This morning, submitted to the National Assembly to increase the duration of electronic visas to 3 months

The draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on exit and entry of Vietnamese citizens and the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam submitted by the Minister of Public Security also Electronic visa (e-visa) is valid for many times instead of one time as before.

In the afternoon of the same day, the National Assembly will discuss in groups on this content.

The bill examining agency – National Defense and Security Committee agreed with the above proposal, saying that the regulation of e-visa valid for many times will create favorable conditions for foreigners when entering and exiting the country. contributes to reducing administrative procedures, saving time and costs.

The extension of the e-visa duration meets the needs of international tourists and foreigners entering Vietnam to research, survey the market, search and promote investment. The above regulation is “special favor” for foreign guests and is convenient in implementing the order and procedures of the management agency.

However, some members of the Committee asked the drafting agency to clarify the basis for the regulation that the time limit should not exceed 3 months; and there is a proposal to increase the duration of the e-visa to no more than 6 months.

The verification agency also agreed with the proposal to expand the scope of e-visa because according to current regulations, citizens of 80 countries who are granted e-visas when completing entry and exit procedures in Vietnam are “inappropriate”. with the needs of foreign tourists and attracting investment and tourism of Vietnam (258 countries and territories in the world).

However, the National Defense – Security Committee proposed the drafting committee to study and further evaluate the impact of the extension, granting conditions and duration of the e-visa to have solutions to ensure immigration management. maintain social order and safety.

With suggestions extension of the time limit for granting temporary residence certificates At the border gate for people entering Vietnam under the category of unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days, the Committee agreed because it is consistent with the current actual situation when the demand for long-term entry into Vietnam increases, especially for foreigners. investors and tourists.

The 45-day regulation is also only at the average level of other countries in the region, such as Singapore 30-90 days; Malaysia is 14-90 days; Myanmar 28-70 days; Philippines 30-59 days; Thailand 45 days; Indonesia up to 30 days; Cambodia 14-30 days.

Some members of the verification agency said that Vietnam’s unilateral visa exemption for citizens of 25 countries is much lower than in the region such as Singapore (158 countries), Malaysia (166), Indonesia (169), Philippines (157), Thailand (70). This has a significant impact on investment and tourism activities, especially long-term tourists from Europe and America who are not yet in the visa exemption category.

Therefore, the National Defense – Security Committee proposed the drafting committee to study and expand the unilateral visa exemption for citizens of other countries along with loosening the conditions for unilateral visa exemption.

After group discussion, the National Assembly will discuss this content in the hall on June 2 and vote on it on the morning of June 24 – the last working day of the 5th session.

According to the working program, on May 27, the National Assembly also listened to the report and examination report on the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on People’s Public Security. The Secretary General of the National Assembly presented the Proposal on the proposed monitoring program of the National Assembly in 2024, before the delegates discussed in the hall on this content.

Son Ha