Based in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is an up-and-coming student destination. Not only is it rich in culture and history, but it also offers affordable tuition fees.
The choices are plentiful, too. Vietnam has a large higher education system with hundreds of universities and other higher education institutions that offer a variety of programs. From engineering to accounting, you can pursue your dream course here.
However, to get started, you may need to get a Vietnamese student visa. The student visa is commonly issued under the DH category, which is for people entering Vietnam to study or complete an internship. Here’s how the process usually goes:
Steps on Applying for a Vietnamese Student Visa
Here’s what you need to do to secure your Vietnam student visa.
Step 1. Apply and Enroll in a Vietnamese University
Choose the university and program you want to apply to. Admission requirements vary by institution and program, but you may be asked to submit documents such as:
- High school diploma, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or other academic records, depending on your level of study
- Curriculum vitae, if required by the university
- Proof of proficiency in English or Vietnamese, if required by the program
- A copy of your passport
- Proof of financial capacity or other supporting documents, if required by the university
Your university may require more documents, so make sure to check its admissions guidelines before proceeding.
Once admitted, you may proceed to enroll in the program. For the Vietnam student visa application process, your university will usually require proof of enrollment or acceptance, passport details, a photo, your expected arrival date, and any other documents needed for the school to sponsor your DH visa.
Step 2. Request for Approval Correspondence
Most institutions have an International Office or Student Affairs office that can assist with the visa process. After you are admitted and enrolled, your university will usually help submit the student visa request to the Vietnamese immigration authorities and obtain the approval correspondence or pre-visa letter.
This process can take several weeks. Some universities advise students to begin the process at least one month before their program starts, while others recommend starting even earlier. Make sure to follow your university’s timeline.
Step 3. Complete and Submit the Necessary Documents
Make sure that you have completed the documents required by your university and the Vietnamese embassy or consulate where you will collect your visa. Missing or incorrect documents may delay your Vietnam student visa processing.
You will usually submit your documents to your school’s International Office or Student Affairs office first. After the Vietnamese immigration authorities approve the request, your university will provide instructions for collecting your visa.
Step 4. Pay the Necessary Fees
You will need to pay the applicable visa or residence fee. The amount depends on the type and validity of the visa or residence document issued. Check the current fee with your university, the Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or Vietnam’s immigration authority before paying.
Step 5. Wait for the Visa Processing
Processing times vary depending on the case, the university, and the place where you collect the visa. After immigration approval is issued, some universities advise that visa collection at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate may take about one to two weeks. Extensions and renewals in Vietnam may take longer, so plan your application schedule carefully.
Step 6. Collect Your Visa
Once your student visa for Vietnam is ready, you may collect it from the Vietnamese embassy or consulate listed in your application instructions.
If there is no Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your location, inform your university as early as possible. Your university may advise you on whether you can collect the visa at another Vietnamese overseas mission or at a designated entry point in Vietnam, depending on the approval letter and current immigration rules.
Follow the collection location stated in your approval letter or the instructions given by your university and the Vietnamese authorities.
Step 7. Fly to Vietnam
Welcome to your new home for your studies in Vietnam. Before booking your flight, check the validity dates on your visa and make sure you do not arrive before the visa start date.
Step 8. Apply for an Extension of Stay
Apply for an extension or renewal well before your visa expires. Some universities ask students to start the renewal process 35 to 45 days, or about five weeks, before the expiration date.
You may submit the required documents to the International Office or Student Affairs office at your university. In many cases, the school will facilitate the extension or renewal request on your behalf as your visa sponsor.
If your institution does not offer this service, ask your university or the Vietnamese immigration authorities where and how to file your application. Procedures, office locations, and office hours may change, so check the current instructions before visiting an immigration office.
Similar documentary requirements may apply, but renewal documents commonly include a completed NA5 form, a valid passport, current visa, proof of enrollment or student status, proof of residence, and any university-required forms.
The length of an extension or renewed document depends on your case, your program status, the type of visa or residence document, and your passport validity. Under Vietnam’s immigration rules, a DH visa may be valid for up to one year, while a DH temporary residence card may be valid for up to five years.
Documents Needed for Vietnamese Student Visa Applications
Vietnam issues visas with different validity periods and entry types. To apply for a Vietnam student visa, you will usually need to prepare the following documents, but the exact list may vary depending on your university and where you apply:
Filled-Up Application Form
The visa application form is available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Questions in this form include the purpose of entry, place of visa submission, and place of visa collection.
You may also have the option to upload your photo on this page.
Passport
Your passport should be valid for at least six months. The visa validity must also be shorter than the remaining validity of your passport or international travel document by at least 30 days, so make sure your passport is valid long enough for your intended stay.
Letter of Acceptance
Your university in Vietnam will provide this once you have passed its admission or application process. The university may also issue an official enrollment decision or student status document.
Pre-Approval Confirmation
The Vietnamese immigration authorities will issue the approval correspondence or pre-visa letter through your university or sponsor. You will use this document, together with your passport, application form, and visa payment, to collect your student visa as instructed.
Visa Renewal/Extension
Some nationalities can enter Vietnam visa-free for a limited period, but visa exemption does not usually replace the need for a DH student visa if you will study in Vietnam. International students should follow their university’s visa process and maintain a valid student visa or residence document during their studies.
Once you have entered Vietnam on a student visa, you may need to request a visa renewal, extension, or temporary residence card before your current document expires. The school usually serves as the visa sponsor while you remain actively enrolled.
Here are common requirements for a student visa renewal or extension:
Accomplished NA5 Application Form
You can access the form here.
This must usually be valid for at least six months when you apply. The validity of the visa or residence document issued must be shorter than the remaining validity of your passport by at least 30 days.
Your university may ask for one ID photo, commonly 4 cm by 6 cm on a white background.
Student Status Verification or Student ID Card
Your university may issue a student ID card, student status verification letter, or enrollment confirmation to prove that you are currently enrolled.
Proof of Tuition Fee Payment
Your university may require a receipt or another document proving that you have paid the required tuition or fees for the relevant semester or study period.
Some universities require updated residence information, such as online residence registration, a residence certificate, a rental contract, or a landlord’s certificate.
FAQs: Student Visa Applications for Vietnam
How Much Money Do You Need for a Vietnamese Student Visa?
The cost of the visa varies according to the validity and number of entries. As of the current fee schedule, the official fees include:
- $25 for a single-entry visa
- $50 for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 90 days
- $95 for a multiple-entry visa valid for more than 90 days up to 180 days
- $135 for a multiple-entry visa valid for more than 180 days up to one year
- $145 for a multiple-entry visa valid for more than one year up to two years
- $155 for a multiple-entry visa valid for more than two years up to five years
- $165 for a multiple-entry visa valid for more than five years up to 10 years
Temporary residence card fees are separate. The current fee is $145 for a card valid for up to two years, $155 for a card valid for more than two years up to five years, and $165 for a card valid for more than five years up to 10 years.
For a temporary residence extension, the current official fee is $10 per time. Other charges may apply if you are issued a new visa page, temporary residence card, or other immigration document, so confirm the exact amount with your university or the Vietnamese authorities before paying.
We hope that this article on how to get a student visa in Vietnam was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
