Vietnam Business Visa (DN Visa): Complete Guide 2026

The DN business visa: for whom and why?

Are you coming to Vietnam for business? Commercial prospecting, conferences, meetings with local partners, signing contracts, visiting suppliers? The DN business visa (for "Doanh Nghiệp", company in Vietnamese) is made for you.

Unlike the tourist visa, the DN is specially designed for professional activities. It offers longer durations, the possibility of multiple entries, and it shows the Vietnamese authorities that you are there to work, not to do disguised tourism.

But pay attention to a crucial detail: the DN visa does not give you the right to work in Vietnam. For that, you need a work permit. We'll explain everything.

What does the DN visa allow exactly?

What you CAN do with a DN visa

• Participate in business meetings and conferences
• Prospect markets and meet potential partners
• Visit factories and suppliers
• Sign contracts on behalf of your foreign company
• Attend professional training courses
• Supervise a project as a representative of a foreign company
• Perform audits or inspections

What you CANNOT do with a DN visa

• Work for a Vietnamese employer (you need a work permit)
• Receive a salary from a company based in Vietnam
• Carry out regular paid activity on the territory

In short: the DN visa is for occasional missions and international business. If you settle in Vietnam to work there on a daily basis, you need a work permit, whatever your visa.

The characteristics of the DN visa

Available durations

The DN business visa is available in several durations:

• 1 month (single or multiple entry)
• 3 months (single or multiple entry)
• 6 months (multiple entries)
• 12 months (multiple entries)

Costs

Fees vary depending on the duration and type of entries:

• 1 month, single entry: approximately 70-100 USD
• 1 month, multiple entries: approximately 100-130 USD
• 3 months, multiple entries: approximately 150-200 USD
• 6 months, multiple entries: approximately 250-350 USD
• 12 months, multiple entries: approximately 400-550 USD

These prices generally include agency fees + the stamping fee. They may vary depending on the agency and the country of application.

How to obtain a DN visa

Pre-requisite: the invitation letter

This is the centerpiece of the file. To obtain a DN visa, you need an invitation letter (invitation letter or letter of sponsorship) issued by a company registered in Vietnam.

This company can be:

• Your Vietnamese business partner
• The local subsidiary of your company
• A Vietnamese customer or supplier
• An organizer of a conference or professional event

The Vietnamese company must submit an application to the Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) to obtain the approval letter. This process generally takes 5 to 7 business days.

Option A: Via a visa agency

This is the most common method, especially if you don't yet have a solid local partner. Here is the process:

• Step 1: Contact a reputable visa agency in Vietnam
• Step 2: Provide your information (passport scan, travel dates, desired duration)
• Step 3: The agency obtains the approval letter via a registered partner company
• Step 4: You receive the letter by email
• Step 5: Upon arrival at the airport, go to the "Landing Visa" counter with the letter, 2 photos, and the stamping fee in cash (25-50 USD)

Option B: Via the embassy

If you prefer to have the visa in your passport before leaving:

• Step 1: The Vietnamese company obtains the approval letter
• Step 2: Go to the Vietnamese embassy with the letter, your passport, 2 photos, and the application form
• Step 3: Processing time: 5 to 10 business days
• Step 4: You collect your passport with the visa glued inside

Option C: Conversion on site

Are you already in Vietnam with a tourist visa or an e-visa and need to switch to a business visa? It's possible, but not simple. You will have to:

• Have a Vietnamese company that sponsors you
• Go through the local immigration office
• Provide your passport (you will be without a passport for 5-7 days)
• Pay the conversion fees (variable, often 100-200 USD via an agency)

DN Visa vs e-visa: which one to choose for business?

If you are coming for a short mission (less than 90 days), the e-visa may be sufficient. It does not mention "business" on the stamp, but in practice, for meetings and prospecting, no one checks the reason for your visa.

The DN visa becomes necessary when:

Recommended Guides

• Ho Chi Minh City Expat Guide 2026
• Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City
• Vietnam Administrative Checklist