Question 1: I am a foreigner working in Vietnam. I entered Vietnam with a DN1 visa to work and then got a work permit. Do I need to exit to get a new visa under the work permit?

Answer: According to Clause 2 Article 1 of the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2019 (effective from July 1st, 2020), foreigner’s visas can be repurposed in case he/she is invited or sponsored to work by an agency or an organization and has a work permit or a letter of confirmation that they are not required to obtain a work permit according to labor laws.
The agency or organization will then submit application form for new working visa or temporary residence card depend on the validity of work permit.

Foreigners do not need to exit the country to get a new visa under the work permit. 


Question 2: I am an overseas Vietnamese using a foreign passport to enter Vietnam on a tourist visa. Now I wish to stay longer to visit my parents who are  Vietnamese citizens, can I have my visa repurposed?

Answer: Under the provisions of Clause 2 Article 1 of the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2019 (effective from July 1st, 2020), a foreigner may be considered having his/her visa repurposed when having documents proving that he/she is a parent, spouse, or child of the sponsor.

Therefore, your visa can be considered being repurposed from DL (tourist) to TT (visa for visiting family ) if you are sponsored by either of your parents.
 

1. Agencies and organizations shall submit application form for visa, supplement, amendment, or extension of temporary residence for foreigners or Vietnamese nationals holding foreign passports with papers proving their legal status at the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security in accordance with Law No. 47/2014 / QH13, dated June 16, 2014. 

2. Foreigners, Vietnamese holding foreign passports who have valid passports, visas (except for the case of visa exemption), temporary residence certificates issued by competent Vietnamese authorities, are currently residing in Vietnam and do not fall into the case of “entry suspension” or “suspension from exit". 

3. Vietnamese nationals who request for visa, supplement, amendment or stay extension for foreigners, Vietnamese holding foreign passports must be parents, spouses or children of the foreigners or Vietnamese holding foreign passports (papers proving relationship are required).