Vietnam Visa Types and Codes Explained: EV, DL, DN, LĐ, TT and More

Vietnam sorts visas by the purpose of the visit, and prints a short code on each one. The code decides what you may do in Vietnam and the longest the visa can be issued for. A visa can't be switched to another purpose once you are in the country, so it is worth getting the right one first.

The visa codes, and how long each can last

The longest each visa can run is set by Article 9 of Vietnam's Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, as amended in 2019 and 2023.

Code	Who it is for	Longest validity
EV	Electronic visa, issued online for most visits	90 days
DL	Tourism	90 days
HN	Attending a conference or seminar	90 days
SQ	Short visits approved in limited cases by an embassy or consulate	30 days
VR	Visiting relatives and other private purposes	180 days
DN1, DN2	Working with Vietnamese companies and organisations; providing services or setting up a commercial presence under a trade agreement	1 year
NN1, NN2, NN3	Heads and staff of foreign NGOs, representative offices and branches	1 year
DH	Study and internships	1 year
PV1, PV2	Journalists based in Vietnam, and those visiting for short assignments	1 year
TT	Spouses and children of long-term visa holders; parents, spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens	1 year
ĐT4	Investors contributing less than VND 3 billion	1 year
LĐ1, LĐ2	Working in Vietnam - LĐ1 when exempt from a work permit, LĐ2 with one	2 years
ĐT3	Investors contributing VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion	3 years
ĐT1, ĐT2, LS	Larger investors, and foreign lawyers licensed in Vietnam	5 years
NG1-NG4, LV1, LV2	Official delegations, diplomats and people working with state bodies	1 year

Two rules apply to all of them: the visa must end at least 30 days before your passport expires, and an international treaty can set different terms for its own citizens.

Which visa do you need?

A holiday, visiting friends, or a business trip of up to 90 days - the e-visa. It is open to every nationality, applied for online, single or multiple entry. See the Vietnam e-visa or, for meetings, trade fairs and site visits, the business e-visa.

Coming and going over three months - the multiple entry e-visa covers any number of entries within its 90 days.

Working in Vietnam - an LĐ visa, arranged by your employer after the work permit (or the confirmation that you don't need one) is in place. An e-visa does not allow work.

Joining a Vietnamese spouse or parent, or a family member with a long-term visa - a TT visa, sponsored by the family member.

Studying - a DH visa, sponsored by the school or university.

Investing - one of the ĐT visas, depending on the capital contributed.

The long-stay visas are not applied for online by the traveller. A sponsor in Vietnam - the employer, school, company or relative - files the request with the Immigration Department, and the visa is then issued at an embassy or on arrival. See Vietnam embassy visa.

Temporary residence cards

Holders of the long-term visas, such as LĐ, ĐT, DH and TT, can usually swap the visa for a temporary residence card once in Vietnam, through their sponsor. The card replaces the visa for its duration and allows entry and exit without a new visa each time.

Visa codes you might see on an e-visa

An e-visa is coded EV, whatever the purpose stated in the application. The purpose you give - tourism or business - still matters: officers can ask about it on arrival, and it should match what you actually do.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a DL visa and an e-visa?

Both are for visits of up to 90 days. A DL tourist visa is issued through a sponsor or an embassy; the EV e-visa is applied for online by the traveller. For almost every tourist, the e-visa is the simpler route.

Can I change my tourist visa to a work visa in Vietnam?

Not simply by asking. A visa can't be converted to another purpose. Working requires a work permit and an LĐ visa arranged through the employer, and some people must leave Vietnam to collect the new visa.

Which visa do I need for a business meeting in Vietnam?

For meetings, negotiations, trade fairs and site visits of up to 90 days, the business e-visa. A DN visa, sponsored by the Vietnamese company, is for longer working relationships.

How long can I stay in Vietnam on a tourist visa?

Up to 90 days on an e-visa or a DL visa. Some passports can also enter visa-free for a shorter stay - check your passport on the nationality pages.

Is there a retirement visa in Vietnam?

Vietnam has no dedicated retirement visa. Long-stay retirees usually rely on a TT visa through a Vietnamese spouse, or on repeated e-visas.