Quick guide to your options
| Situation | Main route | Check |
|---|---|---|
| A few weeks | Visa exemption if your nationality qualifies | Entry rules and permitted stay |
| Up to 90 days | Vietnam e-visa | Dates and single or multiple entry |
| Entry after leaving Vietnam | A new lawful basis for entry | Border decision and documents for the next country |
| Work for a Vietnamese employer | Work basis, permit or lawful exemption | Sponsor and immigration category |
| Join a spouse or family | Family basis | Relationship documents and sponsor status |
| Study for a longer period | Study basis | Enrollment confirmation |
| Invest or run a business | Investment category | Actual investor status and evidence |
| Stay several years on a qualifying basis | TRC in the appropriate category | Documents, passport validity and sponsor |
Visa-free entry for Russian citizens
Russian citizens may enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days if they meet the current entry conditions. This exemption supports a short visit; it is not a work permit or a long-term residence status. Check the official rules and your permitted stay before booking travel.
Vietnam e-visa for up to 90 days
Vietnam's e-visa can be issued for up to 90 days and may be single or multiple entry. Check the name and passport number, validity dates and entry type on the issued visa. Apply through the official Vietnam e-visa portal.
Can you stay for a year by applying for new e-visas?
An e-visa has a maximum validity of 90 days. A new application is a separate visa process, and a visa run is a new exit followed by a possible entry. It is not a guaranteed extension or permanent status. Border decisions and the documents required for the next trip still matter.
Routes for a stay of several years
| Basis | Who takes part | What must be confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Work | Employer and competent authorities | Job, work permit or exemption, suitable visa category |
| Family | Spouse or relative and immigration authorities | Relationship, sponsor status and documents |
| Study | Educational institution | Enrollment and study programme |
| Investment | Company and investor | Legal investor status, investment evidence and category |
| Other official grounds | Relevant organization | Documents for the specific category |
Work and work permits
Working for a Vietnamese employer generally requires a suitable employment basis and a work permit, unless a legal exemption applies. Decree 219/2025 sets the current framework for foreign workers. A tourist e-visa does not replace work authorization. Remote work for an overseas employer raises separate immigration and tax questions.
Family, investment and study
A family route depends on a qualifying relationship and a sponsor who can support the application. Investment routes depend on the investor's real legal status and supporting company documents. A study route needs confirmation from an eligible educational institution. Registering a company by itself does not automatically give every owner a TRC.
What is a TRC?
A Temporary Residence Card, or TRC, is available only under the categories set by law. The route may involve an employer, family member, educational organization, investor or another qualifying sponsor. A tourist visa or a series of visa runs does not itself create eligibility. Read the TRC guide for categories, documents, fees and processing time.
Prepare before you move
- Choose the route that matches the real purpose of your stay.
- Check the current entry conditions and expiry dates on official government pages.
- Confirm who will sponsor the application and which documents they must provide.
- Keep passport, visa, relationship, work or investment records together.
- For a long-term stay, get professional advice on immigration and tax questions before committing to a plan.
Related guides
Read the guides to Vietnam e-visas, visa rules, visa runs, TRC, working in Vietnam and starting a business. For settling in, see moving to Vietnam, renting a home and opening a bank account.
Questions and answers
How long can I stay on a Vietnam e-visa?
Up to 90 days, within the dates printed on the visa.
Can I live in Vietnam indefinitely by doing visa runs?
Repeated entry is not a guaranteed permanent status. A long-term stay needs an eligible basis.
Can any tourist get a TRC?
No. You need a qualifying immigration category and documents for that basis.
Can I work on a tourist e-visa?
A tourist e-visa does not replace a work permit or a legal exemption.
Is there a single one-year tourist visa?
The e-visa is limited to 90 days. Longer categories depend on your legal basis.
Can I apply through my Vietnamese spouse?
A family route may be available if the legal requirements are met and the relationship documents are accepted.