How to get a Vietnam spouse visa: Detailed Guide

If you already have a tourist visa, you may switch to a Vietnam spouse visa to facilitate life in Vietnam with your Vietnamese partner. The transition from short-term to long-term residence could get very complicated.

In this article, Thao & Co. will explain the eligibility criteria and required documents for this legal procedure.

Benefits of changing to a Vietnam spouse visa

Foreign nationals may be eligible for a Vietnam spouse visa if they have married a Vietnamese partner. Unlike the common tourist visa, the Vietnam spouse visa is designed for married couples seeking a stable life in Vietnam.

Eligible visa holders enjoy a range of benefits, including:

1. 👉 Long-term residence and visa extension without leaving the country.
2. 👉 A strong basis to apply for temporary or permanent resident status.
3. 👉 Permission to work legally during their stay in Vietnam.

Learn more about Vietnam work permit for foreigners

Requirements for switching from a Vietnam tourist visa to a Vietnam spouse visa

Make sure you meet these requirements:

1. 👉 Your passport has at least 30 days of validity at the time of applying.
2. 👉 You can present legally valid proof of relationship.
3. 👉 You are not prohibited from entry into Vietnam.
4. 👉 You have a clean criminal record (police certificate) in Vietnam.

Related: How can foreign nationals request a police certificate in Vietnam?

Where to apply for a Vietnam spouse visa?

You’ll need to submit your application at the Immigration Department of your province.

1. 👉 Vietnam Immigration Office in Ha Noi
2. 46 Tran Phu Street, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District
   1. Working time:
   2. Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 11:30 AM, 01:30 – 04:00 PM
   3. Saturday: 08:00 – 11:30 AM
3. 👉 Vietnam Immigration Office in Ho Chi Minh City
4. 337 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1
   1. Working time:
   2. Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 11:00 AM, 01:30 – 04:00 PM
   3. Saturday: 08:00 – 11:00 AM
5. 👉 Vietnam Immigration Office in Da Nang
6. 78 Le Loi Street, Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District
   1. Working time:
   2. Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 11:00 AM, 01:30 – 05:00 PM
   3. Saturday: 08:00 – 11:00 AM
7. 👉 Vietnam Immigration Office in Hai Phong
8. 02 Tran Binh Trong Street, Luong Khanh Thien Ward, Ngo Quyen District
   1. Working time:
   2. Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 11:00 AM, 01:30 – 04:00 PM
   3. Saturday: 08:00 – 11:00 AM

If you reside in other provinces, contact the local Immigration Department for assistance.

From a Vietnam tourist visa to a Vietnam spouse visa: the complete procedure

Follow these 3 steps to apply for a dependent spouse visa in Vietnam:

1. 👉 Step 1: Prepare a dossier with a copy of:
   1. • The Application form for visa issuance, stay extension (form NA5)
   2. • The Declaration of temporary residence for foreigners (form NA17)
   3. • Your passport
   4. • Your current Vietnam visa
   5. • Your marriage certificate or legally valid proof of relationship
   6. • Your partner’s household registration book and ID

1. 👉 Step 2: Submit the dossier at the competent authorities.
2. 👉 Step 3: Wait for the results (typically within 5 business days).

Vietnam spouse visa fee

The current fee for a Vietnam spouse visa is $135, with a validity period of 1 year.

It is possible to transition from a Vietnam spouse visa to a temporary residence card for visiting relatives, which costs $155 per card and is valid for up to 3 years.

FAQs on marriage visas in Vietnam

Thao & Co. answers frequently asked questions regarding the legal procedure of obtaining a Vietnam spouse visa.

How can my partner apply for the visa if they are a foreign national?

Your partner will need to meet the requirements and prepare all required documents, especially the police certificate. At the same time, you will need to provide sponsorship for them. To register as a Vietnamese sponsor, follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Visit the Vietnam Immigration Department online portal to fill out the NA3 form (Sponsoring application form for foreign family members to enter Vietnam).
2. Step 2: Take the printed application form to the police department of your commune or ward for validation.
3. Step 3: Submit the verified application form to the Immigration Department.
4. Step 4: Expect the result within 5 business days.
5. Step 5: If everything goes well, let your partner know they can receive a valid visa stamp at the Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam in their country, or at border gates and airports in Vietnam.

How long can I stay in Vietnam with a spouse visa?

Your Vietnam dependent spouse visa is valid for up to 1 year. If you are eligible for a temporary residence card for visiting relatives, you can stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 3 years.

How long does it take to switch from my Vietnam tourist visa to Vietnam marriage visa?

The procedure will typically take 5 business days. If additional supporting documents are required, it may take longer.

Is it necessary to translate supporting documents for my Vietnam spouse visa application?

The answer is YES. All supporting documents must be translated into Vietnamese. A translation mishap may delay your application, or even result in rejection.

Entrust your documents to a professional translation agency such as Thao & Co. for peace of mind. Our years of expertise and affordable pricing make us the top choice as a service provider for visa application translation.

We have provided consistent quality translation for hundreds of visa application, in addition to our comprehensive support services for notarization and legalization.

Our unwavering commitment to quality and convenience ensure that all clients benefit from:

1. 💎 Highly qualified translators: Through rigorous recruitment and training, we select only the most capable linguists to deliver your accurate and legally valid translation.

1. 💎 Translation to and from 50+ languages: From the most common to the rarest languages, we’ve got you covered.

1. 💎 Our streamlined process: With Thao & Co.’s proprietary platform, progress tracking is a breeze.

1. 💎 Comprehensive services: Receive a complimentary Certificate of Translation Accuracy for each finished project. Additional support for notarization and consular authentication only cost a small fee.

1. 💎 Total confidentiality: Our NDAs safeguard your personal information and documents from unauthorized third party access.

Don’t just take our words for it – get in touch via our Get A Quote form to receive a free and personalized consultation!