The 5-year visa exemption certificate allows eligible individuals to enter Vietnam multiple times without obtaining a visa for each visit. Each stay can last up to 180 days. If you wish to stay longer, you must exit and re-enter Vietnam or apply for a stay extension.

Eligibility:

• Vietnamese residing abroad

• Foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens or overseas Vietnamese

Required Documents:

For Vietnamese residing abroad:

1. Application Form: Completed visa exemption application form (Form NA9).

2. Photographs: Two recent passport-sized photos (white background, straight face, no glasses).

3. Passport: Valid foreign passport or equivalent document with at least six months' validity from the entry date.

4. Proof of Vietnamese Origin: One of the following:

   • Vietnamese birth certificate

   • Certificate of Vietnamese citizenship

   • Decision for renunciation or loss of Vietnamese citizenship

   • Vietnamese passport (valid or expired)

   • Vietnamese identity card (valid or expired)

   • Family register book

   • Documents from foreign authorities indicating Vietnamese origin

5. Guarantee (if necessary): If you lack the documents above, a guarantee from an overseas Vietnamese association or a Vietnamese citizen may suffice.

For foreign spouses and children:

1. Application Form: Completed visa exemption application form (Form NA9).

2. Photographs: Two recent passport-sized photos (white background, straight face, no glasses).

3. Passport: Valid foreign passport with at least six months' validity from the entry date.

4. Proof of Relationship: One of the following:

   • Marriage certificate

   • Birth certificate

   • Certificate of relationship with parent or child

   • Other valid documents as regulated by Vietnamese law

Application Process:

1. Prepare Documents: Gather the required documents as listed above.

2. Submit Application:

   • In the U.S.: Submit in person at the Vietnamese consulate or embassy. For residents in Hayward, California, the Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco is the appropriate location.

   • In Vietnam: Submit at the Vietnam Immigration Department.

3. Processing Time: Typically up to seven working days from the receipt of a complete application.

4. Fees: Approximately USD 10, payable by money order or cashier's check.

Important Considerations:

• Validity: The visa exemption certificate is valid for up to five years but expires at least six months before your passport's expiration date. Ensure your passport is valid for more than five years to maximize the certificate's validity.

• Duration of Stay: Each entry allows a stay of up to 180 days. To stay longer without exiting, apply for a stay extension through Vietnamese authorities.