Vietnam Entry Approval Letter (Công văn nhập cảnh Việt Nam)

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1. What is an Entry Approval Letter?

A Vietnam Entry Approval Letter (in Vietnamese: Công văn nhập cảnh Việt Nam) is an official document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Public Security, granting permission for a foreign national to enter Vietnam for specific purposes such as business, employment, investment, tourism, or family visit.

The Vietnam entry approval letter typically contains the following information:

  • Personal details of the foreign national permitted to enter Vietnam;
  • Name and address of the inviting or sponsoring organization/enterprise in Vietnam;
  • Duration and purpose of the foreigner’s entry into Vietnam;
  • Location for visa issuance — either a Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate abroad or a Vietnam international airport.

Currently, all applications for entry approval letters must be submitted online. As such, the letter is issued with an electronic seal instead of the traditional red stamp.

Note:
The entry approval letter is not a visa.
It serves as a pre-approval document confirming that the foreigner is eligible to obtain a visa upon arrival or at a Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate.
Upon presentation of the approval letter, foreigners may receive their visa at Vietnamese international airports, land borders, or seaports.

2. Cases Exempted from Entry Approval Letter Requirement

Foreign nationals are not required to obtain an entry approval letter if they possess one of the following valid entry documents for Vietnam:

  • A valid multiple-entry Vietnam visa;
  • A valid Vietnam temporary residence card;
  • A valid Vietnam permanent residence card;
  • A valid 5-year visa exemption certificate;
  • Visa exemption entry under unilateral or bilateral agreements (e.g., South Korea, Japan, ASEAN countries);
  • APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC);
  • Vietnam electronic visa (E-visa).

Any foreigner not holding the above valid entry documents, not eligible for visa exemption, and not eligible for an E-visa, must obtain a Vietnam entry approval letter before applying for a visa.

3. Conditions for Obtaining a Vietnam Entry Approval Letter

Foreigners cannot apply directly for an entry approval letter. The application must be submitted by a Vietnamese organization or individual sponsor who meets legal eligibility requirements.

There are two primary conditions for obtaining an entry approval letter:

1.      Sponsorship by a qualified organization or individual in Vietnam:

o    Eligible sponsors include:

§  Vietnamese companies;

§  Foreign-invested enterprises;

§  100% foreign-owned companies;

§  Representative offices of foreign traders, etc.

o    These entities must be legally established and operating in Vietnam.

o    In cases of individual sponsorship, the sponsor must be a close relative (parent, spouse, or child) with full civil capacity and legal responsibility.

2.      The applicant must not be on Vietnam’s entry blacklist, i.e., must not fall into the following prohibited categories:

o    Providing false or forged documents to obtain entry, exit, or residence permits;

o    Suffering from mental illness or contagious diseases dangerous to public health;

o    Previously deported from Vietnam with a still-effective deportation order;

o    Denied entry for reasons of national defense, security, public order, or social safety.

4. Procedure for Applying for a Vietnam Entry Approval Letter

At present, all procedures for obtaining a Vietnam entry approval letter are conducted entirely online through the official government portal.
The process consists of the following steps:

Step 1: Register an Electronic Account

The sponsoring company or organization must register an electronic account via the National Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security.

Step 2: Submit the Online Application

Once the electronic account is approved by the Immigration Department, the sponsor may proceed with the online application process:

  • Log in to the official website: https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn.
  • Select the service category “Online Application Submission” (Nộp hồ sơ trực tuyến).
  • Choose the procedure “Approval of Entry for Foreign Nationals” (Xét duyệt nhân sự nước ngoài).
  • Complete all required information using Form NA2 (Online) and upload supporting documents as instructed.
  • Apply a digital signature and finalize the submission process online.

Step 3: Receive the Online Result

During the review process, if the Immigration Department requires additional information or document corrections, the system will notify the applicant for timely updates.

Once the application is verified and approved, the Vietnam Immigration Department will issue the Entry Approval Letter electronically. The sponsor can log into their registered account to download the approved document for use in obtaining a visa.

 

Applying for a Vietnam visa and entry approval letter involves multiple steps and document verification processes.
To ensure a smooth and expedited procedure, it is recommended that applicants consult directly with our visa support team for professional guidance and efficient processing.