Age limits on working visas for Vietnam?

I think you're conflating a business visa with a work permit.  Anyone can be issued a business visa, regardless of age.  Whether you get a work permit will generally be up to the institution that is sponsoring/employing you.  In practical terms, it doesn't really matter if you get a business visa, if your employer will be sponsoring you for a work permit.  i.e., this can be done with you arriving on either type of visa.



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Come as a tourist. Bring all your documentation (certificates, etc - some people only bring copies).

There is no upper age limit as to the issuance of a Work Permit - these are used to trigger bureaucratic things such as taxes, social fund contributions, etc. The VN government has been stiffening visa issuance recently in an effort to get a handle on illegal workers.

You will require a (clean) Criminal Record issued by your government. The VN government states they will accept such certificates for a period of up to six months from the date of issue.

It is smart to ascertain who issues these in your country and how to order one BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.  In Canada it is the RCMP; in the UK it is ACPO through Hampshire Police (there are two types of certificate - be careful); in the US it is your State police (it was 4 years ago).

When it is issued you have to take it to the Embassy or Consulate of your country in VietNam who will certify it's validity. Then you take it to the Official Public Notary here in the province in which you apply for a Permit, who. for a fee, will translate the document into Vietnamese and notarise it.

Likely it is easiest to have a relative or friend (in your country) help you - the important thing is to know the process. Don't bring a certificate with you, it is needed ONLY when you apply for a Work Permit after you are offered a job.

Hi Jennie
Your best bet is the Vietnamese Embassy in Ausie, would like to believe you can safely take a visitor's visa first then when you arrive there you weigh your options, maybe ask for a temporary work permit, whilst you sort out your papers when you are happy with what you engage yourself in. As noted in the Business Visa requirements below.

.Business visa:
Step 1: Contact with their Vietnamese sponsor(s)/Business partner(s) and request them to arrange the visa authorisation for the applicant from the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security. To this end, the applicant should advise their Vietnamese sponsor(s)/Business partner(s) of the following information

So your sponsor, institution or your company who engage you can arrange for you when you happy with them..

   




Consular services

The Vietnamese Embassies and Consular Offices are the only Competent Government Agencies, who are authoried to issue visas abroad.

In order to avoid any risks that may arise when boarding flights or at ports of entry in Viet Nam due to possible miscommunication, travellers are strongly recommended to apply with the Vietnamese Embassies and Consular Offices in Australia to get visas before leaving.

Warning:

- We have the honour to announce that the following websites are not legitimate:

http://vietnam-embassy.org, http://myvietnamvisa.com, http://vietnamvisacorp.com, http://vietnam-visa.com, http://visavietnam.gov.vn, http://vietnamvisa.gov.vn, http://visatovietnam.gov.vn, http://vietnam-visa.gov.vn

- The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam has recently received many feedbacks from foreign nationals on the visa online service provided by above-mentioned websites.

- The Embassy holds no responsibility for any visa application for Viet Nam provided by these services.

* * * * *


The Embassy of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in Australia provides a wide range of consular services to foreigners, the Vietnamese who holds foreign passport and Vietnamese citizens.

All FORMS here

- Foreigners applying for a VISA

- Vietnamese citizens holding foreign passports

- Vietnamese citizens living in Australia

- Other consular procedures (Vietnamese Citizenship and Laisser - Passer)



Visa
Vietnamese entry visa is required for all foreigners wishing to visit Viet Nam except citizens of countries having visa exemption inclusion in bilateral consular agreements with Viet Nam. Visas can be applied by mail or in person at the Embassy of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in Australia.

Tourist visa

Business visa

Diplomatic/official visa

Tourist visa:


Entry visas to Vietnam can be applied BY POST or IN PERSON (by the applicant or anyone on his/her behalf) at the Embassy.

Applying by post:

      First, download the application form from the Website.

     Second, submit or send by registered/express (platinum) post to the Embassy  (Address: 6 Timbarra Crescent, O'Malley, ACT 2606) the following documents:

    1. Original and valid PASSPORT which must have at least one-month validity after the expiry of the visa and one blank page left. Please keep note of your passport details in case you might need them while your passport is with the Embassy;

   2. One completed APPLICATION FORM with one passport-size photo affixed on the Form. Please fill in the form eligibly and accurately to avoid misinterpretation and to facilitate the visa processing. You will be responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide in the Application Form; You should clarify the date of arrival and departure because the visa will be valid from the date of arrival you put on the Application Form.

  3. If you require your passport(s) to be returned by post, please send in a return self-addressed prepaid ENVELOPE (Express post - platinum or Registered mail is recommended)

   4. VISA FEE must be paid in cash, money order or bank cheque, payable to "the Embassy of Viet Nam". We accept Australian dollars only. Visa fees are various and depend on the length of stay and visa types, please contact the Embassy for further information from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm.

Contact phone numbers:  02.6286 8465 or 02.6286 5660 (Direct Line) Or 02.6286 6059 (EXT: 101/ 102)

   5. When you get the visa back, please remember to check all the details on the visa (passport number, date of entry, date of exit, single or multiple entry) before you travel.

Applying in person:

     Alternatively, if you wish, you can come to the Embassy at number 6 Timbarra Crescent, O'Malley, ACT 2606 to apply for visa(s) where you will get assistance on site by our staffs. Our office is open from 9.00AM to 5.00PM from Monday to Thursday, 9.00 to 4.30 PM on Friday, except Australian public holidays.

Visa processing:

Upon receipt of the application, it takes THREE working days by normal service for your passport(s) with the visa to be ready for collection at the Embassy or for return by post in the return envelope you provided.  Foreign passport holders in Australia may take longer time depending on each application. EXPRESS SERVICE is available and incurs extra cost. If you need Express Service, please contact the Embassy for further information from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. Contact phone numbers:  02.6286 8465 or 02.6286 5660 (Direct Line) OR 02.6286 6059 (EXT: 101/ 102)

Delivery time by the post office is not included in the processing time above and dependent on the Post.

Once you have received your passport(s) with visa(s), please check carefully all the details. Should there be any discrepancies or errors, such as the dates of arrival/departure, the types of visas, please notify the Embassy immediately. If the errors are the consequences of the inaccuracy of the information you provided in the Application Form, the Embassy will not be responsible for them, and any additional costs that incur from remedy of the errors will be born solely by you. After the visa(s) have been stamped on your passport(s), if you want to change the dates of arrival/ the types of visas, you need to pay the extra fee. Please note that all payments are non-refundable, even if you want to cancel the visa(s) which have already been issued.

Visa application for children should follow the same procedures  if the children hold their own passports. Children are under 14 years of age are not required to sign the Application Form. Their parents can sign on their behalf.

      For further query, please have your question(s) ready, brief and focused before contacting the Embassy. The Visa Section telephone line is open from 9.30 AM to 5 PM  Monday to Friday except Australian holidays.



Business visa:
Step 1: Contact with their Vietnamese sponsor(s)/Business partner(s) and request them to arrange the visa authorisation for the applicant from the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security. To this end, the applicant should advise their Vietnamese sponsor(s)/Business partner(s) of the following information:

- Full name

- Date and place of birth

- Nationality (previous and present)

- Passport number and type, dates of issue and expiry of the passport

- Proposed dates of entry into and exit from Vietnam

- Type of visa requires (single/double/multiple)

- The Vietnamese mission from where the applicant would collect the visa.

Step 2: Obtain the confirmation from the Vietnamese sponsor(s)/Business partner(s) about the visa authorisation.

Step 3: Complete the application form with dully-pasted passport-size photo.

Step 4: Send the completed application form to the Embassy with the following documents:

- A valid and original passport;

- A self-addressed prepaid envelope for the applicant applying by post

Step 5: Pay the visa fee

        It normally takes two or three working days to process a visa from the date of receipt of the completed application form with required documents and  the visa authorisation from the Department of Immigration (Ministry of Public Security).

        For further information, please contact the Embassy by phone during office hours or fax or email.


Diplomatic/ Official visa:
     Apart from the completed form, a valid passport, self-addressed prepaid returned envelope, the applicant is advised to summit to the Embassy visa approval letter and a Note Verbal or an official letter from the concerned Office of the Commonwealth Government of Australia or State Government, foreign missions and posts based in Australia.


Update 2 July 2013

And you also stand a big chance because  Education and training remains Australia's single largest services export,to Vietnam worth A$137 million per annum.

Thanks to all for this.

I actually emailed the embassy in Canberra and got a very vague answer back about the business visa (not working visa) and nothing at all about age limits.

I will try going into the consulate in Perth and seeing if I can get more information.

Hats off to Dan, Jaitch, and RChipote for taking the time for some good answers.

If I remember correct, you should only apply for a 'tourist visa'.  If you are being hired by a school or company over here they should provide you with a letter of entry and request the documents needed to obtain a work permit and proper visa/temp residence card.  You "must have" a work permit from either a school or business to teach or work. The information provided by the previous members as to what is needed should help you greatly.  It wouldn't hurt to get a complete physical before you leave from your local physician and get those docs certified as well.  HCMC has a couple good 'foreign' clinics that can give you a physical...if you decide to get one over here. 
Many of the schools and facilities will 'hire' you, Many will never provide you with a work permit.  Wish you the best.
Good Luck

If Jennie is still around, its not been established if she was intending to be hired in a school or open one that she would own. She said "business visa, not work visa" so it sounds like starting a business.