A Guide to Vietnam’s 5-Year Visa Exemption

Last Updated: Friday, August 28th, 2026

For overseas Vietnamese and eligible foreign family members, Vietnam’s 5-Year Visa Exemption can be a convenient option for making repeated trips to Vietnam. Instead of applying for a new visa for every visit, eligible travelers can use a Visa Exemption Certificate to enter Vietnam multiple times during its validity period.

The certificate is particularly useful for people who live overseas but regularly return to Vietnam to visit family, spend an extended period in the country, or maintain personal connections.

This guide explains what the Vietnam 5-Year Visa Exemption is, who may qualify, what documents are generally required, and how long eligible travelers can stay in Vietnam.

What Is Vietnam’s 5-Year Visa Exemption?

A Guide to Vietnam’s 5-Year Visa Exemption

A long-term visa exemption certificate

Vietnam’s 5-Year Visa Exemption is formally known as a Visa Exemption Certificate. It is intended for eligible overseas Vietnamese and certain foreign nationals who have a qualifying relationship with Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese.

The certificate allows eligible holders to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times while it remains valid. This means travelers who frequently visit Vietnam do not need to apply for a separate visa before every trip.

Although commonly called the “5-year visa,” it is important to understand that this is technically a visa exemption certificate, rather than a conventional Vietnamese visa.

How long is it valid?

The Visa Exemption Certificate may be issued for a period of up to 5 years, depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the validity of their passport and other relevant documents.

The actual validity period shown on the certificate should always be checked before traveling.

Who Can Qualify for the 5-Year Visa Exemption?

Overseas Vietnamese

One of the main groups eligible for the 5-Year Visa Exemption is Vietnamese people living overseas, commonly known as Viet Kieu.

Applicants may be required to provide documents demonstrating their Vietnamese origin or previous connection to Vietnam. The specific supporting documents can vary depending on what evidence the applicant has available.

Importantly, applicants can live outside Vietnam when applying for the certificate.

Eligible foreign family members

Certain foreign nationals may also qualify based on their family relationship with a Vietnamese citizen or an eligible overseas Vietnamese person.

This can include qualifying:

Spouses
Children

Applicants in this category may need to provide documents proving the family relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.

Eligibility should be determined based on the applicant’s individual circumstances and supporting documentation.

How Long Can You Stay in Vietnam?

Up to 180 days per entry

One of the main features of the 5-Year Visa Exemption is the possibility of staying in Vietnam for an extended period.

Eligible certificate holders may be permitted to stay for up to 180 days per entry, depending on the validity and conditions of the Visa Exemption Certificate.

This can be useful for overseas Vietnamese who want to spend several months in Vietnam without having to arrange a new visa for each visit.

Travelers should always check the period of temporary residence granted for their particular entry and leave Vietnam or complete the appropriate procedures before that period expires.

Multiple entries during the certificate’s validity

The certificate can be used for multiple entries and exits during its validity period. For frequent travelers, this means there is no need to start a new visa application every time they plan another trip to Vietnam, provided the certificate remains valid and the traveler continues to meet the relevant conditions.

What Documents Are Required?

Basic documents for overseas Vietnamese

The documents required can vary depending on the applicant and their circumstances. For an overseas Vietnamese applicant, the basic information and documents generally include:

Passport copy
Recent portrait photo
Contact phone number
Exact address in Vietnam
Exact overseas address
Address for receiving the application result

Applicants may also need documents showing their Vietnamese origin or connection to Vietnam, depending on their individual case.

Examples of supporting documents may include records related to Vietnamese nationality, birth, family background, or other official documents that demonstrate Vietnamese origin.

Documents for foreign spouses or children

Foreign family members applying based on their relationship with a Vietnamese citizen or overseas Vietnamese person may need to provide documents establishing that relationship.

Depending on the applicant, this could include:

Marriage certificate
Birth certificate
Other officially recognized documents proving the family relationship

It is important to make sure that names, dates of birth, passport information, and other personal details are consistent across the documents provided.

How to Apply for the 5-Year Visa Exemption

Step 1: Prepare the required information

Applicants should first prepare their passport copy, portrait photo, contact information, and residential addresses.

If required, supporting documents proving Vietnamese origin or a qualifying family relationship should also be prepared.

Step 2: Submit the application

The application can be submitted through the appropriate Vietnamese authority or diplomatic mission, depending on where the applicant is located and their individual circumstances.

Applicants living overseas may generally contact the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate responsible for their area for information about the applicable procedure.

Step 3: Provide additional documents if requested

In some cases, additional documents may be required to confirm eligibility. Providing complete and accurate information can help prevent unnecessary delays during the application process.

Step 4: Receive the Visa Exemption Certificate

Once the application has been approved, the applicant receives the Visa Exemption Certificate. The certificate should be kept safely and presented together with the passport when traveling to Vietnam.

Important Things to Check Before Traveling

Check your passport validity

Before applying, make sure your passport has sufficient validity. The validity of the Visa Exemption Certificate can be affected by the validity of the passport and other relevant documents.

Check the certificate before every trip

Even if you have previously used the certificate to enter Vietnam, check its expiration date before each trip. You should also make sure your passport details remain valid and consistent with the certificate.

Do not overstay

The 5-Year Visa Exemption does not automatically mean that you can remain in Vietnam continuously for five years. The five-year period refers to the validity of the exemption certificate, while the permitted stay for each individual entry is determined separately.

For eligible travelers, a stay of up to 180 days per entry may be permitted under the applicable conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the Vietnam 5-Year Visa Exemption available to all foreigners?

No. The 5-Year Visa Exemption is not a general visa-free program for all foreign nationals. It is primarily intended for overseas Vietnamese and eligible foreign family members who meet the applicable requirements.

2. Can I apply for the 5-Year Visa Exemption while living overseas?

Yes. Overseas Vietnamese can apply while residing outside Vietnam, provided they meet the eligibility requirements and can provide the necessary supporting documents.

3. Can I enter Vietnam multiple times with the certificate?

Yes. The Visa Exemption Certificate can be used for multiple entries and exits during its validity period, provided it remains valid and the holder meets the applicable entry requirements.

4. Can I stay in Vietnam for five years continuously?

No. The "5-year" period refers to the validity of the Visa Exemption Certificate, not the permitted length of a single stay. Eligible travelers may be granted a stay of up to 180 days per entry, depending on the applicable conditions.

Key Takeaways

Vietnam’s 5-Year Visa Exemption is officially known as a Visa Exemption Certificate.
It is mainly intended for overseas Vietnamese and eligible foreign family members.
The certificate can allow multiple entries and exits during its validity.
The certificate may be valid for up to 5 years, depending on the applicant’s circumstances and document validity.
Eligible travelers may be permitted to stay for up to 180 days per entry.
Basic application information includes a passport copy, portrait photo, phone number, address in Vietnam, overseas address, and address for receiving the result.
Additional documents may be required to prove Vietnamese origin or a qualifying family relationship.
The 5-year validity of the certificate does not mean that a traveler can stay in Vietnam continuously for five years.