Entering Vietnam on a tourist visa and then switching to a work visa to take up employment — is that allowed? The short answer: as a rule, NO. Article 7.4 of the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam (consolidated document 62/VBHN-VPQH) provides: “Visas shall not be converted to another purpose”, except in four closed statutory exceptions. Every claim about changing visa purpose must be tied to one of these four cases.
The four exceptions allowing a change of visa purpose
- (a) Documentary proof of being an investor or a representative of a foreign organisation investing in Vietnam under Vietnamese law;
- (b) Documentary proof of a parent, spouse or child relationship with the inviting/sponsoring individual;
- (c) Being invited/sponsored to work by an agency or organisation, holding a work permit or a confirmation of work-permit exemption;
- (d) Having entered on an e-visa and holding a work permit or work-permit-exemption confirmation.
“Conversion” really means issuance of a new visa
Under Article 7.5, changing purpose does not mean stamping an amendment onto the old visa — it means issuing a new visa with the symbol and validity matching the converted purpose. The procedure follows Article 19: the (new) sponsoring entity applies at the immigration management authority, which decides within 05 working days of receiving a complete, valid dossier.
Required documents: a written request from the inviting/sponsoring agency or organisation (new sponsor); the foreigner’s passport; and proof of falling within one of the four exceptions (work permit, investor documents, or family-relationship documents).
Can a tourist (DL) visa be switched to a work (LĐ) visa?
No, unless one of the four exceptions applies. In practice, a person who already holds a work permit and is sponsored by an enterprise falls under point (c) — the exception’s conditions must still be met; simply “coming as a tourist and then finding a job” is not enough. Outside the exceptions, the foreigner must exit Vietnam and apply for a new LĐ visa from abroad.
Point (d) is the “door” for e-visa holders: entering on an e-visa with a work permit (or exemption confirmation) allows a purpose change without exiting — though a sponsoring entity must still handle the procedure.
Working outside your visa purpose: a VND 20–25 million fine
Foreigners must act in line with their declared purpose of entry (Article 44.2(b)). Entering on a DL visa but working — i.e. acting inconsistently with the purpose declared when applying — is an administrative violation punishable by VND 20–25 million under point b, Clause 7, Article 21 of Decree 282/2025/ND-CP.
Extension vs change of purpose
- Temporary residence extension (Article 35): prolongs the stay while keeping the same purpose;
- Change of purpose (Articles 7.4–7.5): changes the purpose and visa symbol — effectively a new visa, available only under the four exceptions.
FAQs
Can any e-visa be converted?
No. Only point (d) — entry on an e-visa plus a work permit or work-permit-exemption confirmation.
Is the old visa amended with a stamp?
No. The law requires issuance of a new visa with the appropriate symbol and validity (Article 7.5).
How long does the new visa take?
05 working days from receipt of a complete, valid dossier (Article 19), filed through the sponsor at the immigration management authority.
Need help with visa or residence procedures for foreigners in Vietnam? Reach us via the Contact page of FLAT Law Firm.
The information above is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice.
For reference only, not legal advice. Content quality-checked by the AI Legal Council; not yet reviewed by a human lawyer.
