Vietnam Golden Visa 2026: What We Know (And What We Don't)

The Vietnam Golden Visa has been circulating in expat discussions for over a year. As of April 2026, the honest answer is: it does not yet exist as an official, accessible programme.

Here is the full picture.

What Was Proposed

In April 2025, Vietnam's Tourism Advisory Board formally recommended introducing a Golden Visa programme, specifically to attract high-earning remote workers, long-term tourists, and investors who would otherwise choose Thailand, Malaysia, or the Philippines for their extended stays.

The proposal described a potential long-stay visa (reportedly 5-10 years) for people who could demonstrate financial means, clean legal record, and in some versions, a minimum investment threshold.

What Happened After the Proposal

As of April 2026:

• No legislation has been passed
• No application process exists
• No official government announcement has confirmed timelines, requirements, or qualifying criteria
• The proposal is still in discussion-and-consultation phase within government

Vietnam's legislative process moves carefully and sometimes slowly. Immigration reform requires coordination across multiple ministries. A gap of 12+ months between proposal and any practical implementation is normal.

What Does Exist: The SVEC

While the Golden Visa proposal stalled, Vietnam did introduce a meaningful alternative: the Special Visa Exemption Card (SVEC), created by Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP in August 2025.

Key details:

• 5-year validity
• Multiple entry
• Up to 90 days per stay
• Reduces the administrative burden of repeated visa applications for qualifying nationals

The SVEC is not a residency option - you still cannot stay more than 90 consecutive days and the 183-day tax residency threshold still applies. But for frequent Vietnam visitors from eligible nationalities, it is a genuine improvement.

What Long-Term Expats Should Do Right Now

Do not wait for the Golden Visa. For anyone wanting genuine long-term residency in Vietnam in 2026, the reliable options are:

Option 1: Investment TRC Invest in a Vietnamese company or approved vehicle to obtain an Investment Visa leading to TRC (1-5 years depending on investment level). The most secure and flexible long-term option for those with capital.

Option 2: Work Permit + TRC Get employed by a Vietnamese entity, obtain a work permit, then apply for TRC. Standard route for employed expats.

Option 3: Marriage TRC If married to a Vietnamese citizen, apply for TRC through your marriage. Valid up to 3 years.

Option 4: E-Visa Cycle For those comfortable with quarterly exits, rolling 90-day e-visas remain the simplest approach for shorter-term or nomadic stays.

When the Golden Visa Might Happen

Realistically, for any Golden Visa programme to be operational:

• Legislation would need to pass (National Assembly sessions are in May/June and October/November)
• Implementing regulations would follow (typically 6-12 months after legislation)
• Application systems would need to be built

A best-case scenario for an accessible Golden Visa programme is late 2026 to 2027. We will update this post when there is meaningful progress.

Our Recommendation

Do not put your Vietnam plans on hold waiting for a visa that may or may not arrive on the timeline you need. The existing pathways - particularly the investment TRC route - offer genuine stability and are available now.

Talk to our team about which long-term option fits your situation, or read our full Retirement in Vietnam guide and TRC Application service page for detailed information.

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Last updated: April 2026. We monitor Vietnamese immigration developments closely and update our content when meaningful changes occur.