Vietnam Dependent (TT) Visa for Foreigners

This guide explains the steps to obtain a Vietnam Dependent Visa, also known as the TT or family visa, which includes the Vietnam spouse visa.

As a popular destination for expats, Vietnam provides a Dependent Visa (TT Visa) to support foreign families or those with Vietnamese family members living together legally in Vietnam. This visa is ideal for foreign students, professionals, investors, and Vietnamese citizens wishing to bring their spouses, children, or parents to Vietnam.

What is the Vietnam Dependent Visa?

The Vietnam Dependent Visa, or TT Visa, is a type of family visa that allows certain family members of foreigners and Vietnamese citizens to reside in Vietnam for an extended period. Eligible applicants include spouses and children of foreigners, as well as the spouses, children, and parents of Vietnamese citizens. This visa is designed to facilitate family reunification in Vietnam.

Eligibility for the Vietnam Dependent (TT) Visa

According to Vietnam’s Law No. 51/2019/QH14, effective from November 25, 2019, the TT Dependent Visa is available to:

Family of Vietnamese Citizens: Parents, spouses, and children of Vietnamese citizens.

Family of Foreigners Holding Specific Visa Types: Spouses and children under 18 years of age of foreigners with any of the following visas:

LV1 Visa: For individuals working with entities under the Communist Party, National Assembly, government bodies, and various ministerial and provincial agencies in Vietnam.
LV2 Visa: For individuals working with socio-political organizations, social organizations, or the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
LS Visa: For foreign lawyers practicing in Vietnam.
DT1 Visa: For investors and representatives of foreign organizations contributing capital of at least VND 100 billion or investing in sectors/regions benefiting from government incentives.
DT2 Visa: For investors and representatives with capital contributions between VND 50 billion and VND 100 billion, or investing in incentivized sectors.
DT3 Visa: For investors and representatives with capital contributions between VND 3 billion and VND 50 billion.
NN1 Visa: For managers of representative offices or projects for international and foreign non-governmental organizations.
NN2 Visa: For heads of representative offices or branches of foreign businesses, and other foreign economic, cultural, or professional organizations.
DH Visa: For individuals coming to study or undertake internships.
PV1 Visa: For journalists with permanent residences in Vietnam.
LD1 Visa: For foreign workers in Vietnam exempted from work permits.
LD2 Visa: For foreign workers in Vietnam requiring work permits.

This visa enables eligible family members to live in Vietnam and supports family reunification.

Who Can Sponsor Foreign Family Members for a Dependent Visa in Vietnam?

For a dependent visa in Vietnam, all foreign applicants need a local sponsor who shares a family relationship with them, either as a spouse or parent. Eligible sponsors include:

Vietnamese citizens
Foreigners residing in Vietnam who hold a visa or temporary residence card in the visa categories mentioned above and have sponsorship approval from their employing organization or company.

Where to Apply for a TT Visa in Vietnam

If you’re outside Vietnam, you can apply for a family (dependent) visa at a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General, or upon arrival at a Vietnamese airport. If you are already in Vietnam, you may convert your current visa to a TT (dependent) visa at the Vietnam Immigration Department.

How to Obtain a Vietnam Dependent Visa

The process to secure a dependent visa for Vietnam varies depending on whether you are inside or outside of Vietnam at the time of application.

How to Get a Dependent Visa from Within Vietnam

This option, often referred to as converting your current visa to a TT visa, involves three key steps:

Step 1: Prepare Required Documents for a Vietnam TT Visa Application

The required documents depend on whether the sponsor is a Vietnamese citizen or a foreigner:

If the sponsor is a Vietnamese citizen:

Form NA5: Application for visa issuance or extension, certified by the local Public Security office where the sponsor’s permanent address is registered.
Dependent’s passport: Must be valid for at least six months, with at least one blank page and a valid Vietnam visa.
Photos: Two 4×6 cm portrait photos of the dependent.
Notarized copies: Sponsor’s ID card and family book.
Proof of family relationship: Documents such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate. If issued abroad, these must be legalized and translated into Vietnamese.

If the sponsor is a foreigner:

Form NA5: Application for visa issuance or extension, certified by the sponsor’s employing organization or company.
Dependent’s passport: Must be valid for at least six months, with at least one blank page and a valid Vietnam visa.
Sponsor’s passport copy: Includes a copy of the sponsor’s valid passport and Vietnam visa/temporary residence card.
Proof of family relationship: Documents such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate, legalized and translated into Vietnamese as per legal requirements.
Company documents: Notarized copies of the organization’s business registration certificate, investment certificate, or representative office establishment certificate, as well as its seal and tax registration certificates.
Introduction letter: Identifying the person authorized to handle the visa application at the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Step 2: Obtain the Vietnam TT Visa Stamp

The sponsor or their representative submits the application documents at one of the following immigration offices:

Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District
Da Nang: 78 Le Loi, Thach Thang, Hai Chau District
Ho Chi Minh City: 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai, District 1

After submission, the applicant will receive a receipt with the expected date for result collection. On that date, they return to the immigration office to collect the TT visa, now stamped in the dependent’s passport.

Note: The dependent is not required to leave and re-enter Vietnam to activate the visa issued within the country.

How to Obtain a Vietnam TT Visa from Outside Vietnam

When applying for a Vietnam TT visa from outside the country, the sponsor and dependent should follow these three steps:

Step 1: Prepare Documents for the TT Visa Approval Letter

If the sponsored person is outside Vietnam, the following documents are required:

If the sponsor is a Vietnamese citizen:

Form NA2: A request for pre-clearance of the dependent’s entry, certified by the Public Security office where the sponsor’s permanent address is registered.
Dependent’s passport copy: Valid for at least six months, with at least one blank page.
Sponsor’s ID and family book: Notarized copies.
Proof of family relationship: Documents like a marriage or birth certificate. If issued abroad, these must be legalized and translated into Vietnamese.

If the sponsor is a foreigner:

Form NA2: Certified by the organization or company where the sponsor works, indicating the pickup location for the TT visa stamp (e.g., a Vietnam embassy/consulate abroad or Vietnam arrival airport).
Dependent’s passport copy: Valid for at least six months.
Sponsor’s passport and visa: Copy of the sponsor’s valid passport and Vietnam visa/temporary residence card.
Proof of family relationship: Legalized and translated documents, such as marriage or birth certificates.
Company documents: Notarized copies of the organization’s business registration, investment, or representative office certificates, seal registration, and tax certificates.
Introduction letter: Identifying the individual handling the visa process at the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Note: For more details, contact us at +84 978 158 346 (WhatsApp, Zalo available).

Step 2: Obtain the TT Visa Approval Letter

This process is similar to Step 2 for in-country applications, but instead of a visa stamp, the sponsor will receive a TT visa approval letter. The sponsor should then send a scanned copy of this letter to the dependent to finalize the visa process.

Step 3: Obtain the TT Visa Stamp

Once the dependent receives the approval letter, they should prepare the following:

Printed copy of the approval letter
Vietnamese visa application form (also known as the entry and exit form)
Two 4×6 cm photos
Original passport: Valid for at least six months with at least two blank pages

The dependent can then go to the location specified in the approval letter (e.g., a Vietnam embassy/consulate or Vietnam arrival airport) to get the TT visa stamped.

Disclaimer: While we strive to keep this information accurate and updated, requirements may change over time.

For those needing assistance, Vietnam Online Visa offers professional services to streamline and expedite the Vietnam visa application process.

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