What is Visa Exemption?
Visa exemption (also known as visa-free) allows citizens of specific countries to enter Vietnam without applying for a visa or paying any visa-related fees, for a designated period of time.
Bilateral Exemption
An agreement between two countries allowing citizens of both to travel visa-free to each other's territories.
Unilateral Exemption
Vietnam unilaterally exempts citizens of a specific country from visas, regardless of whether that country offers visa-free entry to Vietnamese citizens.
Note: This visa exemption is completely different from the VISA EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE (5-YEAR VISA) issued to overseas Vietnamese or those who are Spouses/Children of Overseas Vietnamese.
Requirements for Visa Free Entry
Ensure your travel documents meet the standard criteria before departure.
Eligible Nationality
Hold a passport from a country on the bilateral/unilateral visa exemption list.
Passport Validity
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.
Blank Pages
Passport must have at least two (02) blank pages for immigration stamps.
Exempted Countries
Vietnam currently grants bilateral and unilateral visa exemptions to citizens from 25 countries.
| No. | Nationality | Length of stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Chile | 90 days |
| 2 |  Panama | 90 days |
| 3 |  Cambodia | 30 days |
| 4 |  Indonesia | 30 days |
| 5 |  Kyrgyz | 30 days |
| 6 |  Laos | 30 days |
| 7 |  Malaysia | 30 days |
| 8 |  Singapore | 30 days |
| 9 |  Thailand | 30 days |
| 10 |  Philippines | 21 days |
| 11 |  Brunei | 14 days |
| 12 |  Myanmar | 14 days |
| 13 |  Belarus | 45 days |
| 14 |  Korea | 45 days |
| 15 |  Japan | 45 days |
| 16 |  Germany | 45 days |
| 17 |  Denmark | 45 days |
| 18 |  Norway | 45 days |
| 19 |  Russia | 45 days |
| 20 |  France | 45 days |
| 21 |  Finland | 45 days |
| 22 |  Spain | 45 days |
| 23 |  Sweden | 45 days |
| 24 |  Italy | 45 days |
| 25 |  United Kingdom | 45 days |
Important notes about visa exemption:
- From January 1, 2023, citizens of countries on the unilateral visa exemption list can enter and exit an unlimited number of times without waiting 30 days between entries.
- British nationals overseas (BNOs) are not exempt from Vietnam visa.
- Citizens of these countries can still apply for a visa if they wish to stay longer.
Other Cases of Visa Exemption
Diplomatic Passports
Entering Vietnam for official purposes.
Temporary Residence Card
Can enter and stay up to the length of the temporary residence card.
Visa Exemption Certificate
Can enter and stay up to 180 days.
APEC Cards
Valid passport holders with APEC cards can enter and stay up to 60 days.
Special Economic Zones
E.g., Phu Quoc Island. Can enter and stay up to 30 days.
Extension of Visa Exemption
Extension Rules by Category
Bilateral Visa Exemption
Must exit Vietnam after the stay expires, then re-enter if a longer stay is needed.
Unilateral Visa Exemption
After the allowed stay expires, it is possible to extend for an additional 15 days.
Visa Exemption Certificate
Can extend for another 180 days with a valid guarantor in Vietnam and a justified reason.
Note: All temporary residence extensions are processed at the Immigration Department of Vietnam.
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