A Vietnam business visa (DN1/DN2) allows foreign nationals to enter Vietnam for business activities such as meetings, conferences, trade fairs, and short-term work assignments. Applicants can choose between a Vietnam e-visa or a company-sponsored approval letter, depending on their purpose and sponsorship status. Each option has specific requirements, documents, and processing timelines.
A Vietnam business visa is commonly associated with the DN1 and DN2 categories (previously grouped under “DN”). These visa types are issued to foreigners who enter Vietnam for business purposes-either sponsored by a legally established organization in Vietnam or to carry out business activities under relevant international commitments.
Under Vietnam’s immigration law amendments (Law No. 51/2019/QH14) [1] , the DN categories are defined as follows:
DN1: Issued to foreigners working with an enterprise/organization with legal entity status in Vietnam that sponsors the foreigner under Vietnamese law.
DN2: Issued to foreigners entering Vietnam to offer services, establish a commercial presence, or conduct other activities under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.
In real-world terms, DN visas are commonly used for: business trips, corporate meetings, market visits, trade exhibitions, training, technical handover, and other work-related activities that do not automatically equal a work permit (requirements depend on the actual job scope and duration).
Reliable and Professional Visa Services for Foreigners at Tan Van Lang
Which route should you choose: E-visa or Entry Approval letter?
Most applicants fall into one of two pathways:
Option 1: Vietnam e-visa (self-application)
This option is usually suitable when:
The applicant is outside Vietnam and can apply online independently.
The trip purpose and entry plan fit the e-visa framework.
The applicant wants a direct, online process with government fee payment.
Vietnam’s official e-visa guidance lists the government fee as US$25 (single-entry) and US$50 (multiple-entry), and notes a typical processing time of about 3 working days after fee payment (time may vary during peak periods).
Option 2: Approval letter / entry approval (company-sponsored)
This route is commonly used when:
A Vietnamese company/organization sponsors the foreign national.
The applicant needs a business entry arrangement tied to sponsorship procedures and submission via the relevant public service/immigration portals.
The plan is to obtain the visa at a Vietnamese embassy/consulate overseas or at an international border checkpoint (depending on the permitted method and the case).
Passport bio page scan (passport validity should meet entry standards; many travelers keep 6+ months validity as a safe minimum).
Portrait photo (clear, full face, per portal instructions).
Approval letter / sponsored entry approval documents (common set)
A typical sponsorship file may include:
Passport scan (valid passport bio page).
NA2 form (request for entry approval / personnel check, used in sponsorship procedures).
Sponsor company’s business registration / investment certificate (certified copy, where required).
Sponsor company’s tax registration (certified copy, where required).
NA16 form (company seal + signature registration / introduction of authorized signatory for immigration submissions).
Company digital signature/token (for online public-service submissions, depending on the procedure used).
Letter of introduction/authorization for the staff member submitting the file.
ID of the submitting representative.
After preparing documents, the sponsoring company typically submits online through the designated government/public-service and immigration systems, depending on the procedure and account setup.
Complete the form carefully and match your passport exactly:
Full name order/spelling
Passport number
Date of birth
Nationality
Intended entry/exit points (very important)
Expected entry date and address in Vietnam
Step 3: Pay the government fee
Official e-visa fees shown on Vietnam’s immigration e-visa system:
US$25 for single-entry
US$50 for multiple-entry
Step 4: Check the result and download the e-visa
Use your registration code / application reference to track the status and download the granted e-visa for travel.
Practical reminder: e-visa mistakes often happen on photo format, passport data mismatch, entry gate selection, and date errors. Those errors can trigger delays or refusal.
How to obtain an approval letter (company-sponsored entry approval)
This route is handled by the sponsoring organization in Vietnam. The exact workflow can differ depending on whether the organization already has an online account and whether online signing is required.
The sponsoring entity registers an electronic account on the relevant government/public-service platform(s) and completes required registration steps. (In some cases, immigration authorities issue access within a working-day timeframe, provided the file is complete.)
Step 2: Submit the foreign national’s details and required forms
The sponsor inputs the applicant’s information, uploads/attaches required supporting documents, and completes the NA2/NA16-related requirements as applicable.
Step 3: Pay required fees (if applicable to the procedure)
Once submitted correctly, the system routes the application data to the competent immigration authority for review.
Step 4: Receive the approval letter result and proceed to visa issuance
If approved, the sponsor informs the foreign national to obtain the visa:
At a Vietnamese embassy/consulate abroad, or
At the registered international entry point (when permitted by the issued approval).
Processing time: How long does a Vietnam business visa take?
Vietnam e-visa processing time
Vietnam’s official e-visa instructions commonly indicate processing in about 3 working days after payment (excluding weekends/holidays; real timelines can vary).
Approval letter processing time
Processing time depends on the procedure and the requested issuance method. In many practical cases, businesses plan around 3–5 working days for standard processing, with faster handling possible in certain urgent situations depending on eligibility and submission correctness.
At Tân Văn Lang, we typically advise clients to build buffer time for:
Peak travel seasons
Public holidays in Vietnam
Extra verification requests (especially when sponsor profiles or supporting documents are incomplete)
Common problems when applying for a Vietnam business visa
Based on long-term case handling, these are the issues that most often cause delays or rejections:
Using outdated rules or steps
Applicants follow old instructions, old portals, or incorrect form versions.
Unclear sponsorship responsibilities
The sponsor does not meet legal-entity expectations or cannot provide consistent documentation.
Company profile inconsistencies
Mismatch between business registration, authorized signatory, seal registration, or tax profile can trigger additional checks.
Incorrect or inconsistent information
Even small mismatches (name order, passport number, entry gate) can derail the application.
Entry restrictions and eligibility issues
Some cases require extra review due to immigration compliance history or missing prerequisites.
Choosing the wrong visa pathway
E-visa may be fine for some trips, but sponsorship/approval is more appropriate for others—especially when corporate procedures or issuance locations matter.
Wasted time and cost
Multiple re-submissions, wrong documents, and last-minute changes often lead to urgent processing needs.
Vietnam business visa consulting service at Tân Văn Lang
Tan Van Lang Visa Travel’s Expert Visa Consulting Team
Tân Văn Lang supports foreigners and sponsoring companies with a practical, compliance-first approach—focused on getting the application done correctly the first time.
Why clients choose Tân Văn Lang:
Operating in immigration consulting since 2003 with deep case experience.
Support across regions (North–Central–South) for convenient coordination.
Clear checklist guidance for each case type (e-visa vs approval letter).
English-speaking support for foreign applicants and international HR teams.
High success focus through document verification and risk-checking before submission.
Optional support for notarized translation and legalization where required by authorities.
If you want a fast, clean pathway—without guessing which route to use or which documents are actually necessary—send Tan Van Lang your case details (nationality, travel dates, intended entry gate, sponsor information), and we’ll map the correct process and file structure for your Vietnam business visa.
Tôi là Khang Hy – chuyên viên tư vấn với hơn 3 năm kinh nghiệm hỗ trợ người nước ngoài tại Việt Nam trong các thủ tục visa, thẻ tạm trú và giấy phép lao động. Tôi luôn nỗ lực mang đến dịch vụ nhanh chóng, chính xác và tận tâm.
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