Troubleshoot issues related to electronic visa issuance, temporary residence certificate

The Government has officially submitted a report to the National Assembly proposing a number of new policies in the management of entry, exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam… including removing obstacles for visas.

The report signed by Minister of Public Security To Lam, authorized by the Prime Minister, proposed many important contents to be included in the joint resolution of the National Assembly at the 5th session (May 2023).

The contents include: Implementation of the policy of granting electronic visas to citizens of all countries and territories; Assign the Government to decide on a specific list of countries and territories on the basis of reciprocity; Ensure national defense, security, social order and safety, and economic and social development of Vietnam.

In addition, the e-visa will be extended from no more than 30 days to no more than 3 months, valid once or many times; increase the time limit for granting temporary residence certificate at border gate for people entering unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with epidemic control policies, the number of foreigners entering Vietnam has decreased deeply.

Currently, Vietnam has reopened and restored entry and exit activities. However, because the world situation is still complicated, the number of foreigners entering Vietnam has increased compared to the same period in 2021, but only 32.6% compared to 2019 (the time before the COVID-19 epidemic). ).

In addition, although Vietnam fully reopens international arrivals, the number of foreigners coming to Vietnam has increased month by month, but it has not met the industry’s goal of welcoming 5 million international visitors in 2022.

The above situation has limited economic and social development, especially the development of tourism, business, trade and foreign investment in Vietnam. Many agencies and associations have repeatedly proposed to increase the temporary stay period for foreigners entering under the unilateral visa exemption category to 30 days to create favorable conditions for tourism development.

At the same time, along with many solutions to remove difficulties and promote socio-economic recovery, the Government has also drastically directed to create favorable conditions and attract more foreigners to enter Vietnam.

The Government report said that allowing foreigners to enter under the unilateral visa exemption category to stay temporarily for up to 45 days will create favorable conditions for citizens of countries to have time to implement resort tourism programs. seeking investment and business opportunities, contributing to promoting tourism, economic and social development.

At the same time, the implementation of these contents will not generate additional procedures, costs and resources of the State. These new policies also help reduce costs for agencies, organizations and individuals in carrying out procedures related to entry and exit of foreigners. Those are very positive effects when applying these policies.

However, the Government recognizes that these policies may pose some difficulties in the management of foreigners.

However, in the report, the Government affirmed that it would direct the Ministry of Public Security to strengthen the management of foreigners’ residence to ensure national security, social order and safety.

On that basis, the Government proposes new policies in the management of entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam mentioned above to include in the joint resolution of the National Assembly at the 5th session. to serve as a basis for implementation.