Vietnam Visa (2026): 45-Day Visa-Free & 90-Day e-Visa for Koreans, Monthly Rent Contract Periods Matched to Stay Duration

South Korean passport holders can stay in Vietnam visa-free for 45 days from March 15, 2025, to March 14, 2028 (Resolution 44/NQ-CP). For longer stays, they can use an e-visa valid for up to 90 days. According to esim.holafly.com, as of May 2026, a single-entry e-visa costs $25 and a multiple-entry e-visa costs $50, with processing taking 3–5 business days. The lease term should match the visa validity period. When a foreigner takes up residence, the landlord must notify the police within 12 hours under Article 33 of Law 47/2014.

In May 2026, South Korean investors looking for a furnished studio in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, need to align the lease term with the validity of their Vietnamese visa. Those entering visa-free for 45 days typically choose a short-term lease of up to 45 days; holders of a 90-day e-visa may opt for a three-month lease. For a longer stay, it is common to obtain a work permit and an LD visa before signing a 12-month lease.

How long can you stay in Vietnam visa-free?

As of May 2026, South Korean passport holders can stay in Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days (esim.holafly.com). Under Resolution 44/NQ-CP, this exemption is valid from March 15, 2025, to March 14, 2028, and applies to all purposes, including tourism, business, and visiting relatives. To enter visa-free, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry, and you must have an onward or return ticket.

A visa is required for stays exceeding 45 days. The visa-free period cannot be extended in Vietnam, so anyone wishing to stay beyond 45 days must leave the country and apply for an e-visa or switch to another visa type.

How do you apply for and extend a Vietnam e-visa?

Vietnam e-visas are applied for online. According to esim.holafly.com, as of May 2026, a single-entry e-visa costs $25 and a multiple-entry e-visa costs $50, and both allow stays of up to 90 days. Processing takes 3–5 business days. Once approved, print the PDF and present it on arrival. Applicants must provide a copy of their passport, a passport-style photo, and their accommodation address in Vietnam.

An e-visa cannot be extended in Vietnam. To stay beyond 90 days, you must leave Vietnam and apply for a new e-visa, or arrange a work permit, an LD work visa, and a residence card. According to rumavi.com, as of 2026, a multiple-entry e-visa costs about $50, while direct visa fees for continued stays total about $200 per year.

Difference between a visa on arrival and an e-visa

A visa on arrival is issued at the airport after you obtain an approval letter in advance. According to esim.holafly.com, as of May 2026, the approval letter costs about $20–25, and the airport stamping fee is $25; the visa allows a stay of up to 90 days. However, airport wait times can be long, and queues may vary depending on flight arrival times, so most South Koreans apply for an e-visa before departure.

How should you match your Vietnam visa type to your lease term?

Lease terms are generally adjusted to match the validity period of the Vietnam visa. Those staying visa-free for 45 days typically choose a one-month short-term lease or a serviced apartment; holders of a 90-day e-visa opt for a furnished studio for three months; and long-term residents with a work permit and an LD visa sign a 12-month annual lease.

According to rumavi.com, as of 2026, monthly rent for a furnished studio in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, is $1,000–1,800; budget accommodation in Da Nang costs $500–700, while more comfortable options cost $700–1,100. Comfortable accommodation in Hanoi costs around $700–1,200. Short-term leases carry a 10–30% monthly premium over 12-month leases, and the typical security deposit is equivalent to one or two months’ rent.

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What are a landlord’s obligations for registering a foreign resident?

When a foreign national establishes residence in Vietnam, the landlord or accommodation provider must notify the local police within 12 hours of move-in (24 hours in remote areas), under Article 33 of Law 47/2014 (the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam). This notification is called tam tru (temporary residence registration) and must be filed again whenever the foreign resident re-enters Vietnam after traveling abroad or moves to another address.

Registration is handled through an online portal or at the ward or commune office (phuong/xa). The landlord submits the lease, a copy of the foreign resident’s passport and visa page, and the entry stamp. Once registration is complete, the foreign resident receives a temporary residence confirmation, which may be required when opening a bank account or applying for a work permit. Failure to register may result in fines for both the landlord and the foreign resident under Decree 144/2021.

Can you make repeated visa runs?

Entering Vietnam on a 45-day visa-free stay or a 90-day e-visa, leaving for a nearby country, and then returning—a “visa run”—is not prohibited by law, but enforcement has tightened in 2026. Repeated visa runs may prompt immigration officers to verify the traveler’s actual purpose. If someone enters as a tourist but is found to be working, they may be denied entry or deported.

Dan Tri reported on June 27, 2026, that the Dong Nai Provincial Immigration Department deported 28 foreigners who had entered on tourist visas and worked. Those planning to stay long term should arrange a work permit and an LD work visa, or qualify for lawful residence through family sponsorship, investment, or another eligible route. According to rumavi.com, from July 1, 2026, the maximum validity of a UD1 visa (for a spouse of a Vietnamese citizen or an eligible dependent) is up to 5 years.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How long does Vietnam visa processing take?

According to esim.holafly.com, as of May 2026, e-visa processing takes 3–5 business days. Applicants receive an approval notice by email, which they should print and present on arrival.

Can a Vietnam e-visa be extended in the country?

No. An e-visa cannot be extended in Vietnam. To stay beyond 90 days, you must leave the country and apply for a new e-visa, or switch to a work permit and an LD visa.

How should the electricity payment terms be written into a lease?

The lease should specify how electricity is charged (actual costs based on the EVN bill or a fixed rate), the meter number, and the meter reading at move-in. Sharing a meter between the landlord and tenant can lead to disputes, so check whether the unit has a separate meter and record the reading with photos when moving in.

Would you like to know more about Vietnam visas and lease terms that match your length of stay? If you are deciding between a 45-day visa-free stay and a 90-day e-visa, weighing Thao Dien in Ho Chi Minh City against the Da Nang beachfront for your investment, or wondering how to state the landlord’s residence-registration obligations in the lease, ask us via chat. We can explain how to align your lease term with your visa validity, the 12-hour residence registration process, and the latest rental rates for 2026.