Business Visa Help?

4POSTS

9 years ago

Hello everyone,

I have recently joined this forum and I really appreciate all the help it provides.

I am from the UK and I intend to travel to Vietnam next month for business purposes. I have been informed by the Vietnamese embassy in the UK that I need a letter of invitation from a Vietnamese company for the business visa application. Does anyone have any experience in obtaining one of these?

I have contacted some companies in Vietnam but they say they are unable to provide the letter. I have also been quoted $140 from a tourist company for a 3 month multiple entry business visa however it clearly states on the Vietnamese Embassy website in the UK that I can only apply for a business visa through them?

Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

P.S. I may be required to establish a business entity once I am in Vietnam hence the reason why I need to obtain a business visa.

Look forward to hearing from you all.

Many Thanks

Sward

See also

Visas for Vietnam - Guide
business visa - 4 Replies
Business Visa - 7 Replies
Requirements for a business visa - 11 Replies
Business Visa for Children?? - 9 Replies
Business visa on arrival - 7 Replies
Business visa - 9 Replies

Thaiger Banned

299POSTS

9 years ago

The ubiquitous lies and scams from corrupt (non-existent) "visa" companies is a great introduction to Vietnam, its people and doing business here.

Guest2023 Guest

0POSTS

9 years ago

You are wanting to come here and start a business for yourself,is that correct?

sward654 New member

4POSTS

9 years ago

Initially I will be acting as an independent foreign sales representative but to carry out such activities in Vietnam may require us to set up a company or partner with a local.

Guest2023 Guest

0POSTS

9 years ago

Get your company to set up a representative office here, its not that difficult.

Vanessa Nghiem Member

1POSTS

9 years ago

To have a Business Visa (from Immigration Bureau), you will be requested to apply Work Permit (from Labour Department).
To have Work Permit, you have to apply list of following documents:
1. Criminal record (you can register in Viet Nam)
2. Certificate from the University or the equivalent document (notary and legalized docment)
3. Working experience: at least 03 years (confirmed by the your previous company, then you have to legalized that document to be use in Viet Nam)聽聽
4 Healthy check (by the hospital in your country then you have to legalized that document to be use in Viet Nam) or get it from the international hospital in Viet Nam like "FV hospital"
5. Your picture: 4x6: 04 pictures

sward654 New member

4POSTS

9 years ago

Hi everyone many thanks for all the advice.

Colinoscapee we had intended to set up a representative office however our company has not yet been trading for a year as we have only recently set it up.

At this stage we need advice on obtaining on the appropriate business visa for a UK citizen聽 which will allow us to:

- meet with companies in Vietnam to promote products for UK business clients

- set up a 100% foreign owned business or partnership

Any further information on this would be most helpful.

Also if we were to enter on a tourist visa is it possible to get it changed to a business visa while we are in the country?

7Steven Active member

93POSTS

9 years ago

If you have existing business partners here, they can provide you the required invitation letter.

If you do not, you will need to hire visa service company to provide you the invitation letter.

Converting from tourist to business, in country, is doubtful in my experience.

Getting a business invitation letter is a simple process. You will have to pay for letter and pay for the visa stamping.

I believe, no two visa experiences are alike or repeatable. Yours will be not be similar to mine, because there are many variables. Welcome to the processes of Vietnam.

Dr. G Banned

130POSTS

9 years ago

oh yes, if you are a US citizen, certainly you can qualify, immediately, for a one year business visa - as I just had last night - easy for US passport holders because of recent new agreement between US and Vietnam.

VanKhanh Ho Serial expat

263POSTS

9 years ago

#10

Hi, to apply for business visa, you need a Vietnamese company to invite you. The company will submit a dossier to immigration department in Vietnam to apply for an immigration approval for you.

You then using such approval to apply for your visa in your country to enter Vietnam.

Tourist companies in Vietnam can help you to apply for business visa, you just need to clarify with them that you need a BUSINESS visa not tourist visa. From what I heard, business visa will be slightly more expensive than tourist visa.

Dr. G Banned

130POSTS

9 years ago

#11

This is not necessarily true. If you are a US citizen then just apply without any documentation or support or sponsorship - for one year multiple entry visa - This is new; it was just created through a recent visit and agreement with President Obama (but only for US citizens). I now have one - easy (received it in 2 days).

ksr2x Active member

63POSTS

9 years ago

#12

There's still a major difference between a tourist visa and a business visa even though both are one year multi-entry now.聽 With a business visa, you're able to obtain a Vietnam work permit, but with a tourist visa, you cannot unless you go through a few hoops.聽 Strict documentation requirements still exist to obtain a business visa.

Zepo Banned

151POSTS

9 years ago

#13

ksr2x wrote:
Strict documentation requirements still exist to obtain a business visa.

What? A scan of your passport and a simple 1 page form for the business visa isn't "strict documentation"

Have you ever applied for one? I have. It's easy.

Zep--

ksr2x Active member

63POSTS

9 years ago

#14

For a business visa, the rules require you to obtain a sponsorship or letter from a company operating in Vietnam.聽 Even people above said the same thing.聽 And yes, I just obtained my category DN business visa, which required me to obtain a letter from a firm in Vietnam.

Dr. G Banned

130POSTS

9 years ago

#15

Perhaps but not for a US citizen

Dr. G Banned

130POSTS

9 years ago

#16

Right - it's easy for US citizens

Zepo Banned

151POSTS

9 years ago

#17

ksr2x wrote:
For a business visa, the rules require you to obtain a sponsorship or letter from a company operating in Vietnam.聽 Even people above said the same thing.聽 And yes, I just obtained my category DN business visa, which required me to obtain a letter from a firm in Vietnam.

Still..so what about the sponsorship letter? Also easy. Any Visa Agent worth their salt can have one for you in a day or 2.

You make it sound like you're running through a gauntlet.

Now, I am from the USA, maybe it's easier for me. I don't know. Hell, I'm in Hanoi and my sponsor is some business in Saigon.

If you're looking to stay long term without the hassle of leaving and re-entering every 3 months, business visa is the way to go.

Zep--

ksr2x Active member

63POSTS

9 years ago

#18

You make it seem as if it's as easy as sending an email to someone and you'll instantly receive a business visa.聽 In my view, it's not that simple.聽 You're being presumptuous thinking that your situation should apply to everyone.

Guest2023 Guest

0POSTS

9 years ago

#19

Hi sward654,

My tip for you is: DO NOT apply a business visa until you establish a company/join a company in Vietnam.

To answer one of your question: You can apply for business visa while you are in Vietnam, but you must exist the country (i.e: go to Cambodia) then come back and have it stamped.

The tip above came from my own experience:
Last year, I helped a Filipino acquaintance apply for one year working visa.
I got in touch with a visa agency in Hanoi because of this, and I do write about it tuongthitukhuyen.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/vietnam-working-visa-application/

From that process, I understand like this:
The visa agency find or connect with a company
(not sure if a real company, or just a company for visa purpose)
then process all documents of customers under name of that company.
The documents will assume that you are hired by that company to come to work.
(The one they used for my acquaintance is Dynapast Packaging Vietnam)

Dr. G Banned

130POSTS

9 years ago

#20

Wrong - it is just that easy and was (for me) but you must be a US citizen. The whole process took about 30 minutes. I cannot begin to suggest what it would be like if you have a passport from any other country.

Dr. G Banned

130POSTS

9 years ago

#21

A sponsorship letter is NOT required if you have a US citizenship passport. If you are a US citizen and have been told that you require a sponsorship letter (or a business visa) then I suggest that you change the agent that you have been working through.

ksr2x Active member

63POSTS

9 years ago

#22

I'm a US citizen.聽 My situation required me to get a business visa so that I can obtain a long-term work permit when I'm in Vietnam.聽 I'm working for a MNC that has operations there.聽 That's why I commented specifically on the business visa process.聽 I understand that the tourist visa does not require a letter, but that's not what I needed.

Dr. G Banned

130POSTS

9 years ago

#23

nor does the business visa (for one year) require a letter

Teacher Mark Serial expat

978POSTS

9 years ago

#24

The $450 price tag on a letter of approval for a 1 year business visa is absurd.聽 I've been quoted $60 for that within the past week.聽

Zepo Banned

151POSTS

9 years ago

#25

Instead of showing us what we know, Business Visa + Letter is $450.

Tell us something we don't know, Who's doing a Business Visa + Letter for $60?

I'm all for saving money.

Zep--

Thaiger Banned

299POSTS

9 years ago

#26

See my previous post about sihnaoukvile consulate.

Imm Police were very clear - u cannot apply for a work visa except if its the one who sponsored ur biz visa

so if u pay an agent to get a corrupt govt to get u a biz visa (OR CHANGE EMPLOYER) - u will not be able to transfer it into a work visa. u will have to exit the country , apply again with a work approval letter from the SAME company that u wish to get a work permit with

Zepo Banned

151POSTS

9 years ago

#27

A Business Visa is not a Work Visa.

A Business Visa Sponsor is NOT agreeing to give you a job. They are merely sponsoring your visit to the country.

Why some of you keep trying to join the 2 types of Visas (Work/Business) into one is beyond me.

Zep--

Thaiger Banned

299POSTS

9 years ago

#28

A couple of posters above mentioned they needed biz visas to come here and apply for the work visa thus i pointed out the pitfall of using an agents biz visa

Dr. G Banned

130POSTS

9 years ago

#29

You are correct; that price is absurd; however, I paid half that price.

Teacher Mark Serial expat

978POSTS

9 years ago

#30

Zepo wrote:
A Business Visa is not a Work Visa.

A Business Visa Sponsor is NOT agreeing to give you a job. They are merely sponsoring your visit to the country.

Why some of you keep trying to join the 2 types of Visas (Work/Business) into one is beyond me.

Zep--

Because they both are classified as "DN"聽 Harpo.

Zepo Banned

151POSTS

9 years ago

#31

Man...you guys are starting to get me confused and I've already been up and down this road.

There is no "Work" visa

There is a Business Visa.

Business Visa does not necessarily require working.

With a Business Visa you are eligible to apply for a Work Permit with a letter from the sponsoring company FOR that company.

Zep--

Zepo Banned

151POSTS

9 years ago

#32

Teacher Mark wrote:
Zepo wrote:
A Business Visa is not a Work Visa.

A Business Visa Sponsor is NOT agreeing to give you a job. They are merely sponsoring your visit to the country.

Why some of you keep trying to join the 2 types of Visas (Work/Business) into one is beyond me.

Zep--

Because they both are classified as "DN"聽 Harpo.

Still waiting to hear where you are getting a $60 DN visa, Gummo.

Zep--

Teacher Mark Serial expat

978POSTS

9 years ago

#33

Zepo wrote:
Instead of showing us what we know...

I presume you know it all already, so kindly disregard anything that I post, as it's solely for the benefit of the less enlightened.

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. - Benjamin Franklin (inventor of the extra-marital affair)

Teacher Mark Serial expat

978POSTS

9 years ago

#34

I just found out that they quoted me the price of a letter of approval for a tourist/DL visa.聽 They want an arm, a leg, 2 kidneys and a 'nad for a DN letter of approval.

To do a great right do a little wrong. - William Shakespeare (inventor of 23 stab wounds in the back)

Zepo Banned

151POSTS

9 years ago

#35

Teacher Mark wrote:
Zepo wrote:
Instead of showing us what we know...

I presume you know it all already, so kindly disregard anything that I post, as it's solely for the benefit of the less enlightened.

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. - Benjamin Franklin (inventor of the extra-marital affair)

I've seen many posts about incredible Visa deals on this board. Yet, no one posts the details. You now belong in that group of people. So, it's all BS in my mind until some proof is given.

Zep--

Zepo Banned

151POSTS

9 years ago

#36

Teacher Mark wrote:
I just found out that they quoted me the price of a letter of approval for a tourist/DL visa.聽 They want an arm, a leg, 2 kidneys and a 'nad for a DN letter of approval.

To do a great right do a little wrong. - William Shakespeare (inventor of 23 stab wounds in the back)

And there you have it...

Zep--

Teacher Mark Serial expat

978POSTS

9 years ago

#37

Zepo wrote:
it's all BS in my mind

I'm sure your head's been packed with poo for quite some time now, so don't blame me if you're experiencing bouts of discomfort.

Teacher Mark Serial expat

978POSTS

9 years ago

#38

Zepo wrote:
Teacher Mark wrote:
I just found out that they quoted me the price of a letter of approval for a tourist/DL visa.聽 They want an arm, a leg, 2 kidneys and a 'nad for a DN letter of approval.

To do a great right do a little wrong. - William Shakespeare (inventor of 23 stab wounds in the back)

And there you have it...

Zep--

You're Viet Kieu aren't you?

Zepo Banned

151POSTS

9 years ago

#39

No. I'm a German/Irish American.

Zep--

Dr. G Banned

130POSTS

9 years ago

#40

I don't think we're allowed to post details of commercial businesses on this site, however, I am certain that if you contact my particular (well-advertised) visa agent then you would receive the same fee rate of which I paid which is most favorable as compared to what others are expressing here. However, you would need to contact me. privately, in order for me to give you the details. If you cannot then, well, the evidence remains with me.