1. What is Visa Exemption?

According to the law, a visa is the basis for foreigners (with foreign nationality) to be allowed to enter another country for a certain period of time. Visa is the English name of visa or entry visa. According to the provisions of Clause 11, Article 2 of the 2014 Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, a visa is a type of document issued by a competent Vietnamese agency. Allow foreigners to enter Vietnam. Foreigners who want to enter Vietnam must have a visa (except in cases of exemption) and other documents as prescribed to be able to enter Vietnam.

The form of Visa is issued in the passport, issued separately or issued via electronic transaction (electronic visa). Regarding value, Visa is valid once or multiple times, for electronic visas and visas issued according to the personnel approval list of the immigration management agency for foreigners visiting and traveling by boat. by sea or in transit by sea if there is a need to go inland to visit or travel according to a program organized by an international travel enterprise in Vietnam or a member of a foreign military ship traveling according to an official operating program of the For visits outside the province or centrally run city where the ship or boat is anchored, the visa will be valid once.

Visa exemption is the case where Vietnamese competent authorities allow citizens and individuals of a certain country to enter Vietnam without needing a visa and still be able to stay for a certain period of time. without the need for procedures and fees related to entry and exit. Thus, Vietnam Visa exemption means that the foreigner entering Vietnam does not need a visa but only needs a passport/documents proving identity and is not in the case of not being allowed to enter Vietnam. Male.

Cases of unilateral visa exemption are specified in Article 13 of the 2014 Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam when there is a unilateral decision on visa exemption, in order to apply for a visa exemption. Visa exemption means must meet the following conditions:

• Have diplomatic relations with Vietnam;
• Consistent with Vietnam's socio-economic development and foreign policy in each period;
• Do not harm Vietnam's national defense, security, social order and safety.

2. What are the cases for visa exemption when entering Vietnam?

Visa exemption is the policy and regulations of the State of Vietnam for some cases and some subjects who meet specific requirements. Depending on each situation, stage, and period, this visa exemption policy can be loosened or tightened.

Specifically, the cases in which foreigners are exempted from visa when entering Vietnam are:

- According to international treaties to which Vietnam is a member. In this case, foreigners are citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with Vietnam. For people who are exempted from visas under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member, the temporary residence period will be granted according to the provisions of the international treaty. If the international treaty does not stipulate the temporary residence period, the temporary residence period will be granted. 30 days suspension.

Vietnam is currently applying unilateral visa exemption, bilateral visa exemption and visa exemption for flight crew members from a number of countries and territories according to the principle of reciprocity. Countries and territories where Vietnam exempts flight crew members from visas are the United States, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Japan, Russia, Hong Kong (China), South Korea, France, Poland, China, and the United States. United Arab Emirates (UAE), Taiwan, Kenya, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia (Australia), Luxembourg and Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan).

- Have a temporary or permanent residence card according to regulations. To be considered for permanent residence, foreigners must have legal residence and a stable income to ensure life in Vietnam. For subjects who are scientists and experts temporarily residing in Vietnam, a request must be made by the Minister, Head of a ministerial-level agency, or an agency under the Government that manages the state in that person's field of expertise. . In addition, if a foreigner is sponsored by a parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen permanently residing in Vietnam, he or she must meet the condition of temporarily residing in Vietnam continuously for 3 years or more. As for temporary residence cards, you must belong to the prescribed subjects to be granted temporary residence cards such as members of diplomatic missions, consulates, representative agencies of international organizations under the United Nations, intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam and spouses, children under 18 years old, housekeepers accompanying them on term...

- Enter coastal economic zones decided by the Government when the following conditions are met:

• There is an international airport;
• There is a separate space;
• Has a defined geographical boundary, separate from the mainland;
• In accordance with socio-economic development policies and does not harm Vietnam's national defense, national security, social order and safety.

For those who are exempted from visa to enter the border gate economic zone, they will be granted temporary residence for 15 days, and for those entering special administrative-economic units, they will be granted temporary residence for 30 days.

- There is a unilateral visa exemption decision, this decision is valid for no more than 05 years and can be considered for extension. In this case, foreign citizens who are unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam will be granted temporary residence for 15 days.

- Vietnamese people residing abroad who have passports or documents with international travel value issued by competent foreign agencies and foreigners who are their spouses, children, or foreigners who are their wives , husbands, and children of Vietnamese citizens are exempt from visas according to Government regulations.

- Citizens who own diplomatic passports or official passports of countries with which Vietnam has signed agreements or agreements that have taken effect.

- Have a valid passport and a passport that is still valid for at least 06 months from the date of entry if the foreigner enters the country under unilateral visa exemption.

3. Which countries do Vietnam currently waive visas for?

Currently, our country has relations and trade with many countries and territories around the world, so the need for travel between citizens of these countries is very large. However, managing the presence of foreigners in Vietnam is a regulated issue, so currently Vietnam's visa exemption with other countries is still difficult to limit due to lack of consensus of opinion. solutions, solutions or needs of each country. In Resolution No. 32/NQ-CP of the Government issued on March 15, 2022 on visa exemption for citizens of other countries according to the provisions of law. Visa exemption for citizens of the following countries:

- Federal Republic of Germany;

- French Republic;

- Italian Republic;

- Kingdom of Spain;

- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

- Russia;

- Japan;

- The Republic of Korea;

- Kingdom of Denmark;

- Kingdom of Sweden;

- Kingdom of Norway;

- Republic of Finland;

- Republic of Belarus.

Above are 13 countries whose citizens entering Vietnam will be exempted from visas with a temporary stay period of 15 days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type and purpose of entry, based on The facility meets all conditions as prescribed by Vietnamese law.

 The visa exemption policy when entering Vietnam for citizens of the 13 countries mentioned above will be implemented for a period of 3 years from March 15, 2022 and last until March 14, 2025, when At the end of this period, it will be considered for extension according to the provisions of Vietnamese law.