Last updated: November 3, 2026
The letters printed on a Vietnamese visa are not decoration. The code shows why you were allowed in, how long the visa can last, and whether you can later get a temporary residence card. This guide explains every code in plain English and helps you pick the right one before you apply.
⚡ At a glance | Vietnam visa codes |
|---|---|
Legal basis | Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners (Law 47/2014), amended by Law 51/2019, Law 23/2023 and Law 118/2025 |
Most common for travelers | EV (e-visa), single or multiple entry, up to 90 days |
Business visitors | EV for short trips; DN1/DN2 with a sponsoring company |
Working in Vietnam | LĐ1 (work permit exempt) or LĐ2 (work permit required), up to 2 years |
Newest codes | UĐ1 and UĐ2, in force since July 1, 2026, up to 5 years |
Government fee | USD 25 single entry; USD 50 multiple entry up to 90 days (Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC) |
What do the letters on a Vietnam visa mean?
Each code is an abbreviation of a Vietnamese word for the purpose of your visit. DL comes from du lịch (tourism), DN from doanh nghiệp (enterprise), LĐ from lao động (labour), TT from thăm thân (family visit), ĐT from đầu tư (investment) and DH from du học (study). The Vietnamese letter Đ is often written as "D" in English, so you may see "LD1" or "DT1" on agency websites. They mean the same thing.
The code is set by the purpose stated in your application, or in the invitation letter from your sponsor. Under the law, you are expected to do only what that purpose allows. A tourist visa holder who starts a job, for example, is breaking the rules even if the visa is still valid.
What visa codes does Vietnam issue?
The table below lists every code in the current law and its maximum validity. "Maximum" matters: immigration can issue a shorter visa, and many are issued for 1 or 3 months.
Code | Who it is for | Max validity |
|---|---|---|
EV | Electronic visa, any purpose allowed for e-visas (tourism, short business, family visit) | 90 days |
DL | Tourists, usually through a licensed travel company | 90 days |
HN | Conference and seminar participants | 90 days |
VR | Visiting relatives or other personal purposes | 180 days |
SQ | Special cases, e.g. market research or relatives of embassy staff, issued at a Vietnamese embassy | 30 days |
DN1 | People working with a Vietnamese company or organisation that has legal status | 12 months |
DN2 | People offering services, setting up a commercial presence or doing other activities under trade treaties | 12 months |
LĐ1 | Foreign workers with a confirmation that they are exempt from a work permit | 2 years |
LĐ2 | Foreign workers who must hold a work permit | 2 years |
ĐT1 | Investors contributing VND 100 billion or more, or in specially encouraged sectors | 5 years |
ĐT2 | Investors contributing VND 50 to under 100 billion, or in encouraged sectors | 5 years |
ĐT3 | Investors contributing VND 3 to under 50 billion | 3 years |
ĐT4 | Investors contributing under VND 3 billion | 12 months |
UĐ1 | High-quality digital-technology talent and other preferential cases (new from July 1, 2026) | 5 years |
UĐ2 | Spouse and children under 18 of a UĐ1 holder | 5 years |
TT | Spouse or children under 18 of LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1–ĐT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1 or LĐ2 holders; parents, spouse or children of Vietnamese citizens | 12 months |
DH | Students and interns | 12 months |
LS | Foreign lawyers licensed to practise in Vietnam | 5 years |
NN1, NN2, NN3 | Heads and staff of representative offices, NGOs and foreign traders' branches | 12 months |
PV1, PV2 | Resident and short-term journalists | 12 months |
LV1, LV2 | People working with state agencies or socio-political organisations | 12 months |
NG1–NG4 | Diplomatic delegations, embassy and consulate staff and their families | 12 months |
Codes ending in a number (DN1, DN2, LĐ1, LĐ2) split one purpose into two cases. They are not "levels" where 2 is better than 1.
Which Vietnam visa do I need?
Start from what you will actually do in Vietnam, not from how long you want to stay. Use this table as a quick guide.
Your plan | Best visa | E-visa enough? |
|---|---|---|
Holiday, backpacking, beach trip | EV (or visa-free if your country qualifies) | ✅ Yes |
Meetings, trade fair, factory visit for a few weeks | EV, or DN1 with a sponsor | ✅ Usually yes |
Visiting a Vietnamese spouse or parents | EV for short visits; TT for long stays | ⚠️ Short visits only |
Taking a job with a Vietnamese employer | LĐ1 or LĐ2 | ❌ No |
Investing in your own company | ĐT1–ĐT4 | ❌ No |
Studying at a university or language school | DH | ❌ No |
Remote work for a foreign employer | No dedicated code; EV covers tourism only | ⚠️ Grey area |
What is the EV e-visa code and who can get it?
EV is the electronic visa issued online at the official portal, and since August 15, 2023 it is open to citizens of all countries and territories. Law 23/2023/QH15 raised its maximum validity from 30 to 90 days and allowed both single and multiple entry. You apply online, receive a PDF, and present it with your passport at an approved airport, land border or seaport.
For most travelers the EV is the simplest option, because it needs no sponsor and no invitation letter. It is the visa we process every day. You can read about timelines in our guide to Vietnam e-visa processing time, and about choosing single or multiple entry in our multiple-entry visa guide.
Pick the visa that matches what you will do, not the one that is quickest to get. The code follows you into every extension and residence-card application.
What is the difference between DN1 and DN2 business visas?
DN1 is for people working with a Vietnamese company; DN2 is for people coming to offer services or set up a commercial presence under trade agreements. Both need a sponsoring organisation in Vietnam, which applies to immigration on your behalf before you travel. Both can be issued for up to 12 months.
For a short business trip, many visitors simply use an EV. A DN visa makes more sense when you need a long multiple-entry stay tied to one company. See our breakdown of Vietnam business visa costs for typical prices.
What are the new UĐ1 and UĐ2 visas?
UĐ1 and UĐ2 are new codes created by Law 118/2025/QH15, which amended several security and order laws and took effect on July 1, 2026. UĐ1 is for high-quality human resources in the digital-technology industry and other people granted preferential treatment under Vietnamese law. UĐ2 is for the spouse and children under 18 of a UĐ1 holder.
Both visas can be valid for up to 5 years, and the matching temporary residence cards for up to 10 years. The detailed criteria for who counts as "digital-technology talent" are set out in guiding documents, so check with the sponsoring organisation before relying on this route. UĐ1 is not a general digital nomad visa: it still depends on recognition under Vietnam's preferential policies.
Not sure which code fits your situation? Send us your plan and passport country on WhatsApp and a consultant will tell you which visa to apply for.
Can I change my visa type after I arrive?
Sometimes, but not freely. Vietnamese law allows a new visa with a different purpose to be issued inside the country in limited cases. Examples are an e-visa holder who proves they are an investor or the representative of a Vietnamese organisation, or who has a work permit or an exemption confirmation. Otherwise you are generally expected to leave and enter again on the correct visa.
Change you want | Possible inside Vietnam? |
|---|---|
Extend an EV for the same purpose | ⚠️ Depends on the case and sponsor; not guaranteed |
EV to LĐ after getting a work permit | ✅ Generally possible through the employer |
EV to ĐT as a confirmed investor | ✅ Generally possible with investment documents |
Tourist visa to student visa without leaving | ❌ Usually not; apply for DH with the school |
Any visa to a residence card | ➖ Only for codes that qualify (e.g. LĐ, ĐT, TT, DH, UĐ) |
Rules on extensions change often, so read our Vietnam visa extension guide before making plans.
Which visa codes can lead to a temporary residence card?
Only long-term purpose codes can be converted into a temporary residence card (TRC). These include LĐ1, LĐ2, ĐT1–ĐT4, DH, TT, NN, PV1, LS, LV and, since July 2026, UĐ1 and UĐ2. Tourist codes such as EV, DL and VR do not lead to a TRC. A TRC replaces the visa for its validity, so you can leave and re-enter Vietnam without applying again.
How much does each Vietnam visa cost?
The government stamp fee depends on the number of entries and the length of validity, not on the code. Under Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC, in force since April 1, 2026, a single-entry visa costs USD 25 and a multiple-entry visa valid up to 90 days costs USD 50. Longer multiple-entry visas cost more. Sponsored visas such as DN, LĐ and TT may also carry sponsor, invitation-letter or service costs on top.
What no agency can honestly promise
No agency can guarantee a particular visa code, a specific validity, or a change of visa inside Vietnam. Immigration decides each case, and it can issue a shorter visa than the legal maximum. We also can't help you work, study or live long-term on a tourist e-visa, because that would put you in breach of the law. What we can do is check your plan, recommend the correct visa and handle e-visa applications accurately.
Frequently asked questions
What does the DL code mean on a Vietnam visa?
DL stands for du lịch, meaning tourism. It is a tourist visa valid for up to 90 days, usually arranged through a travel company.
Is the Vietnam e-visa (EV) a tourist visa?
The EV is an electronic visa that covers tourism and other short non-work purposes such as business meetings or family visits. It is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.
What is the difference between LĐ1 and LĐ2?
LĐ1 is for foreign workers who have confirmation that they are exempt from a work permit. LĐ2 is for those who must hold a work permit. Both last up to 2 years.
Which Vietnam visa lasts the longest?
LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, UĐ1 and UĐ2 visas can be valid for up to 5 years. Some residence cards, such as those for ĐT1, UĐ1 and UĐ2 holders, can last up to 10 years.
Does Vietnam have a digital nomad visa?
Not as a separate code. UĐ1 targets recognised digital-technology talent, not general remote workers, so most remote workers still enter on an e-visa or visa exemption for tourism.
Can I work in Vietnam on an e-visa?
No. Working for a Vietnamese employer requires a work permit or confirmed exemption, and normally an LĐ visa or residence card.
Related guides: Vietnam e-visa · Vietnam tourist visa · Vietnam business visa cost · Vietnam visa exemption · Long Thanh airport arrival guide