Pilot issuance of electronic visas to foreigners to Vietnam from February 01, 2017

10/01/2017
The National Assembly issued Resolution No.30/2016/QH14 dated November 22, 2016 on pilot issuance of electronic visas to foreigners to Vietnam.
Electronic visa is a type of visa granted to a foreigner wishing to enter Vietnam by the Department of Immigration. The electronic visa is issued via an electronic transaction system and shall be valid only once for no longer than 30 days.
Electronic visas shall be granted to citizens of countries that meet the following eligibility requirements:
a) A foreign country has the diplomatic relation with Vietnam;
b) It is suitable for the socio-economic development and foreign affair policies of Vietnam in certain period of time;
c) It does not prejudice to Vietnam’s national defense and security and social order.
A foreigner who has a passport and is not in any case stipulated in Article 21 of the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam. If a foreigner granted an electronic visa, after entering Vietnam, applies for a new visa, the Department of Immigration shall follow the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
According to the Resolution, the pilot issuance of electronic visas will be carried out for 02 years from February 01, 2017. And by the end of 2018, the Government will report the implementation of this Resolution to the National Assembly.