10 important changes in Vietnam Immigration law from January 1st 2015

Since January 1st, 2015, Vietnam Government has changed immigration law for the whole travelers arrive in Vietnam for working or tourism. 
Accordingly, immigration law has changed as below:

1. Foreigner investors can get five years visa and resident card instead of 1 year for visa and 3 years for the resident card as before

2. Type of visa cannot change after applicants entered Vietnam: it means that somebody enters Vietnam for DL visa (tourist visa) can not able to change into DN visa (business visa) in Vietnam.

3. The symbol for the type of visa is changed. Accordingly, the types of visa are changed from 10 types (A, B, C, D,...)  to 20 types (DH, Dl, LD,...). It is specified more clearly for the purpose of visiting. For example:
- DL instead of C1 is for tourist purpose
- DN instead of B3 is for business purpose
4. Extend 3 months visa term for overseas Vietnamese to 6 months. This is better for visiting relatives in Vietnam

5. No Vietnam visa required for people who visit the industrial zone along the border and special administration & economic zones when visiting Vietnam.

6. Travelers who are in Vietnam visa exemption program can visit Vietnam without a visa for 15 to 90 days. It is unlimited to the number of time but limited to the period from the previous exit to the next entry time: It means that citizens of those countries can visit Vietnam with a FREE VISA at least 30 days after their preceding visiting. If they would like to come back to Vietnam sooner, they have to apply for a visa. 

7. The Vietnamese immigration officer at a border gate (Moc Bai, Mong Cai,...) can issue Vietnam visa for all citizens of countries which lack Vietnam Consular presence.

8. Minister of Public Security has authority in approving the permanent resident card for foreign citizens

9. The procedure for the temporary resident card has been extended the permission from 3 to 5 years 

10. From March 10th, 2013, foreigners can visit Phu Quoc Island without a visa for 30 days. However, if you would like to visit other places in Vietnam, you have to apply for a visa. 

For more details about Vietnam visa on arrival, please feel free to contact us via email:[email protected]. We will assist you at our best!

Have a nice trip to Vietnam!
Vietnam visa team,