You've done the hard part. You've cleared NEET, chosen your university in Vietnam, and received your admission letter. Now comes the question every parent and student asks us next:
"How exactly do we get the visa?"
It is a fair question — and an important one. A wrong document, a missed step, or an avoidable delay can push back your entire departure by weeks. At Divya Senthamizh, we have guided hundreds of students through this process, and in this blog, we are breaking it down for you completely. Step by step. No jargon. No confusion.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly what type of visa you need, what documents to collect, how long it takes, and what to do if something goes wrong.
What Type of Visa Do MBBS Students Need for Vietnam?
Before getting into the process, let's clear up one common point of confusion.
Indian students pursuing MBBS in Vietnam must apply for a DH Visa — Vietnam's official student visa. The letters "DH" stand for Du Học, which means "study abroad" in Vietnamese. This is not a tourist visa, not a business visa — it is specifically issued to foreign nationals entering Vietnam for educational purposes.
Here is what you need to know about the DH visa at a glance:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | DH (Student Visa) |
| Maximum Validity | Up to 12 months per issuance |
| Entries Allowed | Multiple entry |
| Processing Channel | Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate (not e-visa) |
| Sponsor Required | Yes — your enrolled Vietnamese university |
| Renewability | Yes — renewed annually throughout the course |
Important Note: As of 2022, Vietnam discontinued Visa on Arrival for study purposes. E-visas are also not valid for studying. Indian students must apply through the Embassy of Vietnam in New Delhi, or the Consulate General in Mumbai or Chennai.
Overview of the Full Visa Process
The Vietnam student visa process has two main phases:
Phase 1 — Your university in Vietnam applies to Vietnam's Immigration Department on your behalf and secures an approval letter.
Phase 2 — You take that approval letter to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in India and collect your visa stamped into your passport.
The whole process, from submitting your documents to receiving your visa, typically takes 45 to 60 days. When you work with Divya Senthamizh, we coordinate both phases for you — so you are never left wondering what to do next.
Step-by-Step: The Complete Vietnam Student Visa Process
Step 1: Secure Your University Admission Letter
The visa process cannot begin without a formal admission offer from a recognised medical university in Vietnam. Once your application is accepted, the university issues an Official Admission Letter (sometimes called a Provisional Admission Letter or Offer Letter).
This is the document that triggers everything else.
What you need at this stage:
- 10th and 12th mark sheets
- NEET scorecard
- Valid passport copy
- Passport-sized photographs
- Birth certificate
Divya Senthamizh submits all of these on your behalf to the university and follows up until you receive your Admission Letter.
Step 2: University Applies for Your Visa Approval in Vietnam
Once your admission is confirmed, your Vietnamese university acts as your official sponsor. They submit your details to the Vietnam Immigration Department (a government authority in Vietnam) and request an Entry Visa Approval Letter on your behalf.
This internal process in Vietnam typically takes 15 to 30 days.
What the university submits on your behalf:
- Your passport details and photograph
- Proof of enrolment in the MBBS programme
- A request for a multi-entry DH visa
You do not need to do anything during this phase. Divya Senthamizh stays in touch with the university to track your approval status and will notify you the moment it is ready.
Step 3: Collect and Prepare Your Full Document Set
While waiting for the approval letter from Vietnam, use this time wisely — gather all the documents you will need to submit at the Embassy.
Here is the complete document checklist:
Mandatory Documents:
- Valid Indian passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended date of entry)
- Visa application form (available on the Embassy of Vietnam website or at the Embassy)
- Original Admission Letter from the Vietnamese university
- Visa Approval Letter issued by Vietnam's Immigration Department (you receive this in Step 2)
- Recent passport-sized photographs (white background, as per Embassy specifications — carry at least 4 copies)
- Medical fitness certificate from a registered doctor
- Proof of financial ability — bank statement showing sufficient funds to support tuition and living expenses
Additional Documents Often Required:
- Attested copies of 10th and 12th mark sheets
- NEET scorecard
- Birth certificate
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if applicable)
- Health insurance document
Tip from Divya Senthamizh: Always carry both original documents and attested photocopies. Embassies typically keep copies and return originals. Never send original academic certificates without keeping a set of attested copies at home.
Step 4: Book Your Embassy Appointment
With your documents ready and Approval Letter in hand, you now visit the Embassy of Vietnam in India to submit your application and receive your visa stamp.
Embassy and Consulate locations in India:
| Office | Location | Handles Applications From |
|---|---|---|
| Embassy of Vietnam | New Delhi | All states in India |
| Consulate General | Mumbai | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and nearby states |
| Consulate General | Chennai | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
Since Divya Senthamizh is based in Chennai, most of our students conveniently use the Chennai Consulate. This saves time and travel expense for students from South India.
Book your appointment in advance. Walk-ins may not always be accommodated.
Step 5: Attend the Embassy and Submit Your Application
On the day of your appointment, carry all documents in a neat folder. Here is what to expect:
- Submit your document set at the visa counter
- Pay the visa fee (fees vary — check with the Embassy at the time of application as they are updated periodically and are non-refundable)
- Receive an acknowledgement or token number for tracking
In most cases, there is no formal interview required for a student visa. However, consular staff may ask you a few basic questions such as which university you are enrolled in, the duration of the course, and who your contact person is in Vietnam. Answer confidently and honestly.
Step 6: Collect Your Passport with Visa Stamped
Once your visa is processed and approved, the Embassy will notify you to collect your passport. The DH student visa will be stamped directly into your passport.
Processing at the Embassy after document submission typically takes 7 to 14 working days.
Before you leave the Embassy counter, verify:
- Your name is spelled correctly
- The visa category shows "DH"
- The issue and expiry dates are accurate
- The number of entries permitted is correct (should be multiple entry)
If you spot any discrepancy, raise it immediately at the counter.
Step 7: Pre-Departure Preparation
Your visa is in hand. Now it is time to prepare for departure.
What Divya Senthamizh arranges for you at this stage:
- Flight booking assistance
- Airport pickup coordination in Vietnam
- Hostel allocation at your university
- Pre-departure orientation session for students and parents
- Emergency contact sharing and local support team introduction
You will also need to carry:
- Original passport with visa
- Printed copies of all university documents
- Some Vietnamese Dong (local currency) for the first few days
- Indian SIM card with international roaming activated temporarily
Step 8: Arrival and Visa Registration in Vietnam
After landing in Vietnam, you will go through immigration where your DH visa is verified. Your university will then assist you in registering as a foreign resident — a mandatory step under Vietnamese immigration law.
As you settle in, the university will also guide you through applying for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) with the DH symbol. The TRC is a longer-duration document that reduces the need for frequent visa renewals and is the key document you will carry throughout your MBBS.
Divya Senthamizh's local support team in Vietnam will be in touch with you from day one to ensure your arrival is smooth.
How Long Does the Full Process Take?
Here is a realistic timeline from the day you submit your documents to us:
| Stage | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|
| University admission processing | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Immigration approval from Vietnam | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Document collection by student | Simultaneous with above |
| Embassy appointment and submission | 1 to 3 days |
| Visa processing at Embassy | 7 to 14 working days |
| Total from start to visa in hand | Approximately 6 to 10 weeks |
We recommend starting the process at least 3 months before your intended departure date to allow comfortable buffer time.
Visa Renewal: What Happens After Year One?
The DH student visa is valid for up to 12 months at a time. Since the MBBS programme in Vietnam spans 6 years, you will need to renew your visa annually.
Here is the good news: the renewal process is simpler than the initial application. Your university handles most of it on your behalf from inside Vietnam. As long as you are in good academic standing and attending regularly, renewal is straightforward.
Divya Senthamizh stays in contact with our students throughout their 6 years — we do not disappear after admission. Our team will alert you well in advance before your visa nears expiry so renewals never catch you off guard.
Common Reasons Visa Applications Are Delayed or Rejected
In our 12+ years of experience, most visa delays or rejections happen due to a small number of avoidable reasons:
1. Expired or soon-to-expire passport Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended entry date. Check this carefully before beginning the process.
2. Mismatch between documents Your name, date of birth, or other details must match exactly across your passport, admission letter, and all other documents. Even a small spelling difference can cause delays.
3. Incomplete financial proof The Embassy wants to see that you can support yourself financially during your studies. A bank statement showing insufficient balance or missing months can raise questions.
4. Missing or unattested documents Some documents require attestation from government authorities. Submitting unattested copies when originals are expected is a common mistake.
5. Applying too close to the intended departure date Leave enough buffer. Rushing the timeline increases the chance of errors.
At Divya Senthamizh, we review every student's document set before submission to catch and fix these issues proactively. That is part of what we mean when we say 360-degree support.
What If My Visa Is Rejected?
A visa rejection is rare when applications are done correctly, but if it does happen:
- Do not panic. Rejections are usually due to documentation issues, not permanent bars on entry.
- Request a written reason from the Embassy.
- Work with your consultant (that is us) to identify what was missing or incorrect.
- Reapply with corrected documents.
We have successfully helped students reapply and travel after an initial rejection. The key is to act quickly and systematically.
How Divya Senthamizh Makes the Visa Process Stress-Free
Many students and parents come to us having already tried to navigate this process on their own and finding it overwhelming. That is understandable — visa processes involve government agencies in two countries, strict document requirements, and tight timelines.
Here is what we do differently:
- We begin visa preparation the moment your admission is confirmed — no waiting
- We maintain direct coordination with universities in Vietnam to follow up on your approval letter
- We review every document before submission — no surprises at the Embassy counter
- Our Chennai-based office is close to the Consulate, making in-person support easy
- We accompany students (or guide parents remotely) through every Embassy-related step
- Our local team in Vietnam is ready to receive students from the day they land
We are not just a consultant who hands you a university brochure and disappears. We are your support system from the moment you enquire to the day you wear your doctor's coat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the Vietnam student visa without a consultant? Technically yes, but it requires you to coordinate directly with the university in Vietnam for the approval letter, and handle all Embassy documentation yourself. Most families find it difficult to manage without experience. The risk of delays due to errors is higher.
Is there a separate visa for parents who want to visit their child in Vietnam? Parents can apply for a tourist visa (e-visa or Embassy) to visit their child in Vietnam. This is a different type of visa and is separate from the student's DH visa.
Can I travel to India during my MBBS and return to Vietnam without reapplying for a visa? Yes. The DH student visa is a multiple-entry visa, meaning you can travel back to India for vacations and return to Vietnam without getting a new visa, as long as your visa is still valid.
What happens if my visa expires while I am in Vietnam? If you are mid-course and your DH visa is approaching expiry, the university initiates the renewal process from inside Vietnam before it lapses. It is critical not to let the visa expire — always keep track of your visa dates and inform your university and Divya Senthamizh at least 6 weeks in advance.
Do I need to know Vietnamese to get the visa? No. The visa process is conducted in English at the Embassy. Your university documents and correspondence are also in English.
Ready to Begin Your MBBS Journey in Vietnam?
The Vietnam student visa process is manageable when you have the right guidance. Thousands of Indian students have successfully obtained their DH visas and are today studying MBBS in Vietnam — many of them through Divya Senthamizh.
If you or your family are ready to take the next step, reach out to us. We will walk you through everything — from university selection to the day you land in Vietnam.
📞 Call us: +91 9659637137 | +91 9787661818 📧 Email: divyasenthamizhedu@gmail.com 📍 Office: No. 52, Easwaran Kovil Lane, Mela Ilandaikulam, Alandur, Chennai – 600016
Divya Senthamizh (Aieraa Overseas Studies) is a Chennai-based MBBS abroad consultancy with 12+ years of experience helping Indian students pursue medical degrees at top universities in Vietnam. We offer complete 360° support from university selection to post-arrival assistance.
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