Vietnam's Golden Visa 2025: Eligibility, Application & Benefits for Digital Nomads & Expats
- Faye Hilling
- May 16
- 5 min read
Updated: May 21
Ever dreamed of swapping your home-office cubicle for a street-side café in Hanoi, typing away as the scent of chopped herbs dance in the air? Or maybe you fancy a riverside stroll in Ho Chi Minh City before dialing into that Zoom call?
Well, pack your sense of adventure (and maybe a sunhat), because Vietnam’s Golden Visa is about to make your remote-working dreams a long-term reality.
This shiny new residency permit, rolling out in 2025, is Vietnam’s way of saying “We want you—stay as long as you like!”
No more scrambling for short-term extensions or playing hide-and-seek with immigration officers (a personal halle-effing-lujah from me!)
What Exactly Is Vietnam’s Golden Visa?
Think of Vietnam’s Golden Visa as your all-access backstage pass.
Instead of juggling 30-day tourist visas or fumbling with business-visa hoops, this program hands you a residency permit good for five to ten years, with the option for extensions of one or two more years.
Whether you’re a globe-trotting investor, a retiree chasing tropical breezes, or cheeky digital nomads hunting Wi-Fi in every corner of Southeast Asia, the Golden Visa lets you live, work, and most importantly play in Vietnam with minimal visa drama.
Related article: Your Ticket to the Ha Giang Loop: Vietnam Visa Requirements 2025.
Who Gets the Golden Ticket? Eligibility Explained
Vietnam’s Golden Visa isn’t a free-for-all—there are categories. Here’s your cheat sheet:
3.1 Long-Term Leisure Lovers
Not just a quick vacation hopper? If you’ve got wanderlust bigger than a bánh mì, this is for you.
3.2 Investor A-Listers
Got the capital and want to launch or back a business in Vietnam? Cha-ching! You qualify.
3.3 Tech Whizzes & Creative Geniuses
Software developers, green energy experts, artists, and advanced-manufacturing maestros—your skills are in hot demand.
3.4 Sun-Chasing Retirees
Enjoy affordable healthcare, tranquil lifestyles, and the comfort of knowing you can stay put without tri-monthly visa runs.
3.5 Digital Nomads (Yes, That’s You!)
Remote workers who dream of a home office with a view of rice paddies or bustling city streets—this visa gives you the stability you crave.
Note: As of May 2025, exact investment minima and “talent” definitions are still being nailed down. Keep your eyes peeled for official updates!
Related article: How to Volunteer at Bong Hostel and Experience the Ha Giang Loop!
Why the Golden Visa Rocks for Remote Workers
No Exit Roulette: Unlimited entries and exits for the visa’s entire term.
Home Base Perks: Set up a local bank account, sign leases, and enjoy resident pricing on services.
Family Included: Spouse and dependents (under 18) enjoy the same residency status.
Work-Permit Worries? What’s That?: In many cases, you won’t even need a separate work permit.
Digital Delight: Apply, renew, and extend online—no embassy marathon required.
Step-by-Step: Applying for Vietnam’s Golden Visa
Prep Your Dossier: Gather proof—investment docs, contracts, bank statements, health insurance, criminal checks, and abode proof.
Online Application: Head to the official portal (likely vietnam-immigration.org.vn) and upload your morsels of documentation.
Review & Feedback: Immigration officers sift through your submission—expect a request for extra info here or there.
Digital Approval: Once greenlit, you’ll snag digital visa stamps and documents.
Touchdown & Register: Land in Vietnam and register your residence at the local immigration office.
Renewal Time: Before expiry, hit “renew” online to snag another one or two years.
Paperwork: Documents You’ll Need
Valid Passport (≥ 1 year validity)
Proof of Eligibility (investment paperwork, employment letters, retirement funds)
Health Insurance (covers your Vietnam stay)
Criminal Record Checks (both home country and Vietnam, if requested)
Proof of Residence (lease agreement or property title)
Family Documents (marriage & birth certificates)
Passport-Size Photos (official specs apply)
Timing & Fees: How Long and How Much?
Processing Times: Expect lightning-fast online processing—anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on application volume.
Visa Fees: Higher than your run-of-the-mill tourist visa, but worth every dong for hassle reduction. Fees vary by category, duration, and number of family members. Keep tabs on official updates once the program launches.
Staying Power: Validity & Renewal Options
Golden Visa: 5–10 years initial validity, plus 1–2 year extensions.
Investor Visa: 10 years, plus a direct pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.
Talent Visa: 5 years, with easy renewals for continued eligibility.
Rights, Responsibilities & Roadblocks
Rights:
Live, travel, and work freely in Vietnam during your visa’s lifespan.
Enroll family members under your visa umbrella.
Sign leases, open bank accounts, and access healthcare as a resident.
Pathway to PR for qualifying investors.
Responsibilities & Restrictions:
Maintain your qualifying status (investment level, employment contract, etc.).
Obey Vietnamese laws—any serious breach risks visa cancellation.
Certain government roles and local-benefits may remain off-limits.
Note: Citizenship or voting rights are not included—this is residency, not nationality.
Pathway to “Forever”: From Visa to Permanent Residency
Investors rock the clearest path: live continuously for five years, keep your investment active, and you can apply for permanent residency.
Talent and other categories may see future PR pathways as demand grows—stay tuned!
Golden Visa vs. Other Vietnam Visas: A Speed Round
Feature | Golden Visa | Business Visa | Tourist Visa | Investor/Talent (Old) |
Duration | 5–10 years | 1 year (max) | 1–3 months | Up to 2 years |
Renewal Ease | Fully online, simple | Embassy visit + fees | Fully online | Bureaucratic & slower |
Family Inclusion | Yes | Limited | No | Case-by-case |
Work Permit Needed | Often waived/simplified | Required | N/A | Yes |
Multiple Entries | Unlimited | Multiple-entry options | Single or multiple | Multiple (with limits) |
Online Application | Yes | Partial (some in person) | Yes | Paper-based |
Path to PR | Clear for investors | None | None | None or murky |
Ideal For | Long-term residents (incl. digital nomads, retirees, investors, talent) | Executives, project-based workers | Holiday-makers, short-term visitors | Pre-2025 skilled workers & investors |
Pros & Cons: Is the Golden Visa Right for You?
Pros
Marathon-Length Stay: No more sprinting between visas.
Family-Friendly: Loved ones come along for the ride.
Digital Zen: Apply from your laptop, slippers optional.
Business & Investment: Launch your Vietnamese empire.
PR on the Horizon: Investors get a direct path.
Cons
Pricey Entry: Fees exceed standard tourist visas.
High Barriers: Investment minimums and talent criteria may be steep.
No Citizenship: You’re a resident, not a voter.
Rule Changes: Final eligibility rules pending—some uncertainty remains.
Living the Dream: What Life in Vietnam Looks Like
Beyond the bureaucratic bliss, life here is a sensory adventure. Imagine:
Morning Rituals: Sidewalk stretches by the lake, followed by an espresso-strong cà phê sữa đá.
Street-Food Symphony: Pho stalls billowing steam, bánh xèo sizzling away, and banh mi carts calling your name.
City Beats: Motorbikes weaving in a choreographed ballet, neon lights reflecting off rain-slick roads.
Rural Reverie: Lush rice terraces, mountain-village homestays, and emerald-green rivers.
Community Vibes: Your neighbors might include a startup co-founder, a retired expat doing watercolor classes, or a local family running the corner shop.
Of course, there are curveballs: chaotic traffic, seasonal downpours that laugh in the face of your daily plans, and the occasional language barrier. But hey, isn’t that part of the charm?
Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnam’s Golden Visa
Q: How much investment is needed for Vietnam’s Golden Visa?
A: Official minimums haven’t been finalized as of May 2025, but investors can expect to show capital or assets in business, real estate, or startups.
Q: Can I work remotely on Vietnam’s Golden Visa?
A: Yes! Digital nomads are a key target group, and many will not need a separate work permit.
Q: Is the Vietnam Golden Visa the same as a retirement visa?
A: No, but retirees are one of the eligible groups under the Golden Visa program.
Q: Can I bring my family on this visa?
A: Yes, spouses and children under 18 can be included in your application.
Should You Dive In? Final Thoughts
Deciding to claim Vietnam’s Golden Visa is more than ticking off another stamp in your passport. It’s a commitment to immerse yourself in a country that’s as dynamic as it is delightful—a place where ancient traditions tango with modern skylines, and where you’ll find both comfort and challenge in equal measure.
If you’re a digital nomad yearning for stability without sacrificing adventure, an investor eyeing Southeast Asia’s rising star, or a retiree eager for tropical tranquility, this visa is your golden ticket.
Sure, the final details are still being ironed out, but the trajectory is clear: Vietnam is rolling out the red carpet for long-term residents.
Thinking of applying? Stay tuned for Bong Hostel’s full visa guide and updates as soon as Vietnam’s Golden Visa goes live!