Vietnam 5-Year Visa Exemption 2026: Who Qualifies & How to Apply

For long-term expats and travelers with strong ties to the country, constantly dealing with tourist visas, expensive extensions, or exhausting “visa runs” can be incredibly frustrating. Fortunately, the Vietnam 5-year visa exemption (officially known as the Certificate of Visa Exemption) offers a powerful, long-term solution.

Unlike standard tourist visas, this exemption grants holders the right to enter and exit Vietnam freely for up to five years, allowing a continuous stay of up to 180 days per entry without any paperwork. So, who qualifies for this golden ticket in 2026? It is exclusively designed for two main groups: Overseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu) holding foreign passports, and the foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens or Viet Kieu.

If you fall into either of these categories, navigating the bureaucratic paperwork is well worth the effort. In this guide, we will break down the exact documents you need to prove your relationship or Vietnamese origin, the current application fees, and a step-by-step process to secure your certificate at the consulate.

Main content

What is the 5-Year Visa/ Visa Exemption?

The 5-Year Vietnam Visa (also called the 5-Year Visa Exemption Certificate) is issued by the Government of Vietnam to:

Overseas Vietnamese (Việt Kiều); and

Their immediate family (spouse and children of a Việt Kiều or of a Vietnamese citizen).

Holders may enter Vietnam multiple times for up to 5 years without reapplying for a visa each time. This policy facilitates home visits, tourism, work, and investment.

Tân Văn Lang helps foreigners obtain a Vietnam 5-year visa with quick and hassle-free procedures.

Key Benefits

Stay up to 180 days per entry. If you need longer, you can extend your temporary stay by up to 6 months without leaving Vietnam.

Valid up to 5 years. No frequent renewals or repeated paperwork.

Use for many purposes: tourism, family visits, business, or work-related activities (no separate visa needed for each purpose).

Lower total cost versus applying for multiple short visas.

Ideal for reunion and long-term plans in Vietnam for overseas Vietnamese and their families.

Who Qualifies?

You may apply for the 5-Year Visa Exemption if you:

Hold a passport/travel document valid for at least 1 year;

Are overseas Vietnamese (Việt Kiều), or the spouse/child of a Việt Kiều or of a Vietnamese citizen;

Can prove eligibility under Decree 82/2015/NĐ-CP; and

Are not subject to entry bans or exit suspension under Law No. 47/2014/QH13 ^[1] (e.g., ongoing criminal/civil cases, serving a court decision/administrative penalty, unpaid taxes, or national defense/security reasons).

Enjoy long-term stays in Vietnam with our trusted 5-year visa application service.

Required Documents

For Overseas Vietnamese (Việt Kiều)

Form NA9 – Application for 5-year visa exemption;
Two photos (4×6 cm, white background; one attached to the form, one loose);
Passport/travel document valid ≥ 1 year;
Proof of former or current Vietnamese nationality (certified copy or present original for comparison), e.g.:
- Birth certificate;
- Decision on renunciation of Vietnamese nationality or proof of loss of nationality;
- Other documents showing Vietnamese nationality or proving prior Vietnamese nationality.

For Foreign Family Members (of a Việt Kiều or Vietnamese citizen)

Form NA9 – Application for 5-year visa exemption;
Two photos (4×6 cm, white background);
Passport/travel document valid ≥ 1 year;
Proof of family relationship (certified copy or original for comparison):
- Marriage certificate (for spouse),
- Birth certificate (for child), etc.

Country-specific notes available on request (China, Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Japan, etc.)

Where to Apply & How It Works

► Step 1 – Prepare Your Dossier

Gather the documents listed above according to your situation (Việt Kiều or family member). A complete and accurate file significantly speeds up approval.

► Step 2 – Submit Your Application

Apply either abroad or in Vietnam:

Vietnamese Diplomatic Mission/Consulate overseas: Check the official website of the Vietnam mission in your country for address and opening hours.

Vietnam Immigration Department (in Vietnam)

Hanoi: 44-46 Trần Phú, Ba Đình, Hanoi.

Da Nang: 7 Trần Quý Cáp, Da Nang.

Ho Chi Minh City: 333-337 Nguyễn Trãi, Nguyễn Cư Trinh Ward, District 1, HCMC.

At submission: Officers verify your documents.

If complete, you’ll pay the fee and receive a receipt.

If incomplete, you’ll be told what to add/correct.

Office hours: Monday to Saturday morning (closed on public holidays).

► Step 3 – Receive Your Result

Bring your receipt and ID to collect the certificate (or use postal return where offered).

Results are generally issued Monday-Friday (excluding holidays).

If you’d like help, leave your contact details – Tân Văn Lang will support you promptly.

Tân Văn Lang provides reliable assistance for foreigners applying for a 5-year Vietnam visa.

Official Fee

Per Circular 264/2016/TT-BTC (Ministry of Finance) ^[2] , the fee for issuing a 5-Year Visa Exemption is USD 10.

Notes: Fees may change over time; paid once per issuance and non-refundable, even if refused.

Need Help?

Tân Văn Lang has over 20 years of experience assisting overseas Vietnamese and their families with the 5-Year Visa Exemption—fast, compliant, and cost-effective.

Hotline: 08.666.000.63 (WhatsApp)