From 15/8/2023: Increase the visa duration for foreigners in Vietnam
Is it correct that the visa duration for foreigners in Vietnam will be increase from 15/8/2023? - Ms. Nghi (Ha Noi)
From 15/8/2023: Increase the visa duration for foreigners in Vietnam
Pursuant to Article 9 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2014 (amended by Clause 4 Article 1 of the Law on amendments to a number of Articles of Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2019) stipulating visa duration as follows:
Visa duration
1. Time limits of SQ and EV visas do not exceed 30 days.
2. The duration of a HN or DL visa is not longer than 03 months.
3. The duration of a VR visa is not longer than 06 months.
4. Time limits of NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4, LV1, LV2, DT4, DN1, DN2, NN1, NN1, NN3, DH, PV1, PV2 and TT visas do not exceed 12 months.
5. Time limits of LD1 and LD2 visas do not exceed 2 years.
5a. Time limit of DT3 visa does not exceed 3 years.
6. Time limits of LS, DT1 and DT2 visas do not exceed 5 years.
7. When a visa is expired, its reissuance shall be considered.
8. The duration of a visa shall be at least 30 days shorter than that of a passport or international laissez-passer.
9. International agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory shall prevail in case such international agreements specify otherwise.
Pursuant to Clause 2 Article 2 of the Law on amendments to some Articles of Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens and Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam in 2023 stipulating as follows:
Amendments to some Articles of Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam
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2. Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 Article 9 shall be amended as follows:
1. Time limit of SQ visa does not exceed 30 days.
2. Time limits of HN, DL and EV visas do not exceed 90 days.
3. Time limit of VR visa does not exceed 180 days.
4. Time limits of NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4, LV1, LV2, DT4, DN1, DN2, NN1, NN2, NN3, DH, PV1, PV2 and TT visas do not exceed one year.
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As regulations above, from 15/8/2023, the visa duration for foreigners in Vietnam is increased to 90 days.
What are cases of visa-free entry for foreigners entering Vietnam?
Pursuant to Article 12 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2014 (amended by Clause 7 Article 1 of the Law on amendments to a number of Articles of Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2019) stipulating cases of visa-free entry as follows:
1. The cases prescribed in international agreements to which Vietnam is a signatory.
2. Permanent residence cards and temporary residence cards are used in accordance this Law.
3. Entry to checkpoint economic zones, special administrative - economic units.
- Entry to coastal economic zones decided by the Government if fully satisfying following conditions: having international airports; having private space; having defined geographical border and separate from inland; in conformity with socio-economic development policies and not harming national defense and security, social safety and order of Vietnam.
4. Under regulations in Article 13 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2014.
5. Vietnamese people residing overseas who have passports or laissez-passers issued by foreign authorities, foreigners being their spouses or children; foreigners being spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens shall be granted visa-free entry as prescribed by the government.
What are conditions for issuance of visa for foreigners in Vietnam?
Pursuant to Article 10 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2014 (amended by Clause 5 Article 1 of the Law on amendments to a number of Articles of Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2019) stipulating conditions for issuance of visa for foreigners in Vietnam as follows:
A person shall be issued with a visa when he/she:
- Has a passport or laissez-passer.
- Invited or sponsored by agencies, organizations or individuals in Vietnam, except for cases specified in Article 16a, Article 16b and Clause 3 Article 17 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2014.
- Not suspended from entry in the cases mentioned in Article 21 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2014.
- Proof of entry purposes must be provided when applying for a visa in the following cases:
+ Any foreigner who comes to make investment must have papers proving the investment in Vietnam in accordance with the Law on Investment;
+ Any foreigner who works as a lawyer in Vietnam must have a practice license in accordance with the Law of Lawyers;
+ Any foreigner who comes to work in Vietnam must have work permits in accordance with the Labor Code;
+ Any foreigner who comes to study in Vietnam must have written acceptance of a school or an education institution in Vietnam.
- Electronic visas shall be issued to foreigners possessing passports and not falling into categories specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 Article 8 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam in 2014.
Note: The Law on amendments to some Articles of Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens and Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam in 2023 takes effect from 15/8/2023.
Best regards!
