On January 18th 2022, Office of the Government issued Official Letter No. 450/VPCP-QHQT regarding the entry procedure of foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives (“Official Letter 450/VPCP-QHQT”). The Official Letter 450/VPCP-QHQT has some main contents as follows:
Governed subjects
According to Official Letter 450/VPCP-QHQT, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister of the Government, Mr. Pham Binh Minh has agreed to facilitate the entry procedures of foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives into Vietnam.
Besides, the official letter also clearly states that for foreigners who are invited, guaranteed by the agencies, organizations, individuals, the entry procedure must comply with the Law on Entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
For foreigners who enter into Vietnam for tourism purposes, the entry procedure is still carried out pursuant to Pilot program to re-welcome international tourists.
Competence, procedure for entry approval
For foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives who have valid documents on entry into Vietnam (such as valid temporary residence card (TRC), permanent residence card (PRC), visa, visa exemption certificate): they will be allowed to enter into Vietnam after showing the above valid documents (pursuant to Law on Entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam and Decree No. 82/2015/NĐ-CP), without carrying out the procedures of personnel inspection, visa issuance/visa exemption, or getting approval for entry policy from ministries, branches, localities.
For foreigners who do not have visas: the provincial People’s Committee continues to consider, approve and facilitate the entry procedures of foreigners who enter into Vietnam for the purposes of working, attending conferences, seminars, studying, humanitarian… in that province.
For foreigners working with the central ministries, branches, localities: the central ministries, branches, localities shall positively decide on the invitation, welcome and take responsibility for managing the foreigners working with their agencies.
Reviewing the additional entry ban situations and unifying the entry procedure
The Minister of Public Security is assigned to review additional entry ban situations in the past, notify the Minister of Foreign Affairs and let them notify overseas representative missions of Vietnam to cancel the issued entry documents into Vietnam.
In addition, the Minister of Public Security must coordinate with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to issue guidance the entry procedure for uniformly nationwide deploying, in accordance with Law on Entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, complying with Vietnam’s medical requirements and guidelines.
Detail of Official Dispatch No.450/VPCP-QHQT: DOWNLOAD