Whether you require work authorisation in the Vietnam, or can simply undertake business visitor activities on Business Visa, will depend upon the activities you wish to undertake in the Philippines.
Certain passport holders are also permitted to undertake business visitor activities in Vietnam without a visa.
What are ‘business visitor activities’?
Vietnam immigration law details business visitor activities as the following (non-exhaustive):
- attending business meetings;
- attending seminars or conferences;
- attending trade shows;
- touring a company facility; and
- buying goods for sale outside the country.
If I am undertaking ‘business visitor activities’, do I require a visa for Vietnam?
If you are undertaking business visitor activities detailed above, it means that you do not require work authorisation in Vietnam. However, you may still require a visa to enter depending on your country of passport.
Broadly speaking, most citizens of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) do not require a visa to enter Vietnam to conduct business visitor activities.
Vietnam is also a member of the Asian Pacific Economic Council (APEC). Foreign nationals in possession of a valid APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) endorsed with “Valid for travel to VNM” are also permitted to enter Vietnam without a visa to conduct business visitor activities.
All other nationals will need to obtain a Business Visa prior to travel to Vietnam.
What sorts of activities clearly require work authorisation?
The following activities, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute as work under Vietnamese law. This is not a comprehensive list and even short periods of work activities will require work authorisation:
- hands on technical work;
- repairs and maintenance;
- project planning and implementation; and
- marketing.
I will work in Vietnam, what visa do I require?
If you intend to work in Vietnam, you will require a visa which permits work authorisation.
The relevant work visa in Vietnam is the “Work Permit (skilled professionals work permit)”.
Any questions?
Please feel free to contact us by email at [email protected] or phone +61 3 9016 0484 if you require further guidance.
This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult an immigration professional for up to date information.
