Vietnam business visa (DN)

The Law defines DN as the visa for people entering to work with enterprises in Vietnam; since the 2019 amendment it is split into DN1 and DN2 according to the type of activity. It suits company representatives, buyers, auditors, engineers installing equipment or trainers who stay on the foreign employer's payroll. It does not replace a work permit: a foreigner employed in Vietnam needs an LĐ visa and a work permit or an exemption certificate.

Under Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC a single-entry visa costs USD 25. Multiple-entry visas cost USD 50 up to 90 days, USD 95 for more than 90 up to 180 days and USD 135 for more than 180 days up to one year. Because the DN visa is capped at one year, higher bands do not apply. Changes of a valid visa to a new passport cost USD 5.

Only a company or other legal entity in Vietnam can sponsor a DN visa. Before its first request the company sends the Immigration Department a one-time notification with a certified copy of its establishment licence and a specimen of its seal and the authorised signature; changes must be notified later. The company then submits the visa request for the named foreigner. The Department replies within five working days and informs the Vietnamese embassy or the border gate where the visa will be collected.

DN is not among the visa symbols that lead to a temporary residence card, so frequent visitors rely on multiple-entry visas. A new visa or an extension inside Vietnam is again requested by the sponsoring company at the Immigration Department and decided within five working days. You must keep to the purpose of entry: activities outside work with the sponsor may lead to refusal of later visas.