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Vietnam business visa: DN1 and DN2 visas, sponsor and steps

Business visitors to Vietnam often start with the e-visa, but trips for a Vietnamese company over a longer period use the business visa, symbols DN1 and DN2. This page explains the difference and what the sponsoring company has to do.

Updated: Sources: Law No. 47/2014/QH13 on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Vietnamese text), E-visa portal — Frequently asked questions, Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC — immigration fee schedule (Vietnamese text)

Bản tiếng Việt

Quick answer

Vietnam's business visas are DN1, for working with a Vietnamese company or organisation, and DN2, for offering services or setting up a commercial presence. They can be valid for up to 12 months and must be sponsored by a company in Vietnam, which applies to the immigration authority. Business visas do not allow employment: working needs a work permit and a work visa.
Symbols
DN1 · DN2
Maximum validity
12 months
Sponsor
A company or organisation in Vietnam
Immigration decision (law)
5 working days from the request
Short meetings
An e-visa (up to 90 days) may be enough
On this page

DN1 and DN2: which business visa

Vietnam business visa symbols
SymbolIssued to
DN1People coming to work with an enterprise or other organisation with legal status under Vietnamese law
DN2People coming to offer services, set up a commercial presence or carry out other activities under international treaties Vietnam is a member of

Both can be valid for up to 12 months, for a single or multiple entries. The visa is issued for one purpose and cannot be swapped for a tourist or work purpose while you are in Vietnam, except in the cases the law allows.

Business trip or employment?

  • Meetings, negotiations, market research, contract signing and site visits with a Vietnamese partner are business activities.
  • A DN1 or DN2 visa is linked to the company that sponsors you.
  • Working for a salary in Vietnam on a business visa. Employment needs a work permit (or confirmation of exemption) under the Labour Code and a work visa (LĐ1 or LĐ2).

How a company sponsors a business visa

  1. First-time notification

    Before its first invitation, the Vietnamese company notifies the immigration authority with a certified copy of its establishment licence or decision and a document introducing its seal and the authorised signatory. This is done once, and updated when details change.

  2. Visa request

    The company sends a written visa request for the visitor to the immigration authority.

  3. Decision

    The law gives the immigration authority 5 working days from receiving the request to reply to the company and notify the Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad.

  4. Visa issued

    The visitor collects the visa at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate (within 3 working days of its notification under the law), or at an international border gate if the case fits Article 18.

Business visa fees

Government visa fees by validity
ItemFee
Single-entry visaUS$25
Multiple-entry visa, up to 90 daysUS$50
Multiple-entry visa, over 90 to 180 daysUS$95
Multiple-entry visa, over 180 days to 1 yearUS$135
Government fees set by Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC (in force from 1 April 2026). No service fee is included.

All other fees are on Vietnam visa fees.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between DN1 and DN2 visas?
DN1 is for people working with a Vietnamese enterprise or organisation with legal status. DN2 is for people offering services, setting up a commercial presence or doing other activities under international treaties.
How long is a Vietnam business visa valid?
DN1 and DN2 visas can be valid for up to 12 months, single or multiple entry.
Can I work in Vietnam on a business visa?
No. Employment in Vietnam needs a work permit, or confirmation of exemption, and a work visa.
Can I use an e-visa for a business trip?
Many short business trips of up to 90 days use the e-visa, which needs no sponsor. Longer or repeated stays for a Vietnamese company use DN1 or DN2.