Vietnam Golden Visa 5-Year Talent Visa marks a major shift in the country’s long-term residency strategy as it opens its doors to highly skilled global professionals. Vietnam has officially launched the first phase of its long-awaited golden visa framework, introducing a five-year, multiple-entry talent visa aimed at attracting top experts in science, technology, academia, culture, and business. This development comes as Vietnam pushes toward ambitious economic and tourism goals, signalling an evolving national strategy to draw international talent.
Vietnam’s New Golden Visa Framework
Unveiled in early 2025, Vietnam’s golden visa program is structured in three parts, each designed to appeal to a specific group of foreign residents and investors. The full framework will eventually include a general five–ten-year golden visa, a decade-long investor visa, and a five-year visa exemption card for elite professionals. The first component to launch is the talent visa, which stands out from typical golden visas by prioritizing expertise and global influence instead of investment capital. This approach blends features of digital nomad permits with long-term residency benefits.
Eligibility for the 5-Year Talent Visa
The talent visa, introduced under Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP and effective from August 15, 2025, focuses on accomplished individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership or impact in their fields. Vietnam is targeting several categories of global professionals, starting with academics and scientists, including researchers, professors and subject experts whose presence can strengthen local institutions. There are no minimum salary thresholds or clarified remote-work rules yet, though applicants may require assistance from legal offices to process documentation.
In the business and investment space, executives, founders and senior corporate leaders qualify under the program’s intention to expand Vietnam’s innovation capabilities and international corporate footprint. These applicants receive a five-year multiple-entry card with a stay limit of up to 90 days per entry.
The program also seeks to attract artists, cultural influencers, sports figures and internationally recognized creatives who enhance Vietnam’s cultural presence. Applicants in this group must demonstrate substantial positive public influence, and may be invited by cultural institutions or ministries.
Additionally, professionals invited by universities, research organizations or major companies approved by Vietnam’s ministries are eligible. These applicants must secure official endorsement from relevant authorities before their visa can be issued. Once approved, qualified individuals receive a five-year exemption card allowing repeated entry as long as their passport remains valid beyond the exemption period.
Status of the 10-Year Investor Visa
While the talent visa is already active, the investor segment of Vietnam’s golden visa program is still under review. Experts predict that the 10-year investor visa may not launch until after 2026. Until then, foreign investors can apply under the existing DT visa categories, which range from one-year visas for investments under $114,733 to five-year visas for investments of $3.8 million or more. The forthcoming investor visa is expected to offer a direct pathway to permanent residency after five years, significantly increasing Vietnam’s appeal to high-net-worth individuals seeking long-term status in Southeast Asia.
Why Vietnam Is Expanding Its Long-Term Visa Policies
Vietnam is one of the region’s fastest-growing economies, having transformed from a low-income nation to a middle-income economy within a generation. The government now aims to welcome 23 million international tourists in 2025 and achieve high-income status by 2045. To compete with regional players like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, Vietnam is modernizing its residency rules to attract long-term foreign residents, digital professionals and investors.
While many European nations are tightening their golden visa schemes—Malta and Spain have ended their programs, and Portugal and Greece have raised investment requirements—Vietnam is moving in the opposite direction, focusing on skilled talent and global economic integration.
Bottom Line
Vietnam’s five-year talent visa marks a significant milestone in reshaping the country’s long-term residency landscape. By prioritizing expertise instead of investment capital, the nation is positioning itself as a major destination for innovators, scholars, executives and creatives seeking stable, multi-year access to Asia’s rising economic hub. With the investor visa still pending and tourism targets accelerating, Vietnam is clearly aiming to become one of the most attractive destinations for global talent in the coming years.
