Vietnam Introduces Five-Year Visa for Skilled Professionals from July 2026

Vietnam will introduce two new long-stay visa categories from July 1, 2026, targeting high-skilled foreign professionals and their immediate families. The move is part of a broader government strategy to attract international talent as the country accelerates its shift toward a technology and innovation-led economy.

The New Visa Categories

The UĐ1 visa is for high-quality professionals working in digital technology, research, innovation, and other fields designated as strategic for Vietnam’s development. It grants multiple-entry access valid for up to five years—far beyond the 90-day e-visa that most foreigners currently use for extended stays in the country.

The UĐ2 visa covers the spouse and dependent children (under 18) of UĐ1 holders. It carries matching five-year validity, which removes the considerable administrative burden of renewing short-term visas for dependants every one to three months.

Both categories represent a meaningful shift in policy. Vietnam has historically been cautious about granting long-term residency rights to foreign nationals, and these new categories—alongside the priority visa-exemption scheme for investors and executives introduced earlier in 2026—signal a more deliberate push for international talent retention.

Who Is Likely to Qualify

Full criteria will be published by the Ministry of Public Security before July 1, but early indications suggest applicants will need documented employment or active engagement in a qualifying sector. Supporting materials will likely include a contract or offer letter from a Vietnamese employer, proof of relevant qualifications, or registration with a recognised professional body.

Freelancers and remote workers may find the qualification threshold harder to meet unless they can demonstrate active contributions to a Vietnam-registered entity or a qualifying domestic project. We will update our Vietnam visa guide once official criteria are confirmed.

Context for Long-Stay Travellers

Until now, the most practical long-stay options for foreign professionals in Vietnam were the 90-day e-visa (renewable by exiting and re-entering the country) or a business visa requiring periodic renewal. Neither option provides the stability that professionals with families or long-term employment contracts need.

The UĐ1 and UĐ2 categories change that calculus significantly for qualifying applicants. A five-year multiple-entry visa effectively places Vietnam in the same tier as Thailand’s Long-Term Resident visa and Indonesia’s second home visa when it comes to competing for globally mobile workers.

For those considering Vietnam as a longer-term base, our digital nomad in Vietnam page covers practical considerations around co-working spaces, banking, SIM cards, and tax residence. If you are still in the planning stage, our flights to Vietnam page has an up-to-date breakdown of airlines serving the country’s main international airports.

The e-visa remains the right option for most short-to-medium-term visitors—it covers 90 days and is available to every nationality. The new categories are specifically for those making a more substantial commitment to living and working in Vietnam.