Relative Visit Visa (VR)

To qualify for a VR visa, you must be sponsored by an individual currently residing in Vietnam. Eligibility is strictly defined by your relationship to the sponsor:

• Relatives of Vietnamese Citizens: This includes spouses, children, parents, and siblings of Vietnamese nationals.
• Relatives of Foreigners in Vietnam: You may qualify if you are visiting a foreign relative who holds a valid Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or a valid visa. Note that while long-term dependents usually apply for a TT visa, the VR visa is the appropriate choice for shorter-term family visits.
• Private Purposes: In limited cases, the VR code is used for other non-commercial, non-tourist private visits that do not fit into labor or investment categories.

Nationality-Specific Variations:

• Visa Exemptions: Citizens of 13 countries (including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Russia, Japan, and South Korea) can enter Vietnam for up to 45 days without a visa for any purpose, including visiting relatives.
• Expanded Lists: As of 2025, several other European nations (including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Romania) benefit from simplified entry or expanded exemption lists.
• E-Visa Alternative: While the VR visa is a specific category, many relatives now utilize the 90-day multiple-entry e-visa for shorter visits. However, the e-visa cannot always be converted to other statuses as easily as a formal VR visa.