What Vietnam's Immigration Department actually charges in 2026 — e-visa, work visa, and temporary residence card fees under Law 23/2023/QH15.
Overview
Vietnam's visa fees are set by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security and payable through the official e-visa portal at evisa.gov.vn. The primary fee for an electronic visa (e-visa) — the standard entry route for most nationalities — is USD 25 per issuance, valid for a single or multiple-entry stay of up to 90 days under Law No. 23/2023/QH15 (effective 15 August 2023). Foreigners coming to work in Vietnam follow a two-step status chain: a work visa (LD category) for initial entry, followed by a Temporary Residence Card (Thẻ Tạm Trú — TRC) issued by provincial or municipal immigration offices under the Ministry of Public Security. TRC fees under Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC range from USD 145 (for cards valid 1–2 years, such as LD1/LD2 codes) to USD 165 (for investment-category cards valid 5–10 years). Work permit application fees are administered separately by the Ministry of Home Affairs (which absorbed MOLISA from 1 March 2025). Verified against evisa.gov.vn, xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn and vbpl.vn as of June 2026.
E-Visa and Short-Stay Visa Fees (2024–2026)
| Visa type / code | Purpose | Fee | Max stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-Visa (electronic) | Tourism, business, transit (evisa.gov.vn) | USD 25 | Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry |
| DL — Tourist visa (consular) | Tourism (applied at embassy/consulate) | Varies by post | Up to 90 days |
| DN1 / DN2 — Business visa | Work with Vietnamese-registered entities / representative offices | USD 25–50 (e-visa channel) | Up to 90 days per issuance |
| LD1 / LD2 — Work visa | Holders of MOLISA/MOHA work permit (LD1) or work permit exemption certificate (LD2) | Set by Ministry of Finance circular | Up to 2 years |
Temporary Residence Card (TRC) Fees — Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC
TRC fees are payable in USD or VND at the interbank exchange rate on the application date. Applications go to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security or to the immigration office of the relevant provincial/municipal police.
| TRC category codes | Validity granted | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| LD1, LD2, TT (family reunion) | 1 to 2 years | USD 145 |
| NN1, NN2, ĐT2, ĐT3, NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, DH, PV1 | Over 2 to 5 years | USD 155 |
| ĐT1 (large-scale investor) | 5 to 10 years | USD 165 |
| Renewal / extension of TRC | Any category | USD 10 |
Key Cost Add-Ons Beyond the Visa Fee
- Work permit fee: The work permit itself (issued by Provincial People's Committees from August 2025 under Decree 219/2025) carries an administrative fee set by the Ministry of Finance; applicants should check the current schedule at english.molisa.gov.vn (now MOHA) as rates are periodically updated.
- Health certificate: A mandatory health examination under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT is required for work permit applications — conducted at a Ministry of Health-authorised facility, typically costing VND 500,000–1,500,000 depending on the hospital and package.
- Criminal record certificate: The judicial record certificate (Phiếu Lý Lịch Tư Pháp) costs VND 200,000 per certificate (approximately USD 8), valid 6 months, now issued by the Ministry of Public Security from 1 March 2025.
- Apostille on incoming documents: Where foreign documents require an apostille in the issuing country, that cost is borne abroad; Vietnam's Ministry of Justice handles apostille issuance on Vietnamese documents destined for use in Hague Convention countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay the Vietnam e-visa fee in a currency other than USD?
The e-visa fee of USD 25 is quoted in US dollars but payment via the official evisa.gov.vn portal is processed through an electronic payment gateway that accepts major international cards. For temporary residence card fees, Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC specifies collection in USD or in VND converted at the interbank exchange rate on the date of application. Payments in cash VND at the immigration office window will use the rate published on that day.
Is the USD 25 e-visa fee refundable if my application is rejected?
No. The e-visa processing fee of USD 25, paid through evisa.gov.vn, is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. The Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security makes the processing decision and does not return fees for refused applications. This is consistent with the general principle under Vietnam's Law on Fees and Charges. If refused, you must reapply and pay again.
What is the fee for a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card for a foreign worker on a two-year work permit?
A foreign worker holding an LD1 or LD2 work visa who qualifies for a TRC valid 1–2 years pays USD 145 under Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC. The application is submitted to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security or the relevant provincial immigration office. Processing takes 5–7 working days from receipt of a complete dossier. The card must be obtained after the work visa is stamped — the TRC replaces the need to stamp further visas.
Are there any visa fee exemptions for certain nationalities coming to Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam maintains bilateral visa-waiver agreements with a number of countries, meaning citizens of those countries do not pay a visa fee for stays up to a specified period (commonly 14–45 days). The list of visa-exempt nationalities is maintained by the Immigration Department at xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. ASEAN member-state nationals generally receive 30-day visa-free entry. Check the current exemption list before applying for an e-visa, as a waiver and an e-visa cannot both apply to the same trip.
Has the e-visa fee changed since Law 23/2023/QH15 extended the validity to 90 days?
The fee of USD 25 per e-visa issuance remained the same when Law No. 23/2023/QH15 (effective 15 August 2023) extended e-visa validity from 30 to 90 days and converted previously single-entry e-visas into a single-or-multiple-entry product. The legislative change significantly improved value — same USD 25 fee, double the stay duration and multi-entry option — but the fee schedule itself was not revised at the same time. Always verify the current rate on evisa.gov.vn before applying.
What happens to my visa status if my work permit is revoked or expires?
A work visa (LD category) and any associated TRC are directly tied to a valid work permit. If the work permit issued by the Provincial People's Committee (or previously DOLISA) is revoked or expires without renewal, the legal basis for the LD visa and TRC lapses. The Immigration Department may cancel the TRC, and you would need to depart Vietnam or convert to another visa category. Foreign workers should monitor work permit validity carefully — the maximum initial permit is 2 years, renewable once for a further 2 years.