Visa Guide to Retire in Vietnam

With a diversity of landscape, culture and cuisine, Vietnam has gained its own good reputation as an interesting tropical country for every travel lovers to visit. For most of expatriates and would-be retirees, Vietnam is viewed as ideal option for settlingdown their retirement life or staying abroad in long term because of its lower living cost; rich culture harmoniously mixed into stunning beaches.

However, different from nearby countries such as Malaysia and Thailand offering retirement visa program, the options for such type of visa in Vietnam are somewhat limited, even though it is still possible to live as retiree on flexible condition and length of visa.

Does Vietnam offer retirement visa for foreigners?

It’s unfortunate that retirement visa has not been granted just yet, therefore, any of those who wish to stay for long term in Vietnam, they tend to apply to tourist or business visas as alternative method.

Check more details about requirements for Vietnam tourist visa and business visa which are explained in details

How can foreigner retirees stay legally?

There is a type of visa that a retiree can typically make use of it to stay here for a long term is known as investor visa (DT visa). To quality this type, you has to set up a company in Vietnam. However, company establishment for foreigners is a rather complicated and time-consuming process. Of course, you can seek out consulting services about opening a new company in Vietnam from many law firms or experienced solicitors. Due to the complication of establishing company in Vientam, this option is not highly suggested to misusein order to simply acquirelong term residency.

Note that DT visa is only issued for 3 months at once, with a long term up to 3 or 5 years, applicants are required to obtain a temporary residence card as the next step once you enter Vietnam withDT visa.

The other one allowing a retiree to stay legally is business visa (DN visa) in case investor visa is out of reach. Similar to investor visa, you are allowed to get 3 month business visa as the longest duration. In this case, it is mandatory to obtain a work permit in order to get a temporary residence card.

Regardless of whatever short-termvisa you choose, just make sure that your passport has at least 6 months validity from the entry date.For long-term visa, your passport validity should be equal or longer than duration of temporary residence card.

What option for foreigner retiree with Vietnamese spouse?

Vietnam offers 5 year visa exemption for any foreigner married to a Vietnamese citizen. The process of applying for this visa is relatively simple and required some main documentations to be provided such as your original valid passport, marriage certificate, your Vietnamese spouse’s identity card and house registration book to name a few in order to get 5 year visa exemption.

Is there any option for non-investor without Vietnamese spouse?

A short term tourist visa seems to be suitable for non-working retirees who do not have Vietnamese spouse. However, this option is only giving you up to 3 months to stay in maximun and you need to exit Vietnam or apply for extension before your current visa is expired.

Note: Any retirees holding USA passport is allowed to get 1 year single or multiple tourist and business visa according to the Agreement between Vietnam and USA.

How and where can foreign expatriates and retirees apply for Vietnam visa?

Visa for Vietnam can be obtained through two main ways for all foreigner expatriates, namely:

Get through numerous Vietnam embassies and consulates around the world.

The process to apply at the Embassy includes some steps in the following:

• Prepare all documents for visa application: a completed Vietnamese visa application (downloaded directly from the Vietnam embassy page); photos; original passport (and a sponsor visa letter of a company based in Vietnam is approved by the Vietnam Immigration Department

• Pay a visit to the office of Vietnam Embassy or Consulate to submit your visa application or send those documents via post to the Embassy or Consulate’s office if accepted. Payment for visa fee must be delivered in advance before your visa is processed.

• Travel back to the Vietnam Embassy to collect your passport and visa stamped on it. Or it is send back to your by post.

The procedure, requirement and fee are possibly changed from this Embassy to the. Therefore, the applicant is highly advised to contact Vietnam Embassy for further information about applying a Vietnam visa.

Get Vietnam visa on arrival when landing at the Vietnam airport

All foreigner expatriates and retirees also apply Vietnam visa on arrival by completing three simple steps:

• Fill out Vietnamese visa application online and pay for visa service fee

• Receive a visa approval letter via email with a certain period of time depending on type of visa and the length of duration. Basically it takes 2 working days for tourist visa and 5-7 working days for business visa.

• Fly to Vietnam with visa approval letter, 02 passport sized photos, stamping fee, completed Vietnamese visa application then submit all documents with your original passport at visa counter upon your arrival at the airport.

Be noted that visa on arrival is only accepted for travelers entering Vietnam by airlines. Exiting or going through any entry ports inside Vietnam can be done by any means of transport. Check out Vietnam visa on arrival fee.

Bottom line

In despite of lacking formal retirement visa and operating complicated visa system, Vietnam is still worthy country for most of expatriates, especially Western retirees who seek a peaceful, fun and interesting place to live. The issuance of 5 year visa exemption for foreigners married a Vietnamese citizen is a progressive move in the course of obtaining permanent residence.