The investor visa tiering is one of the few “more capital, longer residence” mechanisms in Vietnamese law. When a project/enterprise raises capital past the VND 50 billion mark, the investor qualifies to move from DT3 to DT2 — but the move must be made actively through procedure; it never happens automatically.
The DT tier map (Article 8 of the Entry-Exit Law)
- DT1: contributed capital from VND 100 billion, or investment in a preferential sector/area decided by the Government — visa ≤5 years, residence card ≤10 years;
- DT2: contributed capital from VND 50 to under 100 billion — visa ≤5 years, residence card ≤5 years;
- DT3: contributed capital from VND 3 to under 50 billion — visa ≤3 years, residence card ≤3 years;
- DT4: contributed capital under VND 3 billion — visa ≤12 months, not eligible for a residence card.
Upgrading DT3→DT2 is thus valuable in two respects: the residence card cycle lengthens by up to 2 years (3→5), and the number of residence document renewals over the project’s life falls.
The substantive condition: the capital must “exist on investment paper”
The immigration authority determines the DT tier from the investment dossier: the adjusted investment registration certificate recording the new capital, the updated enterprise registration/charter, and when needed proof of capital actually contributed. Two situations do not qualify however impressive the headline figure: (1) the increase is still at internal-resolution stage, with the investment certificate not yet adjusted; (2) the capital increased in a different legal entity where the investor does not directly hold the stake counted for their own residence category. The principle: the visa tier follows the capital contribution attached to that investor, in Vietnam, as registered.
The upgrade sequence
- Adjust the investment project: increase investment/charter capital, update the investment registration certificate and enterprise registration;
- Complete capital contribution on the registered schedule (keep contribution records through the investment capital account under foreign exchange rules);
- File for a DT2 visa or DT2 residence card at the immigration authority, through the sponsoring invested enterprise in Vietnam, with the adjusted investment dossier attached;
- Sync accompanying family members’ documents to the new card cycle.
Notes
Upgrading is a benefit, not a duty: an investor content with DT3’s 3-year cycle may keep it. But if the capital increase procedure is already done for business purposes, skipping the residence upgrade wastes an available benefit. Conversely, when a project reduces capital below VND 50 billion, the DT2 category loses its basis for subsequent issuances — plan the residence category in both directions when adjusting capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much capital increase qualifies for an upgrade from DT3 to DT2?
Under the tiering in Article 8 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (amended by Law 51/2019): DT3 covers investors contributing from VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion; DT2 covers investors contributing from VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion. The upgrade threshold is therefore reached when the investor’s contributed capital in the enterprise/project in Vietnam reaches VND 50 billion or more (and under VND 100 billion — from VND 100 billion up is DT1). The capital value follows the registered investment dossier (investment registration certificate, charter, proof of contributed capital as the authority requires).
What steps does the upgrade procedure involve?
Three steps in order: (1) complete the investment procedure — increase charter/investment capital and adjust the investment registration certificate (and the corresponding enterprise registration) to record the new capital at the DT2 threshold; (2) prepare the dossier proving the investor’s DT2 category on the adjusted investment records; (3) apply for a new visa under symbol DT2 or a residence card under symbol DT2 at the immigration authority (through the sponsoring organization — the Vietnamese enterprise). The immigration steps cannot precede the investment step: the visa authority determines the DT category against current investment documents.
Does upgrading the visa also upgrade the residence card term?
Yes, to the new symbol’s ceiling: a DT2 residence card runs up to 5 years, versus up to 3 years for DT3 (Article 38 of the Entry-Exit Law); a DT2 visa runs up to 5 years versus 3 years for DT3 (Article 9). However, the old DT3 card/visa does not “morph” by itself — the investor must apply anew under the DT2 symbol, and the specific term granted follows the actual dossier (registered capital, passport validity: the card always ends at least 30 days before the passport). An added benefit: accompanying family members (spouse, children) under the TT family category also enjoy correspondingly longer residence cycles once the investor holds a DT2 card.
Contact us
FLAT Law Firm advises FDI companies and foreign employees on work permits, visas and temporary residence cards in Vietnam. Contact us for advice on your specific case.
This content is general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice on a specific case.
This article has been quality-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council
