The Visa Exemption Certificate, often mistakenly referred to as a “5-year visa,” is a crucial document facilitating entry and exit into Vietnam. This certificate serves as a substitute for a Vietnamese visa, primarily for the purpose of family visits and personal matters. It is specifically issued to overseas Vietnamese individuals and the foreign spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese individuals.
Individuals entering Vietnam with a Visa Exemption Certificate are permitted a stay of up to 06 months per entry. This duration is contingent on the certificate’s validity; if the remaining validity is less than 06 months, the permitted stay is limited to the expiry date of the certificate. Extensions are possible, for up to an additional 06 months, given justifiable reasons.
The maximum validity of a Visa Exemption Certificate is 5 years, but it will always be shorter than the passport or foreign residency document’s expiry date by at least 6 months.
Eligibility Criteria for Visa Exemption Certificates
2.1. For Overseas Vietnamese Individuals:
- Possess a valid foreign passport or foreign passport substitute with at least 01 year of validity from the intended date of entry.
- In the absence of a passport or passport substitute, a foreign-issued permanent residence permit (Green Card) valid for at least 01 year from the intended entry date is required.
2.2. For Foreign Spouses and Children:
For foreign nationals who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese individuals, a valid foreign passport or foreign passport substitute with at least 01 year of validity from the planned entry date is necessary.
Required Documents for Application
- Application form for Visa Exemption Certificate.
- 02 passport-sized photos.
- Original and photocopy of Passport / Passport substitute / Foreign-issued Permanent Residence Card.
- Original and photocopy of documents proving Vietnamese origin. These may include:
- Certificate of Vietnamese Citizenship, Decision on naturalization in Vietnam, Decision on renunciation of Vietnamese citizenship.
- Vietnamese Passport.
- National Identity Card/Citizen Identification Card/ID Card, Birth Certificate, Voter Card, Household Registration Book, foreign-issued documents indicating the applicant is of Vietnamese origin or holds Vietnamese citizenship.
- Documents proving relationship as spouse/child of a Vietnamese citizen residing abroad: Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate.
Note: If applying by mail, all documents in the application dossier must be notarized.
Processing Fee
Fees must be paid via MONEY ORDER or CASHIER’S CHECK payable to the EMBASSY OF VIETNAM.
Result Delivery
If you wish to have the Embassy return the result by mail, you must provide a prepaid, self-addressed envelope with a Tracking Number, clearly indicating the recipient’s address.
Processing Time
The processing time is typically 05-07 working days from the receipt of a complete and valid application.
