The Government has just issued Decree No. 221 regulating temporary visa exemption for foreigners who are in special need of incentives to serve socio -economic development.

The Decree stipulates that the subjects exempted from visas are foreigners in the following cases: guests of the General Secretary, President, Chairman of the National Assembly , Prime Minister, Standing member of the Secretariat, Vice President, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuracy, State Auditor General, Ministers and equivalents, Provincial Party Secretary, City Party Secretary, Chairman of the People's Council, Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or city.

In addition, there are scholars, experts, scientists , professors of universities and research institutes; general engineers; high-quality digital technology industry human resources; investors, leaders of corporations, leaders of large enterprises in the world; people working in the fields of culture, arts, sports, tourism with positive influence on the public; honorary consuls of Vietnam abroad.

For guests of research institutes, universities, colleges, large enterprises, based on the proposals of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies, the Government decides on the list of research institutes, universities, colleges, and large enterprises that are allowed to invite foreigners...

Regarding criteria , the Decree stipulates that foreigners who are investors or leaders of large corporations or enterprises in the world must meet the following criteria: the corporation or enterprise must be on the list of 100 enterprises with the largest capitalization value in the world, announced annually by prestigious international organizations.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and NVIDIA Chairman Jensen Huang meet and chat with tourists in the old town at the end of 2024. Photo: Nhat Bac

Scientists in the field of science and technology must meet the criteria: winning prestigious international awards in science and technology that are recognized.

For outstanding football players in the world, the criteria must be met: being on the list of 100 best football players announced annually by prestigious international organizations; being invited by a domestic professional football club to compete, exchange...

The Decree also specifies visa exemption conditions, including: having a valid passport; in some cases, a notice from a competent agency or organization, a written request from a ministry, ministerial-level agency, agency under the Government or an agency of the Party, the National Assembly, etc. is required; not falling into cases of not being allowed to enter or temporarily suspending exit according to the provisions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Decree regulating special visa exemption cards issued to foreigners who are exempted from visas to enter Vietnam to serve socio-economic development.

Special visa exemption cards come in two forms: electronic cards and hard cards with chips, which have the same legal value. Agencies and organizations have the right to choose to issue special visa exemption cards in electronic form or hard cards with chips to foreigners.

Foreigners using special visa exemption cards are allowed to enter Vietnam multiple times during the visa exemption period. The visa exemption period does not exceed 5 years and is at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport.

The Decree clearly states that foreigners using special visa exemption cards are granted temporary residence certificates for 90 days for each entry. In case the duration of the special visa exemption card is shorter than 90 days, a temporary residence certificate will be granted equal to the duration of the special visa exemption card. If they wish to continue staying in Vietnam, they will be considered for an extension of temporary residence or issuance of a visa or temporary residence card in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Public Security (Immigration Department) cancels the validity of special visa exemption cards in cases where foreigners do not meet the criteria and conditions for visa exemption as prescribed or have a written notice from an agency or organization as prescribed.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/viet-nam-cap-the-mien-thi-thuc-dac-biet-cho-nguoi-nuoc-ngoai-thoi-han-5-nam-2430148.html