Vietnam's new extendable 10-year Visa - will the expat exodus begin?

[Watawattana]

Hi everyone, I've just seen this online but all the stories I found are currently a bit light on details, e.g. cost.  Looks on initial view similar to the Thai DTV.

 

https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnams-tourism-body-proposes-10-year-golden-visa-to-attract-global-talent-investors-103250516193404789.htm

 

If this takes off how many of the Thai-based expats will start heading to Vietnam?

[DrJack54]

Moved to visa etc to other countries. 

[Caldera]

It's merely a proposal at this point, let's see if something will materialize.

 

Personally, I wouldn't mind splitting my time between Thailand and Vietnam, both are great countries with their unique charms and annoyances. 

[DrJack54]

44 minutes ago, Caldera said:

Personally, I wouldn't mind splitting my time between Thailand and Vietnam, both are great countries with their unique charms and annoyances. 

Don't think anything stopping you. 

My first several years in Thailand I obtained 90 ME to Vietnam 4 times per year. 

Back then it was approval letter and visa issued on arrival. A PAIN. 

Now it's easy peasy e-Visa. 

My last couple took 4 days for approval and very few fields to fill. 

eg no upload of flights etc. 

No proof of accom etc. 

Walk in the park. 

[Caldera]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't think anything stopping you. 

My first several years in Thailand I obtained 90 ME to Vietnam 4 times per year. 

Back then it was approval letter and visa issued on arrival. A PAIN. 

Now it's easy peasy e-Visa. 

My last couple took 4 days for approval and very few fields to fill. 

eg no upload of flights etc. 

No proof of accom etc. 

Walk in the park. 

 

All true and I do spend quite some time in Vietnam already as things are, but to split my time more or less equally, I'd need what we'd call a "proper visa" here, just for Vietnam as well. That's what I meant

 

For example, I used to have a Vietnamese bank account, but that's impossible nowadays on tourist visas, so I couldn't even pay my rent by bank transfer. It's problems like that, also you can't get a Vietnamese DL on a tourist visa etc.

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Caldera said:

It's problems like that, also you can't get a Vietnamese DL on a tourist visa etc

You are bit of an outliner. 

Most expats in Thailand just visit Vietnam. 

 

Regards the OP "news".... Personally don't think attractive visa options to Vietnam would push them (expats) to uproot. 

 

As for tourists.... Vietnam already a better option IMO. 

 

[ViajeroLA]

7 hours ago, Watawattana said:

Hi everyone, I've just seen this online but all the stories I found are currently a bit light on details, e.g. cost.  Looks on initial view similar to the Thai DTV.

 

https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnams-tourism-body-proposes-10-year-golden-visa-to-attract-global-talent-investors-103250516193404789.htm

 

If this takes off how many of the Thai-based expats will start heading to Vietnam?

 

Depends on the terms. TH also has 10 y. visa

[newbee2022]

18 hours ago, Watawattana said:

Hi everyone, I've just seen this online but all the stories I found are currently a bit light on details, e.g. cost.  Looks on initial view similar to the Thai DTV.

 

https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnams-tourism-body-proposes-10-year-golden-visa-to-attract-global-talent-investors-103250516193404789.htm

 

If this takes off how many of the Thai-based expats will start heading to Vietnam?

As long the requirements are not published it makes no sense to talk about it.

But it seems to be clear.....they will not do it for free.

[NICKMONDO1]

14 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

All true and I do spend quite some time in Vietnam already as things are, but to split my time more or less equally, I'd need what we'd call a "proper visa" here, just for Vietnam as well. That's what I meant

 

For example, I used to have a Vietnamese bank account, but that's impossible nowadays on tourist visas, so I couldn't even pay my rent by bank transfer. It's problems like that, also you can't get a Vietnamese DL on a tourist visa etc.

i recommend that you do some research on payment options.

I pay for nearly everything in Vietnam either by Google Pay, or by bank transfer from my Wise account to the receiving account in Vietnam.

So simple a kid could do it

[impulse]

Depends on the T&C's. 

 

Just because you get a 10 year visa doesn't mean you can live there for 10 years.

 

[BangkokHank]

14 hours ago, Caldera said:

For example, I used to have a Vietnamese bank account, but that's impossible nowadays on tourist visas, so I couldn't even pay my rent by bank transfer. It's problems like that, also you can't get a Vietnamese DL on a tourist visa etc.

I opened a bank account in Vietnam on a tourist visa last year - in Nha Trang. And while I was opening my account, there were lots of other foreigners (mostly Russians) also opening accounts. Maybe it's easier in Nha Trang because it's a big tourist destination. Perhaps you could try there.

[shackleton]

As normal here some expats complain about anything 

Most like myself have commitments family house ect so no chance of leaving Thailand 

The others old single  relying on Pensions ect talk the talk but don't walk the walk 

Most will stay in Thailand 

[PB172111]

I think it would be out of reach for most people. From what I can see it is not aimed at retirees.

 

 

Proposed Golden Visa Program

 

 

The Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board has proposed three main visa categories:

 

• Golden Visa: Valid for 5 to 10 years, targeting individuals contributing significantly to Vietnam’s economy, tourism, or innovation sectors.
• Investor Visa: A 10-year visa offering a pathway to permanent residency after five years, contingent upon maintaining the investment.
• Talent Visa: A 5-year visa with simplified renewal procedures, aimed at highly skilled professionals in rapidly growing sectors.

 

 

These visas are intended to provide more accessible and flexible residency options compared to the current DT-class investor visas, which require active business involvement and substantial capital commitments.

[Watawattana]

47 minutes ago, PB172111 said:

I think it would be out of reach for most people. From what I can see it is not aimed at retirees.

 

 

Proposed Golden Visa Program

 

 

The Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board has proposed three main visa categories:

 

• Golden Visa: Valid for 5 to 10 years, targeting individuals contributing significantly to Vietnam’s economy, tourism, or innovation sectors.
• Investor Visa: A 10-year visa offering a pathway to permanent residency after five years, contingent upon maintaining the investment.
• Talent Visa: A 5-year visa with simplified renewal procedures, aimed at highly skilled professionals in rapidly growing sectors.

 

 

These visas are intended to provide more accessible and flexible residency options compared to the current DT-class investor visas, which require active business involvement and substantial capital commitments.

I've seen one article mentioning retirees, but as others have said it's just a proposal just now and we'll see the reality at some point.

 

The visa would target affluent foreigners, retirees, investors and skilled talent, offering them a longer stay and potential benefits, including multiple entries, business investment opportunities, and a simplified residency pathway, VnExpress reported.

 

https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnams-tourism-body-proposes-10-year-golden-visa-to-attract-global-talent-investors-103250516193404789.htm

 

 

[hydraides]

Vietnam is a ****hole compared to Thailand

 

Everything about it is worse.....less developed, more pollution especially in the cities, more rubbish........NO THANKS...

[Magictoad]

What are the hospitals like in Vietnam?

[QPRFC]

1 hour ago, Magictoad said:

What are the hospitals like in Vietnam?

People still travel to BKK for non-emergencies eg teeth, tits; as it is cheaper with more experienced doctors

[QPRFC]

There's no announcement of a Retirement Visa just Golden,Investor and Talent. 

The $ amounts will probably be set at a ridiculous threshold for the Golden Visa and people rich enough will probably choose a non-Asian country to reside anyway! 

Investor visas exist today in VN but the minimum amount has been progressively increasing to around $1m USD currently! Too risky in my view (if I even had the money). 

Talent visa meh! 

[Tomtomtom69]

19 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

All true and I do spend quite some time in Vietnam already as things are, but to split my time more or less equally, I'd need what we'd call a "proper visa" here, just for Vietnam as well. That's what I meant

 

For example, I used to have a Vietnamese bank account, but that's impossible nowadays on tourist visas, so I couldn't even pay my rent by bank transfer. It's problems like that, also you can't get a Vietnamese DL on a tourist visa etc.

 

Yeah banking in Vietnam is a pain if you're a non-working expat. Then again, retirees aside, it's quite unusual to find a country anywhere, with tons of non-working expats. Vietnam is a nice country but unlike Thailand, most expats there also work in the country as I'd consider to be normal. The situation in Thailand is most unusual, in comparison to other countries.

 

That stated, Thailand itself is tightening the screws on non-working expats opening bank accounts (quite difficult nowadays; even agents can't help as easily as they once could and only one bank seems to be opening accounts for foreigners relatively easily, which is TTB).

 

Wise is no longer supporting payments to the smaller Thai banks; only big ones remain supported.

 

You can only get a 2-year temporary Thai DL on a tourist visa. Some offices don't even issue 2-year licenses to tourist visa holders.

 

Some offices don't issue 5-year licenses to those on DTV visas or anything but a marriage, retirement or work visa.

[baansgr]

90 border required

[NoDisplayName]

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Regards the OP "news".... Personally don't think attractive visa options to Vietnam would push them (expats) to uproot. 

 

Implementation of global taxation would be a sufficient push to obtain NON tax-resident status in Thailand.

 

And if VN goes that route as well, a 10-year tourist visa for China or 30-days visa-free in Hainan or Kunming would work.

[Caldera]

5 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

I opened a bank account in Vietnam on a tourist visa last year - in Nha Trang. And while I was opening my account, there were lots of other foreigners (mostly Russians) also opening accounts. Maybe it's easier in Nha Trang because it's a big tourist destination. Perhaps you could try there.

 

Great to hear that! If you don't mind, it would be nice to know which bank.

[BangkokHank]

46 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

Great to hear that! If you don't mind, it would be nice to know which bank.

Vietcombank. They have English-speaking staff at their Nha Trang branch to handle the account opening (and other business) of their foreign customers. They're very nice - and professional.