The Government Office of the S.R. of Vietnam issued Official Dispatch No. 7937/VPCP-HTQT (dated 29/10/2021) informing the guidance of the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Pham Binh Minh on the authority and procedures for entry approval for foreign experts, as follows:
- Ministries, Central Government Agencies and Entities, based on the consensus with local health authorities on epidemic prevention plans, decide to invite, welcome and take responsibility for managing foreigners who enter Vietnam to work with them and some other special humanitarian cases (such as medical examination and treatment, maternity...)
- Provincial-level People's Committees shall decide to invite, welcome and take responsibility for managing foreigners who entry to Vietnam to work with them; at the same time shall authorize the competent focal agencies to handle and create favorable conditions for foreigners who enter Vietnam for work, study and humanitarian purposes within their province; shall ensure that the policy will be applied to the eligible categories, as well as arrange an appropriate and safe medical isolation for epidemic prevention.
- The functional agencies and localities, after providing specific instructions and fully receiving the application document for entry-approval for foreigners from agencies, organizations, enterprises and individuals, shall assess and reply within 05 working days in accordance with the current regulations (Law on Foreigners' Entry in, Exit from, Transit through and Residence in Vietnam dated June 16, 2014).
In this connection, all cases of entry at the invitation of ministries, central government agencies and entities[1], and local entities and organizations[2] are requested to submit a visa application document at the Ministry of Public Security (Immigration Department), after receiving decision from the local competent authorities on the transportation and isolation plan for epidemic prevention.
For cases of applying for entry to Vietnam for less than 14 days, inviting agencies and organizations shall apply the above-mentioned entry-procedures and coordinate with local health authorities in accordance with the instructions in Official Dispatch of the Ministry of Health, No. 4674/BYT-MT dated August 31, 2020.
[1] It is not required to submit the application document at the 5 Ministries Taskforce (through Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Ministries, Central Government Agencies and Entities shall decide and take responsibilities themselves.
[2] The Guidance/Policy on entry of the Provincial-level People's Committees is required.