Photo: Collected

Order and procedure:

Step 1: To prepare a set of dossiers as regulated. 

Step 2: To submit the application forms at one of these offices of the Vietnam Immigration Department - Ministry of Public Security: 

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

- After receiving and reviewing the application forms, the immigration officials will make the following decisions: 

+ If the documents meet the requirements, the receipt will be made and given to the applicant.

+ If the document does not meet the requirements, the applicant must continue to complete documents.

- Working Time: From Monday to Saturday morning (except Lunar New Year holiday, public holiday and Sunday).

Step 3: Get results

- The person who comes to receive the results gives a receipt to the officer who returns the results and signs the receipt.

- Working Time: From Monday to Friday every week (except Lunar New Year holiday, public holiday and Sunday).

Contents, number of dossiers:          

a) Passport or international travel documents or permanent residence permit issued by a foreign competent authority to an overseas Vietnamese;

b) Application forms for visa exemption certificate enclosed with 2 photos (one photo attached in the declaration);

c) Certificate of visa exemption, if it was lost, notice of loss should be attached;

d) An authenticated copy of the original documents or enclosed with the original documents for reference of papers proving the content to be modified in the visa exemption certificate.

+ Number of dossiers: 01 (one) set.

Processing time: 05 working days. 

Subjects of application: Vietnamese people residing overseas and foreigners who are spouses, children of either of Vietnamese people residing abroad or Vietnamese citizens have lost, damaged, been expired or demand for adjusting some information in the visa exemption certificate.

Competent authority: Vietnam Immigration Department.

Results of procedures: To re-issue the visa exemption certificate

Fees: According to Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance dated October 11th, 2016 stipulating collection, payment, management and use of fees in the field of exit, entry transit, residence in Vietnam. 

Name of application form: Declaration Form for  reissuance of visa exemption certificate (NA9).

Eligible Requirements:

• Having a passport or an international travel document that remains valid for at least 01 year;
• Entering Vietnam on a visa exemption certificate and currently residing in Vietnam;
• Papers proving that those people are residing abroad and the foreigners who are spouses or children of either Vietnamese people residing abroad or of Vietnamese citizens;
• Not falling into the case of suspension from exit prescribed in Article 28 of Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through and residence in Vietnam.

Legal basis:

+ Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through and residence  in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014 QH13) dated June 16th, 2014;

+ Decree No. 82/2015 / ND-CP of the Government dated September 24th, 2015 regulating visa exemption for Vietnamese people residing abroad and foreigners being spouses or children of either Vietnamese residing overseas or  Vietnamese citizens;

+ Circular No. 04/2015 / TT-BCA of the Ministry of Public Security dated January 5th, 2015 regulating the required forms relating to foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through and residence  in Vietnam;

+ Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance dated October 11th, 2016 stipulating collection, payment, management and use of fees in the field of exit, entry transit, residence in Vietnam./.

Source: xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

Photo: Collected

1. Why change the purpose of the visa?

Changing the purpose of a visa is the case where a foreigner has been issued a type of visa and is using that type of visa to enter, exit and stay in Vietnam, but now the purpose of being in Vietnam has changed due to certain conditions. If you meet the requirements of the law, your visa will be converted to an appropriate visa type.

2. Cases where foreigners' visa purposes are changed

Pursuant to Clause 4, Article 7 of Law No. 51/2019/QH14 amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam passed by the National Assembly on November 25 2019 and officially came into effect from July 1, 2020, Vietnam visas issued to foreigners shall be converted in the following cases:

3. Procedures for changing the purpose of Vietnam visa

3.1. Procedures for converting tourist visa (DL), family visit (TT), investment visa (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4), electronic visa (EV) to short-term working visa (DN1, DN2) and Long-term work visa (LD1, LD2)

Documents required to convert to a work visa include:

• Original passport and visa of the foreigner
• Vietnam visa application form NA5
• Temporary residence registration declaration form
• Work permit or work permit exemption certificate for LD1, LD2 visa types.
• Document explaining the suitability and necessity for visa conversion for DN1 and DN2 visa types
• Letter of introduction to appoint a representative to carry out procedures to change the visa purpose.

2. Procedures for converting tourist visas (DL), family visit (TT), and working visas (LD1, LD2) to investment visas (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4)

Documents required to convert to an investment visa include:

• Original passport and visa of the foreigner
• Vietnam visa application form NA5
• Investment license/Business registration certificate
• Copy of temporary residence registration
• Documents proving that you are an investor or representative of a foreign organization investing in Vietnam according to the provisions of Enterprise Law and Investment Law. Specifically, documents certifying the completion of investment capital contribution, audited financial statements, appointment decision as representative in Vietnam,...
• Letter of introduction to appoint a representative to carry out procedures to change the visa purpose.

3. Procedures for converting tourist visa (DL), labor (DN1, DN2, LD1, LD2), investment visa (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4) to family visit visa.

Documents and procedures for converting to a visit visa.

• Original passport and visa of the foreigner
• Vietnam visa application form NA5
• Documents proving relationship as father, mother, wife, husband, child to the inviting or sponsoring individual. The document can be a Marriage Certificate, Family Relationship Certificate, Birth Certificate,...
• Passport and visa of the sponsorer (In case the sponsorer is a foreigner)
• Identification card, household registration book (For cases where the sponsorer is a Vietnamese citizen)

4. Procedures for converting visas due to changing the working and sponsoring company

Foreigners who are working at a company and using business visas DN1, DN2 or working visas LD1, LD2 can apply for visa conversion to another sponsoring company and/or to the same or different visa types if they meet the prescribed conditions.

Conditions for converting visas and changing sponsor companies for foreigners.

• Foreigners' visas and passports must be valid.
• The new sponsoring company must be an enterprise permitted to employ foreign workers.
• The foreigner has completed the procedures to terminate employment with the old company and fully exercised the rights and obligations with the old sponsoring company.

Documents and procedures for applying for a conversion visa for foreigners due to a change of sponsoring company:

• Original passport and visa of the foreigner
• Vietnam visa application form NA5
• Temporary residence registration declaration form
• Decision to resign (or document of equivalent value)
• Work permit or work permit exemption certificate for LD1, LD2 visa types.
• Document explaining the suitability and necessity for converting a visa to a business visa with visa types DN1, DN2
• Letter of introduction to appoint a representative to carry out visa procedures.

Source: Www.vavietnam.com

Photo: Freepik

Generally yes. The cases of foreigner being allowed to change the purpose of entry of their visa while in the Vietnam and without having to exit are stipulated by Law effective from 1st July, 2020

The cases of foreigner being allowed to change the visa purpose while in Vietnam without having to exit and re-enter was stipulated by sub-Article 7.4 of Law No. 51/2019/QH14 dated November 25, 2019 of the National Assembly on amendments to a number of articles of Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam passed by the National Assembly on November 25, 2019 and officially effective from July 1, 2020. Foreigners granted a Vietnam visa may change the purpose of their visa while in the Vietnam and no need to exit in the following cases:

1. Foreigner presents document proving to be an investor or a representative for foreign organization investing in Vietnam as per the law of Vietnam;

In this case, if the foreigner previously used a tourist visa (DL), relative visitor visa (TT), work visa (LD, LD 1, LD 2), business visa (DN, DN1, DN2) etc. when available documents proving that the investor or the legal representative of the company (stated on the business registration, investment registration certificate, etc.) is allowed to change the visa purpose in accordance with the present position and role.

2. Foreigner presents document proving his/her relationship with person inviting or sponsoring in terms of parents, spouse, children;

In this case, the inviting or sponsoring individual means that it includes an individual holding Vietnamese nationality or a foreigner who has a visa in Vietnam in accordance with regulations, can change the visa purpose and status for a his her relative.

3. Foreigner is invited or sponsoring by agencies or organizations and presents work permit or confirmation of eligibility for work permit exemption according to labor laws;

This case means that that a foreigner has previously been invited and sponsored by the company to work for the company without a work permit or without applying for a work permit exemption with the business visa denoted as DN, DN1 can be changed to a work visa (including temporary residence card) denoted LĐ 1, LĐ2.

4. Foreigners make entry by electronic visa and present work permit or confirmation of eligibility for work permit exemption according to labor laws.

Foreigner of 80 countries and territories who enter Vietnam with an electronic visa (Visa EV) with a period of 30 days upon obtaining a work permit or confirming the exemption of a work permit are allowed to change the visa purpose and status from electronic visa (EV visa) to a work visa (or temporary residence card) with the symbol LD 1, LD 2 as prescribed.

*Note: In case a foreigner is allowed to change visa purposes and status as mentioned above, he/she no need to exit and shall be issued with a new visa with a number and time limit suitable with the new visa purpose and status.

Source: Imgroup.vn

What is travel insurance?

What is travel insurance? Travel insurance is an insurance package that helps protect you against financial and health risks and losses that may occur during travel. These risks can include lost or confused baggage, flight delays or cancellations, or medical emergencies.

Typically, insurance consists mainly of two main forms:

• Travel insurance plan canceled

• Health insurance plans for travel.
  

In addition, some insurance companies in Vietnam may classify domestic and international travel insurance to suit the purpose of your trip.

Types of travel insurance:

Travel cancellation insurance

Travel cancellation insurance package will include many policies such as:

Trip cancellation: In case you want to cancel your flight before departure for a valid reason, the insurance company will pay the non-refundable cost of the trip.

Trip interruption: In case you need to return home urgently during the trip due to reasons specified in the insurance such as a burning or flooded house, death of a loved one, you will receive additional expenses so that you can arrange to return early.

Emergency medical expenses: If you get sick or injured during your trip, insurance will cover your medical expenses. Domestic health insurances are generally not responsible for medical incidents that occur abroad or have other restrictive provisions.

Emergency Medical Evacuation: When you are sick, injured or in other emergencies, the insurance company will be responsible for contacting the nearest medical facility so that you can receive adequate health care. The insurance company will organize an emergency evacuation to the nearest medical facility capable of providing appropriate medical care in the most economical form of transportation with all necessary medical facilities.

Repatriation of remains: If unfortunately you have an incident and die during the trip, the insurance policy will have a policy to help bring your remains back to your family.

Baggage: Insurance plans also include a lot of baggage insurance policies, such as lost checked baggage. However, some terms only help you pay additional costs, leaving you to claim compensation from the airline when they lose customer luggage.

Unexpected deaths and accidents: Travel insurance is also responsible in case you unfortunately die in an accident or suffer serious injuries (loss of arms, legs).

Some other policies: You can get many other benefits such as support services, emergency money transfer, personal information theft prevention, plane accidents ... These policies may vary depending on your insurance plan as well as the insurance provider you choose.

Health insurance

Medical travel insurance packages usually do not focus on policies to reimburse expenses related to travel (flight delays, cancellations, etc.), this insurance package focuses on medical benefits. Some of the medical policies in this plan are more beneficial than cancellation insurance, which may have fewer restrictions.

This health insurance plan is usually suitable for people who want to travel longer periods abroad than domestically.

What you should know about travel insurance:

1. Benefits will vary according to the insurance plan you choose

You need to plan carefully before deciding to buy a travel insurance plan, it is important that you choose the right insurance plan for your needs, budget as well as travel plans.

In addition, you should also refer to and compare services between insurance providers to make the most appropriate decision.

2. Insurance does not cover all incidents that occur

Insurance packages have fixed terms and policies. You need to find out carefully or ask a consultant what conditions the insurance can cover and compensate in case something goes wrong.

3. Insurance is not valid in cases that have been warned in advance

Travel insurance is only responsible for unfortunate incidents that have been stipulated in the policy. For foreseeable circumstances such as when a hurricane is about to make landfall in the waters you are about to visit, insurance will not cover the losses you experience.

How is travel insurance applied?

The insurance costs are reimbursed after you submit your claim and are approved. You need to submit an application and evidence so that the insurance company can verify that the losses you have suffered are completely valid.

In some medical emergencies, insurance companies will have policies to support you promptly depending on each specific case.

For domestic insurance packages, the insurance company will also help pay and support in emergency cases when you join trips within the territory of Vietnam.

A small note is that the insurance package for domestic travel will not be responsible for compensation for lost luggage and documents such as international insurance packages.

Where to buy reputable international travel insurance?

Currently, there are many travel insurance companies that offer a variety of travel insurance packages for buyers, but you need to be careful with choosing reputable, long-standing insurance companies in the field.

Reputable travel insurance companies you can refer to the following:

     • Bao Viet Insurance Company

     • Chubb Insurance Company

     • AIG Insurance Company

     • Liberty Insurance Company

If you want to buy an insurance plan for yourself or the whole family, refer to the types of insurance carefully to be able to compare the best travel insurance available today. Each company will have different policies and insurance limits, and some may even be responsible for adventure tourism activities.

Above is an article about the most reputable and quality travel insurance companies today for readers' reference. Thereby, hopefully you have chosen for yourself the right insurance providers when traveling.

Source: baohiem.medplus.vn