VietNam Student Visa - Detailed Guide

The Vietnam student visa (code DH) is issued to foreigners studying long-term at legally recognized educational institutions. Under the amended Immigration Law 2024–2025, applicants must meet several important conditions to ensure a lawful entry purpose.

1. Conditions for Obtaining a Vietnam Student Visa

The Vietnam student visa (code DH) is issued to foreigners studying long-term at legally recognized educational institutions. Under the amended Immigration Law 2024–2025, applicants must meet several important conditions to ensure a lawful entry purpose.

First, applicants must hold a valid passport with at least 12 months of remaining validity. Damaged or altered passports may lead to rejection.

Second, a Vietnamese educational institution must sponsor the applicant. Foreigners cannot apply for a student visa without an official sponsor.

Third, applicants must not fall under prohibited-entry categories such as security violations, forged documents, prior deportation, or unresolved legal issues.

Finally, a formal Acceptance Letter from the Vietnamese school is required to confirm the legitimate study purpose.

2. Application Procedure for the Vietnam Student Visa

From 2024 onward, all NA2 Entry Approval applications must be submitted online through the Ministry of Public Security portal. The process includes four main stages: document preparation, NA2 submission, approval, and visa issuance.

Personal documents include a passport valid over 12 months, ID photos, contact details, and the acceptance letter. School documents consist of the operating license, introduction letter, digitally signed NA2 form, and the applicant’s passport scan.

The school registers an institutional account → activates digital signature → selects the procedure 'Review and approve entry for foreigners' → fills in the required fields → signs digitally → submits. Processing takes 3–5 working days.

Once approved, the applicant may obtain the visa at the Vietnamese Embassy abroad or at international airports in Vietnam upon arrival.

3. Student Visa Fees

According to Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC: Single-entry visa USD 25; multiple-entry up to 3 months USD 50; 3–6 months USD 95; 6–12 months USD 135. Additional service fees may apply depending on the embassy.

4. Tips for a Successful Visa Application

Applicants should prepare complete academic records, financial documents, photos, and personal identification. Foreign documents must be notarized and translated properly. Early submission—preferably 1–2 months before the intended date—is highly recommended.

All declarations must be truthful. Any falsified documents will result in immediate rejection and possible entry bans.

5. Visa Duration and DH Temporary Residence Card

A DH visa is valid for up to 12 months and may be extended during the study period. Students entering Vietnam with a DH visa may apply for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) valid for up to 5 years.