What are procedures for sending Vietnamese students to study abroad in 2025 according to the Circular 20?

What are procedures for sending Vietnamese students to study abroad in 2025 according to the Circular 20?

Based on Article 16 of the Regulations on Overseas Study Admissions issued with Circular 06/2016/TT-BGDDT (amended by Article 1 of Circular 20/2024/TT-BGDDT (effective from January 14, 2025)), the procedures for sending students abroad are as follows:

(1) Dossier for Sending Students Abroad

Candidates selected to study abroad should complete the procedures for sending abroad after receiving the official admission document from the foreign educational institution. In addition to the application dossier already submitted, the dossier for studying abroad must include additional documents as specified in Appendix 2 of the Regulations on Overseas Study Admissions issued with Circular 06/2016/TT-BGDDT.

(2) Process of Handling the Dossier for Studying Abroad

- For candidates currently working at a government agency, unit, or locality selected to study abroad under state budget scholarships, the Department of International Cooperation sends a written notice of acceptance results from the foreign educational institution and scholarship regulations and policies to the candidate and their direct managing agency, and issues a decision to send the individual to study once the direct managing agency agrees.

- For candidates currently working at an agency, unit, or locality selected to study abroad under scholarships funded by foreign parties, the Department of International Cooperation sends a notice of successful admission to the candidate and the candidate's direct managing agency to resolve the study abroad procedures.

- For candidates without a workplace, the Department of International Cooperation issues a decision to send them to study abroad.

(3) Resolution Timeframe

The maximum time for resolving the procedures to send a person to study abroad is 30 working days from the date of receiving notification of the foreign scholarship grant (if any) and upon receiving a complete and valid dossier. The time required for amending or supplementing the dossier is not included in the resolution timeframe.

Download Circular 20/2024/TT-BGDDT (effective from January 14, 2025)

What are procedures for sending Vietnamese students to study abroad in 2025 according to the Circular 20?​ (Image from the Internet)

What are the admission methods for Vietnamese candidates to study abroad?

Based on Article 6 of the Regulations on Overseas Study Admissions issued with Circular 06/2016/TT-BGDDT, the admission methods for Vietnamese candidates to study abroad are as follows:

- Admissions to study abroad are conducted through one of the following methods: selection; or a combination of selection and examination.

- Based on the specific regulations of each scholarship program, the unit responsible for admissions will agree in writing with relevant units to decide the method of admission for studying abroad.

What does the Application for studying abroad in Vietnam include?

Based on Article 9 of the Regulations on Overseas Study Admissions issued with Circular 06/2016/TT-BGDDT (amended by Clause 4, Article 1 of Circular 18/2022/TT-BGDDT), the application for studying abroad is as follows:

Application

The application dossier for studying abroad follows the regulations in Clause 2, Article 5 of Decree No. 86/2021/ND-CP.

Based on Clause 2, Article 5 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP, the application for sending Vietnamese citizens abroad for study includes:

- Official Dispatch from the direct managing agency sending the candidate (for those with a workplace);

- Commitment to fulfill responsibilities of the person sent for candidacy as required by the direct managing agency (for those with a workplace);

- Curriculum vitae with a photo and confirmation from the direct managing agency (for those with a workplace) or confirmation from the local government where they reside (for those without a workplace);

- Certified copies of relevant educational and professional certificates and language proficiency meeting scholarship program requirements;

- Health certificate from a provincial or central city medical facility confirming eligibility for studying abroad;

- Other documents (if any) as required by the scholarship program and sending agency.

Can candidates in Vietnam withdraw from studying abroad?

Based on Article 6 of the Regulations on Overseas Study Admissions issued with Circular 06/2016/TT-BGDDT (amended by Clause 9, Article 1 of Circular 18/2022/TT-BGDDT), regulations on candidates withdrawing from studying are as follows:

Candidate Withdrawal from Studying

1. Candidates selected but not going to study must send a notification to the Ministry of Education and Training and their direct managing agency (if any).

2. Candidates selected to study abroad but not going will not be allowed to apply for scholarship programs managed by the Ministry of Education and Training for 01 year from the date of the notification of not going, except in cases of force majeure, which will be considered and decided by the Minister of Education and Training.

Thus, candidates studying abroad are allowed to withdraw but must send a notification to the Ministry of Education and Training and their direct managing agency (if any), and they will be restricted from applying for scholarship programs managed by the Ministry of Education and Training for 01 year from the date of withdrawal notification, except in force majeure circumstances.