Vietnam Business (DN1, DN2) & Investor (ĐT) Visas

Commercial Sponsorship Formalities, Immigration Clearance Portals, and Statutory Capital Thresholds

1. Statutory Architecture for Commercial and Investment Entry

Foreign entry into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for commercial, trade, corporate establishment, and capital investment purposes is regulated under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13), as amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14 and Law No. 23/2023/QH15.

Historically, commercial entry was managed under a broad, undifferentiated single category. The 2019 statutory revisions bifurcated business visas into two categories (DN1 and DN2) and divided investor visas into four distinct capital tiers (ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, and ĐT4). This legislative restructuring aligns immigration privileges directly with corporate legal liability, qualifying investment thresholds, and statutory capital contributions registered with provincial Departments of Planning and Investment (DPI).

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    COMMERCIAL & INVESTMENT VISA TAXONOMY                    │
├──────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Classification       │ Statutory Scope & Target Beneficiary                 │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ DN1 Visa             │ Foreigners working with registered Vietnamese        │
│                      │ enterprises, corporations, and licensed entities     │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ DN2 Visa             │ Foreigners offering services, establishing a         │
│                      │ commercial presence, or operating under treaties     │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ĐT1 to ĐT3 Visas     │ Tiered equity investors (≥ 3 Billion to ≥ 100        │
│                      │ Billion VND); eligible for multi-year TRCs           │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ĐT4 Visa             │ Small-scale equity contributors (< 3 Billion VND);   │
│                      │ restricted to maximum 12-month short-term visas      │
└──────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

The primary operational difference between commercial (DN) visas and investment (ĐT) categories lies in the sponsorship requirement and the pathway to continuous long-term residence. While DN visas facilitate intermediate operational trips and corporate coordination, they do not waive work permit requirements for substantive employment, nor do they grant direct entitlement to multi-year residency cards.

2. Business Visas: The DN1 and DN2 Classifications

The legal distinctions between the DN1 and DN2 visa categories are codified in Article 8, Clauses 8 and 9 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13 (amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14):

1. The DN1 Visa Classification

The DN1 visa is issued to foreign nationals entering Vietnam to conduct corporate activities with enterprises or organizations that possess full, recognized legal status (tư cách pháp nhân) under Vietnamese law. This category requires an active corporate host registered in Vietnam, including:

• 100% foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs);

• Domestic joint-stock (Công ty Cổ phần) and limited liability companies (Công ty TNHH);

• State-owned corporations and authorized public institutions.

The DN1 visa accommodates technical specialists, corporate board members, and operational consultants conducting market evaluations, technical installations, contract executions, or strategic audits.

2. The DN2 Visa Classification

The DN2 visa applies to foreign nationals entering to offer services, establish a commercial presence, or conduct operations pursuant to international treaties of which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory (such as World Trade Organization commitments or bilateral investment treaties).

Unlike the DN1 route, the applicant on a DN2 visa does not directly join or execute work on behalf of an established local entity. Instead, they enter to establish commercial operations, conclude service supply agreements, or operate as an overseas service provider. Despite this distinction, the applicant must still have an accredited domestic organization or branch office sponsor their pre-approval through the Immigration Department.

Duration and Validity Parameters

Under Article 9 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13, both DN1 and DN2 visas carry a maximum validity ceiling of 12 months. However, the practical operational standard applied by provincial immigration authorities is:

• 1-Month to 3-Month Validity: Issued as single- or multiple-entry visas without requiring work permits, designated for commercial consultations, contract negotiations, and technical oversight.

• 6-Month to 12-Month Validity: Typically reserved for individuals who provide additional operational justification or those whose enterprise sponsorship is backed by active commercial projects.

3. The Sponsorship and Pre-Approval Letter Protocol

A foreign national cannot personally submit an initial DN1 or DN2 commercial visa application at an overseas consular post without a prior Entry Approval Letter (Công văn nhập cảnh) issued by the Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh). The host company in Vietnam must sponsor the traveler through a specific administrative process.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                       DN VISA SPONSORSHIP WORKFLOW                          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 1: Corporate Legal Registration                                        │
│ The host entity registers its corporate seal and signatory authority via    │
│ Form NA16 with the municipal or provincial immigration authority.           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 2: Digital Public Service Dossier Filing                               │
│ Host entity submits Form NA2 (Foreigner Entry Application) on the National  │
│ Public Service Portal (dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn), attaching the guest's   │
│ passport bio-page scan and detailed business itinerary.                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 3: Immigration Department Adjudication (3 to 5 Business Days)          │
│ The dossier is evaluated against national security and enterprise compliance│
│ registers. The state issue code and official Entry Approval Letter generate.│
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 4: Consular Transmission or Port Dispatch                              │
│ Clearance is transmitted directly to the designated international border    │
│ gate (Air/Land) or the designated Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate overseas.    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 5: Physical Stamping & Entry                                           │
│ The applicant pays the statutory fee ($25 single / $50 multiple) to obtain  │
│ the physical DN1/DN2 visa stamp upon arrival or at the consulate.           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Statutory Documentation Required from the Sponsoring Host

1. Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC / Đăng ký kinh doanh): A certified notarized copy of the enterprise’s corporate license.

2. Form NA16: The legal registration form verifying the authorized corporate seal and the handwritten specimen signature of the enterprise’s legal representative (Người đại diện theo pháp luật). This document is deposited once and updated only when corporate officers change.

3. Form NA2: The formal entry clearance application form, completed via the online public service system. It specifies the foreign national’s personal particulars, intended entry and exit gates, duration of stay, and the explicit business purpose.

4. Program of Work / Official Invitation: An internal corporate letter outlining the planned activities, target facilities, and operational timeline.

4. Investor Visas: The Four-Tiered Capital Architecture (ĐT1 to ĐT4)

The legal regime governing foreign direct investors was redesigned under Law No. 51/2019/QH14. Under earlier statutes, anyone with nominal equity in a local enterprise—regardless of size—could secure long-term residency privileges. Law No. 51 addressed this by establishing four capital-linked tiers (ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, ĐT4) that directly correlate immigration validity with the financial scale of the investment:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                 TIERED INVESTOR VISA ARCHITECTURE (LAW 51)                  │
├──────┬─────────────────────────────┬───────────────┬────────────────────────┤
│ Tier │ Contributed Capital Floor   │ Max Visa Term │ Max TRC Validity       │
├──────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────┼────────────────────────┤
│ ĐT1  │ ≥ 100 Billion VND           │ Up to 5 Years │ Up to 10 Years         │
│      │ (~$3.9M+ USD) or incentives │               │                        │
├──────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────┼────────────────────────┤
│ ĐT2  │ 50 to < 100 Billion VND     │ Up to 5 Years │ Up to 5 Years          │
│      │ (~$1.95M to ~$3.9M USD)     │               │                        │
├──────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────┼────────────────────────┤
│ ĐT3  │ 3 to < 50 Billion VND       │ Up to 3 Years │ Up to 3 Years          │
│      │ (~$118k to ~$1.95M USD)     │               │                        │
├──────┼─────────────────────────────┼───────────────┼────────────────────────┤
│ ĐT4  │ < 3 Billion VND             │ Up to 12 Mos  │ INELIGIBLE FOR TRC     │
│      │ (< ~$118k USD)              │               │ (Visa Only)            │
└──────┴─────────────────────────────┴───────────────┴────────────────────────┘

Detailed Breakdown of the Four Investor Tiers

Tier 1: ĐT1 Visa & Temporary Residence Card (TRC)

• Capital Threshold: Minimum contributed equity of 100 billion VND (or investment in state-designated geographical investment-incentive areas or business lines receiving special government encouragement).

• Maximum Stay: Up to 5 years on a visa stamp, or up to 10 years via a multi-year Temporary Residence Card (TRC).

• Privileges: Fast-track administrative immigration channels and full eligibility to sponsor accompanying spouses and minor children under dependent (TT) status.

Tier 2: ĐT2 Visa & TRC

• Capital Threshold: Contributed equity ranging from 50 billion VND to under 100 billion VND.

• Maximum Stay: Up to 5 years on a visa stamp, or up to 5 years via a Temporary Residence Card.

• Privileges: Right to sponsor immediate family dependents (TT) for the duration of the investor’s legal residence.

Tier 3: ĐT3 Visa & TRC

• Capital Threshold: Contributed equity ranging from 3 billion VND to under 50 billion VND.

• Maximum Stay: Up to 3 years on a visa stamp, or up to 3 years via a Temporary Residence Card.

• Privileges: This tier represents the primary entry point for small-to-medium foreign enterprise owners seeking multi-year residential stability and dependent sponsorship rights without the burden of periodic visa renewals.

Tier 4: ĐT4 Visa (The Small-Scale Investment Category)

• Capital Threshold: Contributed equity under 3 billion VND.

• Statutory Restriction: Explicitly excluded from obtaining a Temporary Residence Card (TRC).

• Operational Scope: Holders are granted short-term visas valid for a maximum term of 12 months (single- or multiple-entry). Upon expiration, the foreign national must re-apply for a new visa and cannot secure multi-year dependent residence for spouses or children under this tier.

5. Converting In-Country Status to Investment Visas

Under Article 7 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13, as amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14 and Law No. 23/2023/QH15, the general rule strictly prohibits in-country conversion of visa purposes (such as altering a tourist entry into an employment visa).

However, qualifying direct capital investment represents an explicit statutory exception to this prohibition. A foreigner who enters Vietnam under an ordinary tourist eVisa or unilateral visa exemption may adjust their immigration status to an ĐT visa or Temporary Residence Card directly within the country, without departing the territory, provided they complete the capital contribution process:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    IN-COUNTRY STATUS CONVERSION ROADMAP                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 1: Corporate Formation & Licensing                                     │
│ Secure the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) and Enterprise         │
│ Registration Certificate (ERC) through the provincial DPI.                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 2: Statutory Capital Inflow (DICA Account)                             │
│ Open a Direct Investment Capital Account (DICA) at a licensed domestic      │
│ bank. Transfer the statutory capital from an overseas personal or corporate │
│ account within 90 days, retaining bank credit advices.                      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 3: Corporate Dossier Submission (Form NA5)                             │
│ Submit the conversion application (Form NA5 for Visas or Form NA6 for TRCs) │
│ to the Immigration Department, attaching certified IRC, ERC, DICA capital   │
│ clearance statements, and proof of temporary residential registration.      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 4: Issuance of ĐT Visa or TRC Book                                     │
│ The active tourist stamp or eVisa is canceled, and the Immigration          │
│ Department issues an ĐT visa stamp or physical Temporary Residence Card.    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

6. Documentary Evidence of Capital Inflow: The DICA Account

The central focus of immigration and financial scrutiny during the investor visa application process is verifying whether the capital has physically entered the Vietnamese economy.

Under Circular No. 06/2019/TT-NHNN issued by the State Bank of Vietnam, foreign investors must channel their registered equity contributions through a specialized banking instrument: the Direct Investment Capital Account (DICA) (Tài khoản vốn đầu tư trực tiếp).

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        CAPITAL VERIFICATION MATRIX                          │
├───────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Document                      │ Evidentiary Function                        │
├───────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Investment Registration       │ Verifies authorized foreign project scope   │
│ Certificate (IRC)             │ and registered capital allocation           │
├───────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Enterprise Registration       │ Establishes legal corporate existence and   │
│ Certificate (ERC)             │ lists founding equity contributors          │
├───────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Direct Investment Capital     │ Proves physical international wire inflow   │
│ Account (DICA) Statements     │ matching the registered investment value    │
├───────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Independent Audit / Bank      │ Confirms capital is held legally in         │
│ Confirmation Letter           │ accordance with national accounting norms   │
└───────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Common Capital Contribution Errors

• Depositing Capital via Standard Commercial Accounts: Transferring capital directly into an ordinary corporate operating account or personal bank account rather than a registered DICA violates State Bank regulations. Such transfers are not recognized as legal capital contributions, invalidating subsequent ĐT applications.

• Cash Infusions: Cash deposits made directly over the counter at domestic bank branches will not clear investment audits. Capital must enter Vietnam via trace-audited international telegraphic transfers.

• Under-contributing Capital: If an investor registers a charter capital of 3.5 billion VND on their corporate license (qualifying for ĐT3) but contributes only 2 billion VND within the statutory 90-day window, the enterprise falls into administrative default. The Immigration Department will reject the ĐT3 application and classify the investor under the ĐT4 tier.

7. Comparative Analysis: Business (DN) vs. Investor (ĐT) Status

Choosing between a Business Visa and an Investor Visa depends on an individual’s corporate equity, long-term operational plans, and dependent sponsorship needs:

Footnotes & Official Statutory References

1. Law No. 47/2014/QH13: Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Adopted June 16, 2014; effective January 1, 2015. National Database of Legal Normative Documents: vanban.chinhphu.vn.

2. Law No. 51/2019/QH14: Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Promulgated November 25, 2019; effective July 1, 2020. Official Gazette of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

3. Law No. 23/2023/QH15: Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Adopted June 24, 2023; effective August 15, 2023. Portal of the National Assembly of Vietnam.

4. Law No. 59/2020/QH14 (Law on Enterprises): Statutory Provisions on Legal Capital, Foreign Capital Contributions, and Sponsoring Entities. Adopted June 17, 2020; effective January 1, 2021. Ministry of Planning and Investment.

5. Circular No. 06/2019/TT-NHNN: Regulations of the State Bank of Vietnam on Foreign Exchange Management for Direct Investment Activities in Vietnam. Issued June 26, 2019. State Bank of Vietnam Information Portal: sbv.gov.vn.

6. Government Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP: Regulations on Foreign Workers in Vietnam and Recruitment and Management of Vietnamese Workers Working for Foreign Organizations and Individuals. Promulgated December 30, 2020. Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs: molisa.gov.vn.

7. Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh – Bộ Công an): Procedures for Lodging Entry Clearances on the National Public Service Portal. Official Operations Guide: xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.