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The proposals are part of the draft Law Amending and Supplementing Several Provisions of Ten Laws Relating to National Security and Public Order, currently being developed by the Ministry of Public Security. Among the laws targeted for revision is the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, which governs immigration procedures for foreign nationals.
Under the proposed amendments to this law, the Ministry recommends introducing a provision on visa exemption for a definite period for foreigners classified as “special-category” individuals in service of Vietnam’s socio-economic development. However, such exemption must ensure compliance with national defense, security, public order, and social safety requirements, as prescribed by the Government.
The draft also proposes revisions to procedures for granting permanent residence to foreigners, allowing applicants to file their dossiers directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security, instead of with provincial-level Public Security Departments of the localities where they are temporarily residing as at present. Correspondingly, the competence to receive, process, and issue permanent residence cards would also shift from provincial-level Public Security Departments to the Vietnam Immigration Department.
Another notable proposal concerns procedures for the issuance of electronic visas (e-visas) upon request by sponsoring agencies or organizations. Under the draft, authorized agencies and organizations may request e-visas for foreign nationals if they meet the following conditions: (i) possessing an electronic identification account granted by a competent authority in accordance with the law on electronic identification and authentication; and (ii) having a digital signature compliant with the Law on Electronic Transactions.
These agencies or organizations would use their electronic identification accounts to access the National Public Service Portal or the official e-visa issuance platform to submit visa requests. Payment of visa issuance fees would be made upon receipt of an electronic application code.
Foreign nationals granted an e-visa would use the electronic application code, as provided by their sponsoring agencies or organizations, to retrieve the visa issuance result.
By VLLF
