PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR ENTRY VISA AT THE EMBASSY OR CONSULATE

To enter Vietnam legally, foreigners need to be guaranteed by individuals, agencies and organizations in Vietnam for entry. At that time, state agencies will issue visas to foreigners.

So, how is the procedure for applying for entry visa at a Vietnamese representative mission abroad, here are a few instructions from Lincon Law Firm.

1.         Term explanation

Vietnam entry visa (also known as entry visa) is a type of document issued by a competent Vietnamese authority, allowing foreigners to enter Vietnam for the purpose of tourism, investment, or visit relatives..

2.         Applicable cases

To be granted entry visa to Vietnam, foreigners need to meet the following 4 conditions:

–           Have a passport or valid international travel documents as prescribed;

–           There are agencies, organizations and individuals in Vietnam to invite or guarantee;

–           Not belonging to the cases of not allowing entry under the Immigration Law 2014;

–           Documents proving the purpose of entry of foreigners (depending on the case):

+          Work permit according to the provisions of the Labor Law if applying for a work visa;

+          Documents proving the investment according to the provisions of the Investment Law if applying for an investment visa;

+          License to practice in accordance with the Law on Lawyers if applying for a visa to practice law;

+          Written receipt of the school/educational institution in Vietnam if applying for a student visa.

3.         Authority to process the dossier

The authority to process documents belongs to the Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security and Vietnamese embassies/consulates abroad.

4.         Implementation procedure

–         To apply for an entry visa for foreigners to enter Vietnam, it can be performed directly at the visa authority or apply for an online visa.

–           Prepare documents according to regulations;

–           Submit the application for the entry official letter for foreigners;

–           Get the result.

The time limit for the competent authority to consider and issue a visa is no more than 5 working days. Within 12 hours (Applicable in case of attending the funeral of a relative who is seriously ill; entering Vietnam to handle urgent matters as prescribed).

5.         Visa validity

The visa duration will depend on the type of visa granted, specifically as follows:

–           SQ, EV visas with validity equal or less than 30 days.

–           HN, DL visas with validity equal or less than 03 months.

–           VR visa with validity equal or less than 06 months.

–           Visas with symbols NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4, LV1, LV2, DT4, DN1, DN2, NN1, NN2, NN3, DH, PV1, PV2 and TT with validity equal or less than 12 months.

–           LD1, LD2 visas with validity equal or less than 02 years.

–           Visa with symbol DT3 with validity equal or less than 03 years.

–           LS, DT1, DT2 visas with validity equal or less than 5 years.

Entry visa when being expired, new visa will be considered.

If there are other provisions in an international treaty to which Vietnam is a contracting party, the duration of the visa will be in accordance with the treaty.