LATEST UPDATE ON PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS OF VIETNAM ENTRY PERMIT 2021

In recent days, the Covid-19 pandemic situation in Vietnam has witnessed many ups and downs. The fact that the number of positive cases increases daily and the virus evolves by environments is making disease control more difficult than before. Yet, Vietnamese border is still open for foreign experts to enter Vietnam in order to maintain their normal work in, but the requirements are much stricter than before.

WHO CAN APPLY VIETNAM ENTRY PERMIT/ VIETNAM VISA 2021?

In accordance with the measure to prevent Covid-19 of the Government in the current circumstances, entry into Vietnam has been highly limited. However, diplomats, officials, investors, experts, highly skilled labors, and international students are allowed to enter. Specifically, for employment purposes, the following foreigners are allowed to enter Vietnam:

Expatriates (including Investors, Experts, Technical workers, Manager) who have sponsor company in Vietnam. They must have Vietnam work permit or equivalent documents to prove the purposes of entry for working in Vietnam;
Family members (mother, father, husband, wife, children) of the above expatriates.

PROCEDURE AND PROCESSING TIME FOR VIETNAM ENTRY PERMIT/ VIETNAM VISA 2021

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the basic procedure for obtaining entry permission must go through the following steps:

If the sponsored company is located in Ho Chi Minh city and the expatriate enter Vietnam via Tan Son Nhat airport:

Step 1: Obtain approval from the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh city;
Step 2: Apply for an entry approval from the Immigration Department;

If the sponsored company is located in another province, the steps to take are:

Step 1: Obtain approval from the People's Committee of the city or province where the sponsor company is located;
Step 2: Obtain approval from the People's Committee/ or Health department from the city or province where the experts are expected to enter Vietnam;
Step 3: Apply for an entry approval from the Immigration Department.

Besides, since the procedure to complete each step is decided by each province in Vietnam separately, the company and foreigners may fulfill other requirements and steps requested by the local authorities.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR VIETNAM ENTRY PERMIT/ VIETNAM VISA 2021

The required documents are applied to companies/organizations and foreigner labors in accordance with requirements of the Vietnamese Government (namely Decree 152/2020-CP) as follows:

From Sponsored Company

Business registration certificate
Seal and tax registration certificate

From the Expatriates

Foreign workers working in Vietnam must have appropriate experience, qualification and working title as prescribed as follows:

Group titles of management:

Certificate of experience working overseas, showing at least 03 years of experience working in a position relevant to the job position in Vietnam;
Valid Vietnam Work permit and TRC if they already have.

Group titles of expert

Having a bachelor’s degree or higher with faculty/major relevant to the job position in Vietnam; and Certificate of experience showing at least 3 years of experience working in a position appropriate for the job position in Vietnam; OR having a certificate of experience showing at least 5 years of experience working in a position appropriate for the job position in Vietnam; and practicing certificate suitable for the job position in Vietnam
Valid Vietnam Work permit and TRC if they already have.

Group titles of technical worker

Trained in a specific technical major or another major at least 01 year and worked at least 03 years in the trained field; OR having at least 05 years of experience doing the job that is suitable to the job position which the expat is going to take over in Vietnam;
Valid Vietnam Work permit and TRC if they already have.

For family members of the expatriates, please provide:

Marriage certificate;
Birth certificate;
Valid TRC (if any).

Important Note: All documents issued in foreign countries (degrees, diplomas, certificates of experience, marriage certificate, birth certificate, family registration certificate ...) must be consular legalized and notarized translation into Vietnamese before using in Vietnam.

HOW THE EXPATRIATES GET THEIR VIETNAM BUSINESS VISA?

Currently, to ensure the implementation of safety measures to prevent and combat Covid-19, the Vietnam Immigration Department encourage foreigners to receive their visa at the Vietnam diplomatic authorities (Embassy or Consulate) in their home country before departure rather than at the airport in Vietnam like before.

Required documents for preparation:

Original passport;
02 passport size photos (4x6 cm) in white background;
The approval letter from Vietnamese immigration department;
Prepare the visa stamping fee: US$50/person for 1-month or 3-month multiple entries, or $25/person for 1-month or 3-month single entry will be paid in cash.

Foreigners are advised to contact the Embassy or Consulate in advance for an appointment and instruction because the procedure at different agencies is different and depend on the pandemic prevention policies at the host country.

WHAT SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE ENTRY TO VIETNAM 2021?

One critical thing to do before entering Vietnam is to register for quarantine. At present, all cases of entry in Vietnam (including foreigners and Vietnamese citizens) must be quarantined immediately after their entry from 14-21 days at the paid places approved by the local authority. After that, they must continue to self-isolate for 7 days at your residence.

The procedure to register for quarantine is similar to booking before your travel:

Reserve a room at quarantine accommodation: Each province/city with an international border gate or port of entry in Vietnam has assigned certain locations for medical isolation and Covid-19 infected prevention. To be more convenient and comfort for quarantined person, the selected locations are usually local hotels and resorts. Therefore, it is important to check the quarantine place where you will enter the country and make a reservation in advance of the trip.

Book transportation: During the serious epidemic situation, using the public transportation such as buses, taxis or even technological transportation services like Grab is absolutely prohibited. Only a number of transportation agencies that have been trained in epidemic prevention and control method with the Medical Authority are allowed to pick up and transport experts from the port of entry to the quarantine places.

Therefore, do not forget the reservation of transportation and booking the isolation place in advance.

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