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NATION ORDINANCE ON ENTRY, EXIT, AND RESIDENCE OF FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM


NATION ORDINANCE ON ENTRY, EXIT, AND RESIDENCE

OF FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM.

In  order  to  contribute  towards  the  implementation  of  State  policies  on  the development of friendly relations and co-operation with foreign countries, and to protect the interests and sovereignty of the nation; Pursuant to the 1992 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Pursuant to the Resolution of Legislature X of the National Assembly at its 6th Session on the Programme for Drafting Laws and Ordinances in 2000; This Ordinance regulates the entry, exit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.

CHAPTER I

General Provisions

Article 1

1.  The  State  of  the  Socialist  Republic  of  Vietnam  shall  create favourable conditions for the entry, exit, and transit of foreigners; shall protect the lives, possessions and other legitimate interests of foreigners residing in Vietnam on the basis of the laws of Vietnam and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory or participant.

2.  Foreigners entering, exiting, in transit, or residing in Vietnam must abide by the laws of Vietnam  and respect the traditions,  customs  and habits  of the Vietnamese people.  It shall be strictly prohibited to take advantage of entry, exit, transit, or residence in Vietnam to breach the law.

3.Where an international treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory or participant contains provisions on the entry, exit, or residence of foreigners in Vietnam which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, the provisions of the international treaty shall apply.

Article 2:

1.  Vietnamese bodies and organizations, foreign bodies and organizations and international organizations established in Vietnam and Vietnamese citizens and  foreigners   lawfully  residing   in   Vietnam   may  invite  foreigners   to Vietnam

2.  Bodies, organizations and individuals  inviting  foreigners  to  Vietnam shall be responsible to ensure the purpose of entry of the foreigners; for financial assurance and for co-operation with State bodies in resolving any incidents arising in respect of the foreigners.

Article 3 :In this Ordinance, the following terms shall be construed as follows:

1. Foreigner means a person not having Vietnamese citizenship;

2. Permanent foreign resident means a foreigner residing, working and living for a long period in Vietnam;

3.  Temporary foreign resident means a foreigner residing for a limited period in Vietnam;

4.  Entry  means  entry  into  the  territory  of  Vietnam  via  the   international border gates of Vietnam; 

5.  Exit  means  departure  from the  territory  of  Vietnam  via  the  international border gates of Vietnam;

6.  Transit means going through the transit area at an international  border gate of Vietnam.

CHAPTER II

Entry, Exit, and Transit 

Article 4

1.  Foreigners entering or exiting Vietnam must hold a passport or have  valid papers in lieu (together hereinafter referred to as passport) and must have a visa issued by an authorized  State  agency  of Vietnam,  except  in cases of visa exemption.



2.    Foreigners shall carry out the procedures for applying for a Vietnamese visa at an  office  managing  entry  and  exit  under  the  Ministry  of  Police,  at  a consulate  office  under  the   Ministry   of   Foreign   Affairs,   at  a  foreign representative diplomatic office, or at a Vietnamese consulate overseas. A response to an application for issuance of a visa shall be provided no later than five working days after the date of receipt of a valid application.

3.   Foreigners  under fourteen (14) years of age who are included  in  the visa application  form  of  their  guardians  need  not  themselves  carry  out  visa application procedures.

Article 5

1. Bodies,  organizations and individuals  inviting  foreigners  to  Vietnam  shall forward  a  request  letter  to  an  office  managing  entry  and  exit  under  the Ministry  of Police or to a consulate  office  under the  Ministry  of Foreign Affairs.

2.  A response to the request letter shall be provided no later than five working days after the date of receipt of the letter.

Article 6

1.   Foreigners requesting entry shall be provided with a visa at an international bordergate of Vietnam in the following cases:

(a)    Entry  to  attend  the  funeral  of  a  relative  or  to  visit  a  seriously  ill relative;

(b)    Arrival   from a country which does not have a Vietnamese representative diplomatic office or a Vietnamese consulate

(c)    Entry  on  a  tourist  program  organized  by  a  Vietnamese  enterprise conducting international tours;

(d)    Entry  for  emergency  technical  assistance  for  construction  works  or projects; entry to provide emergency aid for seriously ill people or for accident  victims  or  to  assist  in  cases  of   disaster  or  epidemic   in Vietnam;



(dd)  Entry for any other emergency reason.

2.   An office managing entry and exit under the Ministry of Police shall issue a visa in the cases stipulated in clause 1 of this article.

Article 7

1.  A Vietnamese visa (hereinafter  referred to as visa) shall be valid for entry and exit via the international bordergates of Vietnam.

2.  Visas shall include the following types:

(a)    Single-entry visa, which shall be valid for use once within a period not exceeding twelve (12) months;

(b)    Multiple-entry visa, which shall be valid for use on multiple occasions within a period not exceeding twelve (12) months.

3.  Unextended visa:  Visas which have already been issued to foreigners may be cancelled if they fall within one of the categories stipulated in articles 8 and 9 of this Ordinance.

Article 8

1.  An authorized State agency of Vietnam shall not allow a foreigner to enter if he or she falls within one of the following categories:

(a)    Does  not  satisfy  the  conditions   stipulated   in  article  4.1  of  this Ordinance;

(b)    Falsifies   papers   or  intentionally   makes   a  false  declaration   when carrying out procedures for an entry visa

(c)    Considerations of prevention or fighting against an epidemic;

(d)    Has committed a serious breach of the law of Vietnam on a previous entry;

(dd)  Considerations  of national security,  or for special reasons as  decided by the Minister of Police.

2.  The Minister of Police shall consider and decide on foreigners falling within the categories stipulated in clause 1 of this article upon entry.

Article 9

1.  A foreigner may be delayed from exit if he or she falls within one  of the following categories:

(a)    Is currently the subject of investigation for criminal responsibility or is the defendant in a civil, economic or labour dispute;

(b)    Is currently obliged to serve a criminal sentence


(c)    Is currently obliged to carry out a civil, economic or labour judgment;


(d)    Is  currently  obliged  to  carry  out  a  decision  or  pay  a  fine  for  an administrative  breach,  a  tax  payment  obligation  or  other  financial obligations.

2.  If, in the categories stipulated in sub-clauses (c) and (d) of clause 1 of this article,  there  is a guarantee  of money or property  or there  is some other measure  to  ensure  fulfilment  of  the  obligation  pursuant  to  the  law  of Vietnam, then exit shall be permitted.

3.  An investigating  office, a controlling institute, a court, an office  enforcing sentences of provinces and cities under central authority or higher shall have authority to delay exit in the categories stipulated in sub-clauses (a), (b) and (c) of clause 1 of this article.  An office authorized to delay exit must issue a decision releasing the delay of exit when there is no longer any requirement for delay of exit.  A decision on delay of exit and a decision releasing the delay of exit must be notified in writing to the office managing entry and exit  under the Ministry of Police for its implementation.

4.  The Minister  of Police shall decide to delay the exit of a foreigner  falling within the category stipulated in sub-clause (d) of clause 1 of this article on the proposal of a minister, head of a ministerial equivalent body, head of a Government  office, or chairman  of a  people’s committee of a province or city under central authority.

5.  In addition to issuing a decision on delay, any person who makes a proposal to delay exit  which  is inconsistent  with the  provisions  of  this  Ordinance must, if he or she causes material loss to the person whose exit is delayed, pay compensation in accordance with law.

Article 10

A person in transit shall be exempt from visa requirements;  if he or she needs to combine  a visit or travel  in Vietnam,  then  the office  managing  entry and exit under  the  Ministry  of  Police  shall  resolve  the  matter  pursuant  to  regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Police.

For the full version of the Ordinance, please download here:  National Ordinance No. 24/2000/PL-UBTVQH10.