HOT NEWS: Vietnam Electronic Visa Extended Visa Duration to 90 Days

On the morning of June 24, with 95.14% of the delegates in favor, the National Assembly passed a Law amending and supplementing 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. Accordingly, the duration of the electronic visa (e-visa) will be extended from 30 to 90 days. The government will determine the list of countries and territories whose citizens are eligible for e-visa issuance and the list of international border gates allowing foreigners to enter and exit with an e-visa.

Once granted an electronic visa, foreigners will be able to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times within 90 days without the need to apply for a new visa.

The law also allows citizens of certain countries unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam to be granted a temporary residence permit for 45 days (previously 15 days) and to be considered for visa issuance and extension according to regulations.

Presenting the report and explanation beforehand, according to Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee of the National Assembly, Le Tan Toi, conducting procedures in the electronic environment will effectively contribute to the management of exit and entry activities, facilitating both Vietnamese and foreign individuals.

The procedures are simple and convenient, as foreigners do not need to visit Vietnamese representative offices abroad or go through intermediaries for visa application. In addition, the electronic visa issuance process involves prior approval, which allows immigration authorities to screen individuals who do not meet entry requirements, thereby meeting the requirements of management work.

Regarding the proposal to extend the temporary residence period for foreigners exempted from visas to 60 or 90 days, the National Assembly Standing Committee stated that countries such as Thailand and Singapore are currently implementing visa exemption policies with temporary residence periods of up to 45 and 90 days.

Extending the unilateral visa exemption period to 45 days brings Vietnam to an average level in the region, thereby enhancing Vietnam's competitiveness in attracting tourists and enabling them to plan their travel itineraries more flexibly. Therefore, the National Assembly Standing Committee recommends maintaining the provisions as proposed by the Government.

The law will come into effect on August 15, 2023. Entry and exit documents issued to citizens prior to the effective date of this law will remain valid until the expiration date stated in the documents. In cases where citizens request entry and exit documents but have not been granted them at the time this law comes into effect, the provisions of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens No. 49/2019/QH14 will continue to apply for resolution.

For foreigners who have been granted an electronic visa or entered under unilateral visa exemption or have requested an electronic visa but have not been granted one at the time this law comes into effect, the provisions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam No. 47/2014/QH13, as amended and supplemented by Law No. 51/2019/QH14, will continue to apply.