Minister of Public Security To Lam: "The duration of an electronic visa of up to 3 months is appropriate"

SGGPO 16/05/2023 14:53

The government has proposed that the National Assembly allow regulations to stipulate that the validity period of electronic visas should not exceed 3 months and the validity period of temporary residence certificates at border gates for those entering under the unilateral visa exemption scheme should be up to 45 days.

Minister of Public Security To Lam reports at a session of the 15th National Assembly.

The government has submitted a proposal to the National Assembly requesting consideration of the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam at the 5th session, scheduled to open on May 22nd.

In a report summarizing and explaining the opinions of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, Minister of Public Security To Lam stated that the validity period of electronic visas up to 3 months is suitable for long stays, vacations, market research, and business activities for foreigners.

Previously, during its 23rd session, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly gave its opinion on the draft law. Many members of the Standing Committee suggested adding more specific and convincing arguments regarding the proposed regulations on the validity period of electronic visas (from no more than 30 days to no more than 3 months) and the validity period of temporary residence certificates at border gates for those entering under the unilateral visa exemption scheme (from 15 days to 45 days).

The report, signed by Minister To Lam, clearly states that, over the period of implementing the electronic visa issuance program, from the pilot phase in 2017 to the present, the number of foreigners applying for electronic visas has steadily increased.

Since the government restored immigration policies to pre-Covid-19 levels (from March 15, 2022), the number of e-visas issued has increased 46.6 times compared to the same period before the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the short validity period of e-visas (maximum 30 days) has not attracted more foreigners, especially those seeking extended vacations in Vietnam, or those wishing to survey, research the market, or seek investment opportunities in Vietnam. Extending the validity period of e-visas to 3 months, with single or multiple entry options, aims to meet the aforementioned needs; it is particularly suitable for the length of stay for foreigners responsible for establishing commercial presences, service providers, and service suppliers under contract, as committed by Vietnam in free trade agreements.

The issuance of electronic visas is done through prior personnel review; therefore, compared to unilateral visa exemption, the issuance of electronic visas also helps immigration authorities screen out groups of people who do not meet the entry requirements, meeting management requirements, the head of the police force said.

According to the aforementioned report, studies on tourism trends show that tourists from distant markets such as Europe often choose long vacations of 15 days or more to Vietnam; and leisure travel programs, cross-Vietnam tours, and international tours. The tourism industry aims to attract tourists seeking long-stay beach holidays to gradually compete with other countries in the region in terms of beach tourism, while countries like Thailand and Singapore are implementing visa exemption policies with temporary stays of up to 45 or 90 days.

In this context, the Government believes that extending the unilateral visa exemption period to 45 days (the regional average) will enhance Vietnam's competitiveness in attracting tourists; further facilitating international tourists and allowing them to proactively plan their time and itineraries for extended stays in Vietnam.

Source