Congress approved extending visa duration to 90 days

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 law takes effect from August 15, 2023.

Reporting on the explanation and acceptance of National Assembly deputies' opinions on this Law, Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee Le Tan Toi said that there were opinions suggesting reviewing regulations on e-visa validity to ensure compliance with international treaties and the principle of reciprocity with other countries in order to attract tourists and develop socio-economy .

According to the explanation of the National Assembly Standing Committee, increasing the duration of electronic visas to up to 90 days, valid for single or multiple entries, is to meet the needs of international tourists .

"This also creates favorable conditions for foreigners who want to enter Vietnam to research, survey the market, seek and promote investment, especially those who want to travel to many countries in the region and return to Vietnam to evaluate and compare the possibility of expanding investment and business," said Mr. Toi.

Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee Le Tan Toi (Photo: Quochoi.vn).

The Chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee said that some opinions suggested clarifying the basis for increasing the temporary residence period at the border gate for people entering under unilateral visa exemption to 45 days. In addition, there were opinions suggesting increasing it to 60 or 90 days to make it most convenient for Vietnam and foreigners entering Vietnam.

According to the National Assembly Standing Committee, countries such as Thailand, Singapore... are applying visa exemption policies for 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 regional competitiveness in attracting tourists; creating more convenience for international tourists, helping them to proactively plan their time and schedule for sightseeing and long-term stays in Vietnam.

The newly passed law also stipulates that immigration documents issued to citizens before the effective date of this law will be used until the expiration date stated in the immigration documents.

In case a citizen requests an entry and exit document but has not been granted one, when this law comes into effect, the provisions of the 2019 Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens will continue to be applied to resolve the matter.

Regarding the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens, the National Assembly has approved a proposal to add information about "place of birth" to ordinary passports. Some opinions suggest replacing the information about "place of birth" and "hometown" with "place of birth registration" to be consistent with the draft Law on Identification that is being revised.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly explained that in many cases, the place of birth and the place of birth registration are not the same place, and that recording information about the "place of birth" on the passport is in accordance with international recommendations and practices. Therefore, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly proposed that the National Assembly keep it as the draft Law submitted by the Government .

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/quoc-hoi-chot-nang-thoi-han-visa-len-90-ngay-a613923.html