Vietnam Launches 5-Year Talent Visa: Eligibility and Details

Vietnam opens a five year visa waiver for exceptional foreign contributors

Vietnam has launched a special visa exemption card that gives top foreign professionals a simple way to enter the country over a long period. The new framework, created by Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP and effective from August 15, 2025, introduces a five year Special Visa Exemption Card that allows multiple entries and a 90 day temporary stay each time. The policy is designed to draw people whose work can accelerate Vietnam’s economic growth, scientific progress, and cultural reach. It is also the first phase of a broader golden visa plan that includes a ten year investor route and a general long stay visa of five to ten years.

The special card targets senior executives, investors, scientists, scholars, digital technology leaders, cultural and sports figures, tourism promoters, and distinguished guests invited by competent Vietnamese agencies. There is no fixed minimum income or remote work requirement. Selection is based on level of expertise and potential value to Vietnam’s development. Holders can enter Vietnam repeatedly over five years as long as their passports remain valid for at least 30 days beyond the card’s end date.

Vietnam’s approach reflects a wider shift in Southeast Asia toward long stay visas that support investment and talent mobility. The country aims to welcome roughly 22 to 23 million international visitors in 2025 while building deeper links with global business, science, and creative communities. The new card is both a tourism enabler and a talent pipeline, pairing easier entry with clear performance based eligibility.

What the special visa exemption card offers

The Special Visa Exemption Card, often referred to as an SVEC, grants multiple entries for up to five years. On each entry, border officers issue a temporary residence stamp for up to 90 days. If a card is due to expire in fewer than 90 days, the stay allowed will match the remaining validity. The card itself must expire at least 30 days before the passport expires, so planning ahead on passport renewal is essential.

The SVEC exists in both digital and physical formats. The digital version is issued after approval by the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security. The physical card contains an embedded chip that stores encrypted personal data, including biographic details and biometrics such as facial image and fingerprints. Issuance of the physical card generally requires the applicant to be in Vietnam to provide biometrics or to hold a Level 2 electronic identification account.

This card is about entry convenience and long range collaboration. It is not a permanent residence permit and it is not by itself a work authorization. Professionals who will be employed in Vietnam still need to comply with labor and licensing rules. The SVEC streamlines border crossings and renewals for people who regularly visit, consult, invest, or partner with Vietnamese organizations.

Who can qualify for the five year card

Eligibility spans a wide set of accomplished individuals whose activity aligns with Vietnam’s development priorities. Decree 221 empowers competent ministries, agencies, and organizations to nominate candidates. Officials then assess the person’s standing, track record, and the expected benefits to Vietnam in fields such as science, technology, culture, sports, and tourism. Authorities have circulated detailed criteria for several categories that focus on objective benchmarks like academic rank, corporate position, or international achievements.

Core categories targeted by the policy

• Senior leaders from foreign governments, parliaments, international organizations, and supreme judicial bodies.
• Investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives whose work advances socio economic growth.
• CEOs and top managers from globally recognized companies with substantial cultural or brand influence.
• Scientists, professors, researchers, and scholars in priority disciplines, including STEM fields, economics, and management.
• Chief engineers and digital technology experts, including those active in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced computing.
• Artists, filmmakers, directors, actors, musicians, producers, painters, and photographers with significant international recognition.
• Elite athletes, including footballers and medalists from major competitions.
• Tourism promoters and cultural ambassadors who can amplify Vietnam’s global presence.
• Honorary consuls and invited guests of major Vietnamese institutions or enterprises.

Illustrative eligibility criteria used by authorities

Authorities have described selection benchmarks for many of these groups. For scientists and experts, criteria may include a doctoral degree, prestigious international awards, high impact publications, quality patents, or significant technology transfer. For high level executives and investors, affiliation with leading multinational companies is a common yardstick. In digital technology, applicants are expected to meet standards recognized under Vietnamese law for high skill technical roles.

Vietnam has also signaled that select cultural figures and content creators can be considered when their influence benefits the country’s image and tourism. In specific cases, tourism ambassadors and creators with large audiences have been referenced, provided they are officially endorsed and have a record that aligns with Vietnam’s public interest. All applications still flow through competent agencies, and all candidates undergo Immigration Department review before a decision.

How the application process works

Unlike tourist or business e visas, the SVEC is nomination driven. A competent Vietnamese agency or organization submits a written request to the Immigration Department, along with a copy of the applicant’s passport information page and any documents that support eligibility. Submissions can be made online or in person by the nominating body. Applicants can coordinate with a host ministry, a province level authority, a national research institute, a major university, or a large enterprise that is recognized as a competent agency for this purpose.

Processing timelines depend on the applicant’s category. The Immigration Department issues results within a short window in most cases, with typical timeframes ranging from three to five working days after receipt of complete documents. Issuance of a physical, chip embedded card takes longer, often up to seven working days, due to the need to enroll biometrics and produce the card.

Once approved, the nominating agency is provided access to the digital SVEC. The holder can travel with the digital card and present it at the border alongside the passport. If a physical card is requested, the applicant completes biometric capture and identity verification in Vietnam. The Ministry of Public Security can cancel a card if the person no longer meets the requirements or if a competent authority requests revocation.

Entry, stay, and compliance at the border

On arrival, SVEC holders show both their passport and the digital or physical card. Border officers issue a temporary residence stamp for up to 90 days. There are no limits on the number of re entries while the card remains valid, so frequent visitors can cycle in and out for projects, meetings, competitions, or events.

The card is designed for extended mobility, not continuous residence. Those who need to live in Vietnam for longer than 90 days at a time should speak with their host about a temporary residence card or other suitable status. Work in Vietnam generally requires a work permit or an exemption, depending on the role and the industry. The SVEC does not by itself grant those permissions, yet it significantly reduces travel friction for high value contributors.

Cardholders should keep careful track of passport validity. The card must end at least 30 days before the passport’s expiration date. Travelers must also observe Vietnam’s exit and re entry controls, avoid overstays, and comply with local laws. These are standard immigration practices that align with the card’s purpose, which is to simplify entry for leaders, experts, and cultural figures who collaborate with Vietnamese institutions.

Part of a broader golden visa framework

The special talent card is the first piece of a three part long stay strategy. Vietnam has outlined a general golden visa that can run five to ten years, a dedicated ten year investor visa with a pathway to permanent residence, and this five year talent card with streamlined renewal. The investor component remains under review and is expected after 2026. Until then, foreign investors can use existing investment routes that offer visas or residence cards with durations tied to the size of the investment across several tiers.

Policymakers want to match Vietnam’s rising profile with long term mobility options that are competitive across Asia. Tourism has rebounded quickly, and major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang are drawing new hotels, international schools, and advanced services that appeal to long stay visitors. By opening a channel for top talent and investors, Vietnam seeks to strengthen innovation, attract capital, and expand cultural and educational partnerships.

How Vietnam’s offer compares in the region

Countries across Southeast Asia now promote long stay visas for professionals and investors. Thailand offers a long term residence program for skilled professionals and wealthy retirees. Malaysia runs a premium residence scheme that appeals to high net worth individuals. Indonesia has a second home option for five or ten years linked to financial conditions. Singapore issues passes for top executives and experts in selected fields.

Vietnam’s five year talent card takes a distinct path. It is nomination based, it focuses on measurable achievements and the ability to contribute to national goals, and it gives generous multiple entry privileges with a 90 day stay each time. Unlike some neighbors, it does not currently rely on a minimum passive income or a large fixed bank deposit for this category. The trade off is that applicants need a competent Vietnamese agency to sponsor the request and must meet strict benchmarks tied to their reputation, academic record, or corporate role.

Practical steps for prospective applicants

Successful applications move smoothly when the groundwork is complete. The card is built around cooperation with Vietnamese institutions, so the most important first step is to identify a credible agency or organization that can submit the nomination.

• Confirm eligibility with a potential sponsor. A ministry, province, national research institute, major university, or large enterprise can act as a competent nominating body.
• Compile evidence of achievements. For academics, this may include a doctoral degree, publications, patents, or international awards. For executives, include corporate role, market standing, and notable projects. For artists and athletes, present international recognition and relevant accolades.
• Check passport validity. Ensure the passport will outlast the card by more than 30 days.
• Plan for biometrics. A physical chip card requires biometric capture in Vietnam or an approved digital identity account at Level 2.
• Understand the 90 day rule. Plan project cycles and travel schedules around the temporary residence limits, and consider a temporary residence card where long stays are required.
• Address work permission. If you will be employed in Vietnam, consult the host about work permits or exemptions in your sector.
• Keep digital records. Maintain copies of the nomination letter, digital SVEC, and communications with the Immigration Department.

Applicants often work with local counsel or corporate immigration teams to coordinate the nomination and to track processing. The process is short once documents are complete, and most applicants receive a digital card decision within several working days.

Limitations, challenges, and what remains under review

The program aims high, so the bar for entry is set accordingly. The nomination requirement may limit access for qualified individuals who lack a direct link to a competent Vietnamese body. Detailed criteria for some categories, such as company ranking or academic credentials, can be demanding. In culture and sports, proof of international influence matters, and officials will review whether a person’s public profile aligns with Vietnam’s interests.

From a travel planning standpoint, the 90 day stay ceiling per visit is a practical constraint for people who want to live in Vietnam without interruption. Those who require continuous residence or family relocation may need a separate residence status that supports dependents, schooling, and employment for spouses. The ten year investor visa and the general golden visa, both still under development, could address some of these needs once finalized.

The Immigration Department can cancel a card if qualifications lapse or if a competent agency requests withdrawal, so holders should maintain high standards of conduct and compliance. People whose projects evolve into local employment should adjust status with advice from their host or counsel to remain in good standing.

Key Points

• Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP took effect on August 15, 2025, creating a five year Special Visa Exemption Card.
• The card allows multiple entries with a 90 day stay per entry and must end at least 30 days before the passport expires.
• Both digital and physical chip cards are available, with biometrics required for the physical version.
• Eligibility focuses on senior leaders, investors, executives, scientists, scholars, digital technology experts, cultural figures, athletes, tourism promoters, and invited guests.
• Applications are nomination based, filed by a competent Vietnamese agency or organization with the Immigration Department.
• Typical processing times range from three to five working days, with seven working days for physical card issuance.
• Holders benefit from quick entries for projects, events, and collaborations, but the card is not a work permit or permanent residence.
• The five year card is part of a golden visa plan that also features a ten year investor route and a general five to ten year visa.
• Existing investor options remain available with tiered durations tied to investment amount.
• Vietnam seeks to attract 22 to 23 million international visitors in 2025 and deepen links with global talent and investors.