Vietnam's New Visa Waiver Initiative: A Pathway for Foreign Contributors

Posted by Written by Vu Nguyen Hanh
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Vietnam’s government, in August 2025, introduced a limited-term visa waiver scheme aimed at attracting foreign individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the nation's socio-economic development. Effective from August 15, 2025, this initiative allows eligible individuals to obtain special visa exemption cards, which facilitate multiple entries into Vietnam for up to five years.

On August 8, 2925, the Vietnamese government issued Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP, guiding a limited-term visa waiver scheme to foreigners who are expected to make a distinguished contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

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According to the new decree, effective from August 15, 2025, eligible individuals will be granted visa waiver cards for multiple entries, which come in both digital and physical forms and can be valid up to five years, in some instances. This article outlines the scheme’s targeted subjects, the criteria of eligibility, and the application for a special visa waiver under Decree 221.

Also read: Amended Vietnamese Nationality Law: Key Updates for Foreign Workers

Vietnam’s special visa exemption card

Eligible subjects, whose presence is expected to benefit Vietnam’s socio-economic development, will be granted special visa exemption cards (SVECs). These cards are both digitally and physically available with the same legal validity. Competent agencies and organizations may choose to issue either form of card to foreign nationals.

Cardholders may enter Vietnam multiple times during the visa exemption period. The exemption validity is up to five years and must be at least 30 days shorter than the passport’s remaining validity.

Additionally, foreign nationals proposed by agencies or organizations for visa exemption for socio-economic development purposes may be considered for issuance of a Level 2 electronic identification (e-ID) account upon request.

Conditions for issuing a physical chip-embedded card

The physical chip-embedded version of the SVEC will be granted when the foreign national is present in Vietnam, has biometric fingerprint and facial data recorded in the National Immigration Database or holds a Level 2 e-ID account, and is granted a visa exemption valid for at least 3 years.

The chip stores encrypted personal details, including:

  • Full name;
  • Date of birth;
  • Gender;
  • Nationality;
  • Passport number, symbol, date and place of issue;
  • Facial image;
  • Fingerprints; and
  • Foreigner’s identification number (if any).

Also read: Vietnam to Require Corporate e-ID from July 1, 2025

Who is eligible for the visa waiver scheme under Decree 221?

Applicable subjects and general conditions

Decree 221 offers visa exemptions for a wide range of subjects, from state-level guests, diplomats, to business leaders, investors, and experts in priority fields. The list includes:

Eligible Beneficiaries

Visa exemption conditions

Guests invited by:

  • General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), State President, Chairperson of the National Assembly, Prime Minister, Standing Member of the CPV Secretariat;
  • Vice President, Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister;
  • President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front;
  • Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, State Auditor General;
  • Ministers and equivalents; and
  • Provincial Party Secretaries, City Party Secretaries, Chairpersons of Provincial People’s Councils, Chairpersons of Provincial/Municipal People’s Committees.
  • Possess a valid passport;
  • Have a notification from a competent agency/organization using Form NA-01 (Appendix 2 of the Decree); and
  • Not fall under entry ban or temporary exit suspension under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.
  • Scholars, experts, scientists, university professors, researchers, chief engineers, and high-quality digital technology industry personnel;
  • Investors, leaders of major global corporations;
  • Individuals in culture, arts, sports, and tourism with a positive public influence; and
  • Honorary Consuls of Vietnam abroad.
  • Possess a valid passport;
  • Meet criteria in Appendix 1 identifying special categories eligible for visa exemption;
  • Have a written request from a ministry, ministerial-level agency, Government-attached agency, or an agency of the Party/National Assembly using Form NA-02 (Appendix 2); and
  • Not fall under entry ban or temporary exit suspension.

Guests of research institutes, universities, and major enterprises (as determined by the Government based on proposals from relevant agencies)
  • Possess a valid passport;
  • Meet special category criteria in Appendix 1;
  • Have a written request from the relevant inviting agency/organization using Form NA-02; and
  • Not fall under the entry ban or temporary exit suspension.

Other cases requiring visa exemption for foreign affairs or socio-economic development, decided by the Minister of Public Security based on proposals from relevant agencies/organizations
  • Possess a valid passport;
  • Have a written request from the relevant agency/organization using Form NA-02; and
  • Not fall under entry ban or temporary exit suspension.

Relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals
  • Apply and process according to the above criteria and conditions.

Eligible criteria for specific subject categories

Under Annex I of Decree 221, specific subjects must meet the requirements prescribed under the decree. The government will be responsible for amending and supplementing the criteria list based on practical implementation.

No.

Beneficiary Group

Criteria

I

Foreign investors or leaders of major global corporations

Corporations or enterprises listed among the world’s top 100 companies by market capitalization as announced annually by reputable international organizations.

II

Experts, professors, scholars, researchers, scientists, chief engineers, and high-quality digital technology industry personnel

1

 

Experts, professors, scholars, and researchers
  • Experts, professors, scholars, researchers in STEM, economics, management, and business administration; and
  • Invited to attend conferences, teach, or participate in joint research at higher education institutions
  • Hold a doctoral degree or higher; and
  • Being nationals of OECD member countries.

Experts/researchers in healthcare and health sciences
  • Hold a doctoral degree or higher; and
  • invited to attend conferences, teach, conduct research, or work at reputable medical institutes, hospitals, or medical universities in Vietnam.

Scholars, researchers, art critics, lecturers, professors, speakers, and coordinators in culture, arts, and tourism
  • Official members of reputable international institutions in their field, or officials/experts of relevant international organizations;
  • Invited to attend conferences, forums, competitions, film festivals, and training programs in Vietnam; and
  • Participating in monitoring international conventions, the UNESCO Memory of the World Program, or the World Heritage recognition.

2

 

Scientists, chief engineers, and high-quality digital technology industry personnel

Scientists in science and technology

Recipients of recognized prestigious international awards in science and technology.
  • Scientists with exceptional expertise and accomplishments; and
  • Potentially making significant contributions to Vietnam’s technologies and sciences.
  • High-impact publications in international journals; and
  • Having multiple high-quality patents, successful technology transfers, or leadership in major impactful research projects.

Medical and health science researchers

Recipients of recognized prestigious international awards in healthcare and health sciences.

Chief engineers

Meet legal criteria and standards under relevant laws (Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, Law on National Defense and Security Industry, Law on Industrial Mobilization, etc.).

High-quality digital technology industry personnel

Meet legal criteria and standards for “High-Quality Digital Technology Industry Personnel” under laws on the digital technology industry.

III

Individuals in culture, arts, sports, and tourism with positive public influence

1

Individuals in culture and arts (artists, filmmakers, directors, actors, musicians, singers, producers, painters, photographers)
  • Received recognized international awards or widely acknowledged influence in performing arts, cinema, music, fine arts, or photography; and
  • Receiving an invitation/license from the authorized agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for cultural, artistic, or educational activities in Vietnam.

2

 

Individuals in sports

International football players with top FIFA/AFC awards

Hold titles such as Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer, as recognized by FIFA or AFC.

Top 100 global football players
  • Listed among the world’s top 100 football players by reputable international organizations; and
  • Invited to play or engage in professional football activities in Vietnam.

Athletes with medals from the Olympic, Paralympic, ASIAD, and Asian Para Games

Winners of gold, silver, or bronze medals in these events.

Foreign sports experts, coaches, athletes, referees, and team members participating in regional, continental, and world sports games hosted by Vietnam

Hold official accreditation cards issued by the Organizing Committee to enter Vietnam for regional, continental, or world sports events hosted by the country.

3

Individuals in tourism

Vietnamese tourism ambassadors abroad

Appointed by decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Content creators promoting culture, tourism, cuisine, and handicrafts
  • Having at least 1,000,000 social media followers;
  • Actively promoting Vietnam tourism or commitment to producing Vietnam-related content during the visit, with a confirmed plan by the Vietnamese authorities; and
  • Having no public actions or statements harming Vietnam’s national image.

IV

Honorary Consuls of Vietnam abroad
  • Foreign nationals serving as Honorary Consuls under the 2009 Law on Overseas Representative Agencies (amended 2017) and Circular No. 01/2020/TT-BNG; and
  • Appointed by the competent authority.

V

Guests of research institutes, universities, or major enterprises
  • Invited by institutions or enterprises on the government-approved list; and
  • Meet at least one criterion from Groups I–IV above.

Processing procedure for SVEC application under Decree 221

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Competent agencies and organizations must submit a written notification or request in respective forms, along with a copy of the passport’s personal information page, either directly or electronically, to the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The subsequent steps will be proceeded by the department as follows:

  • Step 1: Review the application and issue a digital SVEC (Form NC-01).
  • Step 2: Notify the requesting agency/organization of the following situations:
    • Access to the digital SVEC (Form NB-01);
    • Issuance of the physical chip-embedded card (Form NC-02); or
    • A written response stating the reason in case of non-issuance.

Statutory processing time will vary for each case, as follows:

  • High-level state guests: Up to three working days from receipt of application;
  • Scholars, experts, investors, cultural/sports/tourism figures, honorary consuls, invitees of approved research institutes/universities/enterprises: Up to five working days from receipt of application; and
  • Chip-embedded physical card issuance: Up to seven working days from receipt of application
Form Code Description 
NA-01 Notification from a competent authority or organization requesting consideration for granting a special visa exemption card to a foreign national eligible for preferential entry into Vietnam.
NA-02 Official request from a competent authority or organization for consideration of granting a special visa exemption card to a foreign national eligible for preferential entry into Vietnam.
NB-01 Notification from an authority or organization regarding the issuance of an electronic special visa exemption card to a foreign national eligible for preferential entry into Vietnam.
NC-01 Electronic special visa exemption card.
NC-02 Physical special visa exemption card with embedded chip.

Temporary residence for SVEC holders

Foreign nationals holding a SVEC are granted a 90-day temporary residence stamp upon each entry into Vietnam. If the card’s remaining validity is less than 90 days, the temporary residence period will match the card’s validity.

If the individuals have specific demands, extensions, new visas, or temporary residence cards may be issued in accordance with the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Entry control for SVEC holders

Upon arrival, travelers must present both their passport and SPVC to the border control unit. Immigration officers are responsible for verifying the passport, card details, and related data before granting entry and issuing the temporary residence certification.

Revocation of SVECs

The Immigration Department may revoke the validity of an SVEC if the holder no longer meets the eligibility criteria or upon receipt of a written notice from a competent agency or organization.

Also read: Vietnam Visa Reforms 2025: New Long-Stay and Golden Visa Options

Takeaway

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Decree 221 offers a favorable environment for foreign investors and business leaders through a visa waiver scheme. Eligible individuals can obtain SVECs valid for up to five years, allowing multiple entries without the hassle of frequent renewals.

This initiative supports socio-economic development in Vietnam by simplifying the entry process and encouraging long-term investment and collaboration across various sectors. This creates a strategic advantage for businesses looking to expand in the region. Additionally, recruiting overseas talent for high-level positions is now more feasible for firms aiming to strengthen their management and presence in Vietnam.

This article first appeared on Vietnam Briefing, our sister platform.