Vietnam has become an increasingly popular destination for international students. If you are planning to study here, securing the right legal status before you arrive is essential.
What is a Vietnam student visa?
Coded DH, this visa issued by a competent Vietnamese authority to foreign nationals entering Vietnam for studying or internship purposes. It has a maximum validity of 12 months and must be at least 1 month shorter than the remaining validity of the applicant’s passport.
In practice, DH visas are often issued for 3 – 12 months depending on the program and the sponsor school’s submission. Many students later move from repeated visa extensions to a longer-term solution such as a temporary residence card for students, if eligible and supported by the school.
Who can apply?
To qualify for a Vietnam student visa, applicants must hold a valid passport, have a clean legal record with no current entry bans, and most importantly, secure an official academic sponsor.
School sponsorship is the absolute backbone of the entire process, without it, obtaining a DH visa becomes significantly more difficult regardless of other qualifications. The sponsoring institution must be a recognized Vietnamese educational institution such as a university, college, language school, or accredited training center.
*Note: For students under 18, a guardian arrangement or parental consent may also be required before the school can initiate your visa clearance.
Application documents checklist
A complete and accurate application file is what prevents delays, especially during peak university intake seasons. Ensure your dossier includes the following mandatory items:
- Your valid passport containing at least two blank pages and 6 months of validity.
- An official acceptance letter issued by your Vietnamese university to confirm enrollment.
- The visa approval letter secured by your sponsoring school from the Immigration Department.
- A completed application form filled out according to your specific submission method.
- Two recent passport photos measuring 4×6 cm with a plain white background.
- Proof of financial means showing sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses if required.
- Valid health insurance covering the entire duration of your academic program.
*Note: If your documents are issued outside Vietnam, you will need formal consular legalization, translation into Vietnamese, and notarization as required by the receiving authority. Prepare these early!
How to get a Vietnam Student Visa
The application process follows a sequential chain, each step must be completed before the next can begin.
Step 1: Secure admission and request sponsorship
Obtain an official acceptance letter from a recognized Vietnamese educational institution. Provide your school with your passport details so they can initiate the visa sponsorship process with the Immigration Department on your behalf.
Step 2: School submits documents to vietnam immigration
The sponsoring institution submits the required documents: business license, application forms, and your passport details, to the Vietnam Immigration Department via the official Public Service Portal. The government will issue an official visa approval letter within approximately 1–2 weeks.
Step 3: Apply at the vietnamese embassy or consulate
Once the approval letter is issued, print it out and submit it along with your passport, completed application form, photos, and applicable fees at the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Allow at least 4–6 weeks before your program start date to account for embassy processing time.
Step 4: Enter vietnam
Upon arrival, present your DH visa and passport at the immigration counter. Do not arrive before the start date stated on your visa. Within 24 hours of settling into your accommodation, ensure your temporary residence registration is completed by your landlord or school as required by Vietnamese law.
Processing time and fees
Securing the visa approval letter takes around 2 weeks, and the embassy sticker usually takes another few working days.
In terms of government visa fees, the cost scales depending on whether you need a single or multiple-entry visa:
|
Entry Type |
Fee |
|
Single entry |
USD 25 |
|
Multiple entry (up to 90 days) |
USD 50 |
|
Multiple entry (90–180 days) |
USD 95 |
|
Multiple entry (180 days – 1 year) |
USD 135 |
Benefits of obtaining a student TRC in Vietnam
The DH visa can be extended while you continue your studies in Vietnam. However, for long-term students enrolled in multi-year programs, relying on constant visa extensions can be tedious. If your program lasts longer than one year, you may be eligible to convert your DH visa to a Temporary Residence Card (TRC).
A TRC acts as a long-term, multiple-entry identity card valid for 2 – 5 years. Holding a TRC completely eliminates the need for ongoing visa applications, allows you to exit and re-enter Vietnam seamlessly, and simplifies local procedures like renting apartments or opening local bank accounts.
If you need any support with your Vietnam student visa process, feel free to contact us for quick and reliable assistance.
- Phone/WhatsApp: (+84) 856 598 868
- Email: info@simplevietnamvisa.com
*Visa requirements and regulations are referenced based on the official guidelines from the Immigration Department of Vietnam
Frequently Asked Questions
There is a multiple entry visa within 1 month up to 5 years depending on each traveling purpose. However, the most popular visas are up to 1 year and are usually chosen for traveling, business, investing purposes
Yes! international students are allowed to work part-time in Vietnam, and with the right knowledge and preparation, you can do so both legally and successfully.
