Electronic Identification Account for Foreigners in Vietnam

Long Phan Consulting updates the latest regulations on issuing electronic identification account for foreigners under Decree No. 320/2026/ND-CP, which takes effect from September 28, 2026. Foreigners who legally enter or reside in Vietnam may be issued an electronic identification account upon request, without distinguishing between Level 1 or Level 2 accounts, through a 5-step procedure carried out at the provincial Immigration Management Authority of the Police. If you require foreign license and permit consulting services to complete the application on time, this article provides detailed guidance on eligibility requirements, procedures, processing time, and common issues during the application process.

Foreigners Eligible for an Electronic Identification Account

Under Clause 2 Article 7 Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP as amended by Article 3 Decree No. 320/2026/ND-CP, the scope of foreigners eligible for an electronic identification account is broad. It is tied to two mandatory residence conditions and one significant change in account classification, which the two sections below clarify.

Condition of Lawful Entry or Lawful Residence in Vietnam

Foreigners only need to satisfy one of two conditions: having lawfully entered Vietnam, or currently lawfully residing within Vietnamese territory. The regulation does not limit eligibility by visa type, temporary residence duration, or purpose of entry, provided the lawfulness of entry or residence is confirmed through the National Database on Entry and Exit.

Accounts No Longer Distinguish Level 1 and Level 2 from September 28, 2026

Previously, the electronic identification account of Vietnamese citizens was divided into level 1 and level 2, each with a different scope of use. From September 28, 2026, for foreigners specifically, accounts are issued without distinction by level. This allows access to and use of electronic identity information and all utilities of the electronic identification and authentication system from the very first issuance.

Failing to correctly identify these conditions is a common source of rejected applications, particularly where a dossier is submitted before the effective date or where the former and current regulations are confused. Clients whose case involves multiple types of complex residence documents may send specific information to Long Phan Consulting for review before submission.

Competent Authorities Receiving and Issuing Accounts

Pursuant to Clause 1 Article 11 Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP as amended by Article 6 Decree No. 320/2026/ND-CP, this section specifies the place of application submission. Pursuant to Article 16 Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP as amended by Article 9 Decree No. 320/2026/ND-CP, it also specifies the authority to issue, lock, and unlock accounts. Together, these provisions separate the agency that directly receives applications from the authority that decides on account issuance.

Place of Application Submission: Provincial-Level Immigration Management Agency

Foreigners go directly to the provincial-level immigration management agency of the police to present their documents and carry out the procedure for issuing an electronic identification account. This agency is the point of contact for receiving applications and collecting biometric data, then forwarding the request to a higher-level system, rather than deciding on account issuance itself.

Authority to Issue, Lock, and Unlock Accounts Belongs to the System-Operating Agency

The authority to issue, lock, and unlock electronic identification accounts for foreigners residing within Vietnamese territory belongs to the Head of the agency managing and operating the electronic identification and authentication system. This agency is a unit under the Ministry of Public Security assigned to manage and operate the system and the National Identification Application. This division of authority helps foreigners identify the correct point of contact when they need to file a complaint or request to unlock an account.

Five-Step Procedure for Issuing an Electronic Identification Account to Foreigners

Pursuant to Article 11 Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP as amended by Article 6 Decree No. 320/2026/ND-CP, the procedure consists of five sequential steps. These steps run from presenting documents at the reception counter to receiving the result notification. Following the correct order shortens waiting time and avoids repeated dossier supplementation.

1. Present the passport or an equivalent international travel document. Foreigners go to the provincial-level immigration management agency of the police and present a valid passport or an equivalent valid international travel document to carry out the account issuance procedure.
2. Complete the account issuance request form (Form TK01). Foreigners provide complete and accurate information on the electronic identification account issuance request form under Form TK01, issued together with Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP. The form must clearly state the applicant’s own registered mobile phone number, email address (if any), and other information requested for integration into the National Identification Application.
3. Provide facial image and fingerprints for verification against the National Database on Entry and Exit. Receiving officers enter the information into the electronic identification and authentication system and collect the facial image and fingerprints to verify against the National Database on Entry and Exit. They also guide the foreigner in downloading and installing the National Identification Application on a digital device.
4. The immigration agency forwards the account issuance request to the system-operating agency. After completing the reception process, the immigration management agency sends the account issuance request to the agency managing and operating the electronic identification and authentication system for processing and approval.
5. Receive the result notification via VNeID, phone number, or email. The agency managing and operating the electronic identification and authentication system notifies the registration result through the National Identification Application (VNeID), the applicant’s own registered mobile phone number, or the registered email address.

Procedure for Foreigners Under 14 Years of Age

Pursuant to Clause 6 Article 11 Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP as amended by Article 6 Decree No. 320/2026/ND-CP, the procedure differs for a foreigner under 14 years of age in two respects. A representative must accompany the applicant, and the representative’s phone number is used for registration.

Representative or Guardian Must Accompany the Applicant

A foreigner under 14 years of age, or a person under guardianship or representation, must go in person to the provincial-level immigration management agency of the police. They must be accompanied by their representative or guardian to carry out the procedure. An application submitted without the representative present will be rejected at the counter.

Use the Representative’s Own Registered Phone Number for Registration

The representative or guardian must use their own registered mobile phone number, not that of the child, to declare information and register for the account. This applies to the issuance of an electronic identification account for a foreigner under 14 years of age. This is a point that many families commonly confuse when preparing their dossier.

Processing Time for Issuance of an Electronic Identification Account

Pursuant to Clause 3 Article 13 Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP as amended by Clause 1 Article 7 Decree No. 320/2026/ND-CP, the processing time for foreigners depends entirely on one factor. This factor is whether biometric data already exists in the National Database on Entry and Exit.

Not Exceeding 2 Working Days if Biometric Data Already Exists

A foreigner may have previously had their facial image and fingerprints collected and stored in the National Database on Entry and Exit, for example through a prior entry procedure involving biometric data. Where this is the case, the account issuance time does not exceed 2 working days.

Not Exceeding 5 Working Days if Biometric Data Does Not Yet Exist

Where facial image and fingerprint information does not yet exist in the National Database on Entry and Exit, the processing time is extended to a maximum of 5 working days. This allows the system to complete verification.

The processing time above applies uniformly to both age groups. The only difference lies in the requirement for a person under 14 years of age to be accompanied by a representative and to register using the representative’s phone number. This requirement does not add to the processing time.

Common Errors That Cause Applications to Be Rejected or Delayed

Most delayed applications do not stem from a complex process, but from avoidable mistakes made during preparation. The three errors below are the most common in practice for foreigners’ applications.

Incorrect Declaration of the Registered Phone Number or Missing Information on Form TK01

A phone number that is not properly registered to the applicant, or contains a single incorrect digit, prevents the system from delivering the result notification. This requires the foreigner to return to the immigration agency to correct the information. Receiving officers may also reject a dossier if Form TK01 is missing a mandatory field.

Presenting an Expired International Travel Document

An expired passport, or an international travel document that is no longer valid, will not be accepted by the receiving agency. Foreigners should check the validity of their documents before going to carry out the procedure, to avoid having to return multiple times.

A Person Under 14 Years of Age Attending Without a Representative or Guardian

This is a common error when a family sends someone other than the parent or lawful guardian to accompany the child to carry out the procedure. Under Clause 6 Article 11 Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP as amended by Decree No. 320/2026/ND-CP, the dossier will only be accepted when the lawful representative or guardian is present in person.

When to seek advice: your dossier may involve a special situation. Examples include multiple nationalities, a change of visa type within a short period, or an urgent need for an account to support another transaction or administrative procedure. In such cases, having the dossier reviewed before submission helps avoid rejection and saves considerable time.

Consulting Services and Support for Legal Procedures for Foreigners in Vietnam

Long Phan Consulting provides support for foreigners, enterprises, and organizations having foreign individuals residing, working, or investing in Vietnam during administrative procedures and related legal matters, including:

• Consulting on lawful residence conditions and reviewing foreign individuals’ documents before carrying out procedures;
• Providing consultation and support for issuing electronic identification accounts for foreigners;
• Reviewing passports, international travel documents, residence information, and required supporting documents;
• Guiding the declaration of Form TK01, checking personal information, and verifying ownership of mobile subscriber numbers;
• Supporting electronic identification account applications for foreigners under 14 years old and individuals represented or under guardianship;
• Monitoring and supporting the handling of returned applications, requests for supplementation, or information correction;
• Consulting on updating information when there are changes to phone numbers, documents, or residence details;
• Providing consultation on administrative procedures related to foreigners residing, working, or investing in Vietnam;
• Providing consultation on license extension procedures and procedures for foreigners according to their residence, employment, and business activities in Vietnam;
• Supporting enterprises in completing legal procedures for foreign employees, experts, and investors;
• Consulting on legal matters related to investment activities, establishment, and operation of foreign-invested enterprises;
• Representing or supporting clients in working with competent authorities within the scope of authorized procedures;
• Reviewing overall application documents to minimize risks of inaccurate information, missing documents, or repeated procedures.

Clients can send their case documents via email info@longphanpmt.com or Zalo 0906.735.386 for an initial assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Issuing Electronic Identification Accounts for Foreigners

The following are common questions raised by foreigners and organizations employing foreign workers when completing procedures for issuing electronic identification accounts.

Conclusion

From September 28, 2026, foreigners who legally enter or reside in Vietnam may obtain electronic identification accounts without classification by level, through a 5-step procedure at the provincial Immigration Management Authority of the Police. The processing time is 2–5 working days depending on biometric data availability. To avoid application rejection due to incorrect declarations or missing representatives for foreigners under 14 years old, applicants should carefully prepare documents before submission.

Long Phan Consulting is ready to provide comprehensive support. Contact hotline 1900636389 for specific consultation based on your situation.