What is the time limit for grant of extension of temporary residence permits and new visa for foreigners in Vietnam?

What is the time limit for grant of extension of temporary residence permits and new visa for foreigners in Vietnam?

Pursuant Article 5 of the Circular 04/2016/TT-BNG stipulating procedures for extension of temporary residence permits in Vietnam as follows:

1. Foreigners who are granted visas with symbol NG1, NG2 or NG4 wishing to have their residence duration extended shall request their guaranteeing entity to submit an application for extension to the Consular Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City.

2. An application for extension includes:

a) A diplomatic note or written request for extension of temporary residence permit which specifies full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and symbol, date of issue and expiry date of passport, occupation and position, purpose of entry and extended duration and request for a new visa (if any).

b) A foreigner's passport that is valid for more than 30 days from the date of application of extension

c) An application form for visa and extension of temporary residence permit (using form NA5 issued together with the Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA), countersigned and sealed by the guaranteeing entity.

d) 01 photo of ID of members of the diplomatic mission of the foreigner’s country in Vietnam issued by the Directorate of State Protocol or Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh in case the foreigner comes to Vietnam for visiting members of diplomatic missions of his/her country in Vietnam.

e) 01 copy of the valid employment contract if the foreigner is a contractual staff working for the diplomatic mission of his/her country in Vietnam.

3. Grant of extension of temporary residence permits

a)Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the valid application as stipulated in clause 2 of this Article, the Consular Department or Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City shall consider granting an extension of temporary residence permit and a new visa (where necessary) to the foreigner.

b) The extended duration of temporary residence and duration of new visa (if any) shall be conformable to the entry purposes and guaranteeing entity’s request, and shall not exceed 12 months. The expiry date of extended duration of temporary residence shall be at least 30 days ahead of that of the foreigner’s passport.

c) For foreigners mentioned in point d, clause 2 of this Article, the extended duration of temporary residence and new visa (if any) shall be conformable to point b, clause 3 of this Article and the expiry date of ID of members of their foreign diplomatic mission in Vietnam issued by the Directorate of State Protocol or Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City.

4. foreigners who came to Vietnam under the visa-free entry policy as prescribed in clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4, Article 8 of the Law on Entry and Exit shall be entitled to be granted at least once extension with each extension of not exceeding the last residence duration according to their application stipulated in clause 2 of this Article, unless otherwise stipulated in international agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory.

5. The Director of the Consular Department shall have the power to grant extension and new visa (where necessary) to those who are prescribed in clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Law on Entry and Exit and came to Vietnam with SQ visa.

6. The Minister of Foreign Affairs may either decide or authorize the Director of the Directorate of State Protocol to decide to ease the procedure for extension of temporary residence permit in accordance with the Law on Entry and Exit.

As regulations above, within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the valid application, the Consular Department or Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City shall consider granting an extension of temporary residence permit and a new visa for foreigners.

What is the time limit for grant of temporary residence cards for foreigners in Vietnam?

Pursuant Article 6 of the Circular 04/2016/TT-BNG stipulating procedures for application for temporary residence cards in Vietnam as follows:

1. The entity guaranteeing for foreigners prescribed in clause 3, Article 8 of the Law on Entry and Exit shall submit an application for temporary residence card to the competent authority stipulated in Article 3 hereof.

2. An application for the temporary residence card includes:

a) A diplomatic note of temporary residence card request to the Vietnam’s diplomatic mission which specifies full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and symbol, occupation and position of the foreigner (refer to form NA6 issued together with the Circular No.04/2015/TT-BCA);

In case of replacement of officials of diplomatic missions of foreign countries in Vietnam, the diplomatic note shall specify full name and position of the new officials in charge.

b) An application form for temporary residence card (using form NA8 issued together with the Circular No.04/2015/TT-BCA) countersigned by the competent authority and sealed by the Vietnam’s diplomatic mission abroad;

c) A valid passport of the foreigner;

d) In case the foreigner is on the payroll increase of the diplomatic mission of his/her country in Vietnam, the diplomatic note of payroll increase of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his/her home country is required, besides documents specified in points a, b, and c, clause 1 of this Article.

3. Issue of temporary residence cards:

Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the valid application as stipulated in clause 2 of this Article, the Directorate of State Protocol and Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City shall consider granting the temporary residence card to the foreigner.

4. The NG3 temporary residence card shall be valid for 05 years and expire at least 30 days prior to the expiry date of the foreigner’s passport.

Foreigners with expired temporary residence cards shall be entitled to be granted new temporary residence card at request the diplomatic mission of his/her country in Vietnam.

5. The Directorate of State Protocol and Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City shall submit the list of foreigners eligible for being granted temporary residence cards to the Department of Immigration of Vietnam under clause 2, Article 7 of the Government’s Decree No.64/2015/ND-CP on the cooperation among Ministries, Ministerial-level agencies, People’s Committees of provinces in management of entry, exit, transit and residence by foreigners in Vietnam.

6. The Minister of Foreign Affairs may either decide or authorize the Director of the Directorate of State Protocol to consider easing the procedure for temporary residence card in accordance with the Law on Entry and Exit.

As regulations above, within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the valid application, the Directorate of State Protocol and Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City shall consider granting the temporary residence card to the foreigner.

Best regards!