Extending e-visa duration to attract foreign tourism and investment

According to the Government , the proposal to increase the duration of e-visa from 30 to 90 days aims to meet the needs of international visitors and those who want to enter Vietnam to seek investment opportunities.

Minister of Public Security To Lam has just sent a report to the National Assembly on behalf of the Government explaining the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

The government believes that the open-door policy to welcome foreigners into Vietnam will be a great "leverage" to attract tourism, investment, business cooperation and scientific research. These are "important driving forces for the development of the country's economy in the present and future periods".

According to current law, the e-visa duration is short, so it has not attracted tourists. If the e-visa duration is increased to 3 months, valid for single or multiple entries, it will meet the long-term vacation needs of international tourists from distant markets. This also creates favorable conditions for foreigners who want to enter Vietnam for a long time to research, survey the market, seek and promote investment.

Extending the e-visa duration is also consistent with the length of stay for foreigners responsible for establishing a commercial presence, service providers, and contractual service providers as committed by Vietnam in FTAs.

"The issuance of e-visas is done through prior personnel review. Therefore, compared to unilateral visa exemption, the issuance of e-visas helps immigration authorities screen out groups of people who are not eligible for entry, meeting management requirements," the report stated.

Argentine tourists enjoy Cao Lau, a specialty dish of Hoi An City. Photo: Xuan Phuong — Argentine tourists enjoy Cao Lau, a specialty dish of Hoi An City. Photo: *Xuan Phuong*

Regarding the proposal to increase the temporary stay at the border gate for people entering under unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days, the Government said that such a regulation is in line with the trend of the tourism industry. Visitors from distant markets such as Europe often come to Vietnam for a long vacation of 15 days or more and choose resort, cross-country and international tourism programs.

The tourism industry is also aiming to attract beach vacationers and long-term stays to gradually compete with other countries in the region. For example, Thailand and Singapore are applying visa exemption policies with temporary stays of up to 45 days and 90 days.

The Government's unilateral increase in visa exemption to 45 days is at the regional average, improving Vietnam's competitiveness in attracting tourists; creating convenience and helping tourists take the initiative in their time and travel schedule.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, during the pilot phase in 2017, the number of foreigners requesting e-visas increased. After the Government restored the immigration policy as before the Covid-19 pandemic (from March 15, 2022), the number of e-visas granted has increased 46.6 times compared to the same period before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Currently, e-visas are issued by the Immigration Department to foreigners through the electronic transaction system, valid for one time, for a period not exceeding 30 days. Vietnam is issuing e-visas to citizens of 80 countries.

At the end of 2022, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung proposed that the Government extend the length of stay for tourists to 30 days to increase the competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism. At the national online conference on tourism in 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the number of countries exempted from visas when entering Vietnam will be increased, the length of stay will be extended with reasonable fees, and e-visas will be expanded.

The bill will be submitted to the National Assembly at the 5th session (opening May 22).

Son Ha

Source link