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Sohaib Ikram
Sohaib Ikram serves as the Director of Emerhub in Malaysia.
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Andi Refandi
Andi serves as a Senior Account Executive on Emerhub’s global team.
Vietnam does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa for remote workers. However, there are alternative pathways and visas you can explore to stay in the country legally and in full compliance with local regulations.
This guide outlines the key visa options available and offers practical solutions to the problem, such as applying for a work visa or using an Employer of Record.
Short-Term Visas for Digital Nomads in Vietnam
Short-term visas are a suitable option if you’re planning to stay in Vietnam for up to 90 days while working remotely. These visas support temporary stays in the country for professional and personal reasons:
- Tourist Visa (DL): Used primarily for tourism, leisure, family visits, and attending limited business meetings or seminars.
- Electronic Visa (EV): Allows tourism, leisure, family visits, short-term study or training programs, volunteering, short-term non-commercial or informal work, and business-related activities.
- HN Visa: Designed for short-term academic or professional engagements such as networking, attending conferences, seminars, short-term training courses, and participation in education or scientific research activities.
Long-Term Visas for Remote Work in Vietnam
If you’re seeking longer stays in Vietnam, you must apply for a visa that aligns with your professional activities. However, do note that long-term visa options often require sponsorship from a recognized Vietnamese entity.
Here are some commonly used long-term visas for remote workers in Vietnam:
A. Business Visa (DN)
A Business Visa (DN) is usually issued for business activities that do not involve direct employment in Vietnam and is valid for 12 months. There are two categories of the DN visa, based on the type of activities that you are allowed to carry out:
With the DN1 visa, you can conduct:
- Business meetings and negotiations
- Trade/commerce activities (trade shows, exhibitions)
- Providing consultations to Vietnamese businesses
- Business development activities
- Conducting market research
With the DN2 visa, you can:
- Provide services that fall under international agreements
- Set up a company branch or representative office
- Carry out business operations required for establishing a commercial presence
- Economic, investment, or trade activities relating to international treaties
B. Lao Dong Labor Visa (LD)
This Labor Visa applies to foreigners who intend to work for private Vietnamese entities. In Vietnam, there are two types of LD visas available:
LD1: For those working in Vietnam without a work permit under international treaties. This visa allows the following activities:
- Perform work activities related to international treaties
- Work on projects or assignments allowed via the relevant treaties
- Collaborate with Vietnamese entities as allowed by treaty provisions
LD2: For those working in Vietnam with a work permit. With this visa, you can:
- Have a paid employment contract with a sponsoring Vietnamese company
- Perform job functions as specified in the employment contract
- Attend work-related meetings, seminars, and events
C. Làm việc với cơ quan đại diện ngoại giao (LV) Diplomatic Agency Visa
This visa is for foreigners who come to Vietnam with or under the authority of diplomatic missions or state-owned organizations. With this visa, you can:
- Conduct work that supports or relates to the sponsor organization.
- Attend official meetings, conferences, and state-level events.
- Participate in assignments or projects required by the sponsoring agency.
There are two types of LV visas, both permitting the same types of activities but for different organizations:
- LV1: For work with those affiliated with Vietnam’s state or government agencies.
- LV2: For work with Vietnamese social, non-government, or socio-political organizations.
Employer of Record as A Remote Work Alternative
For remote professionals seeking a legal way to live and work in Vietnam, an Employer of Record (EOR) can offer a structured solution when visa options are limited or unclear. A third-party EOR service provider like RecruitGo can act as your legal employer in Vietnam, allowing you to live and work in full compliance with local regulations.
Here’s how an EOR can support digital nomads:
- Legal Stay and Work Authorization: By being legally employed by an EOR, you can obtain a valid work permit and temporary residence card (TRC), which allows you to stay long-term and work legally.
- No Need to Register A Local Entity: If you’re a freelancer, contractor, or remote worker with clients abroad, the EOR can act as your legal employer without the need to open a company or register a business.
- Long-Term Stability: EORs can offer 12-month renewable contracts, making them suitable for longer stays.
- Access to Local Benefits: Gain access to local benefits like health insurance, pension contributions, and a legitimate employment record in Vietnam.
However, the downside of using an EOR is that it is a costly option, making it more expensive than simply using a tourist or business visa. The cost breakdown is as follows:
- Visa Service Fee: USD 2,320 (for two years)
- EOR Service Fee: 10% of gross salary (capped at USD 400 per month)
- Salaries are paid through the EOR and are subject to local tax and social security contributions.
How to Apply for A Vietnam Remote Work Visa
Vietnam Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
Each visa type has specific requirements that you need to fulfill, from sponsorships to employment contracts. Furthermore, not all visas can be applied for upon arrival at the airport. Visa on arrival is limited to short-term visas and does not apply to long-term visas or work visas.
The standard documentary requirements that apply to most work visa applications include:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-sized photos according to Vietnam visa regulations
- Vietnam Visa Application Form
- Letter of Sponsorship or Clearance from Employer
- Criminal Record Clearance
- Health Certificate
For applications for a visa on arrival, you will need the following documents:
- Pre-Approval Letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department
- Entry and exit forms
- Cash for the Vietnam stamping fee, dependent on the duration of stay
Application Process to Secure A Vietnam Digital Nomad Visa
Navigating through the visa application process can be challenging, especially with your remote work lifestyle. Emerhub’s local visa experts can help you determine which visa is most suitable for your needs and manage the visa application process on your behalf.
Here is a brief overview of the process as handled by our relocation service:
- Find the Appropriate Visa: We’ll guide you in finding a visa that best fits your situation and aligns with your needs.
- Compile Documentation: Our team will compile and review all necessary documents for your work permit and visa application in Vietnam, ensuring everything meets Vietnamese immigration standards.
- Apply for the Visa: After obtaining your work permit, we will assist with the visa application process at the Vietnamese embassy or upon arrival at the airport.
Looking to stay in Vietnam while working remotely? Let our experts help you do it the right way. Fill out the contact form and we’ll be in touch!
FAQs on Digital Nomad Visa
If you stay over 183 days in a year, you may be legally recognized as a Vietnamese tax resident. As a tax resident, you are generally subject to Vietnamese personal income tax on worldwide income. However:
- If you stay fewer than 183 days in Vietnam within a year, you are considered a non-tax resident and only taxed on locally sourced income.
- If you are officially a tax resident in another country with proof of documentation, you can avoid double taxation.
Yes, you can bring family members or a partner with you to Vietnam, but each person must have the correct visa to stay legally for the duration of their visit.
Penalties for overstaying a Vietnamese visa are quite strict:
- Fines:
- Less than 16 days: VND 500,000 – VND 2,000,000
- 16 – 30 days: VND 3,000,000 – VND 5,000,000
- 30 – 60 days: VND 5,000,000 – VND 10,000,000
- 60 – 90 days: VND 10,000,000 – VND 15,000,000
- More than 90 days: VND 15,000,000 – VND 20,000,000
- Other penalties: Deportation, blacklisting, and in severe cases, imprisonment for repeat offenses or fraud.
As a digital nomad in Vietnam, you can receive payments from foreign clients using global payment platforms like PayPal, Wise, or Payoneer. You should avoid using Vietnamese local bank accounts unless you have approved residency or a locally registered business.
Foreigners cannot own land in Vietnam, but you can buy apartments and houses with a 50-year renewable leasehold under the following conditions:
- Ownership is for leasing, resale, or inheritance within permitted quotas.
- Foreigners can only own up to 30% of the units in one apartment building.
- Foreigners can own up to 10% of houses in a landed residential project.
