Chinese visitors to Vietnam for business, vacation, or family interests may have queries concerning visa requirements. Do Chinese nationals require a visa to enter Vietnam? How can someone acquire a Vietnamese visa? VisaNow will give a full explanation below, describing the most relevant visa choices for various reasons.

Do Chinese nationals require a visa to enter Vietnam?

Chinese nationals are required to obtain a visa before traveling to Vietnam, except in the following cases:

• Holders of valid temporary residence cards.
• Holders of valid APEC business travel cards.
• Holders of diplomatic, official, and regular passports for official duties are not required to obtain a visa for stays up to 30 days.
• Family members (spouses, children, and parents) of Chinese diplomatic agents and administrative-technical staff from Chinese missions and consular posts visiting relatives employed in Chinese representative offices in Vietnam.
• Flight crew members of Chinese airlines, including third-country nationals operating flights between China and Vietnam. The visa-free period for flight crew is 30 days, including normal crew rotations or situations of force majeure.
• Direct entry to Phu Quoc Island, staying for no more than 30 days, and leaving Phu Quoc to a country other than Vietnam.

Eligibility criteria for Chinese tourists

Because of its prolonged validity and other benefits, the majority of Chinese residents who live and work in Vietnam apply for a temporary residency card.

However, if a Chinese citizen does not fit the TRC criteria, they must apply for a visa in the following situations:

• If their passport has limited validity, the Vietnam visa will be granted based on the remaining time on the passport.
• If foreign experts return to China before obtaining a TRC, they will be required to apply for a visa before re-entering Vietnam.

In order to be eligible for a visa, Chinese nationals must fulfill the following requirements:

• They must have no criminal history and not be subject to exit restrictions.
• They should not be listed on Vietnam’s restricted entry list.
• They must possess a passport with at least two blank pages and a minimum of six months validity from the entry date.
• They need to provide all necessary documentation and meet other stipulated conditions in Vietnamese law.

Vietnam visa types and durations for Chinese passport holders

Whether a Chinese national is entering Vietnam for business, pleasure, family visits, or another reason will determine how long their Vietnamese visa will last.

• Tourist visa: Chinese nationals applying for tourist visas can stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 30 days with single-entry authorization.
• Business/investor visa: For business or investment purposes, the maximum duration for a Chinese citizen’s visa is generally up to 12 months.
• Relative visa: Chinese citizens visiting family members in Vietnam can apply for a family visit visa valid for up to 12 months or based on the remaining validity of the sponsor’s visa. For parents or adult children (over 18) of Chinese experts, the family visit visa is typically limited to 6 months.
• Work visa: Chinese nationals can apply for a work visa that allows them to stay for up to 12 months.
• Vietnam e-visa: The duration for electronic visas has been extended to 90 days, available for both single and multiple entries.

The majority of visas last shorter than a year. If Chinese people want to stay in Vietnam for a longer period of time, they can apply for a temporary residency card, which can be valid for up to five years depending on the reason for their stay.

How to apply for a Vietnam visa from China.

The following outlines the common visa application process for Chinese citizens entering Vietnam:

For Chinese nationals currently outside Vietnam

Step 1. Applying for a Vietnam entry approval letter

In order to obtain a visa for tourism, business, family visits, or other purposes, Chinese nationals must first acquire a Vietnam visa approval letter. The process is now more accessible as it can be completed online through the official public service portal. However, to apply, individuals and businesses must first create an electronic identification account, which is required to submit approval letter applications on the Ministry of Public Security’s portal. This electronic account process eliminates the need for the following documents:

• A notarized copy of the business registration certificate
• A company sponsorship letter signed and sealed (Form NA16)

Once the account has been properly registered, applicants can proceed to the approval letter application on the public service portal. Applicants must also prepare the needed papers for their Vietnam visa application, which include:

• Entry visa request form for foreigners (Form NA2)
• A copy of the Chinese passport

Please fill out all the necessary fields and send in the aforementioned documentary package, then choose “sign declaration” to finish the Chinese 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. Preparing documents and visa stamping

After approval, print the entrance permit and gather all required papers. The following are the alternatives for visa stamping for people applying from China.

At the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in China

Along with the entry permit, the following documents are needed for visa stamping:

• NA1 form with full information (NA1 template)
• Original passport
• Recent portrait photograph
• Visa stamping payment
• Any additional documents requested by the Embassy/Consulate

Applicants can submit their documents either in person or by mail to the designated Embassy/Consulate. Once the visa is issued, the visa stamping fee must be paid, and the visa will be placed in the passport for travel to Vietnam.

At Vietnam’s international airports

If you are arriving at Vietnamese airports, prepare the following documents for stamping:

• Completed NA1 form (NA1 template)
• Two 4x6cm photos (Vietnam’s visa photo requirements)
• Passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining

Upon arrival, Chinese nationals should go to the visa counter to present documents and pay the stamping cost, which varies based on the kind of visa and length of stay.

>>> VisaNow provides Chinese citizens with simple fast-track services at Vietnam’s international airports. Discover more about Tan Son Nhat Airport’s fast-track arrival services.

For Chinese nationals in Vietnam

Chinese nationals who are currently in Vietnam and wish to work and stay for a longer period should apply for a temporary residence card. However, if their passport is expiring or has less than a year of validity, they must first apply for a visa before proceeding with the residence card application.

Work visa (LD2) application process for Chinese nationals

Companies sponsoring Chinese nationals for an LD2 work visa must submit:

• Notarized business registration certificate (valid for at least 6 months)
• Original passport with at least 6 months’ validity and the most recent entry stamp
• Completed visa extension application (Form NA5)
• Signature and seal specimen (Form NA16)
• Original company introduction letter
• Temporary residence declaration copy
• Explanation for visa extension

Investment visa (DT4) application process for Chinese nationals

For Chinese investors applying for a DT4 visa, sponsoring companies must submit:

• Notarized business registration or investment certificate
• Company seal and signature specimen (Form NA16)
• Notarized copy of investment certificate and related capital contribution documents
• Original passport with a valid visa or temporary residence card

Relative visa (TT) application process for Chinese nationals

For family members of Chinese nationals, the following documents are required:

• Notarized copy of business registration certificate
• Passport and visa of the family member with the latest entry stamp
• Employee’s passport, work permit, and temporary residence card
• Family member’s passport photos
• Visa extension application (Form NA5)
• Signature and seal specimen (Form NA16)
• Company introduction letter
• Temporary residence declaration
• Visa extension explanation letter
• Legalized marriage, birth, or relationship documents (notarized and translated)
• Company representative’s national ID copy

For Vietnamese sponsors of Chinese family members, the required documents are:

• Family sponsorship form (Form NA3) with verification
• Sponsored person’s passport copy
• Sponsor’s notarized ID and household registration copies
• Notarized relationship documents

Companies should submit all required documents online via the Ministry of Public Security’s public service portal and pay the applicable fees. After submission, original documents must be delivered to the Immigration Department for processing.

Vietnam e-Visa Application Process for Chinese Citizens

Required documents for Vietnam online visa application

• A Chinese passport that remains valid for at least six months and has at least two blank pages
• Two passport-sized photographs (4×6 cm) that meet Vietnam’s visa requirements
• A clear digital scan of the passport’s biographical page, containing photos, personal details, and ICAO machine-readable lines
• A bank card or digital payment method for the visa processing fee

E-visa application process for Chinese citizens

Chinese passport holders can apply for an e-visa through the Vietnam Immigration Department’s official portal under the “Foreigners” category. The process includes uploading required passport images, filling out necessary information, and making a 25 USD payment.

The approval process usually takes 7-10 working days. Upon approval, applicants can visit the e-visa tracking section, download their visa, and present it upon arrival in Vietnam.

>>> In addition to applying for an e-visa, Chinese citizens can enter Vietnam by acquiring a visa on arrival. See VisaNow’s Vietnam visa-on-arrival guide for further information.

Processing timeframes for Chinese visa applications

The time it takes to complete a Vietnam visa application is determined by the kind of visa applied for. The normal processing timeframes are listed below:

• Vietnam e-visa and landing visa acceptance letter processing typically takes 7-10 business days after submission to the official e-government portal.
• Visa stamping takes around 30-60 minutes at airports, consulates, and embassies. Processing times may be longer during peak times, weekends, or public holidays, depending on the amount of visitors and location.

Fees for Vietnam visas for Chinese citizens

The costs listed above are the official rates established by the government for Vietnam visa applications, as per circular no. 25/2021/TT-BTC. Stamping costs may vary depending on nationality and embassies or consulates.

Common questions about Vietnam visas for Chinese travelers

Tailored visa services for Chinese nationals.

VisaNow is a leading provider of Vietnam visa services for Chinese nationals. We facilitate 5,000+ visa applications yearly for international travelers and 1,000+ businesses in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An.

• Comprehensive visa services: Our expertise covers Vietnam visas, temporary residence permits, work permits, document translation, notarization, and consular legalization.
• Professional support: Our visa consultants, proficient in Mandarin and English, ensure that clients receive accurate guidance at every step.
• Streamlined procedures: From preparing documents to submission through the government e-portal, VisaNow minimizes processing time and effort for clients.
• Transparent pricing: We offer detailed cost breakdowns with no unexpected fees, allowing clients to plan their budgets with confidence.

For trusted Vietnam visa solutions, contact VisaNow via HOTLINE 1900 63 63 50. We are committed to providing a smooth and reliable visa experience.