How many years in prison for making a fake passport in Vietnam? Is it permissible to extend passports in Vietnam?

How many years in prison for making a fake passport in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 126 Article 1 of the Law on amendments to the Criminal Code in 2017 stipulating fabricating an organization's seal or documents and use thereof in Vietnam as follows:

1. Any person who fabricates an organization's seal or document or use it to commit an illegal act shall be liable to a fine of from VND 30,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 or face a penalty of up to 03 years' community sentence or 06 - 24 months' imprisonment.

2. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 02 - 05 years' imprisonment:

a) The offence is committed by an organized group;

b) The offence has been committed more than once;

c) The offence involves 02 - 05 fabricated seals or documents;

d) The fabricated seal or document is used to commit a less serious crime or a serious crime;

dd) The illegal profit earned is from VND 10,000,000 to under VND 50,000,000;

e) Dangerous recidivism.

3. This offence committed in any of the following circumstances carries a penalty of 03 - 07 years' imprisonment:

a) The offence involves ≥ 06 fabricated seals or documents;

b) The fabricated seal or document is used to commit a very serious crime or extremely serious crime;

c) The illegal profit earned is ≥ VND 50,000,000

4. The offender might also be liable to a fine of from VND 5,000,000 to VND 50,000,000.

As regulations above, after inspection is over, you friend might receive the maximum penalty of 07 years' imprisonment depending on how serious the case is.

Is it permissible to extend passports in Vietnam?

Pursuant Clause 2.a Article 7 of the Law on Entry And Exit Of Vietnamese Citizens in 2019 stipulating as follows:

1. Diplomatic passports and service passports shall be effective from 1 to 5 years; can be extended no more than 3 years per instance.

2. Validity of regular passports is as follows:

a) Regular passports issued to persons from 14 years of age shall be effective for 10 years and shall not be extended;

b) Regular passports issued to persons under 14 years of age shall be effective for 05 years and shall not be extended;

c) Regular passports issued by shortened procedures shall be effective for no more than 12 months and shall not be extended.

3. Laissez-passers shall be effective for no more than 12 months and shall not be extended.

As regulations above, your passport is effective for 10 years and shall not be extended. When it expires, you may submit application for reissuance.

What are regulations on domestic issuance of regular passports in Vietnam?

Pursuant Article 15 of the Law on Entry And Exit Of Vietnamese Citizens in 2019 stipulating as follows:

1. Persons applying for issuance of passports shall submit completed application forms using defined templates, 2 pictures and relevant documents specified in Clause 2 of this Article; present valid ID cards, Citizen Identity Cards or passports.

2. Documents relating to domestic issuance of regular passports include:

a) Copies of birth certificates or extracts thereof with respect to persons under 14 years of age; and

b) The most recently issued regular passports with respect to persons who have been issued with passports; in case of lost passports, attach notice of loss or notice of receipt of competent agencies specified in Article 28 of this Law; and

c) Photocopies of ID cards or Citizen Identity Cards with respect to changes to personal information compared to information in the most recently issued passports; and

d) Verified photocopies of documents issued by competent agencies proving authorized legal representatives for incapacitated persons, persons having limited recognition or behavioral control as specified in Civil Code and persons under 14 years of age. In case photocopies are not verified, present master registers for examination and comparison.

3. A person shall apply for issuance of passport for the first time at immigration authority of provincial police where he/she temporarily or permanently resides; in case he/she has Citizen Identity Cards, he/she shall apply at immigration authority of provincial police wherever suitable.

4. A person applying for passport issuance for the first time may choose to do so at immigration authority of Ministry of Public Security if:

a) He/she has letter of introduction or recommendation of hospitals regarding travelling abroad for medical diagnosis and/or treatment; or

b) His/her overseas relatives are identified to be in accidents, diseased or deceased according to well-grounded basis; or

c) Supervisory authority of his/hers who is an employee, official, officer, non-commissioned officer, professional serviceman or cadre in armed forces or personnel of cipher organization issues documents requesting issuance; or

d) He/she applies due to other humanitarian or emergency reasons decided by heads of the immigration authority of Ministry of Public Security.

5. A person shall apply for issuance of passport for the second time at immigration authority of provincial police of choice or immigration authority of Ministry of Public Security.

6. Assigned persons are responsible for accessing the application, pictures and relevant documents; examining and comparing with information on the national database for entry and export of Vietnamese citizens; taking photos and collecting fingerprints of persons applying for issuance of passports containing electronic chips for the first time; issuing notice of result collection.

7. Within 8 working days from the date of receipt, immigration authorities of provincial police shall return results to applicants. Within 5 working days from the date of receipt, immigration authorities of Ministry of Public Security shall return results to applicants. Processing times for cases specified in Clause 4 of this Article shall last no longer than 3 working days from the date of receipt. In case of delayed issuance of passports, immigration authorities shall respond in written form and state reasons.

8. Persons applying for issuance of passports wishing to receive results in locations other than the agencies specified in Clause 7 of this Article shall pay fees for delivery services.

Above are regulations on domestic issuance of regular passports in Vietnam.

Best regards!