Which Countries' Citizens Will Have Their Temporary Residence Period Extended Starting from August 15, 2023?
Is it correct that the stay duration for citizens of countries unilaterally exempted by Vietnam from visas will be extended from 15 days to 45 days starting from August 15, 2023?
According to Clause 1, Article 31 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, as amended by Clause 13, Article 1 of the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2019, the certification of temporary residence is regulated as follows:
Temporary Residence Certification
1. Foreigners entering without valid permanent or temporary residence cards will be issued temporary residence certification at the border gate with the duration as follows:
a) The duration of the temporary residence certification will match the duration of the visa; for visas with the DL symbol and validity of more than 30 days, a temporary residence of 30 days will be granted and may be extended as per Article 35 of this Law;
b) For those exempted from visas under international treaties to which Vietnam is a party, the duration of the temporary residence will follow the terms of the international treaty; if not specified, a temporary residence of 30 days will be granted;
c) Citizens of countries unilaterally exempted by Vietnam from visas will be granted a temporary residence of 15 days; if entering economic-administrative special zones or coastal economic zones as stipulated in Clause 3a, Article 12 of this Law, the duration will be as specified in Point d of this Clause;
d) For those not covered by points a and b of this Clause entering border economic zones, a temporary residence of 15 days will be granted; for economic-administrative special zones or coastal economic zones as stipulated in Clause 3a, Article 12 of this Law, a temporary residence of 30 days will be granted.
According to Clause 4, Article 2 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens 2014 and the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2023, the duration of temporary residence is regulated as follows:
Amendments and Supplements to Certain Articles of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam
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4. Amend and supplement Points c and d, Clause 1, Article 31 as follows:
“c) Citizens of countries unilaterally exempted by Vietnam from visas will be granted a temporary residence of 45 days and may apply for visas and extend their temporary residence as per this Law;
d) For those not covered by points a, b, and c of this Clause entering border economic zones, a temporary residence of 15 days will be granted; for economic-administrative special zones or coastal economic zones as stipulated in Clause 3a, Article 12 of this Law, a temporary residence of 30 days will be granted.”
As per the above regulations, citizens of countries unilaterally exempted by Vietnam from visas will have their temporary residence extended from 15 days to 45 days, and may apply for visas and extend their temporary residence from August 15, 2023.
Citizens of 13 countries with extended temporary residence duration (Image from the Internet)
Which countries' citizens will have their temporary residence duration extended from August 15, 2023?
On August 14, 2023, the Government of Vietnam issued Resolution 128/NQ-CP 2023 amending Resolution 32/NQ-CP 2022 on visa exemption for citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus.
Article 1 of Resolution 128/NQ-CP 2023 amends Resolution 32/NQ-CP 2022 as follows:
Visa exemption for citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus with a temporary residence duration of 45 days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type or entry purpose, based on meeting the entry conditions stipulated by Vietnamese law.
What are the requirements for the unilateral visa exemption for foreigners in Vietnam?
Article 13 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 stipulates the requirements for unilateral visa exemption as follows:
Unilateral Visa Exemption
1. The decision for unilateral visa exemption for citizens of a country must meet the following conditions:
a) Diplomatic relations with Vietnam;
b) Compliance with Vietnam's socioeconomic and foreign policy at the time;
c) Non-detrimental to Vietnam's national defense, security, and social order.
2. The unilateral visa exemption decision is valid for up to 5 years and may be reconsidered for extension. The unilateral visa exemption decision will be revoked if the conditions in Clause 1 of this Article are not met.
3. Based on this Article's provisions, the Government of Vietnam decides on unilateral visa exemptions for each country for a fixed term.
As per the above regulations, the decision for unilateral visa exemption for citizens of a country must meet the following conditions:
- Diplomatic relations with Vietnam.- Compliance with Vietnam's socioeconomic and foreign policy at the time.- Non-detrimental to Vietnam's national defense, security, and social order.
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