Family Visit Visa (TT)

The TT Visa (Thăm Thân) is Vietnam’s primary family reunification visa. It is designed for foreign nationals who wish to visit or live with family members who are either Vietnamese citizens or foreign professionals working legally in the country.

While it is often confused with the VR Visa (also for visiting relatives), the TT Visa is a more robust pathway. It allows for longer stays and, crucially, serves as the prerequisite for obtaining a Temporary Residence Card (TRC), which can grant you the right to live in Vietnam for up to three years without needing to renew your visa.

Holding a TT Visa (or the subsequent Temporary Residence Card) provides a stable legal status in Vietnam, though it does come with specific restrictions regarding employment.

• Long-Term Residency: You have the right to reside in Vietnam for the duration of your visa (up to 12 months) or your TRC (up to 3 years).
• Multiple Entry/Exit: You may enter and exit Vietnam as many times as you wish without the need for additional re-entry permits or visas.
• Path to Temporary Residence (TRC): The TT Visa is the direct gateway to a Temporary Residence Card. This card acts as a long-term identity document, allowing you to bypass visa renewals and easily open local bank accounts or sign long-term lease agreements.
• Work Restrictions: A TT Visa does not grant an automatic right to work.
  • If you are the spouse of a foreign worker, you must still obtain your own Work Permit to be legally employed.
  • If you are the spouse of a Vietnamese citizen, you are exempt from needing a Work Permit, but you (or your employer) must still complete a formal "Work Permit Exemption" certification process with the Department of Labor.
• Stay Duration Limits: Your stay is legally capped by your sponsor's status. Your visa or TRC will always expire at least 30 days before your sponsor’s visa or passport expires.