Extend temporary residence period for foreigners to 45 days

Citizens of countries unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam will be granted temporary residence for 45 days instead of 15 days as before, and will be considered for visa issuance and temporary residence extension according to regulations.

National Assembly deputies vote to pass the 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. (Photo: DUY LINH).

On the morning of June 24, with 470/475 delegates participating in the vote in favor (equal to 95.14% of the total number of National Assembly delegates), the National Assembly passed the 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.

Improving Vietnam's competitiveness in attracting tourists

Accordingly, the temporary residence period for citizens of countries unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam is extended to 45 days, an increase of 30 days compared to the period prescribed in the 2014 Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Clarifying the basis for the 45-day regulation, Chairman of the National Assembly's Defense and Security Committee Le Tan Toi said that currently, the travel trend of tourists from distant markets such as Europe to Vietnam often takes long vacations of 15 days or more and chooses cross-country and international resort travel programs.

The tourism industry aims to attract beach vacationers and long-term stays to gradually compete with other countries in the region in beach tourism, while countries such as Thailand, Singapore... are applying visa exemption policies with temporary stays of up to 45 days and 90 days.

The unilateral visa exemption extension to 45 days is the average in the region, thereby enhancing Vietnam's competitiveness in attracting tourists; creating more convenience for international tourists, helping them to proactively plan their time and schedule for sightseeing and long-term stays in Vietnam.

Chairman of the National Assembly's Defense and Security Committee Le Tan Toi reported on the explanation, acceptance, and revision of the draft Law before the National Assembly voted to approve it. (Photo: DUY LINH).

There are opinions suggesting granting temporary residence with multiple entries to facilitate foreigners, especially experts, scientists, etc.; researching and supplementing regulations on granting temporary residence of 30 days for citizens of countries unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam who are tourists visiting certain types of special tourism; clarifying how many days of temporary residence will be granted in cases where people entering the country are not unilaterally exempted from visas.

Chairman Le Tan Toi clarified that the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam stipulates that foreigners who are scientists and experts temporarily residing in Vietnam are one of four cases that are considered and resolved to be granted permanent residence cards (foreigners granted permanent residence cards are allowed to reside indefinitely in Vietnam and use permanent residence cards instead of visas to enter and exit the country).

The draft amended and supplemented Law stipulates that citizens of countries unilaterally exempted from visas from Vietnam will be granted temporary residence for 45 days and will be considered for visa issuance and temporary residence extension according to the provisions of the Law. This provision has created favorable conditions for citizens of countries unilaterally exempted from visas from Vietnam.

In addition, the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens has specific regulations on the temporary residence period corresponding to each type of visa issued to foreigners.

Border guards receive temporary residence information of foreigners

During the discussion sessions on the draft Law, many National Assembly deputies proposed reviewing and supplementing border posts and stations to receive temporary residence declarations from foreigners temporarily residing in border areas to comply with the Agreements related to border management and land border gates between Vietnam and neighboring countries and the provisions of the Vietnam Border Law related to the functions and tasks of the Border Guard.

Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee Le Tan Toi said that according to current legal regulations, the Border Guard takes the lead and coordinates in maintaining security, social order and safety in border areas according to legal regulations and in fact 433 border posts nationwide are performing this task.

Voting results passed. (Photo: DUY LINH).

Currently, the Border Guard has been receiving temporary residence registration of foreigners in the border area according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 27 of the Agreement on land border management regulations and land border gates between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

In response to the opinions of National Assembly deputies, the draft Law adds the content: "In case border posts and stations receive temporary residence declarations from foreigners according to the provisions of international treaties to which Vietnam is a member" to ensure compatibility with the above Agreement, creating favorable conditions for accommodation establishments to choose a convenient police or border unit to submit temporary residence registration.

At the same time, add the regulation that "Border guards and stations are responsible for immediately notifying the police of the commune, ward, town or the police station or station where the foreigner is temporarily residing" so that the police agency can unify in managing the residence of foreigners in Vietnam.

The 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 will officially take effect from August 15, 2023.

According to: nhandan.vn

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