Quick answer
- Legal basis
- Article 7, Law 47/2014 as amended by Law 51/2019
- Allowed cases
- Investor · close family of sponsor · sponsored worker with work permit · e-visa holder with work permit
- Who applies
- Your sponsor in Vietnam
- Form
- NA5 + passport
- Processing time
- 5 working days from a complete file
On this page
The four cases where a visa can change purpose
Article 7 of the Immigration Law, as amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14, says a visa may not change its purpose, except when the foreigner:
- has papers proving they are an investor, or represent a foreign organisation investing in Vietnam, under Vietnamese law;
- has papers proving they are the father, mother, spouse or child of the person who invited or sponsored them;
- is invited or sponsored by an agency or organisation to work in Vietnam and has a work permit, or confirmation that a work permit is not required;
- entered Vietnam with an e-visa and has a work permit, or confirmation that a work permit is not required.
How the new visa is issued
In these cases you receive a new visa with the symbol and validity that match the new purpose — for example LĐ1 or LĐ2 for work, ĐT for investment or TT for family. The procedure follows Article 19 of the Law (new visa issued in Vietnam):
Gather proof of the new purpose
Investment papers, proof of family relationship, or the work permit / exemption confirmation.
Sponsor files form NA5
With your passport (and a 4×6 cm photo if a loose-leaf visa is issued), at the provincial police immigration office or the Immigration Department.
Decision and fee
The office decides within 5 working days of a complete file. You pay the fee for the new visa type.
Form numbers (NA1, NA2, NA3, NA5, NA6, NA7, NA8, NA16, NA17…) follow Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA of the Ministry of Public Security, in force from 1 July 2026. Since that date only the forms issued with this Circular are accepted — download the current form from the official procedure page.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-entry visa | US$25 |
| Multiple-entry visa, up to 90 days | US$50 |
| Multiple-entry visa, over 180 days to 1 year | US$135 |
| Multiple-entry visa, over 1 to 2 years | US$145 |
After the new visa
Several of the new visa types (LĐ1, LĐ2, ĐT, TT and others) qualify for a temporary residence card, which avoids repeated visa renewals. If you only need more time for the same purpose, a visa extension is simpler.
We help you check whether your situation is one of the four cases and help your sponsor prepare the forms. We do not submit files at immigration offices. Send a case check if you are unsure.