Vietnam's UD1 Visa Offers 5-Year Stays for Tech Talent

Vietnam's UD1 visa, effective July 1, 2026, targets high-quality digital technology professionals , think special experts, qualified investors and those eligible for preferential treatment under Vietnamese law. Valid for up to five years with multiple entries, it's extendable to 10 years at Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Centres under Decree 327/2025/NĐ-CP. The accompanying UD2 visa covers spouses and children under 18, matching the UD1 holder's duration exactly.

This isn't a tourist path dressed up in new branding, it's a genuine long-stay option for skilled professionals who've hit the ceiling on standard e-visas and business visas.

Who it affects:

• High-skilled tech expats and experts who can secure nomination from a Vietnamese agency or organization

• Families of UD1 holders, who qualify automatically under UD2

• General digital nomads without qualifying credentials , you're, honestly, unaffected; the 90-day multiple-entry e-visa stays in place for everyone else

• Tourists retain existing exemptions, including 45-day visa-free entry for 29+ nationalities

The UD1/UD2 path isn't open-door, turns out the nomination requirement is the real gatekeeper. You'll need a sponsoring Vietnamese agency, proof of expertise (documented experience, awards or recognized credentials in digital tech), a valid passport and biometrics in some cases. Processing is capped at three working days once nominated, which is, frankly, fast for a long-stay visa anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Fees aren't officially published yet for UD1/UD2 specifically, but comparable long-stay Vietnamese visas run US$145-165, so budget accordingly. The standard e-visa costs US$25 single-entry or US$50 multiple-entry if you're staying on that track.

If you're a tech professional already working in Vietnam or planning a longer commitment, the UD1 is worth pursuing through your employer or a local partner organization well before the July launch. Don't wait , nomination pipelines take time and three-day processing only starts after your sponsor submits.

Read our full Vietnam guide for the complete picture on visas, costs and what's changed across the board for nomad news in Southeast Asia.