If you’re an expat living in Vietnam and want your spouse or children to join you, the TT visa is the legal pathway you’re looking for. But here’s the catch: Vietnamese immigration law treats family sponsorship as a purpose-specific entry category, and if your family member enters on the wrong visa type, they cannot simply “switch” to a TT visa later. Getting the sequence wrong means a costly exit and re-entry. This guide walks you through the official requirements for the Vietnam TT visa (family dependent visa) so you can plan the process correctly from the start.
What Is a TT Visa and Who Qualifies for It?
The TT visa (Thị thực thăm thân) is Vietnam’s family visit visa, issued to foreigners entering Vietnam to visit family members. It falls under the broader family sponsorship category and is one of the most common visa types for expat dependents .
Under Vietnamese immigration law, the TT visa is granted to two distinct groups :
- Direct TT visa holders: Foreigners who are parents, spouses, or children of Vietnamese citizens.
- Indirect TT visa holders: Foreigners who are spouses or children under 18 of foreigners holding certain visa types, including LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, or LĐ2 .
In practice, the most common TT visa scenarios for expats involve the foreign spouse or children under 18 of a foreigner who holds a work visa (LĐ) or Temporary Residence Card (TRC) in Vietnam .
Required Documents Checklist for a TT Visa Application
The TT visa application is filed by the sponsor (the family member already in Vietnam) on behalf of the dependent. The documents fall into three groups: the sponsor’s documents, the dependent’s documents, and proof of relationship.
Sponsor’s Documents (Vietnamese Citizen Sponsor)
- Sponsor’s ID card or citizen identification — notarized copy
- Household registration book (Sổ hộ khẩu) or confirmation of residence information
- Form NA3 or Form NA5 — the sponsorship request form, depending on whether the dependent is abroad or already in Vietnam
Sponsor’s Documents (Foreign Sponsor with TRC or LĐ Visa)
- Sponsor’s valid passport — copy
- Sponsor’s valid Temporary Residence Card or visa — copy
- Proof of the sponsor’s purpose of residence — e.g., work permit or employment verification
- Form NA2 or NA5 — depending on the application route
- Sponsoring organization’s Business Registration Certificate — notarized copy
- Letter of Introduction or Power of Attorney — if a representative submits on the sponsor’s behalf
Dependent’s Documents
- Original passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay, with at least 2 blank pages
- Two 4x6 cm portrait photos — white background, bare head, no colored glasses
- Vietnam visa application form — NA1 for applicants outside Vietnam, NA5 for applicants inside Vietnam
- Declaration of temporary residence — if already in Vietnam
Proof of Family Relationship
- Marriage certificate — for spousal sponsorship
- Birth certificate — for child sponsorship
- Family relationship certificate or household registration excerpt — if applicable
Copyable Sponsorship Cover Letter Template
When submitting the TT visa application, the sponsor typically includes a formal cover letter. Here is a copyable template you can adapt:
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
--------------- [SPONSOR NAME]
[Sponsor Address]
[Phone/Email] No: Date: [Submission Date] REQUEST FOR TT VISA (FAMILY VISIT VISA) To: Immigration Department - Ministry of Public Security
[Address of Immigration Office] I, [Sponsor Full Name], [Nationality], holding [ID Card/Passport/TRC] No. [Number], residing at [Sponsor Address], hereby request a TT visa for my family member: 1. Full name: [Dependent Name]
2. Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
3. Nationality: [Nationality]
4. Passport number: [Passport Number]
5. Relationship to sponsor: [Spouse/Child/Parent]
6. Intended date of entry: [DD/MM/YYYY]
7. Intended length of stay: [Number] days
8. Visa collection location: [Embassy/Consulate/Airport Name] Supporting documents enclosed:
- Form NA3/NA5 (sponsorship request)
- Copy of sponsor's ID/Passport/TRC
- Proof of family relationship (Marriage Certificate/Birth Certificate)
- Dependent's passport copy
- Two 4x6 cm photos I commit to ensuring compliance with Vietnamese laws regarding entry, exit, and residence. Respectfully, [Sponsor Signature]
[Sponsor Full Name]
Official Submission Step-by-Step Procedure
Follow this process to obtain a TT visa for your family member :
- Step 1: Prepare the application package. Gather all documents according to the checklist above. Ensure foreign documents are consularly legalized and translated.
- Step 2: Submit the sponsorship request. The sponsor submits Form NA3 (for dependents abroad) or Form NA5 (for dependents already in Vietnam) at the Immigration Department.
- Step 3: Receive the Approval Letter. If approved, the Immigration Department issues a TT visa approval letter. Processing typically takes 5 working days from receipt of a complete application .
- Step 4: Obtain the visa stamp. The dependent presents the approval letter, completed NA1 form (if abroad), two 4x6 cm photos, and original passport at:
- A Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate abroad, or
- The Visa on Arrival counter at a Vietnamese international airport
TT Visa vs. TT Temporary Residence Card: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the distinction between the TT visa and the TT TRC is critical for long-term planning .
| Feature | TT Visa | TT Temporary Residence Card |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | Up to 12 months | Up to 3 years (for spouse of Vietnamese citizen) or matched to sponsor's TRC |
| Entry/Exit | Multiple entries typically | Free entry/exit without separate visa |
| Purpose | Short stays, initial entry | Long-term residence |
| Eligibility | Spouses, children under 18, parents of Vietnamese citizens | Spouses and children under 18 of TRC holders or Vietnamese citizens |
The TT TRC requires the dependent to enter Vietnam on a TT visa first. The visa purpose must match the entry purpose. Applying for a TRC while on a tourist visa will generally be rejected .
Common Mistakes That Get TT Visa Applications Rejected
- Entering on the wrong visa type: If your family member enters on a tourist visa or e-visa, they cannot later apply for a TT TRC without exiting and re-entering on a TT visa. The visa purpose must match the application purpose .
- Unlegalized foreign documents: Marriage and birth certificates issued abroad must be consularly legalized and translated into Vietnamese. Submitting the original foreign document alone will cause rejection .
- Insufficient passport validity: The dependent’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay, with at least 2 blank pages .
- TRC validity mismatch: A TRC must expire at least 30 days before the passport does. Additionally, a dependent’s TRC cannot exceed the validity of the sponsor’s TRC .
- Missing sponsor documentation: The sponsor must provide proof of their legal residence status in Vietnam, including a valid TRC or visa and employment verification .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a TT visa while already in Vietnam on a tourist visa?
No. The visa purpose must match your entry purpose. If you entered on a tourist visa, you cannot simply convert it to a TT visa. In practice, you may need to exit Vietnam and re-enter on a TT visa to properly apply for a TT Temporary Residence Card .
How long does it take to process a TT visa application?
Processing typically takes 5 working days from the date the Immigration Department receives a complete and valid application .
What documents prove family relationship for a TT visa?
You need a marriage certificate for spousal sponsorship or a birth certificate for child sponsorship. If issued abroad, these documents must be consularly legalized and translated into Vietnamese. If you married abroad, the marriage must also be recorded in the Vietnamese civil status system .
Can my children over 18 get a TT visa?
The TT visa for children of foreigners holding certain visa types applies to children under 18. For children over 18, current laws do not provide for a TT Temporary Residence Card. They may be considered for short-term TT visas with a maximum validity of up to 6 months in some cases .
Who can sponsor a TT visa application?
A TT visa can be sponsored by a Vietnamese citizen with permanent residence in Vietnam, or by a foreigner holding a permanent residence card or temporary residence card. The sponsor must provide proof of family relationship and legal residence status .