August 16, 2020
Visa tips

Applying for a Vietnam Business Visa

Vietnam’s growing economy has attracted foreign investors from around the world to visit and do business. The country’s economic situation in recent years has been very promising. As a matter of fact, Vietnam is now one of the fastest-growing countries in Southeast Asia. So it’s not surprising why a lot of foreign investors would choose Vietnam when it comes to overseas investment.

If you’re thinking of investing in Vietnam, it’s important that you come prepared. One of the most important travel documents that you need to bring is a business visa. In this article, you’ll learn more about the Vietnam business visa, along with some tips when it comes to investing in Vietnam.

Business Visa Type and Its Fee Under Visa On Arrival

Requirements Needed for a Business Visa in Vietnam

Although some foreigners will use a tourist visa to enter Vietnam to do business, this method is against Vietnam’s Immigration policy. When caught, you could be slapped with a hefty fine or be deported to your home country.

As a businessman who is interested in investing in Vietnam, you should create a good impression by being truthful from the start. So if your main purpose is to do business in the country, you need to enter using a business visa. Applying for this visa is as easy as applying for a tourist visa. Here are the requirements that you need to prepare for the business visa application:

  1. A completely filled-out visa application form.
  2. Passport that’s valid for at least 6 months from the entry date.
  3. Passport-sized photos, taken recently.
  4. Copy of the business permit.

If you have a local business partner in Vietnam, your partner can apply for a business permit from Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Remember, without the permit, you won’t be granted a visa to do business in Vietnam. Therefore, you need to make sure that you have a copy of the permit prior to applying for the visa.

It’s also worth noting that the Vietnam business visa that will be issued is only applicable for a short-term stay in the country. Usually, this will only let you stay for a maximum of 12 months. The visa will allow you to perform business-related activities in the country, such as working for a Vietnamese company and investing in some local companies.

Different Types of Vietnam Visas: Which Is The Right One?

Aside from the business visa, there are several other types of visas that the Vietnam government will issue to foreign investors. For instance, Vietnam e-visa can be used for the purpose of tourism and business. However, the validity of the visa is only 30 days and that may not be enough for you to do business in the country. Another option is to apply for the visa on arrival. This visa will let you apply for multiple entries and with a maximum stay of 60 days.

The best thing about applying for the Vietnam e-visa or the visa on arrival is that you don’t need to submit a business permit in order to be approved of the visa. However, these visas will only allow short-term stays. For doing business in Vietnam, you might as well apply for the business visa that will grant you a stay for up to 12 months or 1 year.

How Long Will it Take to Process the Vietnam Business Visa

Take note that the lead times for the processing of the Vietnam business visa will vary. Generally, it will take up to 7 business days. But if you need to leave for Vietnam on very short notice, you can opt for the express service. You will pay more for this option but you can get your visa in as fast as 24 hours! This is highly recommended to businessmen who don’t have the luxury of time to wait for up to a week for their business visa to be processed.

Tips to Doing Business in Vietnam

In order to ensure success in your business dealings in Vietnam, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Learn a few basic Vietnamese languages – if you want to make a good impression with your potential business partners in Vietnam, try to learn how to greet them in the local language.

Offer to pay the bill – when eating out with your Vietnamese business partners or colleagues, offer to pay the bill. They will surely appreciate this kind gesture.

Be honest – no one wants to do business with someone who is not honest. So be as truthful as possible, especially when it comes to negotiating business deals.

Have the proper documentation – before you can do business in Vietnam, there are certain requirements that you need to submit. Aside from the Vietnam business visa, you may also need to have a permit and other documentation. Make sure you have these documents ready before coming to the country.

PERHAPS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

Under business class, the visas on arrival visa types consist of both multi-entry and single entry visa types. If you choose the visa type 3 months multiple entries, you can visit Vietnam and extend the stay till the third month.