French residents go to Vietnam for a variety of reasons, including business, tourism, and family visits. Do French residents require a visa to enter Vietnam? How do French residents acquire a Vietnamese visa? In the information below, VisaNow will explain which visa kinds are ideal for various uses.

Are French citizens required to get a visa for Vietnam?

Except in the following circumstances, bearers of French citizens must apply for a Vietnam visa before departing:

• Holders of valid temporary residence cards issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department.
• Holders of APEC business travel cards (ABTC) that allow multiple-entry travel without a visa.
• Holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports conducting government-related business may stay visa-free for up to 30 days.
• Immediate family members (spouses, parents, children) of Nepali diplomats and consular staff working at diplomatic missions in Vietnam are eligible for visa exemptions when visiting their relatives.
• Flight crew members of Nepali or international airlines operating direct flights to Vietnam are granted a 30-day visa-free period for routine crew rotations or unforeseen circumstances.
• Travelers arriving directly in Phu Quoc Island are allowed a visa-free stay of up to 30 days, as long as they leave for another country without entering mainland Vietnam.

Visa eligibility for French passport holders

The majority of French citizens residing and working in Vietnam apply for a temporary residence card (TRC) because of its extended validity and additional benefits.

However, if a French national does not qualify for a TRC, they must apply for a visa under the following circumstances:

• If their passport has limited validity, the Vietnam visa will be issued based on the remaining passport validity.
• If a French professional leaves Vietnam before obtaining a TRC, they must apply for a Vietnam visa before re-entry.

To be eligible for a Vietnam visa, French applicants must:

• Have a clean criminal record, with no legal violations or travel restrictions.
• Not be included on Vietnam’s entry restriction list.
• Hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned date of entry, with at least two blank pages.
• Submit all required documents as per Vietnamese immigration laws.

Vietnam visa categories and validity for French nationals

French travelers visiting Vietnam for different purposes, such as tourism, business, family visits, or work, must obtain a visa with a validity period based on their specific travel needs.

• Tourist visa: French passport holders applying for a tourist visa can stay in Vietnam for up to 30 days with single-entry permission.
• Business/investor visa: French professionals and investors can apply for a visa with a maximum validity of 90 days, often permitting multiple entries.
• Relative visa: French nationals with family members in Vietnam can obtain a visa valid for up to 12 months, or 6 months if they are parents or children (over 18) of French professionals.
• Work visa: French nationals who wish to work in Vietnam may apply for a 12-month work visa.
• Vietnam e-visa: The e-visa option now allows French travelers to stay in Vietnam for up to 90 days, with both single and multiple-entry options.

For those seeking to reside in Vietnam for longer than 12 months, applying for a temporary residence card (TRC) is recommended, as it can be issued for up to 5 years, depending on the applicant’s purpose of stay.

Application guide for Vietnam visas for French residents

The following are standard visa requirements for French citizens visiting Vietnam:

For French citizens currently outside Vietnam

Step 1. Applying for a Vietnam entry letter

French travelers planning to visit Vietnam for tourism, business, or family reunions must obtain a Vietnam visa approval letter. This application process can now be completed online through the Vietnamese public service portal. However, applicants must first create an electronic identification account on the Ministry of Public Security’s website, which eliminates the need for:

• A notarized business registration certificate
• A company sponsorship letter (Form NA16) with official signatures and seal

Once the account is created, French applicants can proceed with their approval letter application via the public service portal. They must also prepare:

• Entry visa request form (Form NA2)
• Copy of their French passport

Please fill out all the necessary fields and send in the aforementioned documentary package, then choose “sign declaration” to finish the French entrance permit application procedure. Usually, the approval process takes seven to ten working days. Through the result tracking portal, applicants may examine their entrance permit results and check the status of their applications online.

Step 2. Document preparation and visa stamping

After approval of the Vietnam entry permit, applicants must print it and prepare the required documents for visa stamping. Below are the stamping options for French citizens entering Vietnam:

At the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in France

French nationals must submit the following documents to the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate to obtain visa stamping:

• Completed NA1 form with necessary information (NA1 template)
• Original passport
• Recent passport-sized photo
• Visa stamping fee
• Additional documents as required by the Embassy/Consulate

French travelers can apply in person or by mail at the designated Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate. After the visa is issued, applicants must pay the visa stamping fee, and the visa can then be used for entry and work purposes.

At Vietnamese international airports

For visa stamping at the airport, French nationals need to present their printed entry permit along with:

• Completed NA1 form with all required details (NA1 template)
• Two 4×6 cm passport-sized photos (Vietnam’s visa photo requirements)
• Original passport valid for at least 6 months

Upon arrival, travelers should go to the visa counter to complete document submission and fee payment. Visa stamping fees vary depending on visa validity and entry type.

>>>VisaNow makes entry into Vietnam hassle-free for French citizens with fast-track services at major airports. Find out more about the fast-track services at Tan Son Nhat Airport.

For French citizens currently in Vietnam

French nationals residing in Vietnam who wish to work and stay long-term should apply for a temporary residence card (TRC). However, if their passport is expiring or has less than 12 months of validity, they must first obtain a visa before proceeding with the TRC application.

Work visa (LD2) application procedures for French citizens

Companies sponsoring a French citizen for an LD2 work visa must submit the following documents:

• Notarized copy of the business registration certificate (valid for at least 6 months)
• Original passport with at least 6 months validity and latest entry stamp
• Visa extension application form (NA5)
• Signature and seal specimen form (NA16)
• Original company introduction letter
• Copy of the temporary residence declaration
• Visa extension request explanation letter

Investment visa (DT4) application procedures for French investors

Companies sponsoring French investors for a DT4 visa must submit:

• Notarized copy of business registration or investment certificate, or authority’s establishment decision
• Company’s seal and authorized signature specimen form (NA16)
• Notarized copy of the investment certificate and proof of capital contribution
• Original passport with a valid visa or temporary residence card

Family visa (TT) application procedures for French citizens

For company-sponsored French family members, the required documents include:

• Notarized copy of business registration certificate
• Family member’s passport and current visa with the latest entry stamp
• Sponsoring French employee’s passport, temporary residence card, and work permit
• Family member’s passport photos
• Visa extension application form (NA5)
• Signature and seal specimen form (NA16)
• Company introduction letter
• Temporary residence declaration
• Visa extension request explanation letter
• Consular legalized, translated, and notarized marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other family relationship documents
• Copy of the company representative’s national ID card (both sides)

For Vietnamese citizens sponsoring French family members, the required documents include:

• Family sponsorship application form (NA3) with ward verification
• Copy of the sponsored person’s valid passport
• Sponsor’s notarized ID card copy
• Sponsor’s notarized household registration copy
• Notarized copies of relationship documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, household registration, or family certificates)

After preparing all required documents, French applicants must submit their visa application online via the Ministry of Public Security’s public service portal and pay the required fees. Unlike entry visa approval letters, original documents must be submitted to the Vietnam Immigration Department or local Immigration Office where the company operates to complete the visa application process.

Vietnam e-visa application process for French citizens

Required documents for Vietnam online visa application

French citizens applying for a Vietnam e-visa should prepare the following documents:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months validity and at least 2 blank pages
• Two 4×6 cm passport photos following the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate’s guidelines
• Clear scanned copies of the passport photo and information page (with all ICAO lines)
• Bank account for paying the e-visa fee online

E-visa application process for French citizens

French nationals can apply for the an e-visa online by visiting the Vietnam Immigration Portal and completing the following steps:

1. Upload digital copies of their passport and passport photo
2. Enter all required information accurately
3. Pay the 25 USD fee to finalize the application

The typical processing time is 7-10 days, after which applicants can check the status and download their e-visa from the e-visa tracking section for use when entering Vietnam.

>>> French citizens can choose to enter Vietnam via an e-visa or opt for a visa-on-arrival. For more details, refer to VisaNow’s comprehensive guide on the Vietnam visa-on-arrival process.

How long does it take for French citizens to get a Vietnam visa?

The time it takes to process your Vietnam visa application varies based on the kind of visa. Please keep in mind the normal processing durations shown below:

• Processing of Vietnam e-visas and landing visa acceptance letters normally takes 7-10 business days after submission through the official e-government site.
• Visa stamping at airports, embassies, and consulates typically takes 30-60 minutes, however this may be extended during peak hours, weekends, or public holidays depending on visitor demand and location.

Vietnam visa charges and fees for French travelers

The fees listed above are the official government charges for Vietnam visa applications in all countries, as specified in circular no. 25/2021/TT-BTC. Visa stamping costs at various diplomatic embassies range depending on nationality.

FAQs about Vietnam visas for French nationals

Specialized Vietnam visa services for French citizens

VisaNow is a leading provider of Vietnam visa services for French travelers, processing over 5,000 visa applications and 1,000 company-sponsored requests annually in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An.

• Comprehensive visa solutions: We offer more than just visa processing—we assist with temporary residence cards, work permits, document translation, notarization, and legalization.
• Expert visa support: Our French-speaking consultants are available to guide applicants through each step of the process with accuracy and professionalism.
• Time-saving services: From document preparation to final submission through the government’s e-portal, we ensure a seamless and efficient application process.
• Clear and upfront pricing: We provide full cost transparency, so clients can choose the best service package without any hidden charges.

VisaNow provides visa application advice services to French tourists to Vietnam, with offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and surrounding areas. They offer personalized service, open pricing, and expert execution. Please contact us at HOTLINE 1900 63 63 50.