Is it possible for foreigners with criminal records to enter Vietnam?

Is it possible for foreigners with criminal records to enter Vietnam?

Hello! I have a question and hope to hear from you guys! I read the newspaper and saw a news article about a person who was released from prison in the US for child molestation and is currently in Vietnam. I'm very scared about this. So please ask, does Vietnamese law prohibit people who have been sentenced to prison abroad from entering the country? Thank you!

Answer : According to the provisions of Article 20 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam 2014, regulations on entry conditions for foreigners are specifically as follows:

A foreigner shall be granted entry into Vietnam when all of the conditions below are satisfied:

1. The foreigner has a passport/laissez-passer and a visa.

Any foreigner that enters Vietnam and is unilaterally granted visa-free entry must have a passport that is still valid for at least 06 months, and the entry date must be at least 30 days from the previous exit;

2. The foreigner is not suspended from entry as prescribed in Article 21 of this Law.

Article 21 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam 2014 stipulates that the following cases are not allowed to enter:

1. Any of the conditions in Clause 1 Article 20 of this Law is not satisfied.

2. Children under 14 years of age without parents, guardians or authorized custodians.

3. Forging papers or providing false information to obtain entry/exit/residence permit.

4. Any person suffering from a mental disease or infectious disease that threatens the public health.

5. Any person that was deported from Vietnam within the last 03 years.

6. Any person that was compelled to leave Vietnam within the last 06 months.

7. For reasons of epidemic prevention.

8. For reasons of natural disasters.

9. For reasons of national defense, national security, social order, and social safety.

Thus, based on the above grounds, it can be seen that people who have committed crimes abroad (the Law does not distinguish whether their criminal records have been erased or not) are not in the case of not being allowed to enter Vietnam.

However, if it is deemed that the applicant may cause a loss of security, order, and social safety, the competent Vietnamese agency has right to refuse. And the refusal to enter Vietnam is decided by the Vietnamese authorities and does not have to tell the reason to the applicant.

Above is our advice on the issue you are wondering about.

Is it possible for foreigners with criminal records to enter Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

Can foreigners who are deported back to their home country be re-granted entry into Vietnam?

Please ask, I have a Chinese friend who came to Vietnam with a 3-month tourist visa. Visa is still valid but due to administrative violations, forced deportation. So please ask: In that friend's case, when deported like that, can he re-enter Vietnam? Look forward to receiving your feedback.

Answer: In Article 20 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam 2014, it is stipulated:

A foreigner shall be granted entry into Vietnam when all of the conditions below are satisfied:

1. The foreigner has a passport/laissez-passer and a visa.

Any foreigner that enters Vietnam and is unilaterally granted visa-free entry must have a passport that is still valid for at least 06 months, and the entry date must be at least 30 days from the previous exit;

2. The foreigner is not suspended from entry as prescribed in Article 21 of this Law.

In addition, Clause 5, Article 21 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam 2014 also has regulations on cases of suspension from entry include:

5. Any person that was deported from Vietnam within the last 03 years.

=> Thus, according to the above regulations in Vietnam, people forced to leave Vietnam can still re-enter Vietnam if they meet the regulations on passports or valid international travel documents and visas. In addition, to enter Vietnam for those who have been deported, it must be more than 3 years from the effective date of the deportation decision to re-enter Vietnam.

When can foreigners permanently reside in Vietnam?

Please ask the following question: When can foreigners permanently reside in Vietnam? Hope to receive a response soon. Thank you!

Answer: Foreigners are those who carry papers proving their foreign nationalities, or those without nationalities who enter, leave, transit through, or reside in Vietnam.

According to in Article 39 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam 2014, there are regulations on cases in which grant of permanent residence status is considered including:

1. Foreigners who have contributed to the development and protection of Vietnam and are awarded medals or titles by Vietnam’s government.

2. Foreigners who are scientists or experts temporarily residing in Vietnam.

3. Any foreigner sponsored by his parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen and has a permanent residence in Vietnam.

4. Any person without nationalities who has had a temporary residence in Vietnam from 2000 or earlier.

Above is the answer to the case of foreigners being granted permanent residence in Vietnam.

Best regards!