Procedures for Obtaining Entry Letter for Foreigners in Vietnam in 2024

An entry letter for Vietnam is a crucial document issued by Vietnam's immigration department, allowing foreigners to enter and stay in Vietnam for various purposes such as tourism, visiting relatives, working, investing, attending conferences, or other purposes as stipulated by law.

The entry letter contains essential information about the foreigner, including their name, nationality, passport number, purpose of visit, duration of stay, visa issuance location, and other related details. To obtain an entry permit, foreigners must submit a complete set of documents and comply with the regulations and conditions set by Vietnamese authorities.

Vietnam's entry letter has specific validity periods and entry conditions. The validity period can range from a few days to a maximum of one year, depending on the purpose of the visit and the regulations of Vietnamese law.

The entry letter is a soft copy that foreigners must present when applying for a Vietnam visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad or at Vietnamese airports, border gates, etc.

1. Guide to Preparing Documents for Sponsoring an Entry Letter for Foreigners to be Submitted Directly to the Immigration Department:

• Business registration/business license of the enterprise or organization (Applicable to companies or organizations submitting an application for the first time and inviting foreigners to enter Vietnam)
• Visa sponsorship document for foreigners in accordance with form NA2 (Enterprises fill out this form directly on the website of the Immigration Department). After completing the form, it is downloaded, printed, and stamped by the company or organization as per regulations. Currently, the Immigration Department does not accept forms without barcodes.
• Document registering the company's seal and legal representative's signature according to form NA16
• Work permit/Approval document from the labor management agency for cases applying for visas for employment purposes
• Investment registration certificate for cases applying for entry permits for investors
• Marriage certificate/birth certificate/Certificate of family relationship... for cases applying for visas to visit relatives working in Vietnam and already holding a Vietnamese visa. (Must be legalized and notarized according to regulations)

Where to apply for an entry permit? The sponsoring company submits the application for an entry permit for foreigners at the Immigration Department in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

2. Online Application for a Vietnam Entry Permit: 

Step 1: Register for an online immigration electronic account 

First, enterprises need to register for an electronic account on the National Public Service Portal and the Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal. The detailed procedure for registering an electronic immigration account can be found here. The electronic account registration process requires enterprises to provide accurate personal and business information to create an account and ensure information security. This process will be reviewed within a few days. If your account is not approved, the reason will be clearly stated on the portal. 

Step 2: Log in and fill out the online application for an entry permit 

After having an electronic account, enterprises log in to the Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal to apply for an entry permit. Detailed procedures for applying for an entry permit online on the Public Service Portal can be found here. Next, enterprises will declare the necessary information in the application for an entry permit as guided and required by the authorities. The information to be declared includes the personal information of the foreigner (such as name, nationality, passport number), purpose of visit, duration of stay, and other related information.

 Step 3: Sign electronically when applying for an entry permit online 

After completing the declaration, enterprises must sign electronically to complete the application for an entry permit. The electronic signature ensures the authenticity and legality of the declared information and procedures. 

Step 4: Confirmation and processing of the entry permit application 

After completing the application for an entry permit and signing electronically, the application will be sent and confirmed by the authorities. The authorities will review and verify the validity of the application according to the law. 

Step 5: Receiving result and entry permit 

After the application is reviewed and approved, enterprises will receive the results of the entry permit application. If the application is approved, the enterprise will receive the entry permit and can provide it to the foreigner to proceed with entering Vietnam.

3. Processing time for granting permission for foreigners to enter Vietnam:

• Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the visa application, the immigration management agency shall consider, resolve, and reply to the inviting, sponsoring organization or individual and notify the competent Vietnamese visa-issuing authority abroad.
• After receiving the reply from the immigration management agency, the inviting, sponsoring organization or individual shall notify the foreigner to proceed with the visa application at the competent Vietnamese visa-issuing authority abroad.
• In case of requesting a visa at an international border gate, the immigration management agency shall consider and resolve the matter within 03 working days from the date of receipt of a full dossier for cases stipulated in points a, b, c, and d of Clause 1 Article 18 of Law No. 47/2014/QH2013; within 12 working hours from the date of receipt of a full dossier for cases stipulated in points d and e of Clause 1 Article 18 of Law No. 47/2014/QH2013.
• Organizations, individuals requesting visas for foreigners at the competent Vietnamese visa-issuing authority abroad must pay the immigration management agency the fee for notifying the visa issuance.

For detailed advice, please contact EZ Holdings for detailed advice and guidance on immigration procedures for foreigners.