New visa policies to change for foreigners. The new law will take effect from July 2020.
Vietnam’s lawmakers recently passed a revision of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners. One of the amendments in the new immigration policy allows foreign visitors to change their visa status without leaving the country under certain conditions.
Foreign investors or representatives of a foreign organization that invests in Vietnam can have their purpose on the visa changed and thus don’t have to leave the country to renew their visa anymore. The family members of these individuals will also enjoy this privilege.
Foreigners currently on an e-visa or who have received job offers in Vietnam — who have already obtained a work permit or a confirmation that they’re qualified for a work permit — will also be able to change their visa status.
The new laws will also address concerns of many citizens from the 13 countries under Vietnam’s unilateral visa waiver programme, especially South Koreans and Japanese.
At the moment, all certified foreign investors can obtain a five-year visa regardless of their investment.
All the changes are part of the amendments to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, approved by the National Assembly late November last year.
The 13 countries eligible for Vietnam’s unilateral visa waiver programme are: Belarus, Denmark, Japan, Norway, Italy, Finland, France, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Germany and UK.
