Nowadays, Viet Nam is one of the developing countries that has attracted considerable attention from foreign investors. Besides, Viet Nam is also a popular and attractive tourist destination known worldwide. In this context, the Vietnamese Government has established specific regulations to manage entry and stay.
In this article, VietPoint Law provides you with some regulations about visas in Viet Nam and offers a preliminary guide to visa application procedures.
1. What is a Visa?
According to Article 11, Clause 3 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Viet Nam 2014 (amended in 2019), a visa is issued by competent authorities of Viet Nam, commonly referred to as a visa, which allows foreigners to enter Viet Nam.
A suitable visa and duration will be granted depending on the purpose and need for entry into Viet Nam, such as tourism, conference participation, market research, investment, labor, media activities, education, etc.
2. Validity and Types of Visas.
According to Article 7 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Viet Nam 2014 (amended in 2019), regulations on the form and validity of visas are as follows:Visa shall be issued and attached to passport, issued separately or issued via electronic transaction. Visas issued via electronic transaction are called electronic visas.
– Visas shall be issued individually for each person, except for cases bellow:
(i) Visas for children under 14 years of age travelling on passports of their parents or guardians shall be issued together with visas thereof;
(ii) Visas shall be issued according to lists issued by immigration authorities with respect to foreigners visiting and travelling or transiting by sea who have the need to enter inland for visiting and tourism purposes according to programs organized by international tourism enterprises in Viet Nam; members of foreign military ships travelling under official programs of tours outside of central-affiliated cities and provinces where their ships anchor.
– Visas can be single or multiple-entry; e-visas and visas issued under case (ii) above are single-entry.
– A visa of an individual cannot be repurposed, except for cases below:
+ Having documents proving that they are investors or representatives of foreign organizations investing in Viet Nam according to Vietnamese law;
+ Having documents proving their relationship as parents, spouses, and children with the inviting or guaranteeing individual;
+ Being invited or guaranteed to work and having a work permit or confirmation that they are not subject to a work permit according to labor law regulations;
+ Entering with an e-visa and having a work permit or confirmation that they are not subject to a work permit according to labor law regulations.
When changing the purpose of the visa, a new visa with suitable symbols and a validity period for the changed purpose will be issued.
3. Visa Application Conditions.
According to Article 7 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Viet Nam 2014 (amended in 2019), visa application conditions include:
– Having a passport or a valid international travel document.
– Having an invitation or guarantee from an organization, individual, or authority in Viet Nam, except for cases stipulated in Article 16a, Article 16b, and Clause 3 of Article 17 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Viet Nam 2014 (amended in 2019).
– Not being subject to cases of denied entry as stipulated in Article 21 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Viet Nam 2014 (amended in 2019).
– The following cases must provide documents proving the purpose of entry:
+ Foreigners entering for investment must have documents proving investment in Viet Nam according to investment law regulations;
+ Foreign lawyers practicing in Viet Nam must have a practicing license according to lawyer regulations;
+ Foreign employees must have a work permit according to labor law regulations;
+ International students must have a letter of acceptance from a school or educational institution in Viet Nam.
4. Processing Time and Result.
The processing time for visa applications typically ranges from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the type of visa and specific circumstances. After processing, you will receive a notification of the result. If the visa is approved, you can start preparing for your trip to Viet Nam.
5. Note.
When in Viet Nam, you must adhere to all regulations and conditions related to your visa. You must strictly follow the stay duration, visa usage purpose, and other rules. Compliance with other relevant Vietnamese laws or international agreements of which Viet Nam is a member is essential.
If you need further information or want to authorize visa application services to Viet Nam, don’t hesitate to contact VietPoint Law for consultation.
VIETPOINT LAW FIRM
Hotline: 0932 53 93 17 (Luật sư Huỳnh Thị Tuyết Ngân).
Email: tuyetngan@vietpointlaw.vn
Address: No. 57, Vanh Đai Tay Street, Quarter 4, An Khanh Ward, Thu Đuc City, Ho Chi Minh City.
