Issuing Level 2 electronic identification to foreigners: A new step forward in administrative reform.

Instructions for foreigners to fill out data declaration forms.

Simplify administrative procedures.

This policy not only serves administrative needs but, more importantly, aims to provide a convenient, safe, and friendly administrative experience for foreigners in Vietnam in general, and Thanh Hoa province in particular. It is also a significant step forward in simplifying administrative procedures and promoting digital transformation in Vietnam, especially in maximizing convenience for foreigners in their transactions and daily lives in Vietnam.

For authorities, establishing a unified and consistent "digital profile" for each individual foreigner contributes to improving the efficiency of verification, authentication, residence management, and the prevention and handling of violations.

Following the directive of the Ministry of Public Security regarding the implementation of Level 2 electronic identification accounts for foreigners in Vietnam as stipulated in Government Decree 69/2024/ND-CP dated June 25, 2024, from July 1, 2025, the Immigration Management Department of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police officially began receiving applications and carrying out verification steps to issue Level 2 electronic identification accounts to foreigners residing, studying, or working in the province.

Thanks to proactive measures taken early on, in the first two days of implementation (July 1st), the Immigration Management Department of the Provincial Police received 152 applications from foreigners requesting Level 2 identification accounts.

With the motto "work until the job is done, not until the clock runs out," all procedures for receiving and guiding applications are meticulously, carefully, and thoughtfully guided by officers and soldiers of the Immigration Management Department. The steps of receiving information, taking photos, collecting fingerprints, and verifying documents are carried out seriously, according to procedure, ensuring speed, convenience, and compliance with the law. Many foreigners have expressed satisfaction with the attentive guidance and clear, transparent procedures.

Mr. Joseph Wright, a British national and one of the first foreigners to complete the Level 2 electronic identity card application process, excitedly stated: "After just a few minutes of dedicated guidance from the police officers, I completed all the procedures. The process was quick, professional, and very convenient."

According to data from the Immigration Management Department, the province currently has 461 foreigners holding valid temporary residence permits, who are eligible for Level 2 electronic identification accounts. Regulations for granting electronic identification accounts to foreigners.

According to Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP, foreigners aged 6 years and older who have been granted permanent or temporary residence permits in Vietnam can register for Level 1 and Level 2 electronic identity verification accounts upon request. Children under 6 years old can be granted a Level 1 identity verification account if requested.

Accordingly, foreigners who wish to obtain an electronic identification account only need to go to the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security or the Provincial Public Security Department. The documents required to register for a Level 2 electronic identification account include: Passport, valid temporary residence permit, registered mobile phone number, and email address. Complete all information according to the "Application Form for Electronic Identification Account" issued with Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP, paying attention to providing the correct registered mobile phone number and email address.

The processing time for applications is clearly defined as no more than 3 working days for cases where information is already available in the National Immigration Database and no more than 7 working days for cases where information is not yet available. The registration results will be notified via the VNeID application, the applicant's primary phone number, or email address.

For foreigners under 14 years old, a guardian or representative must accompany them to the relevant authority. The representative or guardian will use their own mobile phone number to complete the declaration and registration for the represented person aged 6 to under 14 years old.

The implementation of Level 2 electronic identity verification accounts for foreigners is one of the important steps in realizing the goal of building a digital government and digital citizens – contributing to improving the efficiency of state management, while demonstrating Vietnam's friendliness and openness towards the foreign community. For the police force, this once again demonstrates their pioneering and exemplary role in promoting administrative procedure reform, applying digital technology , and building a modern administration to serve the people, including the foreign community living in the locality.

5 steps in sequence, procedure

On May 27, 2025, the Minister of Public Security issued Decision No. 4267/QD-BCA-C06 on the promulgation of procedures for registration, processing, issuance, and management of electronic identification accounts for individuals, including procedures for receiving, processing, and issuing electronic identification accounts for foreigners (implemented at the central and provincial levels).

The issuance of electronic identification accounts for foreigners residing in Vietnam is conducted by the Immigration Department and the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order, Ministry of Public Security. Data for account issuance includes personal information, passport number or international travel documents, permanent or temporary residence card, portrait photo, and biometric information.

The subjects eligible for this administrative procedure are foreigners who have been granted permanent residence cards or temporary residence cards in Vietnam.

- Step 1: Foreign nationals go to the immigration management agency under the Ministry of Public Security to request a Level 2 electronic identification account.

- Step 2: Foreigners present their passports or valid international travel documents; provide complete and accurate information on the Application for Electronic Identification Account (Form TK01 issued with Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP dated June 25, 2024 regulating electronic identification and authentication); in which clearly provide the owner's mobile phone number, citizen's email address (if any) and other information requested to be integrated into the national identification application for the receiving officer.

- Step 3: The receiving officer enters the information provided by the foreigner into the electronic identification and authentication system; collects facial photos and fingerprints of the foreigner to verify their identity with the National Database on Immigration and confirms their consent to register and create an electronic identification account.

- Step 4: The immigration authority sends a request for an electronic identification account to the electronic identification and authentication management agency.

- Step 5: The registration results will be notified by the Electronic Identification and Authentication Management Agency via the registered phone number or email address, so that the registrant can download the application for use.

Ha Phuong (Contributor)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cap-dinh-danh-dien-tu-muc-do-2-cho-nguoi-nuoc-ngoai-buoc-tien-moi-trong-cai-cach-hanh-chinh-253902.htm