Vietnam has eased entry permit requirements for foreign residents

Following closure of the Vietnamese border in February 2020 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, foreigners were only permitted to enter Vietnam having been granted an entry permit. The lengthy and bureaucratic procedure applied to both foreign residents holding a valid visa, permanent or temporary residence card and to new foreigners arriving for business or work. The new ruling will ease the entry restrictions and request the relevant provincial authorities to implement the new regulation as follows:

• Foreigners, overseas Vietnamese and their relatives holding permanent resident card, temporary residence card, visa or visa exemption certificate shall be exempt from the entry permit requirement and immigration approval to enter Vietnam.
• Foreigners who are NOT holding permanent resident card, temporary residence card, visa or visa exemption certificate shall still obtain an entry demand approval, sponsored by their host entity in Vietnam and issued by People’s committee and an Immigration approval to enter Vietnam for work purpose, attending business meeting, conferences, seminars and for studying.

Following the confirmation of the above change in entry requirements, the Ministry of Public Security-Immigration department has released an official letter with guidance for Embassies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnamese Border Authorities, Airlines, Transportation Departments, and People Committees to implement the changes. Based on the content, Airlines no longer require entry demand approval and Immigration approvals for foreigners holding Permanent Residence Card, Temporary Residence Card or valid visa. It is however recommended to contact the airline to confirm the same and ensure permission to board the flight with no issues.

For further information on immigration in the Vietnam, please contact the Sterling Lexicon immigration team.