Special Visa Exemption Card

Vietnam's Special Visa Exemption Card (The mien thi thuc dac biet) is a long-term, multiple-entry visa exemption for foreign nationals with exceptional talent and achievement. Established by Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP in August 2025, the card allows holders to enter Vietnam without a visa for up to five years, with each entry granting up to 90 days of temporary residence. It targets scholars, scientists, tech professionals, corporate leaders, investors, and prominent figures in culture, arts, sports, and tourism as part of Vietnam's strategy to attract global talent.

Eligibility is based on professional achievement and categorical qualification rather than financial criteria. Applicants must fall into one of seven categories:

• Guests of senior Party, State, and Government leaders
• Scholars, experts, scientists, and professors at foreign universities and research institutes; chief engineers; and high-quality digital technology personnel
• Investors and leaders of major global corporations (top 100 by market capitalization)
• Individuals in culture, arts, sports, and tourism with significant public influence
• Honorary consuls of Vietnam abroad
• Guests of research institutes, universities, and large enterprises on the Government-approved list
• Other cases determined by the Minister of Public Security

Specific criteria vary by category. Scholars and experts must hold a doctoral degree and be nationals of an OECD member country. Scientists must have received prestigious international science and technology awards. Corporate leaders must head companies in the global top 100 by market capitalization. Cultural and sports figures must hold Olympic, Paralympic, ASIAD, or Asian Para Games medals, have received recognized international awards, or have 1+ million social media followers promoting Vietnamese culture.

• Written request from the sponsoring Vietnamese agency or organization
• Copy of the applicant's valid passport
• Supporting evidence of eligibility per the applicable category criteria in Appendix 1 of Decree 221

The card is valid for up to 5 years, but must be at least 30 days shorter than the passport's remaining validity. Each entry grants temporary residence of up to 90 days (or the card's remaining validity, whichever is shorter). Holders must depart before the 90-day period expires but may re-enter immediately for another 90-day stay. There is no minimum absence requirement between entries. Renewal is not explicitly detailed in the decree but reissuance upon expiry is possible subject to continued eligibility.

The card is issued to the qualifying individual only. There are no provisions for accompanying family members under Decree 221. However, from 1 July 2026, the new UĐ2 visa will allow spouses and children under 18 of UĐ1 visa holders (high-quality digital technology personnel) to obtain visas valid for up to 5 years. The Digital Technology Industry Law also grants spouses and children under 18 of recognized digital technology personnel five-year temporary residence cards.

Foreigners present in Vietnam for 183 days or more in a calendar year are considered tax residents and subject to personal income tax on worldwide income at progressive rates of 5-35%. Non-residents are taxed at a flat 20% on Vietnam-sourced income only.

Individuals cannot apply directly. A competent Vietnamese agency or organization — such as a ministry, research institute, university, or large enterprise on the Government-approved list — must submit the application to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security. Applications use Form NA-01 (for guests of senior leaders) or Form NA-02 (for all other categories).

Processing time: 3 working days for guests of high-ranking officials; 5 working days for other categories; 7 working days for physical chip-embedded cards.

Fee: USD 10 processing fee.

The card is a visa exemption instrument only and does not automatically confer work authorization. Holders who wish to work in Vietnam generally require a separate work permit, except in certain cases: short-term work under 90 days per calendar year, experts in priority sectors (science, technology, innovation, digital transformation) confirmed by competent authorities, and high-quality digital technology personnel (exempt from work permit requirements since January 2026 under the Digital Technology Industry Law 2025).

The requirement for institutional sponsorship means individuals cannot apply independently — they must first establish a relationship with a qualifying Vietnamese institution or be recognized by a competent government authority. The card's 90-day-per-entry structure means it functions more as a facilitated long-term access instrument than a traditional residence permit. Holders can make frequent extended visits over 5 years but cannot maintain uninterrupted residence. Standard foreigner registration requirements apply during each stay.

From 1 July 2026, Vietnam introduces two new visa categories: UĐ1 for high-quality digital technology personnel and other cases eligible for preferential treatment under law, and UĐ2 for their spouses and children under 18. Both are valid for up to five years. The UĐ1/UĐ2 visas complement the Special Visa Exemption Card by providing a dedicated visa pathway (rather than a visa exemption) for digital technology talent and their families. The SVEC covers a broader range of talent categories, while UĐ1 focuses specifically on digital technology personnel. For the International Financial Centre, UĐ1/UĐ2 cards can be issued for up to 10 years, with a pathway to permanent residence after 3 years of continuous employment.