National Assembly agrees to extend e-visa validity to 90 days

After being granted an electronic visa, foreigners can enter and exit the country an unlimited number of times within 90 days, without having to apply for a new visa.

On the morning of June 24, with 470 out of 475 delegates present in agreement (95.14%), the National Assembly passed the draft 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.

The duration of an electronic visa (e-visa) will be increased from 30 to 90 days. The Government will decide on the list of countries and territories whose citizens are eligible; the list of international border gates that allow foreigners to enter and exit with an e-visa.

The law also allows citizens of countries unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam to be granted temporary residence for 45 days (previously 15 days) and to be considered for visa issuance and temporary residence extension according to regulations.

Korean tourists visit Ponagar Tower, Nha Trang City. Photo: Bui Toan — Korean tourists visit Ponagar Tower, Nha Trang City. Photo: *Bui Toan*

Presenting the previous report on acceptance and explanation, Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee Le Tan Toi said that allowing procedures to be carried out in an electronic environment will promote efficiency in managing exit and entry activities and create more favorable conditions for Vietnamese and foreigners.

The procedure is simple and convenient, foreigners do not have to go to Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, do not have to apply for visas through intermediaries. In addition, the issuance of electronic visas is done through pre-approval, so compared to unilateral visa exemption, the issuance of electronic visas will help immigration authorities screen out groups of people who are not eligible to enter the country, meeting management requirements.

Regarding the proposal to increase the temporary stay period for foreigners exempted from visas to 60 or 90 days, the National Assembly Standing Committee said that countries such as Thailand and Singapore are applying visa exemption policies with temporary stays of up to 45 days and 90 days.

The unilateral increase in visa exemption period to 45 days is at the average level in the region, thereby enhancing Vietnam's competitiveness in attracting tourists, helping them to proactively plan their time and schedule for sightseeing and vacation. Therefore, the National Assembly Standing Committee proposed that the National Assembly keep the draft as submitted by the Government.

Currently, e-visas are issued by the Immigration Department to foreigners through the electronic transaction system, and are valid for one time. Vietnam is issuing e-visas to citizens of 80 countries.

This Law comes into force from August 15, 2023.

Son Ha

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