DT visa pathway
| Category | Capital contribution / project basis | Maximum visa validity | TRC pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| DT1 | VND 100 billion or more, or qualifying special-incentive investment | Up to 5 years | TRC up to 10 years |
| DT2 | VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion, or qualifying encouraged investment | Up to 5 years | TRC up to 5 years |
| DT3 | VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion | Up to 3 years | TRC up to 3 years |
| DT4 | Less than VND 3 billion | Up to 12 months | Generally no investor TRC |
The thresholds generally refer to the foreign investor's documented capital contribution or qualifying project status, not simply the company's proposed charter capital. DT4 investors normally renew the investor visa periodically rather than using it as a long-term TRC route.
Who can use it
The DT route may apply to:
- A foreign individual contributing capital to a Vietnamese company.
- A representative of a foreign organization investing in Vietnam.
- An investor in a qualifying investment project.
- In some cases, a foreign person holding a qualifying ownership or management position connected to the investment.
The company's enterprise and investment records should clearly identify the investor, contribution amount, ownership interest, and project or business activity supporting the application.
Four documents, four functions
| Document | Function | Work authorization? |
|---|---|---|
| DT visa | Entry and temporary stay based on investment | Not automatically |
| DT TRC | Longer-term residence based on investor status | Not automatically |
| Work permit | Authorization to work in the approved role and employer | Yes |
| Work-permit exemption | Confirms that a statutory exemption applies | Yes, within the exemption conditions |
An investor may qualify for an investor visa and still need a work permit or work-permit exemption if they actively work for the Vietnamese company. Conversely, a work-permit exemption does not itself create a right to a long-term TRC.
Typical application sequence
- Establish or acquire the Vietnamese company or investment project.
- Record the investor's ownership and capital contribution correctly.
- Obtain the company's enterprise and investment documents.
- Arrange the immigration sponsorship or approval documentation.
- Apply for the appropriate DT visa or change to DT status where permitted.
- If eligible, apply for the corresponding DT TRC.
- Separately assess work-permit or work-permit-exemption status.
- Complete residence registration at the accommodation in Vietnam.
Typical supporting documents include:
- Passport.
- Enterprise Registration Certificate.
- Investment Registration Certificate or project approval, if applicable.
- Capital-contribution or ownership evidence.
- Company guarantee or sponsorship documents.
- Application forms and photographs.
- Accommodation or residence information.
- Legalized and Vietnamese-translated foreign documents where required.
Investor checks
Before selecting the DT category, verify:
- The capital has actually been contributed and is documented.
- The contribution amount falls within the correct tier.
- The investment is not in a restricted or conditional foreign-investment sector.
- The investor's name and ownership appear consistently across company, investment, banking, and immigration records.
- The passport has sufficient validity for the requested period.
- The investor's role requires a work permit or qualifies for an exemption.
- A reduction, transfer, suspension, or restructuring of the investment will not undermine the residence basis.
- Family members need separate dependent or family-member immigration status.
The DT visa is a residence pathway, not a "golden visa" or automatic permanent-residence program. The practical decision rule is: DT3 is the common investor route for contributions from VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion; DT4 supports investment but generally does not support a long-term investor TRC.