Vietnam's Golden Visa Pilot Program: What We Know So Far
最終更新日: 2026年5月31日
Vietnam will begin issuing its first-ever "golden visas" on 1 July 2026 under a three-year pilot programme capped at 8 000 total issuances. Here is everything applicants need to know before the online portal opens.
Last updated: May 31, 2026
Programme Overview
The National Assembly adopted Resolution No. 41/2026/QH15 on 20 March 2026, creating two long-term visa categories administered jointly by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Immigration Department, the Ministry of Planning & Investment (MPI), and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV). The pilot runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2029.
Visa Type | Validity | Renewable | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
GV-Investor | 5 years | Yes | 5 000 visas |
GV-Talent | 10 years | Yes | 3 000 visas |
Both categories allow unlimited entries and exits. Holders may live, work, study, or run a business without obtaining a separate work permit.
Eligibility Requirements
GV-Investor
You qualify with a one-time capital placement of USD 300 000 in either:
- a three-year Vietnamese bank time-deposit, or
- a government-approved venture fund or enterprise.
The funds must remain untouched for the entire visa validity period. Early withdrawal triggers automatic visa cancellation within 30 days.
GV-Talent
You qualify under either track:
- Income track: gross salary ≥ USD 150 000 per year for the two most recent tax years, documented by certified tax returns; or
- Academic track: PhD plus five years of post-doctoral experience in one of 42 priority STEM fields listed in Resolution 41 Appendix II (semiconductors, AI, renewable energy, biotech, etc.).
Spouses, children under 18, and parents over 65 may be added as dependents; each must meet standard health and character requirements.
Document Checklist
Prepare the following before logging into the National Public Service Portal on or after 1 July 2026. All non-Vietnamese documents must be legalised by the nearest Vietnamese embassy/consulate and translated into Vietnamese by a certified translator.
Core Documents
- Passport bio-data page (notarised copy, minimum 18 months validity)
- Criminal-record certificate (issued within six months)
- Health-insurance policy with minimum USD 50 000 coverage (valid in Vietnam)
- Passport photos 4 cm × 6 cm, white background, taken within six months
- Completed electronic form GV-01 or GV-02 (Investor or Talent)
Category-Specific Evidence
GV-Investor
- Bank confirmation letter showing USD 300 000 blocked deposit or venture-fund subscription agreement
- Source-of-funds declaration (salary, dividends, property sale, inheritance, etc.)
GV-Talent
- Certified tax returns for the two most recent years (income track)
- PhD certificate and employment letters proving five years in a priority STEM field (academic track)
Dependent Add-Ons
- Marriage or birth certificate (legalised)
- Proof of financial support (bank statement or sponsor letter)
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Create an account on https://dichvucong.gov.vn using your passport number.
- Fill the online form GV-01 (Investor) or GV-02 (Talent). Upload colour scans of all documents as PDF or JPG, maximum 2 MB per file.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee (see table below) by domestic bank card, Visa, MasterCard, or JCB.
- Schedule biometrics at the nearest provincial Immigration Office if you are already in Vietnam; otherwise book an appointment at an embassy/consulate abroad.
- Submit originals during your biometrics slot. Officers will take fingerprints and a digital photo.
- Track status with the tracking code emailed after submission. The system issues an approval letter once the dossier is complete.
- Collect the visa at the same Immigration Office or receive the sticker at a diplomatic mission abroad.
Channel | Fee | Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard online | VND 5 000 000 | 15 working days | Most common |
Expedited online | VND 8 000 000 | 5 working days | Optional surcharge |
In-person | Same as above | Same | Only if you cannot upload files |
Each dependent adds VND 1 000 000 to the base fee.
Fees and Processing Times
- Application fee: VND 5 000 000 (≈ USD 195) per primary applicant
- Dependent fee: VND 1 000 000 (≈ USD 39) per person
- Expedited processing surcharge: VND 3 000 000 (optional)
- Payment methods: MoMo, ZaloPay, domestic bank card, Visa, MasterCard, JCB
- Processing clock starts the day after a complete dossier is recorded, not the initial submission day.
- Notification is by email and SMS; collect the visa within 30 days of approval, or the approval lapses.
Obligations After Approval
GV-Investor
- Maintain the USD 300 000 investment continuously. The SBV monitors accounts monthly. A partial withdrawal of any amount triggers a 30-day notice to restore the balance or depart Vietnam.
- File an annual investment compliance report via the Immigration Department portal (simple checkbox and bank statement upload).
GV-Talent
- File an annual income declaration with the General Department of Taxation by 31 March each year. Falling below the USD 150 000 threshold in any calendar year converts the visa to a standard 1-year temporary residence card.
- Notify MPS within seven days of any change in employer, address, or passport.
All Holders
- Carry health insurance at the USD 50 000 level or above. Lapse of coverage is grounds for visa revocation.
- Register residence with local police within 12 hours of arrival at any new address.
- Dependents lose status automatically if the primary holder loses the golden visa.
Real Estate and Work Rights
Golden-visa holders enjoy two key privileges not available to ordinary foreigners:
- Real estate ownership: may buy residential or commercial property without the usual 50-year term limit. The certificate of ownership is issued for the visa validity period (5 or 10 years) and is renewable alongside the visa.
- Work permit exemption: may take any lawful employment or start a business without obtaining a separate work permit or an investor TRC.
These rights extend to dependents who are of working age.
Common Pitfalls
- Incorrect document legalisation: some embassies issue an apostille that Vietnam does not recognise. Use embassy/consulate legalisation or the new online apostille verification pilot launched 1 March 2026.
- Insurance coverage gaps: policies must state coverage in Vietnam, not worldwide. Travel-insurance riders are rejected.
- Salary in foreign currency: GV-Talent applicants must convert foreign salaries to USD at the SBV mid-rate on the last working day of each year. Use the official SBV calculator to avoid under-reporting.
- Investment date mismatch: the USD 300 000 must be transferred after 20 March 2026 (date of Resolution 41). Earlier deposits do not count.
- Cap exhaustion: MPI updates remaining quotas quarterly. If the cap is reached, the portal will stop accepting new applications for that category until the next quarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I naturalise as a Vietnamese citizen?
Naturalisation voids the golden visa. Citizenship carries different real-estate and tax rules; consult the Ministry of Justice.
Can I switch from GV-Investor to GV-Talent later?
Yes, if you meet GV-Talent criteria you can submit a new application. The old visa is cancelled on the day the new one is issued.
Is the visa valid for multiple family members traveling separately?
Yes. Each person, including dependents, receives an individual visa foil or e-visa PDF.
Does time on a golden visa count toward permanent residence?
Not automatically. After five consecutive years of legal residence, any foreigner may apply for a 10-year permanent residence card under existing law, but the golden visa itself does not fast-track the process.
Can I exit Vietnam for more than six months continuously?
Yes. There is no re-entry restriction. The visa remains valid as long as the underlying investment or talent conditions are maintained.
What taxes apply to my overseas income?
Vietnam taxes tax-resident individuals on worldwide income. Golden-visa holders staying 183 days or more in a tax year become tax residents. Seek professional advice on double-tax treaties.
How do I renew the visa?
Renewals open 90 days before expiry. Upload updated documents (bank confirmation for GV-Investor, latest tax return for GV-Talent) and pay the renewal fee (same rates as initial application). The process takes 10 working days.
Are cryptocurrency assets accepted as proof of funds?
No. The SBV currently recognises only fiat currency deposits or equity in approved venture funds.
Comparison with Other Long-Stay Options
If you do not meet the GV thresholds, Vietnam still offers:
- Investor TRC: minimum USD 130 000 company investment, valid 3 years, requires work-permit exemption application.
- Work-permit TRC: linked to a specific employer, valid up to 2 years.
- Retirement TRC: 5-year validity, requires proof of pension ≥ USD 1 000 per month and local bank deposit of USD 15 000.
See our separate guides on Digital Nomad Visa Programs Compared and Retirement Visa Options in Asia for region-wide context.
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