National Assembly officially approves extending e-visa to 90 days

Mr. Le Tan Toi - Photo: GIA HAN

On the morning of June 24, with 470/475 delegates (equivalent to 95.14% of the total number of delegates present) in favor, the National Assembly voted 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.

Extend e-visa duration

Accordingly, the law clearly states the amendment and supplement of a number of articles of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Specifically, visas are valid for one or multiple entries.

Visas with symbol SQ are valid for no more than 30 days. Visas with symbols HN, DL, EV are valid for no more than 90 days. Visas with symbol VR are valid for no more than 180 days. Visas with symbol HN (issued to people attending seminars and conferences in Vietnam), DL (issued to foreigners entering Vietnam for tourism ), EV (electronic visa) are valid for no more than 90 days.

Visas with symbols NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4, LV1, LV2, DT4, DN1, DN2, NN1, NN2, NN3, DH, PV1, PV2, TT are valid for no more than 1 year.

Previously, Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee Le Tan Toi presented a report explaining and accepting the draft law.

According to Mr. Toi, regarding the duration and value of the visa, the majority of opinions agree with the draft Law; some opinions suggest explaining specifically what "many times" means; some suggest changing the regulations on calculating "months" to "days" for consistency.

In response to the delegates' opinions, the National Assembly Standing Committee reviewed and revised the regulations on visa duration to unify the calculation of "months" by calculating "days", in case the duration of 12 months is counted as 1 year.

A multiple-entry visa is a type of visa issued to foreigners, used to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times during the visa's validity period.

Extending the unilateral visa-free temporary stay period to 45 days

Regarding the expansion of countries whose citizens are granted e-visas and international border gates that allow foreigners to enter and exit with e-visas, some opinions agreed to the regulation of expanding the granting of e-visas to citizens of countries and territories.

In addition, the Government is requested to review and supplement the list of countries whose citizens are granted e-visas and international border gates that allow foreigners to enter with e-visas.

In response to the delegates' opinions, the National Assembly Standing Committee directed the drafting agency to add to the document submitted to the National Assembly a draft resolution on the list of countries and territories whose citizens are granted electronic visas.

List of international border gates that allow foreigners to enter and exit with e-visas. Immediately after the Law is passed and takes effect, the Government will issue a resolution to promptly implement it in practice.

Regarding the increase in the time limit for granting temporary residence certificates at border gates from 15 days to 45 days, many opinions agreed with the draft law; some opinions suggested clarifying the basis for the 45-day regulation; suggested increasing it to 60 or 90 days.

Mr. Toi said that increasing the unilateral visa exemption period to 45 days is the average level in the region, thereby improving Vietnam's regional competitiveness in attracting tourists.

To create more favorable conditions for international tourists. Therefore, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly proposed that the National Assembly keep the draft law submitted by the Government.

This Law comes into force from August 15, 2023.

According to TTO

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