Official Dispatch 450/VPCP-QHQT 2021 on the entry into Vietnam of foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives

To:  The Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Information and Communications.

In consideration of the reports of the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in the Document No. 1792/BC-BCA dated December 27, 2021, and Document No. 170/BNG-LS dated January 18, 2022), on foreigners’ entry into Vietnam, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh gives the following opinions:

1. To agree with the policy of facilitating entry procedures for foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives.

2. Regarding foreigners on entry:

Foreigners invited or guaranteed by an agency, organization or individual in accordance with the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through and Residence in Vietnam; Particularly for foreign tourists entering into Vietnam, in the immediate future, to continue implementing the Program on piloting welcoming international tourists to Vietnam.

3. Regarding competence and procedures for approving the entry:

- For foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives who have valid entry papers (valid permanent residence cards, temporary residence cards, visas or certificates of visa exemption) are allowed to enter Vietnam in accordance with the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through and Residence in Vietnam and the Government's Decree No. 82/2015/ND-CP dated September 24, 2015, without carrying procedures for immigration inspection, grant of visas/certificates of visa exemption, or obtaining approval of the entry policy from ministries, sectors and localities.

- For foreigners who have not yet been granted a visa: The provincial-level People's Committee shall continue to consider approving and facilitating people on entry for work, attending conferences, meetings, study or humanitarian purposes, etc. in the province; Ministries, sectors and central agencies shall actively decide on inviting, picking up and taking responsibility for managing foreigners working with their agencies.

4. The Ministry of Public Security shall review cases banned from entering Vietnam that have just been additionally provided recently, notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the latter to notify overseas Vietnamese representative missions to cancel entry papers already granted; coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies in providing guidelines on entry procedures for consistent implementation nationwide in accordance with the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through and Residence in Vietnam, satisfying Vietnam's requirements and medical instructions.

                   The Government Office hereby informs agencies for implementation./.