Visa exemption for foreigners who are spouses, children of Vietnamese citizens

Visa exemption for foreigners who are spouses, children of Vetnamese citizens

Pursuant to Decree No. 82/2015/ND-CP dated September 24, 2015 of Vietnamese Goverment, foreigners who are spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens are eligible for visa exemption effective from November 15, 2015.

I. Conditions for visa exemption foreigners who are spouses, children of vietnamese citizens
To be granted a certificate of visa exemption, a person must:
1. Has a passport or another international travel document that is still valid for at least one more year.
2. Has documents proving that he/she is a person eligible for visa exemption as foreigners who are spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens.
3. Not banned or suspended from entry or exit as prescribed in Article 21 and Article 28 of the Law on Immigration and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.

II. Duration, value, and format of certificate of visa exemption foreigners who are spouses, children of vietnamese citizens
1. The maximum duration of a certificate of visa exemption is 05 years and must be at least 6 months shorter than that of the holder’s passport or international travel document.
2. Certificates of visa exemption are issued to people who enter Vietnam to handle their personal affairs.
3. The certificate of visa exemption is issued in the passport. A detached certificate shall be issued if:
a) All pages of the passport for granting visa are used;
b) The passport is issued in a country who has not established a diplomatic relation with Vietnam;
c) Another international travel document is used instead of a passport;
d) A detached certificate is requested by the applicant;
dd) A detached certificate is needed for diplomacy, national defense and security purposes.
4. Each person shall be granted a separate certificate of visa exemption. Any parent and children who share the same passport shall be granted a single certificate of visa exemption.

III. Fees for issuance of certificate of visa exemption foreigners who are spouses, children of vietnamese citizens
People who are granted/re-granted the certificate of visa exemption must pay fees as prescribed by law.

IV. Application for issuance of certificate of visa exemption foreigners who are spouses, children of vietnamese citizens
Each applicant for the certificate of visa exemption shall submit 01 application which consists of:
1. The passport or another international travel document.
2. An application form for issuance/reissuance of the certificate of visa exemption enclosed with 02 pictures (01 picture fixed on the application form).
3. Documents proving eligibility for visa exemption: The applicant who is a foreigner shall submit certified true copies (or copies enclosed with the originals for comparison) proving that he/she is a spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen;

V. Issuance of certificate of visa exemption at overseas visa-issuing authority of Vietnam
1. The applicant for certificate of visa exemption who is residing overseas shall submit the documents prescribed in Cluas IV above to an overseas visa-issuing authority of Vietnam.
2. Within 01 working day from the receipt of satisfactory documents, the overseas visa-issuing authority of Vietnam shall send a list of applicants for the certificate of visa exemption to Immigration Administration.
3. Immigration Administration shall response the overseas visa-issuing authority of Vietnam within 03 working days.
4. Within 01 working day from the receipt of the response from Immigration Administration, the overseas visa-issuing authority of Vietnam shall issue the certificate of visa exemption.

VI. Issuance of certificate of visa exemption at Immigration Administration
1. Each person who is temporarily residing in Vietnam and wishes to obtain a certificate of visa exemption shall submit the documents prescribed in Clause IV above to Immigration Administration.
2. Within 05 working days from the receipt of satisfactory documents, Immigration Administration shall consider issuing the certificate of visa exemption.

VII. Procedures for reissuance of certificate of visa exemption foreigners who are spouses, children of vietnamese citizens
1. Every person whose certificate of visa exemption is lost, damaged, expired, or wises to adjust information on the certificate of visa exemption shall have it reissued.
2. An application for reissuance of the certificate of visa exemption consists of:
a) The passport or another international travel document, or a permanent residence permit issued by an authority of the foreign country to the Vietnamese person residing therein;
b) An application form for issuance/reissuance of the certificate of visa exemption enclosed with 02 pictures (01 picture fixed on the application form);
c) The certificate of visa exemption (or notice of loss of certificate of visa exemption);
d) Certified true copies (or copies enclosed with the originals for comparison) of documents proving adjustment of information on the certificate of visa exemption.
3. The applicant who is residing overseas shall submit 01 application for reissuance of the certificate of visa exemption to an overseas visa-issuing authority of Vietnam. The overseas visa-issuing authority of Vietnam shall consider the application in accordance with Clauses 2, 3, 4 Article 7 of Decree 82 above.
4. The applicant who is temporarily residing in Vietnam shall submit 01 application to Immigration Administration. Immigration Administration shall consider the application in accordance with Clauses 2 Article 8 of Decree 82 above. In case of reissuance of a detached certificate of visa exemption, Immigration Administration shall issue a temporary residence permit with the same duration as the certificate of temporary residence issued at the checkpoint.

VIII. Issuance of certificate of temporary residence for foreigners who are spouses, children of vietnamese citizens
1. Each person who enters Vietnam using certificates of visa exemption shall be granted a certificate of temporary residence that is effective for 6 months for each entry; if the remaining duration of the certificate of visa exemption is shorter than 06 months, the duration of the certificate of temporary residence shall be the same as that of the certificate of visa exemption.
2. If the person who enters Vietnam using a certificate of visa exemption wishes to stay for more than 06 months, receives a guarantee from an organization or individual in Vietnam, and is able to provide acceptable explanation shall be granted an extension of temporary residence duration for up to 06 more months.

IX. Extension of temporary residence duration for foreigners who are spouses, children of vietnamese citizens
1. Each applicant for extension of temporary residence duration shall submit an application to Immigration Administration or Immigration Department of provincial police authority, which consists of:
a) The passport or another international travel document, or a permanent residence permit issued by an authority of the foreign country to the Vietnamese person residing therein;
b) An application form for extension of temporary residence duration;
c) The certificate of visa exemption.
2.Within 05 working days from the receipt of satisfactory documents, Immigration Administration or Immigration Department of provincial police authority shall consider granting extension of temporary residence duration.

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