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THE MOST TRUSTED COMMERCIAL VISA APPLICATION SERVICE OF 2024
Commercial visas are becoming increasingly popular for managing travel and trade between countries. Especially in the era of a globalized economy, foreign investors looking to expand their business and engage in commercial cooperation in Vietnam cannot do without this type of visa. So, what is a commercial visa? What are the conditions and procedures for applying for this type of visa? Let’s explore the details with Siglaw in this article.
Legal Basis for Applying for a Commercial Visa
- Law No. 27/VBHN-VPQH on the Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, 2014
- Law No. 51/2019/QH14 amending and supplementing several provisions of the Law on the Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam
- Decree No. 144/2021/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the fields of security, order, social safety; prevention and control of social evils; fire prevention and fighting; search and rescue; and prevention of domestic violence
- Circular No. 31/2015/TT-BCA providing guidelines on the issuance of visas, temporary residence cards, exit and entry permits, and permanent residence permits for foreigners in Vietnam
- Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA, dated January 5, 2015, by the Ministry of Public Security, regulating the forms of documents related to the entry, exit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam
- Circular No. 57/2020/TT-BCA, dated June 10, 2020, amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA, dated January 5, 2015, by the Ministry of Public Security, regulating the forms of documents related to the entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam
- Circular No. 25/2021/TT-BTC, dated April 7, 2021, by the Ministry of Finance, stipulating the collection levels, collection and payment procedures, management, and use of fees and charges in the field of entry, exit, transit, and residence in Vietnam
What is a Commercial Visa?
A commercial visa, or business visa, is a type of visa granted to foreigners who wish to enter Vietnam for the purposes of trade, investment, or business. Depending on the specific purpose of the foreigner in Vietnam, the commercial visa may be classified as a DN visa (business visa) or DT visa (investment visa).
According to Clause 11, Article 3 of the Law on the Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, a visa, also known as a “market entry permit,” is a document issued by the competent authorities of Vietnam, allowing a foreigner to enter Vietnam.
Conditions for Granting a Commercial Visa
According to Article 9 of the Law on the Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, the conditions for granting a commercial visa to a foreigner include:
- Possession of a passport or other valid international travel documents.
- Having an organization, agency, or individual in Vietnam to invite or sponsor, except in certain cases (as stipulated in Articles 16a, 16b, and Clause 3 of Article 17 of this Law).
- Not falling under the cases where entry is prohibited (as stipulated in Article 21 of this Law).
- For commercial visas, foreigners entering for investment purposes must provide documents proving the investment in Vietnam, in accordance with the Law on Investment, such as an Investment Certificate or Capital Contribution Certificate.
Validity of the Commercial Visa
According to Article 9 of the Law on the Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, the validity of a commercial visa varies depending on the type of visa. Specifically:
For investment visas:
- DT1, DT2 visas are valid for up to 5 years.
- DT3 visa is valid for up to 3 years.
For business visas:
- DN1, DN2 visas are valid for up to 12 months.
(DN1: Issued to foreigners working with enterprises or organizations that have legal status according to Vietnamese law; DN2: Issued to foreigners entering to offer services, establish a commercial presence, or carry out other activities under international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.)
Exemptions from the Commercial Visa Requirement
According to Article 12 of the Law on the Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, the cases in which a foreigner is exempt from requiring a commercial visa are the same as those for visa exemptions, including:
- Based on international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.
- Using a permanent residence card or temporary residence card in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
- Entering special economic zones, border gate economic zones, or coastal economic zones designated by the Government, when meeting the required conditions, such as having an international airport, a separate space, and a clearly defined geographic boundary, isolated from the mainland; aligning with national economic and social development policies, and not endangering national defense, security, or social order.
- Individuals who are exempt from a visa under unilateral visa exemption agreements (Article 13 of this Law).
- Vietnamese citizens residing abroad with a passport or valid travel documents issued by the competent authorities of their country of residence, and their foreign spouses, children; foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens are exempt from visas according to government regulations.
Procedures for Applying for a Commercial Visa for Foreigners Entering Vietnam
Step 1: Notify the Immigration Authority
According to Clause 2, Article 16 of the Law on the Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, before applying for a commercial visa, the inviting or sponsoring company must send a notification to the immigration authority along with the required documents, which include:
- a) A certified copy of the license or decision from the competent authority regarding the establishment of the organization;
- b) A document introducing the seal and signature of the authorized person of the organization (Form NA16).
Note: The notification must be made only once. Any changes to the information in the documents must be supplemented with a new notification.
Within 5 working days from the date of receiving the request for a commercial visa, the immigration authority will review and process the request, and notify the company and the Vietnamese authority responsible for issuing commercial visas overseas.
After receiving the response, the inviting or sponsoring company must inform the foreigner to proceed with the visa issuance at the Vietnamese consular authority abroad.
Step 2: Submit the Application to the Immigration Authority
The inviting or sponsoring company submits the commercial visa application directly to one of the following Immigration Departments:
- 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
- 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
The application documents include:
- The application for a commercial visa using Form NA2 for businesses, or Form NA3 for individuals (Form issued by the Ministry of Public Security under Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA).
- The visa application form for issuance, modification, or extension of a visa or temporary residence (Form NA5).
- Commercial activity proof: investment certificate, business registration certificate.
- Temporary residence certificate issued by the local police.
The officer will check the legality and completeness of the application:
- If the application is complete and valid, they will accept the documents, print a receipt, and set a date for the result.
- If the application is incomplete, the officer will guide the applicant to supplement the necessary documents.
- Submission Hours: From Monday to Saturday mornings (excluding holidays and festivals).
Step 3: Pay the Fee and Receive the Result
The applicant must present the receipt, along with their ID card, citizen identification card, or passport to the officer responsible for returning the result for verification. If the visa is ready, the applicant will be asked to pay the commercial visa fee and sign for the receipt.
Visa Fees:
- Single-entry visa: 25 USD per visa.
- Multiple-entry visas:
– Valid up to 3 months: 50 USD per visa.
– Valid from 3 months to 6 months: 95 USD per visa.
– Valid from 6 months to 12 months: 135 USD per visa.
– Valid from 12 months to 2 years: 145 USD per visa.
– Valid from 2 years to 5 years: 155 USD per visa.
Step 4: Collect the Commercial Visa
Foreigners can receive their commercial visa in one of three ways:
- At the international border gate.
- At a Vietnamese consular authority abroad (Vietnam Embassy/Consulate).
- From the immigration department or the relevant authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Trusted Commercial Visa Application Service in Vietnam
Currently, Siglaw Law Firm is known as one of the top providers of trusted commercial visa application services in Vietnam, offering:
| ✅ Free | ⭐ Consultation on procedures, requirements, conditions, costs for applying for a commercial visa, and other information as requested by clients. |
| ✅ Cost | ⭐ To learn about the service fees for commercial visa applications, please contact our Hotline at 0961 366 238. |
| ✅ Experience | ⭐ Over 10 years with more than 5,000 successful commercial visa applications. |
| ✅ Reputation | ⭐ 100% customer satisfaction, achieving desired results and fulfilling work requirements. |
Phone: (+84) 961 366 238
Email:
Headquarters: No.44/A32-NV13, Gleximco A, Le Trong Tan street, An Khanh, Hoai Duc, Ha Noi, Vietnam.
Southern branch: A9.05 BLOCK A, SkyCenter Building, 5B Pho Quang Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Central branch: 177 Trung Nu Vuong, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City
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