August 17, 2020
Visa tips

Latest Guide for Foreigners Completing Entry Procedures to Vietnam

There was a new decree released by the Vietnam Government concerning the temporary residence certification of foreigners entering the country. The new decree, which has taken effect on July 1st, states that the Immigration control unit will no longer issue temporary residence certificates to foreigners entering through the automatic control gate. It also details a number of articles from the Law on Entry, Exit, and Transit in Vietnam.

According to the decree, the conditions for granting visas to foreigners entering through the border-gate and coastal economic zones, as well as on the other locations in Vietnam applies to the following:

Foreigners Entering Vietnam Through Visa-Free Exemption

Foreigners entering through the border gate using the visa-free exemption as indicated in Clause 3 of the Article 12 must go through agencies, organizations, and individuals in Vietnam who can invite them or guarantee the visa application procedures of the Immigration Authority as stated in Article 19 of Vietnam’s Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence.

For citizens of countries included in the unilateral visa exemption of Vietnam who entered through the border-gate economic or coastal zones without a visa, if they need to visit another location in Vietnam, the following conditions will apply:

If they are holding a temporary residence visa and have been in the country for less than 15 days, the immigration control unit must affix the validity of the previous certificate of the temporary residence and issue a new temporary residence certificate 15 days from the entry date.

For those who have a temporary residence visa that’s valid for 15 days and more, the issuance of visa will be carried out according to what was prescribed in Clause 1 of such Article.

Travelers who entered Vietnam’s border-grate economic or coastal zones and were exempted from Vietnam visas under treaties where Vietnam is the contracting party. If the duration of their temporary residence certificate is about to expire and they wish to visit another location, the granting of the visa in Vietnam will be in accordance with the international treaties.

Foreigners Entering Vietnam Under International Treaties

When issuing visas to foreigners who are entering Vietnam under the international treaties, where Vietnam is a member but don’t have a commercial presence in Vietnam or a local business partner, the following conditions apply:

1. Foreigners who have applied for a visa through the Immigration Portal can do the following:

  • Fill out the visa application form and upload passport photos, including the scanned copy of the biographical page.
  • Download documents that can prove that it’s the subject of a treaty in which Vietnam is a part of, but doesn’t have any commercial presence or local partner in the country. These papers must be legalized, except in cases where it’s exempted from consular legalization under the provisions of Vietnamese law or International treaties where Vietnam is the signatory.
  • Receive the code of electronic document coming from Vietnam’s Immigration Authority.

2. Within two working days of receiving sufficient information for the visa application, the Immigration Authority of Vietnam will transfer the agency assigned by the Government in order to take charge of the treaty’s implementation.

3. If the applicant is subject to the treaty in which Vietnam is a part of, and belongs to the state management of the host agency, the visa application must be submitted directly to the agency, the Immigration management

For those whom the provisions of the treaty cover where Vietnam is a signatory but isn’t in the state management of the agency, the application of the visa must be exchanged and transferred to the ministries and ministerial-level agencies that manage the state of that particular field.

Subject to Treaty Provisions

If, for instance, the foreigner isn’t subject to the treaty provisions where Vietnam belongs, he or she must reply to Vietnam’s Immigration Authority in order to notify the applicant.

After 2 working days of receiving the application from the foreign applicant, the ministry specified must send the written request directly. The issuance of visas will be at the immigration authority.

Within 3 business days from the date of receipt of the visa application, the Immigration Authority must consider, settle, and send a reply to the applicant. They will also notify the national after applying for the visa through the Immigration Portal.

Foreigners who are applying for Vietnam visas will use electronic codes to verify the results and print the results that came from the Immigration Authority, and will carry out the receipt procedures of the visa as stated on the Clause 2, Article 17 and Article 18 of Vietnam’s Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners.

The Immigration control units will then grant a temporary residence certificate to the foreigner by stamping the passport or the visa, except in those situations mentioned in Clause 2 of the Article. Furthermore, The Immigration Control units will not grant a temporary residence certificate to those who are entering into the automatic control gates

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One of the most important requirements for your child to be allowed entry to Vietnam is the visa. Therefore, it’s important that you have a Vietnam visa for children with you as you arrive at the airport in Vietnam.