On June 24, 2023, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam issued the Law to amend and supplement certain provisions of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 23/2023/QH15). Through that, the National Assembly amends and adds to certain regulations concerning the information on travel documents for entry and exit, along with an extension of the temporary residence duration for citizens of countries exempted by Vietnam from visa requirements. Notably among these changes is the extension of the electronic visa’s validity period for foreigners.
The extension of the electronic visa’s validity period is favorable news for foreigners desiring to travel to Vietnam. In this article, LawPlus shall provide valuable information regarding the electronic visa regulations effective as of August 15, 2023.Top of Form
Table of Contents/Mục lục
1. What is an Electronic visa?
1.1. Definition of e-visa
The Electronic Visa (E-Visa) is a type of visa .issued by the Immigration Department through an electronic transaction system to foreigners. Under this arrangement, the E-Visa is valid for single or multiple entries, meaning that it grants foreigners permission to enter and exit Vietnam single or multiple entries within the validity period of the visa, and it will not be .altered for change of purpose.
1.2. Validity of e-visa
Under Article 2.2 of Law No. 23/2023/QH15, visas bearing the codes HN, DL, and EV shall have a validity period of no more than 90 days. Concurrently, as stipulated by Article 2.1 of Law No. 23/2023/QH1, E-visa allows foreigners for single-entry or multiple-entry.
Consequently, with the validity of Law No. 23/2023/QH15: since August 15, 2023, the Vietnam E-visa granted to foreigner entering Vietnam will be extended to a validity period of no more than 90 days. This implies that the E-visa will authorize single or multiple entries within the 90-day timeframe. As a result, foreigners will be relieved from the necessity of initiating procedures for obtaining a new visa.
2. Who is eligible to apply an application for an electronic visa?
The procedures for applying for an E-visa for foreigners vary depending on each specific case. Presently, the Immigration Department has established regulations and guidelines about the application process for an E-visa for the following cases:
- Foreigners residing abroad.
- Government agencies or organizations sponsoring foreigners to enter Vietnam. In cases where foreigners intend to work in Vietnam. or where they are owners or investors in Vietnam, .they can apply for an E-visa through the sponsoring government agency or organization.
Which nationalities are eligible to enter Vietnam using an electronic visa?
From August 15, 2023, according to Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP, e-visas will be issued to citizens of all countries and territories. Besides, Vietnam also added a number of border gates to accept foreigners entering by E-visa. Thus, the Vietnamese Government has created better conditions for foreigners to come to Vietnam than before. This contributes to the development of our economy, especially in tourism and investment.
List of gates accepted foreigner entry into Vietnam and by E-visa:
3. Conditions for Applying E-visa for Foreigner
- foreigners residing abroad;
- Possess a valid passport (passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of applying for the E-visa);
- Not falling into the cases of suspension from entry prescribed in Article 21 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13;
- foreigners must be citizens of the countries listed to be granted E-visas as per the Government’s Resolution.
4. Procedures for applying an E-visa
As mentioned above, the Immigration Department of Vietnam has stipulated and provided guidelines for two entities applying for an E-visa: individual foreigners and government agencies or organizations sponsoring foreigners. Generally, the processing time and sequence will not be significantly more challenging compared to applying for a visa through the regular procedure.
Regarding the procedures for each case, you may refer to LawPlus’s article on E-visa regulations: Click here
5. Visa-free for 13 countries
According to Resolution 128/NQ-CP dated August 14, 2023, from August 15, 2023, the Government of Vietnam will exempt visas for citizens of the following 13 countries:
Federal Republic of Germany, French Republic, Republic of Italy, Kingdom of Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russian Federation, Japan, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom Kingdom of Denmark, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Finland and Republic of Belarus.
Accordingly, citizens of the above countries will be exempted from visas with a temporary stay of 45 days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type, entry purpose, on the basis of meeting all entry conditions. according to the provisions of Vietnamese law.
5. Notes
For entry and exit documents issued to citizens .before the effective date of Law No. 23/2023/QH15, these documents will remain valid until their expiration date.
In cases where citizens have .applied for entry and exit documents but have not yet been granted at the time when this Law comes into effect, the provisions of Law No. 49/2019/QH14 shall continue to apply for resolution.
For foreigners who have been .granted an E-visa, or entered as citizens of countries .exempted by Vietnam from visa requirements, or have .applied for an E-visa but have not been .granted at the time of the new Law’s enforcement, Law No. 47/2014/QH13, amended and supplemented by Law No. 51/2019/QH14, shall continue to apply.
Note
Extending the maximum E-visa validity to no longer than 90 days will provide foreigners with the opportunity to stay in Vietnam for an extended period, catering to various purposes such as tourism; visiting friends, and cousins. Furthermore, the process for requesting an E-visa is relatively .streamlined and less time-consuming compared to the traditional visa application process. This will contribute to attracting an increasing number of foreigners to Vietnam.
For any inquiries regarding the E-visa, clients may contact LawPlus through the hotline at +84 2862 779 399 / +84 965 052 039 / +84 966 008 030 (WhatsApp, Viber, Zalo), or via email at info@lawplus.vn for detailed consultations.
