The 5-year Vietnam visa: Conditions and application procedures

The 5-year Vietnam visa, also known as the Visa exemption certificate valid for 5 years, allows Vietnamese people residing abroad and foreigners who are spouses, children of Vietnamese citizens or people of Vietnamese origin to enter the country multiple times. This type of visa has a maximum term of 05 years and is 6 months shorter than the passport or residence document of the person issued. The article below will provide you with detailed information. Please refer!

What is a 5-year Vietnam visa?

Visa exemption document, commonly known as 5-year Vietnam Visa, is a type of document that allows entry. This document is issued to people of Vietnamese origin and relatives (spouse/children) of Vietnamese citizens or people of Vietnamese origin. Immigration authorities or Vietnamese representative agencies abroad issue this document.

According to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, eligible subjects include: Vietnamese residing abroad and foreigners who are spouses, children of Vietnamese residing abroad or of Vietnamese citizens or relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Visa exemption certificate is valid for a maximum of 05 years. This period is at least 6 months shorter than the validity of the passport or residence document of the issued person. This ensures that the visa exemption certificate is always valid during the period of using the passport.

Visa exemption certificates are issued to people entering Vietnam to visit relatives or handle personal matters.

Visa exemption certificate is issued in the passport; The following cases are issued separately:

• Passport has no visa page;
• Passport of a country that does not have diplomatic relations with Vietnam;
• Documents valid for international travel;
• At the request of the person granted a visa exemption certificate;
• For diplomatic, defense and security reasons.

Visa exemption documents are issued separately for each person. Children who share a passport with their parents are granted a visa exemption certificate with their parents.

People with a 5-year Vietnam Visa are allowed to enter and exit Vietnam many times within the term of the visa exemption certificate without needing to apply for a separate visa for each entry. This saves time, costs, and procedures for users. This is a preferential policy of the Vietnamese government.

Conditions for applying for a 5-year Vietnam visa (5-year visa exemption certificate)

To be granted a 5-year Vietnam Visa, the applicant needs to meet specific conditions. These regulations are clearly stipulated in the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Specific conditions are specified in Article 3 of Decree 82/2015/ND-CP, including:

1. Have a passport or international travel document valid for at least 1 year.
2. Have documents proving that you are a Vietnamese residing abroad and a foreigner is a spouse or child of a Vietnamese residing abroad or of a Vietnamese citizen.
3. Not falling into the cases of not allowing entry and temporarily postponing exit specified in Article 21 and Article 28 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Procedures for applying for a 5-year Vietnam visa

The 5-year Vietnam 5 visa application process includes document preparation and approval procedures.  Understanding the process helps customers save time and comply with legal regulations:

Documents need to be prepared

The application for a 5-year Vietnam Visa needs to be prepared fully and accurately. Necessary documents may vary depending on the applicant (Vietnamese residing abroad or a foreigner with a relative relationship with a citizen/person of Vietnamese origin).

According to Article 6 of Decree 82/2015/ND-CP, application documents for visa exemption include:

1. Passport or valid international travel document or permanent residence permit issued by a foreign competent authority to Vietnamese residing abroad.
2. Application form for issuance or re-issuance of visa exemption certificate, accompanied by 02 photos (01 photo pasted in the declaration form).
3. Documents proving eligibility for visa exemption:

Vietnamese people residing abroad must submit a certified copy of the original or enclose the original for comparison of one of the following documents:

• Birth certificate;
• Decision on relinquishment of Vietnamese nationality or certificate of loss of Vietnamese nationality;
• Other documents stating Vietnamese nationality or proving the person’s previous Vietnamese nationality.

Foreigners submit certified copies of the originals or enclose the originals to compare documents proving they are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens or Vietnamese residing abroad.

In case there are no documents proving that the applicant is a Vietnamese residing abroad, the competent Vietnamese visa-issuing agency abroad will base on the value of the applicant’s documents, which state that the applicant is of Vietnamese origin, to consider and decide to accept the application.

Application process

The 5-year Vietnam Visa application process can be done at Vietnamese representative agencies abroad or at the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) if customers are in Vietnam.

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 7 of Decree 82/2015/ND-CP, the procedure includes the following steps:

Step 1: Submit application

Submit complete documents at Vietnamese representative agencies abroad (Embassies/Consulates General) or at the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) if in Vietnam.

Step 2: Pay the fee

Pay the application fee for a visa exemption certificate according to regulations. Fees may change. Customers should check for updated information at the application receiving agency.

Step 3: Wait for approval

Within 01 working day from the date of receiving complete documents, the Vietnamese visa-issuing authority abroad shall send a list of applicants for visa exemption certificates to the Immigration Department.

Within 03 working days, the Immigration Department will consider and respond to Vietnamese visa-issuing agencies abroad.

Within 01 working day from receipt of notification from the Immigration Department, the Vietnamese visa-issuing authority abroad will issue a visa exemption certificate.

Step 4: Get results

If your application is approved, you will receive a Visa Exemption Certificate (pasted in your passport or issued separately). If the application is rejected, customers will receive a written notice stating the reason.

Frequently asked questions about 5-year Vietnam visa

Below are some answers that you may be interested in:

If I don’t have a Vietnamese birth certificate, what other documents can I use to prove my Vietnamese origin?

You can use other documents such as: old identity card, old Vietnamese passport (expired), old identification documents containing Vietnamese nationality, or documents previously issued by competent Vietnamese agencies containing information about Vietnamese nationality. In case you do not have any documents, you need to contact Vietnamese representative agencies abroad for specific instructions.

What is “consular legalization” of documents and what is the process?

Consular legalization is the procedure to certify seals, signatures, and titles on documents issued by foreign agencies so that those documents are valid for use in Vietnam. The process usually includes: (1) Notarization in the host country, (2) Certification by the host country’s diplomatic agency, (3) Consular legalization at Vietnamese representative agencies abroad.

Can the processing time for a 5-year Vietnam Visa application be longer than 5-7 working days?

Yes. 5-7 working days is the normal time. However, the actual time may be longer depending on the number of applications, the complexity of each case, and the working process of each Vietnamese representative agency abroad or the Immigration Department.

I lost my 5-year visa exemption certificate, what should I do?

You need to immediately report to the police agency of the place of death and the Visa Exemption Certificate Issuing Agency. After that, you can apply for a visa exemption certificate again, the documents are similar to applying for a new one, accompanied by a loss report.

Can I extend my 5-year visa exemption certificate when it is about to expire?

Yes. You need to apply for a new Visa Exemption Certificate before the old one expires. The documents and procedures are similar to applying for a new one.

How long can a person with a 5-year visa exemption certificate stay in Vietnam continuously?

People with a 5-year visa exemption certificate are allowed to enter the country multiple times and the stay period for each entry must not exceed 180 days. If you want to stay longer, you need to carry out procedures to extend temporary residence according to regulations.

I am in Vietnam on a tourist visa, can I apply for a 5-year visa exemption certificate in Vietnam?

Yes. You can apply for a 5-year visa exemption certificate at the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) if you meet the requirements.

What type of crime will make me ineligible for a 5-year Visa Exemption Certificate?

Serious crimes related to national security, social order and safety, or other crimes that are prohibited by Vietnamese law from entering the country will make you ineligible.

How much is the fee for applying for a 5-year visa exemption certificate?

Fees may vary depending on regulations and where the application is submitted (domestic or at Vietnamese representative agencies abroad). You should contact the place of application directly for the most accurate information.

What is the address of the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City?

• Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.
• Ho Chi Minh City: 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh city.

5-year Vietnam visa application service at Long Phan Consulting Company

The 5-year Vietnam visa application service at Long Phan Consulting Company supports foreigners in carrying out 5-year visa application procedures (multiple entry visa) quickly and in accordance with the law. Our services include:

• Consulting on conditions and procedures for applying for a 5-year visa;
• Support in document preparation, notarization and consular legalization;
• Representing customers to submit documents and work with competent authorities;
• Monitor application processing progress and update results;
• Support in receiving a visa and instructions on how to use it properly.

The 5-year Vietnam Visa (5-year visa exemption certificate) brings many benefits to Vietnamese people residing abroad and their relatives. Understanding the conditions, procedures, and preparing complete documents is an important factor. To ensure the visa application process goes smoothly and quickly, customers can contact Long Phan Consulting Company via the hotline: 0906735386 for support.