Foreign citizens who are looking for destinations to move to can choose Vietnam for various reasons. First of all, the country is one of the most developed in Asia, as it provides numerous business and employment opportunities. Secondly, relocating here is possible for citizens all over the world through multiple types of visas. If you want to relocate to Vietnam, in this article you can discover a step-by-step guide starting with the immigration procedures and up to the final process of registering with the local authorities. Our lawyers in Vietnam can support you with various services in this sense.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement |
Yes |
|
Types of visas available |
– tourist, – business, – student visas, – work permit, – temporary residence permit |
|
Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) |
Approx. one month |
| Validity of temporary residence permit |
3 to 10 years |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements |
The conditions under which it was obtained must remain in place |
| Documents for obtaining a residence permit |
– application form, – valid passport, – proof of accommodation, – sponorship letter, – other documents based on the reason of immigration |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) |
3 years |
| Investor Visa availability (YES/NO) |
Yes, the minimum investment amount is VND 3 billion (approx. USD 132,000) |
| Start-up Visa Scheme availability (YES/NO) |
No |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship |
5 years based on permanent residence |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) |
Yes, investor visa |
| Taxation of foreign citizens |
– 20% on employment income, – 1% – 5% on business income, – 5% on interest/dividend/royalties income |
| Tax benefits for expats |
– flat personal income tax rate, – access to approx. 80 double tax treaties |
Table of Contents
What does it imply to move to Vietnam?
No matter the country you come from, moving to Vietnam should first imply a thorough search of the entry requirements and living conditions.
In terms of living conditions, if you want to relocate to Vietnam, you will make a good choice as the costs here are quite low compared to other Asian countries. The rent, food, and other basic needs are rather cheap.
Vietnam currently does not provide any visa options for remote workers or retirees, requiring them to use the regular pathways to move here. If you want to apply for a Vietnamese residence permit, you can rely on our specialists to help you. Feel free to contact us to find out how we can help you immigrate to Vietnam.
Types of visas for those who immigrate to Vietnam
The Vietnamese authorities issue various types of visas for visits and short-term stays. Such visas can be obtained for the following purposes:
- tourism;
- business;
- diplomatic visits;
- studentship;
- transit from one country to another.
While certain countries benefit from visa exemptions for their citizens who come here for short visits, when seeking to move here, Vietnamese residency is necessary. Our immigration lawyers in Vietnam advise on the available residence permits that enable applicants to settle here. Among them, the temporary and permanent ones are the most common. However, to obtain the second type, you must get the first one and stay here for a determined period.
Also, if you are interested in immigration to Hanoi, we are at your service.
Residency options for those who immigrate to Vietnam
Once you have established that Vietnam is the country you want to move to, you need to choose a residence permit to apply for depending on the duration of your stay. Medium and long-term relocation can imply:
- a temporary residence permit which has a duration of stay of 12 months;
- a work visa which has a validity that can reach up to 2 years;
- an investment visa which is valid for 5 years and comes with financial requirements;
- a special visa that enters the category of L visas and that has a validity of up to 5 years.
Considering that they can be prolonged, you can also apply for permanent residency if you decide to relocate to Vietnam for good.
Access to permanent residency in Vietnam
People looking into long-term residency in Vietnam may also be interested in permanent relocation. For this purpose, one is required to live here for a minimum period of 3 years. Here is what you need to know about becoming a permanent resident:
- most temporary residence permits are issued for a period of 2 years, so you will need to extend them to reach the minimum living requirements for a permanent residence card;
- the exception to this rule is the investor visa which is issued for 5 years, a case in which you can apply for permanent residence before it expires.
Also, once you obtain permanent resident status, you will also gain tax residency in Vietnam. In this case, you can rely on our accountants in Vietnam to file your tax returns.
How to relocate to Vietnam based on employment
Many foreign citizens interested in immigration to Vietnam choose to apply for work permits because of the financial stability that comes with having a job. For this purpose, there are several employment permit options one can select. Among them, we mention some of the most popular:
- direct employment with a local company;
- intra-company transfer;
- self-employment.
Each option implies a different procedure, and the simplest are direct employment and personnel relocation, as the relocation process is partially handled by the employer.
Another option that has gained popularity in the past few years is remote work as a digital nomad, Vietnam representing a great option for those who can afford this lifestyle.
If you need guidance on choosing the appropriate work-related method to move to Vietnam, our lawyers can assist.
Moving to Vietnam to start a business
Another option for people looking for long-term relocation to Vietnam is to start a business here. There are two types of visas available for those interested in this possibility, however, only the DN2 visa is suitable for those seeking to establish a company in Vietnam.
Please note that this visa is not the same as the investor visa, on which you can obtain detailed information from our law firm in Vietnam.
The investor visa in Vietnam
Foreign citizens who want to move to Vietnam by setting up a company can apply for an investor visa. It should be noted that there are several categories of this visa that can be accessed based on the amount of money invested.
Here are the main aspects related to immigration to Vietnam based on investment:
- the DT1 visa is issued to foreign investors who can invest at least 100 billion VND in specific business operations and industries;
- the DT 2 visa is issued to investors who can inject between 50 billion and 100 billion VND in fields approved by the government;
- the DT3 visa is available for entrepreneurs interested in investing between 3 billion and 50 billion VND;
- the DT4 visa can be accessed by those who want to invest less than 3 billion VND.
The main difference between the categories of this visa is the validity period. In this sense:
- the DT1 and DT2 visas are valid for up to 5 years;
- the DT3 visa is valid for 3 years;
- the DT4 visa has a validity 12 months.
Vietnam is one of the few countries to offer such an array of investment options in terms of financial requirements which is one of the best reasons to choose to relocate here.
Bringing one’s family to Vietnam
Those who already live in Vietnam and want to reunite with their families have a specific visa they can apply for: the dependent (TT) visa. The following relatives can be brought to Vietnam based on it:
- spouses;
- children;
- parents.
If you need support in applying for a Vietnamese residence permit for a relative, you can rely on our local lawyers.
Here is also an infographic on this topic:
Our immigration lawyers in Vietnam can help you understand the conditions of each visa, and select then apply for the most suitable.
Finding a place to stay in Vietnam
One of the most important aspects to consider before immigrating to Vietnam is securing a place to stay. You can choose between apartments or houses, depending on the city you decide to live in.
A few years ago, a new law on housing was passed, and according to it, foreign citizens can acquire rights over various types of properties they can live in. The main condition to do that is to have a valid Vietnamese visa.
For those who do not want to purchase a property, rental remains a suitable solution until another decision is made.
In order to buy a property in Vietnam as a foreigner, one must obtain a certificate from the Vietnamese government. From this point of view, you can use the services of our real estate lawyers who can explain in detail the main types of certificates available (there are 3 types of such documents) and how to obtain them. On request, we can help you apply for one.
Registration with the Vietnamese authorities
When you decide to immigrate to Vietnam and obtain a residence permit, after arriving to the country, you need to register with certain local authorities.
Here are the main aspects to consider from this point of view:
- it is necessary to have health insurance in order to ensure medical assistance;
- registration for social securities is also mandatory, especially when coming here on employment;
- registration as a taxpayer with the local tax department is also mandatory.
If you need guidance in registering with various authorities, you can request more information from our Vietnamese lawyers.
Foreign citizens who want to relocate to Vietnam can direct their questions to our law office.
Language barriers in Vietnam
One of the most important things foreign citizens ask about when relocating to Vietnam is if people here speak any international language than their native one. Vietnam was a French colony, so this is one of the most popular languages spoken here, however, when moving to large cities, English is also quite common.
So, if you speak any of these languages or even Chinese, you should have no problems.
Here is also a video on this subject:
Legal services for expats in Vietnam
If you want to immigrate to Vietnam and need guidance, no matter your country of residence, our law firm is at your disposal with various services. We can provide assistance if you want to have documents translated or if you want to apply for a specific type of visa.
On demand, we can also provide support in setting up a business if you are an investor who wants to have a company in one of Vietnam’s main business centers. Our lawyers are also at your service if you need guidance in drafting various documents, such as contracts, or if you want to acquire a property in a large city. We can also help you check if you meet the requirements for obtaining citizenship in Vietnam.
Do not hesitate to contact our law firm in Vietnam for detailed information on our services and reasons why you should move here.