Vietnam's UĐ1 visa is a merit-based talent visa for high-quality digital technology professionals and other individuals designated by law for preferential treatment. In force since 1 July 2026, it grants long-term visa and residence status to attract and retain specialists in fields such as artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, and data science, rather than tying holders to a specific employer. The visa is administered by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security and comes with a companion UĐ2 visa for accompanying family members.
The UĐ1 complements Vietnam's other talent instruments, including the Special Visa Exemption Card and the five-year temporary residence cards for digital technology personnel. Unlike the exemption card, the UĐ1 is an actual visa and residence category granting temporary residence, and it uniquely provides for family accompaniment through the UĐ2 visa.
Eligibility is merit-based and does not depend on any income threshold or proof of funds. Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
Standard immigration bars apply: applicants must not be subject to entry bans, exit suspensions, or deportation orders.
The UĐ1 visa is valid for up to 5 years. The same UĐ1 symbol also applies to temporary residence cards, which can be valid for up to 10 years for eligible categories such as International Financial Centre personnel. Recognized high-quality digital technology personnel receive 5-year temporary residence cards under the Digital Technology Industry Law. Detailed renewal procedures for the general pathway are pending publication.
Spouses and children under 18 of a UĐ1 holder are eligible for the companion UĐ2 visa, valid for up to 5 years or a duration matching the UĐ1 holder. Recognized high-quality digital technology personnel and their spouses and children under 18 also receive five-year temporary residence cards, along with assistance for family members in job-seeking and school enrollment.
High-quality digital technology personnel are exempt from Vietnam's work permit requirement. International Financial Centre organizations face no cap on the proportion of foreign workers they may employ.
Foreigners present in Vietnam for 183 or more days in a calendar year (or 12 consecutive months from first arrival) are tax residents subject to personal income tax on worldwide income at progressive rates of 5-35%; non-residents pay a flat 20% on Vietnam-sourced income. Recognized high-quality digital technology personnel receive personal income tax incentives, and International Financial Centre personnel receive personal income tax exemptions on salary income through 2030.
The UĐ1 symbol attaches to both visas and temporary residence cards, providing a route to long-term residence. For International Financial Centre workers, there is a pathway to permanent residence after 3 years of continuous employment.
The UĐ1 and UĐ2 categories are legally in force, but as of mid-2026 the Ministry of Public Security had not yet published a dedicated implementing decree, circular, fee schedule, or standard application forms for the general (non-IFC) pathway. Official guidance currently states only the statutory eligibility and validity; detailed procedures, processing times, and fees for the general pathway remain to be issued.
In practice, applicants outside the International Financial Centre framework may continue to rely on existing instruments — such as the Special Visa Exemption Card and the five-year temporary residence cards for high-quality digital technology personnel — until the operational procedures for UĐ1 and UĐ2 are published. Applications are handled by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security, and the 2026 reform package also introduced postal submission of visa requests and border-checkpoint temporary residence certificates for foreigners without a valid residence card.