Vietnam plans visa waiver for foreigners eligible for special preference

Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has suggested offering a time-limited visa exemption to foreign nationals in special categories deserving preferential treatment, as a supplement to the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through and Residence in Vietnam.

The ministry advanced this proposal in tandem with drafting a bill to amend this law along with nine others governing security and public order.

Under the proposal, time-limited visa exemptions would apply to foreign entrants in designated special categories eligible for preferential treatment to support the country’s socio-economic development.

According to news site Vietnamnet, this initiative would grant eligible individuals a special long-term visa exemption valid for up to five years, allowing stays of up to 90 days per entry and simplifying access to temporary residence cards, extensions, and digital identification services.

With this proposal, the ministry aims to establish a breakthrough immigration mechanism to attract foreign nationals with high potential, such as global talents, highly skilled professionals, startup innovators, and leading scientists in prioritized sectors, as well as executives, investors, artists, athletes, and influential cultural figures.

Such a move aligns with Vietnam’s strategic push to foster a dynamic, innovative, and internationally competitive economy.

The ministry has also recommended issuing e-visas to foreign nationals at the request of foreign government agencies and organizations.

Eligible entities, such as social organizations, businesses, branches of foreign traders, and representative offices of foreign economic, cultural, or professional organizations in Vietnam, could submit e-visa applications on behalf of foreign nationals, provided these entities meet certain conditions.

These conditions include holding an electronic identity account issued by a competent Vietnamese authority under the laws on electronic identification and authentication, and possessing an electronic signature as required by the Law on Electronic Transactions.

The aforementioned entities would use their electronic identity account to access the National Public Service Portal or the e-visa issuance portal to submit visa requests on behalf of foreign nationals and to pay the applicable visa fees once an electronic application code is issued.

Foreign applicants could then use that code to check and print their electronic visa.

Once the draft bill is finalized, the ministry will submit it to the government for review before it is presented to the 15th National Assembly for consideration at its 10th session scheduled for October this year.

By Vinh Tho – Tuoi Tre News – August 5, 2025