Vietnam Proposes a 10-Year Golden Visa for Foreign Residents

Vietnam’s Tourism Advisory Board has submitted a proposal for a long-term golden visa program, valid for up to ten years, in a bid to keep pace with regional competitors like Thailand and Malaysia.

The plan, now under review by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, seeks to attract high-value foreign residents and boost the tourism economy by offering more accessible, long-duration visa pathways.

Unlike the existing DT visa system, which ties foreign investors to specific business operations and high capital thresholds, the proposed golden visa would create options for passive investment and skilled foreign talent.

If approved, the program would mark a major shift in Vietnam’s approach to residency and economic migration.

New Visa Options Target Long-Term Investors, Entrepreneurs, and Skilled Professionals

The proposal outlines three distinct visa options:

• 10-Year Golden Visa for qualifying foreign residents
• 10-Year Investor Visa with a path to permanent residency after five years, assuming the investment is maintained
• 5-Year Talent Visa for skilled individuals, designed with simplified renewal procedures

The board has suggested that pilot programs begin in tourism and economic centers such as Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.

The move comes amid growing pressure to modernize visa policies and stay competitive as nearby countries expand their investor migration offerings.

Proposed Framework Aims to Bypass Limitations of Current DT Visa System

Vietnam’s current DT-class visas (DT1 through DT4) require direct business activity and substantial capital commitments, from VND 3 billion (US$120,000) for a one-year DT4 visa to VND 100 billion (US$4 million) for the five-year DT1. These visas are often seen as restrictive for international investors who prefer passive or portfolio-based residency routes.

The golden visa framework would fill that gap. While the proposal doesn’t specify minimum investment thresholds yet, it aligns with the country’s broader strategy to simplify foreign entry pathways and attract long-term residents.

The plan also complements recent visa reforms, including visa exemptions for 12 countries extended to 2028 and a directive to explore exemptions for Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The current permanent residency track in Vietnam involves a three-year stay, with the possibility of naturalization after five years, a process that requires language proficiency and citizenship renunciation. The proposed program could offer a more streamlined alternative.