EnglishBesides the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13). From July 01, 2020, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree No. 75/2020/ND-CP on detailing a number of articles of the Law on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
Here are some key contents and important notes to help foreign customers better understand the latest provisions of the Immigration Law in Vietnam.
ISSUING VISAS FOR FOREIGNERS ENTERING THE BORDER GATE ECONOMIC ZONE
1. Foreigner entering the border gate economic zone (under visa exemption) and wishing to go to another location of Vietnam in the form of invitation/guarantee from an authority/organization/individual in Vietnam, the inviting/sponsoring party will carry out procedures for granting a visa to such person at the Immigration Department (or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) within 5 days.
2. For citizens of countries that are unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam to enter the border-gate economic zones under the visa exemption category and wish to visit other places in Vietnam, the following procedures shall be followed:
• If he/she has been temporarily residing for less than 15 days, an immigration control entity shall issue expiry stamp on the old temporary residence certification and issue a new temporary residence certification which expires after 15 days from the date of entry.
• If he/she has been temporarily residing for more than 15 days, adopt procedures for issuance of visa as specified under the above part 1.
3. In case foreigners entering border economic zones and coastal economic zones under visa exemption according to international agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory whose temporary residence period has expired and wish to visit other destinations of Vietnam, issuance of visas for the foreigners shall conform to the international agreements.
ISSUANCE OF VISA FOR FOREIGNERS WHO HAVE NOT HAD COMMERCIAL PRESENCE OR PARTNER IN VIETNAM TO ENTER VIETNAM ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS TO WHICH VIETNAM IS A SIGNATORY
Foreigners applying for issuance of visas shall access electronic portal on immigration at the link: https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn or https://www.immigration.gov.vn, then perform the following steps:
1. Fill in the Vietnam visa application form Declare information (Form NA1);
2. Upload a 4cm * 6cm photo and passport ID page;
3. Upload documents proving eligibility mentioned under international agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory but has not had commercial presence or partners in Vietnam;
(Note: The documents must be consular legalized, except for cases of consular legalization exemption according to regulations and law of Vietnam or international agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory)
4. Foreigners use the electronic file code to check the settlement results at the electronic transaction page. In case of entry permit, use the printed electronic file code in response to the request for approval. the entry of foreigners or the official dispatch of the visa application at the international border gate.
Immigration authorities shall consider, process, and respond to applying agencies and the foreigners via electronic portal on immigration within 03 working days from the date on visa application has been received.
* Please refer to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam here (Law No. 47/2014/QH13).
