Moving to Vietnam 2026: Visas, Work, Pets, First Steps
Americans and Canadians are not on Viet Nam's unilateral visa-exemption lists, so a move starts with an e-visa of up to 90 days. Staying to work then depends on a work permit, or a confirmation that you are exempt, under rules the Government rewrote in August 2025. This guide covers the e-visa, the work and investor routes, the conditions every foreign worker must meet, and what a pet needs to travel from the United States, as published by the Government of Viet Nam and the US Department of Agriculture and read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
US and Canadian citizens enter Viet Nam on an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days, costing US$25 single-entry or US$50 multiple-entry, through designated border gates. To work, you need a work permit under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, decided within ten working days, or a confirmation of exemption, for example as an owner or capital contributor with at least VND 3 billion in a company. Dogs and cats from the US need a microchip, a current rabies vaccination and a USDA-endorsed health certificate valid for 30 days.
Moving to Vietnam as an American or Canadian
- No exemption: the Government's unilateral visa-exemption lists cover 24 countries, such as Germany, France, the UK, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Switzerland. The United States and Canada are not on them.
- E-visa: Viet Nam issues e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories, valid for up to 90 days.
- Fee: US$25 for a single-entry visa and US$50 for a multiple-entry visa, paid through the e-visa portal's payment gateway and non-refundable if the visa is not granted.
- Where you enter: e-visa holders must enter and exit through the international border gates the Government designates, including the airports at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Da Nang.
Staying to work
Working in Viet Nam needs a work permit unless an exemption applies. Since 7 August 2025, the rules come from Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which replaced the provisions of Decree 152/2020/ND-CP and its 2023 amendments.
- Your employer files a written request explaining why it needs to hire a foreign worker, on Form No. 03 of the decree.
- The provincial People's Committee decides within ten working days of receiving a valid dossier.
- If it refuses, it gives written reasons within three working days.
The full procedure, exemptions and fees are in our Vietnam work visa guide.
The conditions for any foreign worker
- At least 18 years of age with full civil act capacity.
- Technical, professional or occupational qualifications and experience.
- Health suitable under the Minister of Health's rules.
- Not serving a sentence, without an unspent criminal record, and not subject to criminal prosecution under foreign or Vietnamese law.
Routes that do not need a work permit
| Situation | What Decree 219 provides |
|---|---|
| Investing in a company | Owners or capital contributors with at least VND 3 billion in a limited liability company are exempt, as are chairpersons or board members with at least VND 3 billion in a joint-stock company |
| Short assignments | Managers, executive directors, experts or technical workers who work in Viet Nam for less than 90 days in total in a year are exempt |
| Teaching and research | Foreign workers certified by the Ministry of Education and Training to teach, research or transfer international education programmes are exempt |
| Priority sectors | People certified by a ministry or provincial People's Committee to work in finance, science, technology, innovation or digital transformation are exempt |
Decree 219 also sets the procedure for issuing confirmations of exemption, so check with the employer which document your case needs.
Moving to Vietnam with a dog or cat
For pets travelling from the United States, the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) publishes Viet Nam's health certificate for dogs and cats, updated in September 2025.
| Requirement | What the certificate states |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required, and the veterinarian verifies its presence |
| Health inspection | The animal appears healthy and free of infectious or contagious diseases |
| Rabies area | The animal comes from an area not quarantined for rabies and has not been exposed to rabies |
| Rabies vaccination | Current at the time of export, with date, vaccine, batch and end of validity recorded |
| Validity | 30 days from the date of issue to the date of departure |
| Endorsement | Issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS, which accepts electronic signature and digital endorsement |
APHIS also publishes a separate certificate for pet birds. Airlines have their own rules for transporting pets.
Costs and first steps
For a budget, see our cost of moving to Vietnam, and for a step-by-step plan, how to move to Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
Can Americans move to Vietnam?
Yes. US citizens enter on an e-visa of up to 90 days and, to work, need a work permit or a confirmation of exemption under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.
Do Canadians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Canada is not on Viet Nam's unilateral visa-exemption lists. Canadians can apply for an e-visa, which is issued to citizens of all countries.
How much is a Vietnam e-visa?
US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, non-refundable if the visa is refused.
Can I move to Vietnam with my dog?
From the US, a dog needs a microchip, a current rabies vaccination and a health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian endorsed by APHIS, valid for 30 days before departure.
Can I bring other pets to Vietnam?
APHIS publishes certificates for dogs and cats and for pet birds travelling from the United States. For other pets it says it has not been officially informed of Viet Nam's requirements.
Can I invest instead of getting a work permit?
Owners or capital contributors with at least VND 3 billion in a limited liability company are exempt from the work permit. Decree 219 sets out how confirmations of exemption are issued.
How long does a Vietnam work permit take?
The provincial authority must decide within ten working days of receiving a valid dossier.
Official sources
- Government News (VGP) — Understanding Viet Nam's e-visa
- Government News (VGP) — Visa exemptions for citizens of 24 countries
- Government News (VGP) — Fresh regulations on work permit issuance to foreign workers
- Viet Nam Government Portal — Work permit
- USDA APHIS — Pet travel from the United States to Vietnam
All entry rules, deadlines and fees verified against the official sources above on 14 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.