How to move to Vietnam from Russia for permanent residence

Pros and cons of immigration to Vietnam

The cult of living in tropical countries is thriving among our compatriots, and this will surprise few people. The average Russian visits exotic countries more often than the resorts of his native state.

Southeast Asia ranks first among countries for emigration - preference is given to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In addition to the fact that states are considered budgetary, there are a number of other reasons for moving; they are highlighted as advantages.

pros

Common benefits of moving to Vietnam:

1. Hot climate. You can get used to it very quickly, which is often the main factor for moving from the northern and central parts of Russia. Despite the intense sun and high humidity, Russians are ready to move and adapt to climatic conditions.
2. Another life after emigration. You can really save on warm clothes, vehicles and other things if it’s summer all year round. Affordable housing in beautiful tropical locations adds color to everyday life. Surrounded by interesting people from different parts of the world.
3. Asian hospitality. It is incomparable with European or Slavic ones; probably nowhere else can you meet so many smiling people. Their friendliness sets the mood for the whole day.
4. The wealth of nature. Tropical forests, mountain peaks, sea lagoons, rice fields, temples - all this adds an artistic touch that will organically fit into the life of creative people. And, for inquisitive foreigners, Vietnam offers the main attractions that you will not find anywhere else.

Minuses

Living far from your homeland does not always bring joy, so before moving you should prepare for the following disadvantages:

1. Rain season. Tropical showers are very different from heavy rain in Russia. From May to October it rains every day, during this period the sea is not calm. There are hurricanes for several days - on such days it seems that the end of the world has come.
2. Lack of dairy products and buckwheat. For some people, this is a compelling reason to return home. Not everyone can give up milk, kefir, cheese, buckwheat, and adapt to Asian food.
3. Fraudsters. Even among the friendly population there will be scammers and pickpockets. They live in markets, beaches, and crowded places. The worst thing is that the Vietnamese defend their own in any dispute, and this must be taken into account. Russians should also be treated with caution, they may offer unprofitable deals.
4. Confusion on the roads. Due to the lack of normal sidewalks, pedestrians, traffic lights are not installed everywhere, there is always a risk of getting into an accident. You can protect yourself by driving at low speeds and having quality insurance.

Employment

In Vietnam, quite specific professions related to the development of mineral deposits are in demand. It’s easier to get a job if you have excellent English, because there are many foreign companies in the country, including American ones.

Moving to Vietnam for permanent residence can be arranged by providing a document confirming official employment in the country.

If you are not planning to move for work, you will have to pay for an employment document from a special agency.

Ways to emigrate to Vietnam from Russia in 2021

Today, Southeast Asia warmly welcomes Russian tourists and those who want to move - offering to enjoy a favorable climate, warm sea and comfortable, inexpensive service. This is exactly what downshifters, winterers, and travelers who later want to move to a residence permit come to Vietnam for. Becoming an immigrant means accepting the rules of a new country. If we consider the conditions for moving to popular Vietnamese resorts, it is useful to know the main methods of emigration. In 2021 these include:

1. Work visa or Work Permit.
2. Investment capital.
3. Business visa.
4. Marriage with a resident.

Work visa or Work Permit

It is possible to emigrate to Vietnam for work, but salaries in the country are not more than $250-500. Although this money is quite enough to live here. Typically, upon arrival, Russians find work in the tourism, restaurant sector, sports and entertainment institutions. They work as guides, administrators, bartenders, DJs, dancers, water sports instructors, waiters, receptionists, yoga instructors, and realtors. Knowledge of English is required, but Russian is also in demand due to the large number of Russian tourists.

Also, recently, Thai winterers have been emigrating from Phuket and Samui to Vietnamese resorts - Nha Trang, Danang, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc. Mostly they work remotely, so they buy a visa for a month or 3 months. To do this, travel agencies request an Approval Letter from the migration service. The cost of the document depends on the period and starts from $10 to $45.

To move, you can find a job through social networks Facebook, VK or agencies. According to reviews from emigrants who have already moved, it is possible to draw up a fictitious work contract. It is done by special agencies where foreigners apply with a copy of their education diploma and a certificate of good conduct. Such services are paid, the cost is calculated individually.

In view of the fact that Vietnam is trying to get out of a difficult economic situation, the Government of the country is supporting not only agriculture and tourism, but is also rapidly developing industry. Today, large manufacturers from China, South Korea, and Japan are moving factories to Vietnam. The main factors for this are low labor costs, tax benefits, and close location. Companies such as Samsung, Nokia, Intel, Panasonic, Fuji Xerox have already opened large-scale production of smartphones, household appliances, microcircuits, and multifunctional devices. Apple also plans to produce headphones in Vietnam. If you get a job at one of these international companies, you will be granted a Work Permit in Vietnam. This way it won’t be difficult to move to a residence permit. Knowledge of the Vietnamese language opens the doors of local firms to any position and in any sector - logistics, finance, sales.

Investment capital

Due to the close relations between Russia and Vietnam, which have been observed since the times of the Soviet Union, joint projects are operating in such areas as oil production, energy, and tropical research of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Today, Russian capital is noted in 64 investment projects. This information concerns the government segment and large entrepreneurs. If we talk about small and medium-sized businesses, Vietnam has raised its position in the vastness of Southeast Asia. Many analysts suggest that Vietnam is following China's path.

To move and get a residence permit, investments in the economy are the most effective and give more results than another method of emigration. Investors prefer to invest money in the tourism industry, construction, real estate, processing and manufacturing industries, wholesale and retail trade, logistics, and bank lending. There are special sectors where investments are required and benefits are provided, often these are hydropower, marine resources, tropical forest exploration, and agriculture.

The Vietnam Investment Law was updated with new amendments in 2014. It specifies all the conditions and benefits for deposits in the public or private sector, through the purchase of bonds, shares, and other investments. The investor must obtain an “Investment Registration Certificate” from the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam or another authorized body. According to this document, you can submit an application to the Emigration Service to move as a temporary resident.

Business visa

In the circles of the Russian-speaking population, business emigration in Vietnam is considered one of the most difficult. It must be said that the procedure for doing business is the same as in Thailand, which means you can register a company with the share participation of a Vietnamese, that is, 50/50. Therefore, finding a good partner is the first task of a foreigner; then it is worth protecting yourself with a competent contract. Many entrepreneurs find a partner and, after registration, buy out their share. Thus, a foreigner becomes the owner of the business. Clear requirements for authorized capital have not yet been established, but changes should not be ruled out.

It is allowed to obtain a business visa on the territory of the state. To obtain it yourself, you need to collect documents and submit them to the authorized body. The basic package includes

• a foreign passport with a validity period of at least 3 months;
• photographs based on the sample;
• company registration certificate;
• a certificate of no criminal record obtained in your home state;
• insurance policy;
• bank certificates confirming the availability of current or card accounts;
• information about marital status;
• receipt of payment of the fee.

According to local migration policy, a business visa is issued for 6 months or 1 year, with the right to extension. Regarding the consular fee, its amount for 6 months is around $220, for a year – $320.

As in many countries, a successful business organized legally guarantees long-term stay for foreigners. But in order to emigrate with the right to obtain a residence permit, it is worth preparing a good business plan, hiring an accountant, submitting reports and paying taxes. It is also worth taking care to reflect the profit on the balance sheet, otherwise the visa may not be extended and at the same time the goal of obtaining a residence permit will not be achieved.

Marriage to a resident

In order to move legally and live a full life in a new country, marriages are often concluded with residents. The Vietnamese Government also does not prohibit mixed marriages, but so far Taiwanese and Vietnamese are registering their relationships - this is the most common mixture of nations. If we talk about Russians, then in comparison with Thailand, where the marriage of Russians with Thais is quite common, with the Vietnamese the situation is different. Due to different cultures, Europeans and Slavs rarely enter into long-term relationships with Vietnamese or Vietnamese women. But marriages with locals still occur, often among wealthier citizens. A foreigner from any country can move to permanent residence using this method of emigration.

At first, the state issues the spouse a residence permit for 5 years; after this period, you must pass an exam on your knowledge of the Vietnamese language. If approved, the Emigration Service issues a passport to the foreign citizen, but before doing so, asks him to renounce his native residence. The country does not support dual citizenship.

In fact, the Vietnamese live according to a socialist scheme and this is reflected in all areas of life. Entering into a legal relationship with a resident does not guarantee that you will be able to emigrate. Large differences in culture and traditions are reflected in everyday life, which is why some couples get divorced. After a divorce, children remain with one of the parents; upon reaching adulthood, the child independently chooses their country of residence.

Residence permit in Vietnam

In order to obtain a residence permit in Vietnam, you must be officially employed in this country. If finding a real job in Vietnam is not so easy, then preparing documents according to which you are employed in a Vietnamese company is quite easy. This is done by agents who, based on your diploma and certificate of no criminal record, provide you with official documents on formal employment. Having received such a certificate, you have every right to apply for a residence permit.

This gives you considerable advantages compared to living on a tourist visa:

• If you cross the border of Vietnam, traveling to another country, the tourist visa is canceled, and the residence permit in this case remains with you;
• A residence permit gives you the right to buy real estate in Vietnam, which cannot be done on the basis of a tourist visa.

Many residents of our country obtain a residence permit in this way - through well-established channels of Vietnam travel agencies. Not everyone enjoys the right to purchase real estate, since inexpensive rent allows you to feel free and move from city to city.

If you wish, you can easily leave Vietnam and settle for a long time in one of the neighboring countries. At the same time, for some Russians, it is the purchase of real estate on the coast of the South China Sea that becomes the embodiment of the dream of a quiet life in a family nest by the ocean.

Obtaining a residence permit

To obtain a residence permit, you should move to Vietnam using one of the above emigration methods. Due to the fact that downshifting is common in Southeast Asia, many people practice visas to Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia and thus extend their visa, which allows them to live from 6 months to one year. But you should know that this option is short-term and will not be beneficial in the long term.

It is also impossible to emigrate through the purchase of real estate. In Vietnam, housing is allowed to be rented for a maximum period of 50 years. But the conditions of emigration may change. The policy of the Asian state is changing, the annual increase in investment capital is $30 million, so the opinions of investors and entrepreneurs will be taken into account.

Documentation

To move, you need to apply for a residence permit or permanent residence, it is considered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam. The government agency must provide copies with translations into Vietnamese of the following documents:

• international passport;
• residence passport;
• photographs based on the sample;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• health insurance;
• Bank statements;
• work permit (for employment);
• certificate of investment registration (for investors);
• documentation of company registration (in case of opening a business);
• marriage certificate with a resident;
• receipts for payment of government duties.

Price

The price for a residence permit or permanent residence includes consideration of an application for emigration and the issuance of a plastic ID card. To emigrate without additional hassle, contact immigration agencies. With the support of specialists, the registration period is noticeably reduced, as it is easier for lawyers to navigate the legislation. According to reviews from recipients of residence permits, the cost of services of these agencies starts from $1000, a residence permit for 3 years comes out to $2500.

Registration period

When emigrating, it is important to prepare all the necessary documents and provide accurate information in the application. If everything is in order, then the Emigration Service does not require additional verification from the Ministry of Public Security, which means the residence permit will be issued within a period of 1-3 months. Otherwise, the process will take up to 6 months.

Validity

A temporary resident card is issued for a year, then extended for the same period or longer. According to the rules of Vietnam, extension is possible for an unlimited number of times.

Moving to Vietnam for permanent residence: visa options

Before you go to live in Vietnam for a long time, it is worth assessing the possibilities of this country by relaxing in the resorts of Mui Ne or Nha Trang, because for Russians it is possible to spend up to 15 days in Vietnam without a visa. During this time, you can travel through the country from north to south and back, visiting the capital, islands, sea cities, nature reserves and small villages with local flavor.

However, if two weeks is not enough for you, and you want to extend your acquaintance with the country, then you need to apply for a tourist or any other visa. Otherwise, you will face a fine for overstaying in Vietnam without a visa.

This is what a Vietnam visa looks like

Immigration to Vietnam is possible according to several schemes, the most popular and accessible of which are long-term residence on a tourist visa and obtaining a residence permit. Many of our compatriots, especially in the first months of living in this country, apply for a tourist visa for several months.

A tourist visa can be obtained in several ways:

• at the Vietnamese consulate in Russia or another country;
• upon arrival in Vietnam directly at the airport;
• while on the territory of Vietnam, after 15 days spent in the country with a stamp in accordance with the visa-free entry policy for Russians.

Many are preparing for permanent residence in Vietnam and getting used to the local climate and customs, living here for months and even years on a tourist visa. In order to apply for a tourist visa immediately at the airport, you need to have an invitation letter (Approval Letter) with you. It can be arranged online with the help of travel agencies, which are widely available on the Internet.

This video explains in detail the procedure for obtaining a Vietnam visa.

In this case, the visa itself for Russians is issued free of charge; you only have to pay for the invitation itself. Its cost, depending on the company and the desired length of stay in the country, can vary from 8 to 30 dollars. The simplest, most common and accessible visa among foreigners is a 1-month tourist visa.

Many apply for three months at once, but it must be taken into account that the visa will be canceled if you decide to leave Vietnam within these three months.

If you apply for a tourist visa not immediately after arrival, but after a few days of visa-free stay in the country, any travel agency will help you. Hotel owners often do this for a small additional fee.

You can extend a tourist visa many times, but there is never a guarantee that next time you will not be refused.

At the same time, do not despair if you have lived in Vietnam for several months and your tourist visa is not extended on the spot. In this case, you can go to a neighboring country for a visa run. At the Vietnamese consulate in Laos, Thailand or Cambodia, you can apply for another tourist visa, which you can renew in the future without leaving Vietnam.

Detailed map of Vietnam's neighboring countries

Obtaining Vietnamese citizenship

Vietnamese citizenship is not yet in demand among our compatriots; they mostly live as temporary residents. The main reason lies in the ban on dual citizenship, so not many people decide to replace their passport. If you still want to emigrate to a tropical country forever, then you should know the stages of obtaining a new citizenship:

1. First of all, a foreigner must apply for emigration.
2. Collect documents confirming social status in the country and financial viability.
3. Pass an exam on your knowledge of the Vietnamese language and the history of the state.
4. Wait for the decision of the President of Vietnam.
5. Renounce Russian citizenship.
6. Go through the procedure for receiving a new passport.

Due to the fact that the President of Vietnam himself reviews applications, the process can last from 6 months to 1 year.

How to go to live in Vietnam

Living and working abroad is now quite promising. When choosing a country to move to, you need to carefully study its characteristics and culture, as well as some immigration rules. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) is attractive to Russians based on several criteria: warm maritime climate, inexpensive housing, and ease of obtaining a visa. In addition, specialized specialists are highly valued in the country. Those wishing to stay longer have the opportunity to obtain a residence permit in Vietnam.

Like any bureaucratic procedure, obtaining permanent residence in the Republic of Vietnam has some difficulties. However, when compared with the requirements for immigrants for European countries, in Vietnam this procedure is much simpler and cheaper. What is a resident card and how to get one?

Living and working abroad is now quite promising.

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Visa, residence permit and permanent residence of Vietnam.

How to open a bank account?

It is possible to open an account and it is completely simple; you can open an account in any Vietnamese bank with a valid passport and visa. I will say more that even a 15-day stamp is enough to open a current account. The most important thing begins after opening a current account, you need to put money there, but this is not entirely easy to do. In Vietnam, in order to deposit money personally into your checking account, there are several procedures you can follow. When is this possible?

Firstly, this is possible if you brought money to the country and filled out a customs declaration at customs, I’ll immediately make a reservation that the maximum possible amount without a declaration is $10,000. When you arrive in Vietnam and are going to open an account, please fill out a foreign currency import declaration at customs, even if they strongly discourage you.

Secondly, when you have an employment contract with your company, where you are the founder or a company where you are an employee, you can come to the bank with your employment contract, leave a copy in the bank and deposit an amount equal to your salary into your current account.

The next option is when you withdraw money from your bank card, but not at an ATM, but from a bank employee. You are given a receipt stating that you received the money and you deposit the money in the same bank into your current account. I want to say right away that the same system operates with payment systems. That is, if you received money from the Golden Crown or Waster, then you also take payments and top up your account with cash.

In all other cases, you can top up your account only by transferring from abroad, that is, you can transfer money from your account in Russia to a Vietnamese account. I also want to note that there are no commissions and no problems with withdrawing cash. Here, no one cares what amount you received and how much you withdraw, that is, getting 200 or 300 thousand dollars in cash is not a problem.

Many also ask whether it is possible to get a visa or mastercard bank card. I would like to say right away that not all banks issue such mastercard visas to people who do not have a resident card in Vietnam. However, there are several banks where you can get it.

I would also like to mention that if you are going to transfer money from Vietnam to Russia, then the most convenient platform for transferring to a Russian bank is Alfa Bank.

Friends, if you have savings in Vietnamese dong and you decide to put it at interest, you have the opportunity to put money for half a year, a year, 2 and 3 years, as you like. The average interest rate on such deposits in Vietnam is now about seven percent, depending on the bank. In fact, this is very fashionable now, all Vietnamese spend every penny and put it on deposit.

I would like to note that you receive interest on the deposit once a year, not monthly, and I will also say that from September 5, 2021, deposits in foreign currency are no longer accepted. That is, if you want to deposit a dollar or euro deposit, you will not receive any interest from it. In order to open such a deposit, you must have a resident card valid for two years, or an annual work visa.

Everything related to dairy and meat products is very expensive in Vietnam.

Reasons to move to Vietnam

There are many more reasons to move to Vietnam than reasons to simply leave, at least somewhere from Russia. If you intend to leave Russia only because of the bad climate and lack of work, then in Vietnam the climate is good and work can be easily found. A huge number of Russian specialists will not be able to find work in their specialty in Vietnam. But they will be able to earn money, and sometimes very well, by working in related fields.

1. A teacher can always find a job as a tutor.
2. Medical workers will be able to earn an income by performing medical procedures that do not require a medical license, but which are needed by both guests of Vietnamese resorts and city residents (cosmetology, massages, therapeutic exercises, etc.)
3. Specialists in the information industries can run their business remotely, living near the cleanest and most beautiful beaches of the Vietnamese coast.
4. Service sector specialists can find work in the countless hotels and beach and entertainment complexes that are springing up on the Vietnamese coast like mushrooms after rain.

Making a living in Vietnam is not difficult, but earning money for education for children, a guaranteed secure retirement, a modern house and a car is problematic.

The way of life here is different from the European one. Many migrants who decided to move explain their decision by saying that while traveling on vacation in Vietnam, they felt how different Asian life, in its goals and paths, is from the life that is promoted by European society, which is why Russians decide to move.

The opportunity to take an active part in the development of the Vietnamese economy also attracts some migrants. Although there is still socialism in Vietnam, today it is already thoroughly shaken. For more than ten years, Vietnam has been actively moving towards the establishment of capitalist values ​​and taking a leading position in the Asian region.

Active Russian businessmen who have the opportunity to invest in the Vietnamese economy see good prospects and open factories (furniture, textiles, equipment production, etc.).

Making a living in Vietnam is not difficult, but earning money for education for children, a guaranteed secure retirement, a modern house and a car is problematic.

List of in-demand professions and salaries for immigrants in Vietnam

The average salary of ordinary people in the large cities of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and the popular resorts of Nha Trang, Danang, Mui Ne is $250-500. The salary of immigrants can be several times higher, it depends on education, experience, and the demand for the profession. On average, a Russian-speaking specialist earns from $350-600, and income also depends on the activity - sometimes during the busy season, tourism industry workers can earn up to $3,000.

The cost of living in Vietnam per person is $240 without renting a home or car. The pension is set only for civil servants in the range of $60-375; those who worked for private entrepreneurs are forced to work all their lives. At the same time, the average life expectancy is 76 years. You should think about such things in advance before moving and giving up your Russian passport.

The most in-demand professions include:

Registration procedure

In 2021, you can apply for a residence permit only while in Vietnam. But initially you need to enter this country. Citizens of Russia and Ukraine do not need a visa. But this is only if the expected period of stay is no more than 15 days.

This period will not be enough to obtain a residence permit.

Therefore, it is better to immediately contact the consular office in the country of actual residence and apply for a tourist or work visa.

It is this type of visa that is subject to further extension, which in itself will allow you to collect all the necessary documents and obtain a residence permit in Vietnam. You can get a tourist visa to Vietnam for 30 or 90 days.

To obtain a residence permit in 2021, you will need to submit a certificate confirming that the candidate for a residence permit has no criminal record. It should be noted that this document must be taken in your home country.

Therefore, people who decide to go to Vietnam for permanent residence must first take care of having this document. Otherwise, you will need to issue a power of attorney to a third party who can take this certificate at home and send it to the migrant.

In addition to a certificate of no criminal record, a person will need to submit the following documents:

• a valid foreign passport;
• a valid passport of your home country;
• document confirming the availability of education.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for issuing residence permits.

Attitudes of locals towards immigrants in Vietnam

Before moving to Vietnam, it is worth studying the lifestyle, culture and mentality of the local people. Southeast Asia is often famous for its friendliness and smiles, so you want to return to these countries when you are a tourist - it’s another thing to live permanently. If we take into account the reviews of Russians after emigrating, they are happy to be in a tropical country, where there are many beaches on the shores of the South China Sea, tropical greenery, and sweet fruits. In addition, prices for the main groups of goods are very low, which allows you to be content with life.

The attitude of the Vietnamese towards Russians has been the most favorable since the Soviet Union, so you don’t have to worry about being left out. In the countries of Southeast Asia, there is still a cult of European appearance, because of this, there is widespread respect for them. Also, due to the large number of winterers, freelancers, expats, travelers and those who love savage holidays, Russian-speaking communities are formed. Now many Russians live in Nha Trang, Dalat, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Vinh, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City are gradually being settled by foreigners.

How to become a Vietnamese citizen for a Russian in 2021

Certain categories of citizens of our country, mainly people whose incomes are above average, tired of long winters and short summers, are increasingly thinking about changing their place of residence to a warmer climate. Asian countries are ideally suited for Russian citizens to not only bask in the Asian sun on cold winter days, but also settle for permanent residence on the shores of the azure South China Sea, which washes the south and east of Vietnam. To fulfill this desire, it is necessary to undergo a rather lengthy and expensive procedure.

For a short-term visit to this country, our citizens do not need to obtain any visa.

Vietnam visa centers in Russia

The Vietnamese Embassy operates on the territory of the Russian Federation, where you can get advice on immigration issues - how to move faster and what is the best way to obtain a visa. A citizen of the Russian Federation can contact the following address in Moscow:

• address: 119435, st. Bolshaya Pirogovskaya, 13;
• telephone;
• work schedule: from 9-00 to 17-00 h.

You can also contact the Unified Visa Center in St. Petersburg:

• address: 196084, Moskovsky prospect, 150;
• telephone;
• work schedule: from 10-00 to 19-00 h.