E-visas, 45-day exemptions, long-stay options, and how to legally extend your stay — the complete guide for residents and long-term visitors.
As of August 2023, Vietnam extended its unilateral visa-free exemption to 45 days (previously 15 days) for citizens of 25+ countries. This means you can enter Vietnam — including Da Nang — without a visa and stay for up to 45 days. You can exit and re-enter immediately, with no minimum gap required.
| Country / region | Exemption period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Ireland | 45 days | No minimum gap for re-entry |
| Germany, France, Italy, Spain | 45 days | Covers all Schengen nations |
| Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland | 45 days | |
| Australia, New Zealand | 45 days | |
| Japan, South Korea | 45 days | |
| Canada | 45 days | |
| USA | 45 days | Added August 2023 |
| Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand | 30 days | ASEAN agreement |
| Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia | 30 days | ASEAN agreement |
| China | 30 days | Extended in 2024 |
| India | Visa required | Must apply for e-visa |
| All others | E-visa (90 days) | Apply online before travel |
Important: The 45-day exemption applies per entry. There is no statutory minimum gap before re-entering — however, immigration officers have discretion, and frequent border runs may attract questions. If you plan to stay long-term, use the e-visa route or a proper long-stay option.
The Vietnam e-visa is available to citizens of almost all countries. Since August 2023 it allows a single entry for up to 90 days (previously 30 days). A multiple-entry e-visa for 90 days is also available.
The official website is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Be careful of unofficial sites that charge inflated fees — the official fee is USD 25 for single-entry or USD 50 for multiple-entry.
You will need: a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry date, a passport-size photo (digital, white background), your travel dates, and a card to pay the fee.
USD 25 (single-entry, 90 days) or USD 50 (multiple-entry, 90 days). Payment is by credit or debit card on the portal.
Processing takes approximately 3 business days. You will receive your e-visa by email as a PDF. Print it and carry it when you travel — immigration will check it at the port of entry.
Da Nang Airport is an e-visa entry point. Present your e-visa and passport at immigration. The process is usually quick — typically 5–15 minutes.
Avoid third-party e-visa services. Multiple commercial sites charge USD 60–120 to process the same e-visa that costs USD 25 directly from the government portal. The only legitimate application portal is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.
There are limited options for extending a stay in Vietnam without leaving the country.
E-visa holders can apply for a single extension of up to 90 days through the Department of Immigration (Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh). Extensions must be applied for before the original visa expires. The fee is approximately 1.4 million VND ($56).
To apply: visit the local immigration office (Phòng Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh) in Da Nang — located on Trần Phú street — or use a licensed visa agent to submit on your behalf. The extension is approved at immigration officers' discretion and is not guaranteed.
Visa-exempt visitors (those entering on the 45-day exemption) cannot extend their stay without leaving Vietnam. Once you leave, you may re-enter on a new visa-exempt entry or switch to an e-visa.
Foreigners employed by a Vietnamese company or married to a Vietnamese national can apply for a Temporary Residence Card (Thẻ Tạm Trú), which is valid for 1–5 years. This is the standard long-term option for working expats.
Vietnam does not have a retirement visa or digital nomad visa (as of July 2026). The main long-stay options for foreigners in Da Nang are:
| Option | Who qualifies | Duration | Cost (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business visa (DN/DL) | Those invited by a Vietnamese company | 1–12 months | $50–200 |
| Work permit + TRC | Employed by a Vietnamese-registered company | 1–2 years (renewable) | $200–500 (company-sponsored) |
| Investor visa | Those with capital invested in Vietnam | 5 years | Requires VND 3 billion+ investment |
| Spouse/family visa | Married to a Vietnamese national | 1–5 years TRC | $50–150 + legal fees |
| E-visa rolling | Any eligible nationality | 90 days, renewable by exit | $25–50 per entry |
The most practical option for most digital nomads and remote workers is the 90-day multiple-entry e-visa (USD 50), renewed each time by a short trip to Thailand, Malaysia, or Cambodia. This is legal and widely used, though Vietnam has not formalised this into an official long-stay scheme.
A "visa run" means leaving Vietnam briefly to reset your allowed stay. Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is one of the best cities in Vietnam to do this from, with direct international flights to several nearby destinations.
| Destination | Flight time | Airlines | Typical return cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (BKK/DMK) | ~2h | VietJet, Bangkok Airways | $80–160 |
| Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | ~2h 30m | AirAsia, VietJet | $60–140 |
| Singapore (SIN) | ~2h | Vietnam Airlines, Scoot | $100–200 |
| Seoul (ICN) | ~4h | Vietnam Airlines, Jin Air | $150–300 |
| Taipei (TPE) | ~3h | VietJet, EVA Air | $150–280 |
Some people do same-day visa runs (fly out in the morning, return that evening), but staying even one night is more comfortable and gives time for the immigration process. Cambodia by land (via Ho Chi Minh City) is another option but is time-consuming from Da Nang.
Always verify visa rules before travelling. Vietnam's immigration policies have changed multiple times in recent years. Check the official portal (xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) or your country's embassy website for the latest requirements at the time of your visit.