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Question 1. How many kinds of Vietnam 5-year visa exemption certificates are there?

Answer - There are two types of Vietnam 5-year visa exemption certificate including loose leaf (detached certificate) and the type issued in the passport.

According to Clause 3 and 4, Article 4 Decree No. 82/2015/ND-CP Visa exemption for Vietnamese people residing overseas and foreigners who are spouses, children of Vietnamese people residing overseas or of Vietnamese citizens

3. The certificate of visa exemption is issued in the passport. A detached certificate shall be issued if:

a) All pages of the passport for granting visa are used;

b) The passport is issued in a country who has not established a diplomatic relation with Vietnam;

c) Another international travel document is used instead of a passport;

d) A detached certificate is requested by the applicant;

dd) A detached certificate is needed for diplomacy, national defense and security purposes.

4. Each person shall be granted a separate certificate of visa exemption. Any parent and children who share the same passport shall be granted a single certificate of visa exemption.

Question 2. If my visa exemption certificate is lost, damaged or expired, what should I do?

Answer - In the above cases, you will need to carry out procedures to re-issue a visa exemption certificate.

We present herewith the procedure for reissuing a Vietnam 5-year visa exemption certificate includes 3 main steps as follows:

Step 1: Prepare all of required documents in accordance with Article 9 Decree No. 82/2015/ND-CP. 

Step 2: Submit documents to the authority.

• The applicant who is residing overseas shall submit 01 application to an overseas visa-issuing authority of Vietnam

• The applicant who is temporarily residing in Vietnam shall submit 01 application to Immigration Administration.

Step 3: The authorities receive the documents, and guide you through the next steps.

Question 3. What kinds of documents shall I prepare for the reissuance of the certificate of visa exemption?

Answer - You need to thoroughly prepare these following documents to re-apply for a visa exemption certificate:

• Passport or another international travel document, or a permanent residence permit issued by an authority of the foreign country to the Vietnamese person residing therein;
• An application form for issuance/reissuance of the certificate of visa exemption  enclosed with 02 pictures (01 picture fixed on the application form);
• The certificate of visa exemption (or notice of loss of certificate of visa exemption); 
• Certified true copies (or copies enclosed with the originals for comparison) of documents proving adjustment of information on the certificate of visa exemption.

Question 4. Where can I submit the documents for issuance/reissuance of the certificate of Vietnam visa exemption?

Answer - You can choose to visit one of these places at your convenience to get a Vietnam 5-year visa exemption certificate.

- The Vietnam Immigration Office if you are temporarily residing in Vietnam.

• Ha Noi address: 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City.
• Ho Chi Minh City address: 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

- Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in a foreign country if you are residing overseas.

Question 5. How long is a Vietnam 5-year visa exemption certificate valid for foreigners?

Answer - The 5-year visa exemption certificate is valid for a maximum of 5 years and must not exceed 06 months for the expiry date of a foreigner's passport and residence documents. You are allowed to enter Vietnam with multiple entries, each entry is valid for a maximum of 180 days.

During the mentioned period, if you enter Vietnam and want to stay longer than 180 days, you are required to extend your temporary residence period in Vietnam.

For detailed advice and answers to questions about the above extension process, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

• Phone: +84.28.6685.1315
• Hotline: +84.357.522.522
• Email: sales@vietnam-immi.org

Question 6. How long does it take to process a Vietnam 5-year visa exemption certificate application?

Answer - The processing of a Vietnam 5-year visa exemption certificate usually lasts 2 - 3 weeks from the time the authorities receive the application.