Vietnam to Introduce 10-Year Golden Visa
24 June, 2025
Vietnam’s Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) has proposed a new Golden Visa. The Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment and skills programme that has already been implemented successfully in other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Vietnam is now planning to follow suit, offering similar benefits to eligible applicants. According to the proposal by Vietnam's Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), there will be three main visa categories:
Golden Visa (5–10 years). Ideal for investors and professionals who wish to live in Vietnam long term. Offers multiple entries and renewals.
Investor Visa (10 years). Intended for those investing significant capital. Permanent residency possible after five years.
Talent Visa (5 years). Designed for international experts in specific sectors such as technology, education, and healthcare. Includes a streamlined renewal process.
Applications for all three types are expected to be fully digital, eliminating the need to visit embassies.
Vietnam is introducing the Golden Visa as part of a broader effort to boost tourism, attract foreign investment, and bring in international professionals who can contribute to national development. In recent years, many Southeast Asian countries have launched similar initiatives, and Vietnam does not want to fall behind. By offering a more welcoming legal framework, the country hopes to strengthen its position as a desirable place to live, work, and invest.
Importantly, Vietnam’s proposal is shifting away from outdated, restrictive immigration categories and toward a model that supports passive investment and knowledge-based immigration. This could open the door for English teachers to be recognized not just as temporary workers, but as valuable contributors to Vietnam’s long-term growth.
How does this affect TEFL Teachers?
For TEFL teachers, this new policy could mark a major shift in how they live and work in Vietnam. Traditionally, many teachers have had to rely on shorter-term business or work visas, which often come with frequent renewals and bureaucratic complications. The Golden Visa could significantly reduce these burdens.
The Talent Visa, in particular, could be relevant for English teachers with recognised qualifications and teaching experience. If language education is included in the final policy, it would allow TEFL professionals to remain in Vietnam for extended periods, offering much greater job and lifestyle stability.
Vietnam is expected to launch the programme initially in key cities and regions such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc. These areas are already popular among tourists and expatriates and have strong demand for English language education. TEFL teachers working in these cities could greatly benefit from this long-term visa opportunity.
Although the Golden Visa programme is still under review and not yet officially enacted, TEFL teachers interested in working in Vietnam should keep an eye on updates from the Vietnamese government and immigration authorities. If language education professionals are included in the eligible talent categories, teachers with the right qualifications may be able to apply in the near future.
In the meantime, those already teaching in Vietnam or considering relocation should review their current visa status and assess how the new visa could offer more stability and flexibility in the long term.
Vietnam’s proposed Golden Visa is more than just a policy change, it’s a potential game-changer for TEFL educators. With the possibility of up to ten years of residency, simplified online applications, and opportunities in dynamic urban centres, English teachers may soon find it much easier to build meaningful, long-term careers in Vietnam.