Eligibility of Vietnamese nationals travelling abroad for studying

Eligibility of Vietnamese nationals travelling abroad for studying

Based on Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree No. 86/2021/ND-CP stipulating the eligibility of Vietnamese nationals travelling abroad for studying:

- Possess good political and ethical qualities;

- Not under disciplinary action or criminal investigation;

- Hold diplomas, professional certificates, and foreign language certificates meeting the requirements of the scholarship program and other conditions as required by the scholarship program;

- Obtain approval from the direct management authority for study abroad (applicable to those having a workplace);

- Comply with current regulations on training and fostering officials and public employees and the regulations of the Communist Party (applicable to officials and public employees who are also Party members).

Eligibility of Vietnamese nationals travelling abroad for studying (Image from the Internet)

Are Vietnamese nationals travelling abroad for studying allowed to change majors?

Based on Clause 1, Article 7 of Decree No. 86/2021/ND-CP regarding the change of major, institution, or country of study:

Changing Majors, Institutions, or Countries of Study

1. Overseas students specified at points a and b of clause 1, Article 3 of this Decree, who wish to change their major, institution, or country of study, must obtain a decision from the sending authority permitting such changes.

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Points a and b of Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree No. 86/2021/ND-CP stipulate:

Terminology Explanation

In this Decree, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. An overseas student on a state budget scholarship is a Vietnamese citizen studying abroad who receives full or partial training costs, travel expenses, living expenses, and other related study expenses from one or more of the following sources:

a) State budget scholarships provided within the framework of agreements or cooperation between the Government of Vietnam and foreign governments;

b) State budget scholarships provided through state agencies, state-owned enterprises, or public service providers;

c) Scholarships provided by foreign governments, official development assistance (ODA), regional governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, or individuals through the Government of Vietnam (hereinafter collectively referred to as foreign-funded scholarships).

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Thus, Vietnamese nationals travelling abroad for studying are allowed to change their majors but must obtain a decision from the sending authority permitting such changes.

The dossier for changing majors for Vietnamese nationals travelling abroad for studying includes:

- A request form for changing majors, institutions, or countries of study;- Copies of approval documents from the foreign educational institutions for both the institution being left and the institution being transferred to regarding the changing of majors or institutions, or country of study;- Written approval from the direct management authority of the overseas student regarding the changes (applicable to those having a workplace).

Are Vietnamese nationals travelling abroad for studying allowed to suspend their studies?

Based on Clause 1, Article 8 of Decree No. 86/2021/ND-CP regarding temporary suspension of studies, repeating a year, and resuming studies:

Temporary Suspension, Repeating a Year, and Resuming Studies

1. Overseas students specified at points a and b of Clause 1, Article 3 of this Decree, wishing to temporarily suspend their studies, must obtain a decision from the sending authority permitting the suspension and adjusting the study duration. During the suspension period, overseas students are not entitled to scholarships. After the suspension period, scholarships will be resumed. The total scholarship duration shall not exceed the initial study period stated in the decision to study abroad.

2. The dossier for temporary suspension includes:

a) A request form for temporary suspension (Form No. 03 in the Appendix issued with this Decree);

b) Copies of approval documents from the foreign educational institution regarding the temporary suspension and adjustment of the study duration;

c) Written approval from the direct management authority of the overseas student regarding the temporary suspension (applicable to those having a workplace).

3. Implementation procedures:

a) The overseas student must submit one set of documents via mail, in person, or online to the sending authority;

b) Within 5 working days from the date of receipt of the suspension request dossier, if the dossier is incomplete, the sending authority shall notify the overseas student to supplement and complete according to regulations;

c) Within 20 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the sending authority shall issue a decision permitting the overseas student to temporarily suspend their studies and adjust the study duration. This decision is sent to the overseas student and the direct management authority of the overseas student (applicable to those having a workplace); if disapproved, a written notice stating the reasons shall be sent to the overseas student and their direct management authority (applicable to those having a workplace).

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Thus, Vietnamese nationals travelling abroad for studying are allowed to temporarily suspend their studies but must obtain a decision from the sending authority permitting the suspension.

Furthermore, during the suspension period, overseas students are not entitled to scholarships. After the suspension period, scholarships will be resumed. The total scholarship duration shall not exceed the initial study period stated in the decision to study abroad.