Another Visa thread.

Member since 30 September 2021

mitchellvassieActive member28 May 2022 14:23:23

Dear all,

My girl and I (Scottish and Swedish) are moving to Hanoi next month for a full time job at a university. We have spent months arranging the appostilles/authentifications/embassy stamps etc. to obtain our official work visas. This will not happen until after we have arrived in Hanoi.

We have a one way ticket booked. Can you please advise which visa would be the best to apply for. It looks like "Visa on arrival" is the obvious, but just wanted to check with some experts

Thank you as always,

Mitchell.

See also

Visas for Vietnam - Guide
Tourist visa in Vietnam - Guide
Yet another E-Visa question - Full Name - 13 Replies
Another Visa Question --- - 8 Replies
Another question about Districts - 23 Replies
Yet another post about long term Visas - 14 Replies
get another 3 months' Visa - or pay for an extension? - 4 Replies

AndyHCMC ViP

Member since 29 February 2020

AndyHCMCViP28 May 2022 15:00:42

1855

Dear all,

My girl and I (Scottish and Swedish) are moving to Hanoi next month for a full time job at a university. We have spent months arranging the appostilles/authentifications/embassy stamps etc. to obtain our official work visas. This will not happen until after we have arrived in Hanoi.

We have a one way ticket booked. Can you please advise which visa would be the best to apply for. It looks like "Visa on arrival" is the obvious, but just wanted to check with some experts

Thank you as always,

Mitchell.
- @mitchellvassie

E-visa link evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/

Robert1983 New member

Member since 22 March 2021

Robert1983New member28 May 2022 15:26:42

@mitchellvassie @ I am Vietnamese. It's usual you get travel visa to Vietnam for 1st time valued 3 months. After arrive, ask University help to make work permit value 1 year. Then University/company will uses for work permit to submit Embassy in Vietnam "confirmed you work for them base on the contract & request to offer you visa for work value 1-2 years depaend on your contract. After got confirmation docs => go Vietnam airport or Vietnam Embassy in your country to get visa sticker on passport => Done.

Are you going for Vin University?

Better ask them for detail support. It's normal in Vietnam.

Bgds/ Robert.

AndyHCMC ViP

Member since 29 February 2020

AndyHCMCViP28 May 2022 15:34:15

1855

@mitchellvassie @ I am Vietnamese. It's usual you get travel visa to Vietnam for 1st time valued 3 months. After arrive, ask University help to make work permit value 1 year. Then University/company will uses for work permit to submit Embassy in Vietnam "confirmed you work for them base on the contract & request to offer you visa for work value 1-2 years depaend on your contract. After got confirmation docs => go Vietnam airport or Vietnam Embassy in your country to get visa sticker on passport => Done.

Are you going for Vin University?

Better ask them for detail support. It's normal in Vietnam.

Bgds/ Robert.
- @Robert1983

Can you please link to where 3 month visa available? - current information is 30 day e-visa

Robert1983 New member

Member since 22 March 2021

Robert1983New member28 May 2022 15:39:21

Correct it's 30 days. My mistake

mitchellvassie Active member

Member since 30 September 2021

mitchellvassieActive member28 May 2022 15:48:16

@Andybris2020

Thank you again for all of your guidance!

mitchellvassie Active member

Member since 30 September 2021

mitchellvassieActive member28 May 2022 15:49:04

@Robert1983

Thank you Robert.

No, it's not Vin.

It's a fashion design school.

Best wishes,

Mitchell.

AndyHCMC ViP

Member since 29 February 2020

AndyHCMCViP28 May 2022 15:56:29

1855

Correct it's 30 days. My mistake
- @Robert1983

Yes, we just have to be careful no one thinks thats new news

OceanBeach92107 VIP Member

Member since 31 January 2018

OceanBeach92107VIP Member28 May 2022 19:49:21

7541

Dear all,

My girl and I (Scottish and Swedish) are moving to Hanoi next month for a full time job at a university. We have spent months arranging the appostilles/authentifications/embassy stamps etc. to obtain our official work visas. This will not happen until after we have arrived in Hanoi.

We have a one way ticket booked. Can you please advise which visa would be the best to apply for. It looks like "Visa on arrival" is the obvious, but just wanted to check with some experts

Thank you as always,

Mitchell.
- @mitchellvassie

Please be VERY cautious Mitchell.

Unfortunately, there are many, many anecdotal reports in the past of people investing in a move for employment in Vietnam only to have significant promises broken by the prospective employer upon arrival in Vietnam.

For legitimate employment at the design school (not a true university, correct?) there should be an official letter of sponsorship issued prior to your departure, allowing the embassy/consulate of Vietnam in the UK and in Sweden to issue you both business visas (usually 3 months initially) prior to your departure.

Then your employer legally has 90 days to arrange for your (their) work permit.

You can then apply for a TRC (temporary residence card).

All of that aside, follow the link Andy provided for the only legal 30-day tourist visa being issued at this time (without the purchase of an expensive tour package).

Additionally, both you and your girlfriend are eligible for the 15-day no-fee visa waiver (with minimum 6-months passport validity) and you can exit and re-enter the country without a mandatory waiting period (law change effective July 1st, 2020).

We would need to know more details about what your employer is saying remains to be done upon your arrival to know if you might be able to get a business visa issued during that two-week timeframe.

Good luck and please be safe.

O.B.

Guest2023 Guest

Guest2023Guest28 May 2022 20:08:51

#10

Agree with OB, it's a design school, not a uni. Many businesses promise the earth, you then turn up to find that it was all lies. Do a search online for reviews about working at the school you are going to be working at.

THIGV ViP

Member since 26 September 2012

THIGVViP29 May 2022 00:27:45

#11

4427

Mitchellvasie: Most all of the replies you have received up to now seem to be based on the assumption that your girlfriend will be working at the same school. However, I noticed that you referred to " a full time job at a university" (singular). If your girlfriend has been hired as well, then forget about what I asked, but if not, everything is different. There is (or used to be) a distinct visa for dependents of holders of work permit/residence cards, but that may take a while longer. Also it may not be available for a girlfriend as opposed to a legal spouse.

I know comparing school formats and terminology is fraught with apples and oranges situations but in the US, two members of my family hove worked as Professors for design schools that grant both Baccalaureate and advanced degrees. One was the Rhode Island School of Design and the other the Parsons School of Design, that has been incorporated into the New School, a University in New York City. Even if it is not structured as a degree granting institution, I expect that your design school could apply for a work permit for it's employees just as for-profit storefront language schools do. I expect that the eagerness of the school to assist you is more important than whether it grants degrees.

OceanBeach92107 VIP Member

Member since 31 January 2018

OceanBeach92107VIP Member29 May 2022 01:57:38

#12

7541

There is (or used to be) a distinct visa for dependents of holders of work permit/residence cards, but that may take a while longer. Also it may not be available for a girlfriend as opposed to a legal spouse. - @THIGV

TT visas are definitely not available for domestic partnerships

jonnysharp6 New member

Member since 19 June 2021

jonnysharp6New member29 May 2022 03:40:15

#13

@OceanBeach92107 at the moment you can’t obtain a TRC from any legit source and only a 30 day e visa is possible

AndyHCMC ViP

Member since 29 February 2020

AndyHCMCViP29 May 2022 03:51:01

#14

1855

@OceanBeach92107 at the moment you can’t obtain a TRC from any legit source and only a 30 day e visa is possible
- @jonnysharp6

Hi Johnny,

Can you expand on your comment about can not obtain TRC - is that because you have tried, is this connected to your employment etc to give members more perspective please

jayrozzetti23 Serial expat

Member since 14 December 2015

jayrozzetti23Serial expat29 May 2022 07:18:54

#15

832

Dear all,

My girl and I (Scottish and Swedish) are moving to Hanoi next month for a full time job at a university. We have spent months arranging the appostilles/authentifications/embassy stamps etc. to obtain our official work visas. This will not happen until after we have arrived in Hanoi.

We have a one way ticket booked. Can you please advise which visa would be the best to apply for. It looks like "Visa on arrival" is the obvious, but just wanted to check with some experts

Thank you as always,

Mitchell.
- @mitchellvassie

Maybe I'm missing something but surely, the school would know the answer to your question.

What did they say?

mitchellvassie Active member

Member since 30 September 2021

mitchellvassieActive member29 May 2022 16:33:49

#16

Thank you all! I appreciate the advice.

It is indeed a private school with a strong connection to a UK university and offers various BA courses. I have spoken to ex teachers regarding the legitimacy of the institution just to be sure.

My partner and I will both be working there and we have received our contracts. The school is currently taking care of our work visas. They received all relevant documents last week, and as some of you mentioned they have 90 days to complete the process. So hopefully that's happening.

All in all, it seems 'above board' and professional.

Let's see.....

Thanks again all! Very much appreciated.

Mitchell

OceanBeach92107 VIP Member

Member since 31 January 2018

OceanBeach92107VIP Member29 May 2022 16:47:22

#17

7541

Thank you all! I appreciate the advice.

It is indeed a private school with a strong connection to a UK university and offers various BA courses. I have spoken to ex teachers regarding the legitimacy of the institution just to be sure.

My partner and I will both be working there and we have received our contracts. The school is currently taking care of our work visas. They received all relevant documents last week, and as some of you mentioned they have 90 days to complete the process. So hopefully that's happening.

All in all, it seems 'above board' and professional.

Let's see.....

Thanks again all! Very much appreciated.

Mitchell
- @mitchellvassie

All of that sounds good, but it also means there is NO reason that the school can't have official sponsorship letters issued so that you both can get work-related visas through your respective embassies before you depart.

Especially under current conditions where your only other option is a tourist visa for 30 days, this is a huge red flag.

Because if they don't finish your work PERMIT within 30 days of your arrival, it will be your responsibility to exit and re-enter the country for a new eVisa (in-country extensions are not allowed).

alexneoh Active member

Member since 18 May 2022

alexneohActive member30 May 2022 05:26:37

#18

@mitchellvassie

Sharing what I went thru as newbie in VN. Newly arrived to VN under company sponsorship. For kick start ( way back at Feb '22 ), my origin company in Singapore need to issue "Specialist Certificate" confirming my employment status. Couple with my tertiary education certificates, such documents need to be notarised firstly before certified by embassy at home country. Ensure that each document to be certify individually and do not consolidate ( really cost an arm and leg ). Certified and notarised copies to be courier to my VN company into processing the application with "Ministry of Labour". If this is in place as claimed, then believe you are in the right track.

After some mitigation and grease factor, 3 months approval has been granted ( starting Apr ) under business visa condition. The letter head will read as " cục quản lý xuất nhập cảnh " or if I interpret correctly will be Administration of Immigration who will issue such letter. Once received such letter, ensure to check word by word as for my instance, need to rectify twice where either is my passport no incorrect or my name spell wrongly. Not sure a deliberation or purely mistake but anyway spotted and get in done ( unfortunately can only done upon arrival ). Thereafter book air ticket, perform PCR test ( in Apr still needed ) and bring along my vaccinated certificate with QR code embedded. Aside, prepare few photos with white background. Size, not really matter ( for my instance ) as the Immigration officer only ask photos without emphasis on measurement. Ah.. remember to bring along a pen as there will be 4 pages of tight column paper to scribble.

Flying into Tan Son Nhat firstly before heading to Hai Phoung. Upon arrival, head straight to Visa office counter. Since detected error on my initial application, officer manning the counter is expecting my arrival with a huge big open arm ( to my surprise, can even greet me by my name ) The rest is history but ultimately there will be US$50 legit charges for a piece of sticker to be paste onto my passport. Well... error is still error and remained error despite all the rectification. Leaving with no choice, to just accept the reality and now my DN1 has been enforced. To be honest, this is only the tip of the iceberg...

Moon after moon passed, 2 times to Hanoi's office and 2 times to local offices to work on my work permit as well as TRC, still at every instances, requirements differ significantly despite meeting all the application condition. Really puzzling me is that my application need approval from "ministry of safety" which they are holding back currently. Next, don't know who will be the show stopper. Time bom is ticking and I am counting my days. Now I'm praying to GOD but keep rowing to the shore. Hope this share and please expect the unexpected. It will not be a straight forward process indeed.

With such detrimental processes, doubt so that 30 days visa will be sufficient. Even willingly and with whole heartedly to fork out VND25 mil to the "saint" but there is no assurance on the blessing that it may works. Let's see how it goes... just learn a new VN language " chuc may man"....