Eligibility Quiz
Is your passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay and does it have at least 2 blank pages?
Application Process
The VR (Visiting Relatives) visa is a specific permit for foreign nationals visiting family members in Vietnam. The process is "sponsor-led," meaning your relative in Vietnam must initiate the application for you before you arrive. While you can use a 90-day e-visa for short visits, the formal VR visa is required if you intend to stay longer or eventually apply for long-term residency.
Step 1: Document Preparation and Legalization
Before your sponsor can apply, you must provide proof of your family relationship. Vietnam is very strict about documentation; simple photocopies are not accepted.
- Identify your proof: This is usually a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or household registration book.
- Legalize the documents: You must have these documents apostilled or legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country.
- Translate and Notarize: Once legalized, the documents must be translated into Vietnamese and notarized.
Step 2: Sponsorship Application (In Vietnam)
Your relative in Vietnam (the sponsor) must request an Approval Letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh).
- For Vietnamese sponsors: They can use the National Public Service Portal or the VNeID app to verify their identity and submit Form NA2 (Entry Request).
- For Foreign sponsors: If your relative is a foreigner living in Vietnam on a residence card, they must submit Form NA2 along with a copy of their passport and TRC (Temporary Residence Card).
- Submission: The sponsor submits the file at the Immigration Department office in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City.
Step 3: Receive the Approval Letter
Once the application is processed (usually 5 to 7 working days), the Immigration Department issues an Approval Letter.
- This letter is now often digital with a QR code.
- Your sponsor will receive a copy to send to you, and the original is electronically transmitted to your chosen Vietnamese Embassy or the international airport.
Step 4: Visa Issuance (Stamping)
You have two main ways to get the actual visa sticker in your passport:
Option A: At a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate Take your passport, two photos (4x6cm, white background), the Approval Letter copy, and Form NA5 to the Vietnamese mission in your country. They will stamp the visa into your passport.
Option B: Visa on Arrival (International Airports) If your Approval Letter specifies "Visa on Arrival," fly to an international airport (such as Noi Bai in Hanoi or Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City). Head to the "Landing Visa" counter before passing through immigration. Present your letter, photos, and passport to receive your stamp.
Step 5: Local Registration
Within 24 hours of arriving at your relative's home, your sponsor must register your stay with the local ward police (Công an phường). This is a critical step; failing to register can lead to heavy fines and will prevent you from extending your visa later.
Fees
The following fees are the standard government rates for the visa stamp. If you use an agency to help your sponsor with the paperwork, they will charge additional service fees.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Single Entry Visa Stamp | $25 USD |
| Multiple Entry (up to 3 months) | $50 USD |
| Multiple Entry (3 to 6 months) | $95 USD |
| Multiple Entry (6 to 12 months) | $135 USD |
| Sponsorship Agency Fee (Optional) | $50 – $150 USD |
| Document Translation & Legalization | $30 – $100 USD |
Total Estimated Cost: Approximately $105 to $385 USD depending on visa duration and whether you use professional assistance for paperwork.
Note: This does not include international airfare, local travel to embassies, or photos.
Processing Time
The timeline for a VR visa depends on how quickly you can legalize your home-country documents.
- Document Legalization: Varies by country (typically 1 to 2 weeks).
- Approval Letter Processing: 5 to 7 working days once submitted in Vietnam.
- Embassy Visa Stamping: 3 to 5 working days.
- Total Timeline: Expect the process to take 2 to 3 weeks from the moment your documents are ready.
Important Validity Notes:
- Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay.
- Visa Duration: VR visas are typically issued for 3 to 6 months, but can be issued for up to 12 months for immediate family (spouses/children).
- Holiday Delays: Government offices close during Tet (Lunar New Year), which can delay applications by 1 to 2 weeks. Always check the lunar calendar before applying.