1. What is a business visa? How long is a business visa valid?

To be able to enter Vietnam to operate in the business sector, according to Vietnam's immigration regulations, companies in Vietnam need to apply for a Vietnamese commercial visa.

Business visa, also known as commercial visa, business visa. This is a type of visa issued to foreigners entering Vietnam to work with businesses. In this case, the foreigner will be a partner of the Vietnamese enterprise. The main purpose of owning a business visa is to come to Vietnam to exchange information, sign contracts, develop cooperation, and discuss strategies. This visa is also a factor used to distinguish foreign workers working in Vietnam.

According to law, business visas in our country are valid for 1 year. However, the maximum usage period for all countries is only 3 months. As for US citizens, the duration of a business visa is 1 year. For individuals who decide to stay in Vietnam to work for a long time, they need to apply for temporary residence for a maximum of 5 years. At that time, you will apply to extend your business visa 1 month before your passport expires.

2. Who is eligible for business visas in Vietnam?

Based on the nature of the business visa, we can find out who issues the business visa card. For different purposes, foreigners will be provided with appropriate types of visas by competent authorities in Vietnam. The purposes can originate from helping foreign businesses to transact, work, cooperate, sign contracts... in Vietnam. Therefore, partners of Vietnamese businesses are required to have a business visa. In addition, grantees must belong to the following groups:

- Foreign investor;

- Office representatives of non-governmental organizations;

- Foreign workers with work permits;

- Foreign lawyers are licensed to practice at the Ministry of Justice of Vietnam;

3. Business visa application procedures for foreigners

3.1 Vietnamese business visa application file

The most important step in the visa application process in Vietnam is preparing documents. To save time and effort, customers need to pay attention to fully preparing the following documents.

- For business visa applications for individuals entering the country, they must include:

+ Background information (full name, date, month, year of birth, place of birth).

+ Original and valid passport.

+ Application form for visa issuance and temporary residence extension.

+ Entry dispatch issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department allowing foreigners to enter Vietnam.

+ Work permit for foreigners who are required to have it. In case a person is exempted from a work permit, he or she must also submit a work permit exemption certificate.

+ Round-trip flight ticket booking schedule to Vietnam.

+ Hotel, motel, and room booking schedule in Vietnam.

- For business visa applications for partners in Vietnam include:

+ Operating licenses of enterprises and organizations such as: business registration, investment license, representative office,...

+ Certificate or notice of use of the seal of the enterprise or organization.

+ Introductory document with signature or seal of a competent person at the enterprise or organization sponsoring foreign workers.

Note: Foreigners entering Vietnam must have all the above documents for the Vietnam Immigration Department to review and approve your entry. After receiving approval from the Immigration Department, you will be issued an entry letter and proceed with the procedure to apply for a visa to enter Vietnam.

3.2 Business visa application process for foreigners

Below, Minh Khue Law would like to provide information about the visa application process for foreigners. Customers can refer to the following steps to make the business visa procedure quicker and more economical, specifically:

Step 1: Vietnamese businesses and foreign partners exchange information about foreigners' entry.

Step 2: Vietnamese businesses carry out procedures for inviting and sponsoring foreigners to enter Vietnam. Includes the following 2 steps:

- Declare business information to immigration authorities.

- Submit entry applications for foreigners to Vietnam to the Immigration Department.

Step 3: Business visa applications for foreigners are received at the Immigration Department. If the application is approved, the Entry Document will be sent back to the business. In case of disapproval, a written response will be sent clearly stating the reason.

Step 4: The Vietnamese enterprise sends an entry dispatch to the foreigner. At the same time, check the information for foreigners to apply for a visa at the international airport border gate or diplomatic representative agency.

3.3 How long does it take to apply for a business visa?

Visa application procedures require you to prepare complete documents and records to avoid wasting time making additions or modifications. There are many documents in the business visa application that need to be verified, so the time for results will last from 5-7 official working days. (That means Saturday and Sunday are not included). For some nationalities or application locations, this period may be longer.

3.4 Which agency has the authority to receive business visa applications? How much does a business visa cost?

Business visa applications will be submitted to the Immigration Department or Immigration Management Department of the police of the provinces and cities where the business is headquartered.

The business visa application fee depends on the location where you apply for the visa. As follows:

Guests entering Noi Bai airport, Huu Nghi Quan, Da Nang:

+ 1 month stay: 85$

+ Stay 3 months: 230$

+ New issue every 3 months multiple times: Contact

Guests entering Tan Son Nhat and Moc Bai airports:

+ 15 day extension: $70

+ 1 month extension: $85

+ 3 month extension: $180

+ Renewal for 3 months multiple times: $280

+ Extend stay every 6 months: Contact

+ New issuance of 1 year multiple entry Visa: Contact

*The above business visa sticker price is regulated by the Ministry of Finance.

4. Procedures for extending business visas for foreigners

Business visas can be extended for up to a maximum of the granted term. To be able to apply for a foreign business visa extension, the business visa extension conditions must meet the following criteria:

- There is a guarantee from a business or organization operating in Vietnam

- Original passport with validity at least 1 month longer than visa validity.

- The current visa has not expired and has declared temporary residence according to regulations. Temporary residence declaration can be made in person or online

- Not subject to forced exit from Vietnam.

Accordingly, a business visa extension application needs to have:

- Application form for visa issuance and temporary residence extension (Form NA5), certified by the business or sponsoring organization.

- Foreigner's original passport with at least 6 months remaining validity.

- Vietnam visa is still valid for the purpose of entry.

- Temporary residence declaration or temporary residence book certified by ward or commune police.

- Copy of work permit in Vietnam or Vietnam work permit exemption certificate or Investment or capital contribution license (if any).

- Sample explanation of reasons.

- If you change the guarantee company, it is necessary to supplement the resignation decision (original) of the old guarantee company.

+ To avoid being fined when authorities check procedures and work incorrectly according to Vietnamese regulations.

+ Penalized up to several tens of millions of dong.

- Legal records of the company and guarantee organization.

Note: If you change the guarantee company, you must supplement the legal documents of the new guarantee company, and must register signature and seal samples with the Vietnam Immigration Agency according to regulations.

Customers can refer to one of the addresses in each of the following areas to apply for business visa extension.

- Immigration Department - Ministry of Public Security in Ho Chi Minh City;

- Immigration Management Department of Ho Chi Minh City Police;

- In the North, you can submit at:

+ Hanoi Immigration Department: office address 40 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District.

+ And immigration offices - Ministry of Public Security of other provinces and cities.