vietnam Visa Digital Nomads Should Follow
You need to prepare the following requirements to get a tourist visa whether you’re getting an e-visa or traditional visa:
- Passport: A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity.
- Passport-size pictures: Recent photos with a plain white background.
- Vietnam Visa Application Form: Completed application form with accurate information.
- Letter of Approval (if applying for a visa upon arrival): A pre-approval letter issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department.
- Entry and exit form: Provided during the flight to Vietnam.
- Proof of Vietnam Visa fee payment: Documentation confirming payment of the applicable visa fee.
- Additional documents: Any other specific documents requested by the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate.
Fees
- e-Visa: $25.
- Traditional single-entry visa: $25
- Traditional multiple-entry visa: $50
- Fees at the Embassy or Consulate depend on the specific location and their fee structure.
How to Apply for Vietnam’s e-Visa
Vietnam’s e-visa is issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department for select countries through an online system. It allows you, as a foreigner, to stay for up to 30 days with a single entry. While most countries are eligible for an e-visa, you can check if your country is included here.
Also, the e-visa is only accepted at select entry points in the country. Don’t worry, airports and land border checkpoints popular with digital nomads are included. Here’s the list of ports where you can conveniently enter and exit Vietnam using the e-visa.
The processing time for your application is approximately 3 working days.
Steps to Apply
- Access the E-visa search menu at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/tra-cuu-thi-thuc
- Fill in the required information accurately.
- Make the payment for the e-visa fee ($25). The fee can be paid using the designated electronic payment gateway approved by the Vietnamese Immigration Department.
- To check your application’s status, enter your registration code, registration email, and date of birth.
- Once approved, you can print your e-Visa, which you will need to present at your point of entry.
How to Apply for a Traditional Visa
This requires you to apply for a Letter of Approval, which you’ll show at your point of entry to get the visa (visa upon arrival). This visa may be extended to six months, subject to approval.
via Sponsorship
- Provide your sponsor with the requirements such as passport information, places to visit, length of stay, point of entry, etc.
- Your sponsor will send the application to the Immigration Department in Vietnam for the issuance of the Letter of Approval. It takes 2-4 business days to process your application.
- Once approved, the Immigration Department will notify your sponsor and it will send your visa information to your point of entry.
- Upon arrival at your point of entry, show your Letter of Approval, passport and other travel documents (hotel reservations, return plane ticket, etc.) and pay the visa fee.
- The border gate will give you the visa.
via an Embassy
If you don’t have a sponsor in Vietnam or prefer to have the visa stamped in your passport upon arrival, you can get the visa at the nearest embassy or consulate.
- Locate the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam.
- Prepare the required documents for the visa application (same as the above).
- Submit your application either by mail or in person by visiting the embassy.
- The processing time will vary depending on the specific Embassy or Consulate handling your application.
A Few Important Things to Remember as a Digital Nomad in a Tourist Visa
- Visa Restrictions: The tactic of leaving and re-entering Vietnam within a week to obtain a new tourist visa won’t work in Vietnam. There must be a minimum 30-day gap between visits.
- Work Limitations: Technically, working while on a 30-day tourist visa is not permitted. However, the regulations regarding digital nomad work are not well-defined. It is advisable to maintain a low profile while conducting your work activities.
Do You Need a Work Permit?
Even though you’ll technically be working while in Vietnam, holed up in your room in a meeting with your team spread across the planet, the government is usually chill about work permits as long as:
- Your company isn’t based in Vietnam.
- You’re not tapping into local businesses.
- Your work doesn’t compete with local employment.
- You’re not providing services to the people of Vietnam.
- You’re not sourcing materials from Vietnam.
Basically, as long as your work doesn’t hurt the local economy, you should have no trouble living your digital nomad life in Vietnam, just like you’ve been doing before you landed here.
An Ideal Base for Remote Work
Living as a digital nomad in Vietnam offers a multitude of enticing reasons. The low cost of living allows for a comfortable lifestyle without straining your budget. The country’s captivating blend of ancient traditions and modernity creates a unique cultural experience. Breathtaking landscapes, from lush rice terraces to stunning coastlines, provide endless opportunities for adventure. Delicious street food, warm-hearted locals, and a vibrant digital nomad community add to the allure. Vietnam’s improving infrastructure, reliable internet connectivity, and burgeoning co-working spaces make it an ideal base for remote work. Embrace the charm, affordability, and endless exploration that Vietnam offers as a digital nomad paradise.
While you’re at it visiting Vietnam, you can consider getting a tourist visa in Cambodia so you can drop by Siem Reap, the site of Angkor Wat.
Sources:
- e-Visa https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/trang-chu-ttdt
- Traditional visa vs. e-visa procedures https://vietnamembassy-usa.org/sites/default/files/infographic_en.jpg
- Vietnam embassy in the U.S. https://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consular
