Resolution No. 30/2016/QH14 dated November 22, 2016 of the National Assembly on pilot issuance of electronic visas to foreigners to Vietnam

RESOLUTION

On the pilot grant of e-visas for foreigners entering Vietnam[1]

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

Pursuant to Law No. 57/2014/QH13 on Organization of the National Assembly;

Pursuant to Law No. 80/2015/QH13 on Promulgation of Legal Documents;

Pursuant to Law No. 47/2014/QH13 on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam;

Pursuant to Law No. 51/2005/QH11 on E-Transactions;

Pursuant to Law No. 67/2006/QH11 on Information Technology;

After considering the Government’s Report No. 500/TTr-CP of October 25, 2016, Verification Report No. 104/BC-UBQPAN14 of November 7, 2016, of the National Assembly’s National Defense and Security Committee, and opinions of National Assembly deputies,

RESOLVES:

Article 1

To assign the Government to implement the pilot scheme on grant of e-visas for foreigners entering Vietnam.

Article 2

1. An e-visa is a type of visa granted by the immigration management agency to a foreigner who is currently residing overseas and wishes to enter Vietnam.

2. E-visas shall be granted via an electronic transaction system and each is valid for a single entry within a period not exceeding 30 days.

Article 3

1. The pilot e-visa scheme shall apply when the following conditions are fully met:

a/ Visa applicants are citizens of countries having established diplomatic ties with Vietnam;

b/ The grant conforms with Vietnam’s socio-economic development and external relation policies in each period;

c/ The grant does not harm national defense, security, and social order and safety of Vietnam.

2. The Government shall decide on a list of countries whose citizens are eligible for pilot grant of e-visas and a list of border gates where foreigners’ entry and exit on e-visas are permitted.

Article 4

1. To be granted an e-visa, a foreigner must possess a passport and does not fall into the cases not yet permitted for entry prescribed in Article 21 of the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam.

2. In case a foreigner who has entered Vietnam on an e-visa applies for a new visa, the immigration management agency shall consider and settle his/her application in accordance with the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam.

Article 5

Applicants for e-visas shall pay a charge for visa grant via bank accounts. The charge is non-refundable in case of visa refusal.

Article 6

1. The Government shall provide the order and procedures for grant of e-visas.

2. The Government shall ensure conditions so that the e-visa scheme will be implemented and controlled in a strict, safe, uniform and convenient manner.

Article 7

1. The pilot scheme on grant of e-visas shall be implemented in 2 years from February 1, 2017. The Government shall report implementation results of this Resolution to the National Assembly at the year-end session of 2018.

2. Foreigners who apply for visas other than e-visas shall comply with the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam and relevant treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.

This Resolution was adopted on November 22, 2016, by the XIV^th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at its 2^nd session.-

Chairwoman of the National Assembly
NGUYEN THI KIM NGAN