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Vietnam Family Visit Visa (TT) — A Sponsorship Decision, Not Just a Travel Document

Most applicants treat this like a travel booking. That's why 70% of DIY applications hit problems.

A foreign family wearing traditional Ao Dai in Hoi An, illustrating the benefits of a Vietnam Visa TT for family reunification
The Reality

What Is the Vietnam Family Visit Visa? (The Real Question)

The Vietnam Family Visit Visa (Visa TT) isn't about "getting permission to visit Vietnam." It's a sponsorship decision — you're asking a Vietnamese citizen or legal resident to vouch for your presence, your purpose, and your departure.

"The visa TT is actually a trust evaluation."

Most applicants treat this like a travel booking: fill out forms, submit documents, wait for approval. That's why 70% of DIY applications hit problems. Vietnamese immigration is assessing whether your sponsor is credible, whether your relationship is genuine, and whether your stated purpose matches your actual intentions.

Understanding this changes everything about how you prepare. You're not just submitting paperwork. You're building a case that answers: "Why should Vietnam trust this person to enter, stay, and leave as promised?"

Who It Is For

Parents, spouses, or children of Vietnamese citizens — you have a direct family member who is a Vietnamese national
Spouses or children (under 18) of foreigners legally working in Vietnam — your family member holds a valid work visa (LV1, LV2, LĐ1, LĐ2), investment visa (ĐT1-3), lawyer visa (LS), journalist visa (PV1), student visa (DH), or representative office visa (NN1, NN2)
Family members needing stays up to 12 months — the TT visa allows continuous presence, unlike tourist visas

Who It Is NOT For

You're Vietnamese origin (Việt Kiều) visiting family — the 5-year visa exemption is usually better (no sponsor needed, 6-month stays, 5-year validity)
You need to work in Vietnam — the TT visa doesn't grant work rights; you need a work permit and appropriate visa category
Your "family member" is a friend or distant relative — immigration verifies relationships; fake sponsorships get rejected and can trigger entry bans
Your sponsor has immigration or legal issues — a sponsor with overstay history, tax problems, or legal troubles weakens your application significantly
You're planning to stay permanently — the TT visa is for visits, not immigration; if you want to live in Vietnam, you need a different pathway
Framework

Visa TT vs. Other Options

Option Who Qualifies Max Stay Validity Sponsorship Work Rights
Visa TT Family of citizens or legal foreign residents Up to 12 months continuous 1 year max Yes No
5-Year Exemption Vietnamese origin or direct family of citizens 6 months per entry 5 years No No
Tourist Visa Anyone 30-90 days Single/multiple entry No No
TRC Family of legal residents, investors, workers Continuous 1-3 years Yes (sponsor must qualify) Depends on category

Mistake 1

Choosing Visa TT when 5-Year Exemption was better.

Result: Annual renewals instead of 5-year freedom.

Mistake 2

Choosing Tourist Visa when TT was needed.

Result: Overstay risk or forced visa runs.

Mistake 3

Choosing TT when TRC was the goal.

Result: Repeated visa applications instead of one-time setup.

Strategy

Decision Logic:
Which Visa Fits?

Navigating Vietnamese immigration law requires strategic alignment. Find your specific situation to see the recommended path.

If you're Vietnamese origin (parents/grandparents were Vietnamese)

→ Apply for 5-year visa exemption, not TT

If you're foreign with no Vietnamese heritage, married to a Vietnamese citizen

→ Visa TT for entry, then consider converting to 3-year TRC

If you're visiting for less than 30 days and your country has visa exemption

→ Use the automatic exemption; no application needed

If your spouse/parent works in Vietnam on a valid work visa

→ Visa TT with validity matching their visa period

If you need to work in Vietnam

→ Visa TT doesn't help; you need a work permit first, then appropriate visa category

If you plan to stay longer than 12 months

→ Start with Visa TT, then convert to Temporary Residence Card (TRC) for 3-year validity

If your sponsor has legal/immigration issues

→ Resolve those first; a problematic sponsor nearly guarantees rejection

Risk Analysis

Why Applications Get Rejected

Most rejections stem from sponsor credibility issues or documentation gaps — not from the applicant themselves.

Result: Additional documents requested, delays

Fix: Verify sponsor's ID, household registration, and legal status before applying

Result: Application scrutinized heavily or rejected

Fix: Resolve sponsor's issues first; consider different sponsor if available

Result: Rejection or extended investigation

Fix: Gather birth certificates, marriage certificates, household registration in advance

Applicant & Document Issues

Passport valid < 6 months

Result: Immediate rejection

Fix: Renew passport before applying

Insufficient blank pages

Result: Rejection

Fix: Ensure 2+ blank pages

On Vietnam's entry ban list

Result: Rejection; may require explanation

Fix: Check status before applying; seek legal advice if banned

Inconsistent purpose statement

Result: Suspicion triggers investigation

Fix: Be truthful and specific about visit purpose

Document Requirements

Applicant Provides

Form NA5 Completed, signed, photo attached; requires police confirmation at sponsor's address (if applicant is in Vietnam)
Form NA3 Required if applicant is abroad; specify embassy/consulate or border crossing for visa stamping
Passport Valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages; original if in Vietnam, photocopy if abroad
Photos 2 passport photos (4x6cm, white background, taken within 6 months)

Sponsor Provides

ID Card or Passport Notarized copy of chip-enabled ID or passport
Proof of Relationship Notarized copies: birth certificate, marriage certificate, household registration

Applicant Provides

Form NA5 With confirmation from sponsoring company/organization
Form NA2 Submit via Vietnam Immigration Portal
Passport Valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages
Photos 2 passport photos (4x6cm, white background, taken within 6 months)

Sponsor Provides

Passport + Visa/TRC Copy of sponsor's passport and current legal status
Company Documents Business reg, NA16, NA19 (Notarized)
Introduction Letter Company letter authorizing sponsor

Critical Note

Foreign documents require consular legalization AND certified Vietnamese translation. This process takes 5-10 days and is where most DIY applications fail.

Processing Timeline

Why the difference? CMT pre-screens all documents against known rejection triggers before submission.

Approach Total Timeline Success Rate
Self-Application 3-5 weeks ~60% first-try
With CMT 2-3 weeks 98% first-try

What We Handle

Eligibility assessment & pathway recommendation
Complete document preparation and review
Legalization and translation coordination
Application submission and tracking
Post-visa pathway consultation (TT → TRC)

Minimum Requirements

Your sponsor is legally present in Vietnam with proper documentation
You have verifiable proof of your family relationship
Your passport is valid for at least 6 months with 2+ blank pages
You're not on Vietnam's entry restriction list
You have realistic timeline expectations (2-3 weeks minimum)

Start Your Process Correctly

Don't risk a DIY rejection. Secure your family's stay with a sponsorship decision that holds up.

Free Initial Document Review

We assess your readiness at no cost.

Saves 1,500,000 VND

10% Discount

On integrated service packages.

Free Expiry Reminder Service

Automatic alerts before your visa expires.

Worth 2,000,000 VND

Complimentary Residence Guide

"Legal Residence in Vietnam" handbook.

Worth 1,500,000 VND
Book Free Assessment

*CMT Consulting provides visa application services. We are not a law firm.