The electronic visa (e-visa, code EV) is the fastest gateway for foreign investors to enter Vietnam to survey the market, meet partners and promote investment projects. Since 15 August 2023, Vietnam’s e-visa has been upgraded to a validity of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry — replacing the former 30-day, single-entry limit. This article summarises the requirements, stay duration, fees and application procedures for investors, based on the legal documents in force as of 14 October 2026.
1. What is an e-visa? Who is eligible?
An e-visa is a visa coded EV (Clause 21, Article 8 of Consolidated Document VBHN 62/VBHN-VPQH), valid for no more than 90 days and issued as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa (Clause 2, Article 9). The upgrade from 30 days/single entry to 90 days/multiple entry took effect on 15 August 2023 (under Law 23/2023/QH15).
A key advantage: the e-visa applies to citizens of all countries and territories (Resolution 127/NQ-CP) — no longer limited to 80 countries as in the former pilot phase. E-visa holders may enter and exit through 83 international border gates (17 airports, 27 land border gates and 39 seaports — under Resolution 127/NQ-CP and the supplementary Resolution 389/NQ-CP dated 2 December 2025).
2. E-visa requirements
- No invitation or sponsorship from a Vietnamese agency, organisation or individual is required when the foreigner applies for the e-visa themselves (Article 10; the case under Article 16a of VBHN 62);
- The passport must remain valid for at least 30 days beyond the requested visa validity (Clause 8, Article 9);
- The applicant must not fall into a case of denied entry;
- A portrait photo and a scan of the passport’s biographical page are required for upload.
3. Stay duration and fees
- EV visa validity: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry;
- E-visa fees under Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC (replacing Circular 25/2021, effective 1 April 2026): USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa valid up to 90 days.
4. How to apply: two channels
Option 1 — Self-application (Article 16a): the foreigner fills in the e-visa application form, uploads the portrait photo and the passport biographical page on the Electronic Visa Issuance Information Page, and pays the fee. The immigration authority processes the application within 03 working days of receiving complete information and the fee. Apply well before the trip and avoid public holidays.
Option 2 — Application through a Vietnamese agency or organisation (Article 16b): the organisation uses its electronic identification account and digital signature to request an e-visa for the foreigner — suitable when a company proactively invites an investor. The rules on applications through organisations were completed by Law 118/2025/QH15 (effective 1 July 2026).
5. Converting from e-visa to investor (DT) visa after deciding to invest
This is the point investors care about most. The general rule is that “a visa’s purpose may not be converted”, but the law provides an exception: a person who entered on an e-visa may convert to a DT visa upon presenting “documents proving investor status… in accordance with Vietnamese law” — Point a, Clause 4, Article 7 of VBHN 62.
Note: the conversion is in substance the issuance of a new visa, carried out at the immigration authority (Clause 5, Article 7 and Article 19 — processing time 05 working days); it is not automatic. Investor status documents are established under the Investment Law 143/2025/QH15 (replacing Law 61/2020, effective 1 March 2026) — e.g. the Investment Registration Certificate and capital-contribution documents.
6. Key limitations investors must remember
An e-visa does not replace sector-specific conditions. Foreigners must act in line with their declared entry purpose (Point b, Clause 2, Article 44 of VBHN 62): entering on an e-visa for short-term market surveys, investment promotion and partner meetings is appropriate; but staying to work or manage long-term requires conversion to a suitable visa (DT/LD) and meeting work permit conditions or obtaining confirmation of work-permit exemption (under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP). Do not “enter on an e-visa and start working” without converting to the proper purpose.
7. A separate preferential channel for large investors
Beyond the e-visa, Decree 221/2025/ND-CP (effective 15 August 2025) provides a special visa-exemption card for investors and leaders of large corporations and enterprises: validity of up to 05 years, multiple entries, and a 90-day temporary residence per entry. This is a separate regime, not to be confused with the e-visa; large-scale investors should consider both.
Further reading
The information above is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulations may change; before carrying out procedures, investors should check the current legal documents or contact our lawyers via the Contact page of FLAT Law Firm for assistance with their specific case.
For reference only, not legal advice. Content quality-checked by the AI Legal Council; not yet reviewed by a human lawyer.