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Illegal entrants, expatriates who overstayed their visas on the rise in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City

by Linka Nguyen
  • Majority of Illegal entrants hailing from China or African countries
  • 31,460 people detained for trying to illegally enter the country last year
  • Gambling, sport betting, stock exchange fraud, online gaming scams, police impersonation for fraud, and drug trafficking are among the most common offenses perpetrated by these criminals.

Illegal entrants, as well as expatriates who overstayed their visas, are on the rise in Ho Chi Minh City, with the majority of them hailing from China or African countries, Tuoi Tre Newspaper reported.

The information was stated by local police officers at meeting on maintaining public safety within Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector, which was held on Thursday last week.

Related: Vietnam hunting four Chinese who illegally entered the country

The problem of foreign tourists and immigrants breaking the law after gaining temporary residence status in the city is increasing, according to the head of the Bureau of Foreign Relations under Ho Chi Minh City’s Public Security Department.

While the city only levied a penalty on 58 foreign individuals in 2016, it witnessed a whopping 315 Taiwanese, 133 people of African nationalities, 93 Koreans, as well as 140 people of other nationalities in 2019.

Gambling, sport betting, stock exchange fraud, online gaming scams, police impersonation for fraud, and drug trafficking are among the most common offenses perpetrated by these criminals.

“Most notably, a great number of Chinese nationals were found overstaying their visas recently. These people illegally crossed the northern border [of Vietnam] before reaching the city,” he denoted.

According to Pham Ngoc Tien, leader of the city’s immigration department, despite the 2020 tally of foreign entrants to the city shrinking by 90 percent due to border closure, the year saw more expatriates breaking the law than the previous, with the majority being Chinese nationals who failed to renew their visas or illegally entered the city for the sake of work, travel, and taking refuge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the conference, Major General Le Hong Nam, director of Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Public Security, said the cooperation between the city’s law enforcement and the tourism sector has achieved many milestones over the past five years, with consensus reached on regular information exchange to detect criminals disguised as tourists in the locale.

The linkage also instructed tourism facilities to protect internal information and state secrets against schemes to undermine social order and national security.

Since 2016, police of the southern metropolis have undertaken 262 thorough probes at hotels and detected 226 instances of misconduct, namely failure to report guests’ temporary residence to local authorities and failure to uncover narcotics usage and prostitution on the premises.

The department has solved 484 cases of appropriation of property with 297 individuals involved, 61 other cases still undergoing investigation, according to Tuoi Tre Newspaper.

Vietnamese border guards detained around 31,460 people trying to illegally enter the country last year.

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Life

Vietnam grants another automatic visa extension for foreigners

by Vietnam Insider

Foreign nationals who entered Vietnam with a visa exemption certificate, e-visa, or tourist visa on or after March 1, 2020, will be granted an automatic extension of stay through December 31, 2020, and may exit Vietnam during this period without having to apply for an extension of stay, the Vietnam Immigration Department, a functioning bureau belonging to the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security announced on its website.

Here are the details.

  1.  CONTINUE to implement “automatic stay extension” for foreign nationals until December 31st, 2020 (subjects and forms prescribed in paragraph 1 of the Diplomatic Note No 6345/QLXNC dated May, 19th, 2020 which was sent to Embassies/Consulates). During “automatic stay extension” period, foreigners are required to complete temporary residence and health status declaration.
  2.  CONTINUE to implement the content of the Diplomatic Note No. 4226/XNC dated March 30th, 2020 until December 31st, 2020.
  3.  Those foreign nationals who are not eligible for “automatic stay extension” or violate Vietnamese laws will be treated according to applicable laws of Vietnam.
  4.  For further information (if any) or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Vietnam Immigration Department, Tel: 0243.9387320 (in the North) and 0283.9200365 (in the South).

This is very important to understand that it means you don’t have to extend your visa to EXIT Vietnam by December 31, 2020. However, if you intend to stay in Vietnam after December 31, then you do need a visa extension.

If you entered BEFORE March 1, 2020, you will be eligible for the same policy if you show either of the following documents:

  • A certification by your diplomatic mission in Vietnam through an official Diplomatic Note stating that you are stuck in Vietnam due to Covid 19 (attached with a translation in Vietnamese);
  • Documents issued by the Vietnamese authorities certifying that you have undergone quarantine or treatment for COVID-19 or are stuck here due to reasons beyond your control.

You are required to show those documents when exiting Vietnam to ensure no charge for overstaying.

Again, this works only for those who will leave Vietnam by December 31.

In case you are eligible for an “automatic stay extension”, you are required to declare your temporary stay to local police and complete health declaration.

If you don’t meet the conditions or have committed illegal actions, you shall be subject to the current laws of Vietnam.
For example, those in Vietnam under a business visa are required to extend visa before its expiry date.

Source: https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

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LifeVideo

Vietnam Today: How to enter, process, visa update ?

by Guillaume Rondan

As we all know the coronavirus pandemic affected every part of the globe hitting several nations so bad that it resulted to the death of many. Not only were people killed as a result of the pandemic, the economy of several countries was affected and forced many into an economic crunch.

Vietnam was one of those countries that was in the very early hit with the virus and the Vietnamese government took early-stage measures that were able to cut the spread by targeted lockdowns.

During those lockdowns, only essential businesses were allowed to operate. After a while to sustain the economy, the government began easing the lockdown in phasing trusting that things will return back to normal.

Things, however, didn’t go as planned by the government as it didn’t take long before Vietnam was hit with the second wave of the coronavirus. Considering how fast the second lockdown was enforced, the second wave was properly contained and the country did not record as much casualty as it could have been without the efficient actions from the authorities.

Since then, things have gradually begun to return back to normal in the Vietnam. Today, everyone is seen is going about their daily activities, people are carrying on with life as usual, and everything is almost getting back to normal.

Waves of the Coronavirus in Vietnam

The first wave of the coronavirus hit Vietnam just like it did to several other countries around the globe. The country recorded few first cases of infection in February 2020 that forced it into taking some early preventive actions. However, while adhering to the laid down rules and guidelines as was provided for by health experts at an international and local level, it was able to contain the first wave.

By May, Vietnam had recorded massive success in how well it was able to contain the virus. It started recording very low infection rates and its model for addressing the virus was considered by many other countries of the world. For about ninety-nine days, the country did not record any new infection and there were widespread celebration has the country though it had defeated the virus.

This joy and celebration did not last long as the virus showed up mysteriously again by July. Danang, a coastal city of Vietnam was the center point of the second wave of the Coronavirus. Starting with just a case, the country moved to over a thousand just seven days after the virus resurfaced. Thirty-five new deaths were recorded and panic began to grow in the country as the virus spread to other parts such as Hanoi and Saigon.

A man walks past a Covid-19 fight poster in the capital city of Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 1, 2020. (VNA / Handout to Xinhua via Getty Images)

To get to where Vietnam is today, there was a collective effort by business people and ordinary citizens who came up with innovative ideas to address the virus. Several research projects were embarked upon and today things are gradually returning back to normal. People are returning back to their works, schools have opened up, and businesses are gradually booming again.

If you have been planning or nurturing an idea of coming to Vietnam, there are several ways to go about it. Things are not as easy now as they used to be with moving to Vietnam. To come to Vietnam now on a long term residency, let us examine some of the best ways to go about it.

Video update: trends, visa process, flights

Guillaume from Movetoasia digests for you in this video some insights that he has been sharing for months about implementing long term strategies to live in Vietnam.

It will give you the general picture about the current situation on visas, health insurance requirements, quarantine procedures to enter Vietnam nowadays. This approach has allowed most of the foreigners to move to Vietnam during this pandemic time.

How to Come and Enter to Vietnam Now ?

Open a company in Vietnam

The fastest way to go about coming to Vietnam now is to invest in Vietnam. Considering the impact of the coronavirus on the economy, the country is looking for ways to attract investors. To invest in Vietnam, you can set-up a business by yourself, or work with any Vietnamese to set-up one.

Vietnam, as a country, offers a very healthy business environment to investors and that is why it is home to one of the best business investments across the globe. You don’t need a huge budget to set-up and run a business in Vietnam. To invest in Vietnam you must be eligible to run a business there and that is not going to cost so much. With a small amount, you can be eligible to set-up and run a business smoothly in Vietnam.

Find a job and work as an expert in Vietnam

Due to the coronavirus, many foreigners have left Vietnam back to their home countries. This has caused the country to be short of experts who can handle different things in the country. This shortage in talent is what has made the country open to new foreigners. So a good way to come to Vietnam now is to find a job that you are good at.

“John Dewhirst, an expat in Vietnam” @ John Dewhirst

If you are still yet to perfect your skills in that job, you can take any of the several online courses that prepare individuals for a job in Vietnam. Take out to time to investigate the Vietnamese market to find out job openings that require experts. Some companies may be willing to cover the cost and expenses related to granting you business visa, quarantine fees to make you enter Vietnam nowadays.

Vietnam trends: today and future ?

Vietnam had witnessed two waves of Coronavirus that is nothing close to what other countries experienced during this pandemic. Individuals, businesses, and even the economy are largely affected by the virus but thankfully authorities were able to well contained the spreading and things are gradually returning back to normal.

Now, Vietnam is focusing on rebuilding its economy by seeking foreign investors are skilled individuals. This presents a huge opportunity for you if you have been looking for how to come to Vietnam. Put together a business plan that you can execute or find jobs that are in need of the expert services that you offer and you might just be on your way to Vietnam.

For the last months, Guillaume Rondan has helped many business owners, expatriates and high-skill workers to get knowledge about how to build legal entities and acquire business visas in Vietnam. Reach him out by finding his detail below to get in touch with him.

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Travel

5 top ways to travel sustainably in Vietnam

by Ashley Pham

Looking ahead to when international tourists are once more able to enter Vietnam, the country’s government recently announced its new “sustainable, eco-tourism” strategy.

Among other things, the government’s objective is to protect Vietnam’s heritage, given the country’s growing success and reputation as a tourism hotspot in recent years. For example, over 18 million visitors arrived in Vietnam in 2019, an annual increase of 16.2%, led mostly by rising Asian tourists, though also from Europe and elsewhere.

With this in mind, once Vietnam declares the all-clear and you’re again free to visit Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hạ Long Bay and Hội An, what can you do to make your visit sustainable in line with the country’s admirable objectives?

Well, here are 5 top ways to ensure you enjoy your visit to the max while contributing to the preservation of Vietnam’s awesome heritage. In addition, you can check the visa requirements to enter Vietnam with an online service such as Byevisa.

1. Book Your Adventures With a Travel Operator Certified as “Sustainable”.

On Vietnam’s official tourism website vietnam.travel, you’ll find a list of travel operators certified as “sustainable” for you to choose from. These cover a wide variety of activities from hikes and cycling trips in Mai Chau and Hoi An, to elephant tours in Yok Don National Park, to cruises in Ha Long Bay with operators dedicated to reducing pollution.

Each of these operators has been selected because they comply with the Vietnam government’s sustainability requirements of providing fair working conditions for employees, reducing waste and unnecessary water and energy usage, and protecting the environment. With these agencies, you can make the most of Vietnam while safeguarding it too.

2. Care for Vietnam’s Stunning, Lesser-Known Natural Heritage.

When you think of travelling to Vietnam, you may imagine yourself walking the streets of well-known locations like Hanoi, the country’s capital, or Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. When you’re in these cities it’s important to treat them with respect, as you would when visiting a city in your home country.

In addition, Vietnam boasts myriad lesser-known spectacular rural sights, such as Ba Bể, the country’s largest natural lake in the northeast Bắc Kạn Province; Phong Nha, home to countless caves in central Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park; or Côn Đảo, an archipelago of 15 tiny islands near the southeast coast. Here, keep your environmental impact to a minimum such as taking all your litter with you. It’s for future generations!

3. Buy Souvenirs in Shops Recognised as Being Eco-Conscious.

It’s natural that you’d like to take a keepsake of your time in Vietnam back home with you. To ensure that your souvenir contributes to Vietnam’s sustainability, consider buying from one of the shops recognised by Vietnam’s government as eco-conscious. These businesses only make products from ethical sources, pay fair wages to their employees, and often contribute to or are directly linked to local charities.

You can find a list of the businesses recognised by the government online. Among other things, you’ll find shops that offer clothes woven with refined silk and organic cotton, artisanal soaps made from natural, biodegradable ingredients, and quilts made in rural villages with traditional Vietnamese motifs and designs. These are unique ways to remember Vietnam while contributing to the country’s lasting development.

4. Follow Vietnamese Customs to Preserve the Unique Local Culture.

When travelling abroad, it’s a great tip to brush up on the local customs before you arrive. This will ensure your trip goes smoothly while showing respect to the inhabitants and their culture. There are lots of ways you can do this in Vietnam. For example, while eating, try to use chopsticks and, after finishing, always place the chopsticks next to the bowl rather than directly into the food. Also, be sure to offer dishes to others first.

When interacting with the Vietnamese, it’s preferred to use your right hand. For example, ensure to pass money in your right hand and, when holding a toast, hold your drink in your right hand. If you visit someone’s home, then be sure to take your shoes off before entering. If there’s an altar present in the property, keep this space clear of your possessions to show respect to the host’s spiritual beliefs.

5. Support Vietnam’s Rural Areas by Booking Homestays and with Ethical Hotels.

When you book a homestay in one of Vietnam’s rural villages, you’re contributing to the sustainability of the local area and the wellbeing of its inhabitants. Moreover, it’s a fantastic way to get to know the authentic Vietnam first-hand! There are many recognised homestay agencies online and, depending on where you go, you could find yourself taking a workshop with a Vietnamese carpenter or staying in a Tay stilt house.

Moreover, there are lots of hotels in the country recognised for their ethical practices. From luxury mountain resorts that employ dozens of local people; to garden hotels that grow and source their own fruits and vegetables; to hostels staffed by English students who help improve the locals’ English in their spare time, there are excellent options available.

With these tips in mind, once Vietnam opens its doors to international travellers again, you’ll have lots of ideas about how to have a positive visit, both for you and the country’s future! These practices will ensure you enjoy the real Vietnam while preserving its cultural and environmental heritage.

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Travel

Vietnam provides another automatic extension of temporary stay for foreigners until August 31

by Ashley Pham

Vietnam currently provides an automatic extension of temporary stay through August 31, 2020, for foreigners who entered Vietnam with a visa exemption certificate, e-visa, or tourist visa on or after March 1, 2020, and intend to depart Vietnam during the period of extension (by August 31, 2020).

Individuals in this qualifying group may exit Vietnam during this period without having to apply for an extension of stay.

Related: Vietnam offers another automatic visa extension until end of August

Every foreigner, who stays in the country during the period of being “automatic extension of temporary stay” must declare temporary residence and medical declaration according to regulations.

Due to the current social distancing measures in force in Da Nang, the city’s immigration office is temporarily closed until at least August 11; Vietnamese immigration authorities have informed us that, foreigners in Da Nang with visas that expire during Da Nang’s immigration office closure will not be considered overstays.

For further information, please see the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security’s website here (in Vietnamese only) or contact the Immigration Department at +84243.9387320 (North), +84283.9200365 (South).

Also read: Vietnam grants automatic visa extension for foreigners until July 31 free of charge

For the U.S. citizens, the U.S. Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City may issue exit letters in support of U.S. citizens who entered Vietnam before March 1, 2020, and can present concrete plans to exit Vietnam by August 31.

However, the Embassy and Consulate can in no way sponsor U.S. citizens during their stay in Vietnam. U.S. citizens may request an Exit Letter by following the instructions here.

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Vietnam offers another automatic visa extension until end of August

by Sophie Dao

Vietnam’s Immigration Department announced another automatic visa extension until August 31 for foreigners stuck in the country due to the pandemic.

The measure applies to foreigners who have a clear plan to leave Vietnam before August 31 allowing them to leave the country without any penalty or paperwork until end of August, the US Embassy also said on its website.

According to the news source, the Immigration Department in the country coronavirus hotspot of Danang is currently closed until further notice; Immigration authorities of Vietnam said that, foreigners who expire their visas during the immigration closures will not be considered as overdue. Vietnam Insider will update here as soon as we receive official confirmation from Immigration Department about this policy.

For questions about the new policy, you may call Vietnam’s Immigration Department at 024 3938 7320 or visit https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

In July, Vietnam also granted automatic visa extension for foreigners until July 31 free of charge. Foreigners who entered the country on tourist visas after March 1 have been given a further grace period – until the end of July.

Vietnam grants e-visa to citizens of 80 countries from July 1, 2020 as per Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP. Details on the list of countries can be accessed here. While this is a positive sign, Vietnam’s borders remain closed to foreign visitors due to the pandemic and the government has not made any official statement on when the borders will reopen.

As a measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Vietnam has shut its borders by suspending all international flights starting March 25 and halting the issuance of new visas for all foreign nationalities starting March 18.

Several special flights in recent months have repatriated hundreds of foreigners stranded in Vietnam to Europe, North America and Southeast Asia.

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Travel

Vietnam grants automatic visa extension for foreigners until July 31 free of charge

by Vietnam Insider

Foreigners who entered the country on tourist visas after March 1 have been given a further grace period – until the end of July.

It is a one-month extension of the current policy, issued in mid-May to support foreigners stuck in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam News Agency reported.

Related: Vietnam to grant e-visa to the citizens of 80 countries from July 1st

The Immigration Department announced on Tuesday people who came to Vietnam under visa waiver programs, e-visas or tourism visas after March 1 will be automatically given stay permit extension until July 31 free of charge.

According to Vietnam News, all stay permits for these people will be automatically extended and do not need to be renewed.

This means from now until July 31, they can stay or leave the country without doing any paperwork.

The move is aimed to help those stuck in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foreigners who entered the country before March 1 will also be considered for this permit extension as long as they can prove they cannot leave the country due to the pandemic.

In these cases they need certification by their diplomatic mission in Vietnam through an official diplomatic note with a translation in Vietnamese.

Those who obtained documents from the Vietnamese authorities certifying that they have undergone quarantine or treatment for COVID-19 or are stuck here due to reasons beyond their control are also eligible for the stay permit extension.

Last month, all foreigners who entered Vietnam after March 1 on visa exemptions, e-visas or tourism visas will be given automatic stay extensions at no charge until June 30, 2020.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has just signed the 79/NQ-CP resolution on the list of 80 countries, which their citizens are eligible for the electronic visa (e-Visa) and the list of international border gates, which allow foreigners to enter and exit with e-Visa.

The resolution takes effect July 01, 2020. Vietnam’s Government Portal reported.

So far, Vietnam has suspended entry for all foreign nationals. Only Vietnamese nationals, foreigners on diplomatic or official business, and highly skilled workers are allowed to enter the country at this time. Anyone entering Vietnam must undergo medical checks and 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

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Travel

Phu Quoc Island could soon allow foreign tourists in on a trial basis

by Ashley Pham

Vietnam’s largest island likely to welcome foreign tourists back as part of the country’s roadmap to resuming international tourism.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy said the tourism ministry has been working on a pilot plan to bring international tourists to select islands, with Phu Quoc among those considered.

Related: Vietnam to grant e-visa to the citizens of 80 countries from July 1st

The ministry has assigned the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Vietnam Tourism Association to work with Kien Giang authorities to bring foreign tourists to Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island off the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.

Thuy said though the islands are relatively isolated from the mainland, there are people living there and domestic tourists visit them, and so the risks of community transmission must be taken into account while allowing international visitors back. “Tougher measures should be taken to prevent another outbreak of Covid-19.”

Vietnam has just 26 cases patients still undergoing treatment and has managed to avoid deaths. There has been no community transmission in the last 49 days.

“We are working with the Health Ministry to develop a set of criteria to ensure safety for international visitors. The tourism industry only wants to receive visitors from countries where the disease has been controlled,” Thuy added.

A number of small boats docked at a wharf on Phu Quoc island in Kien Giang province. (Photo: Pablo Olivares / 500px.com)

The tourism ministry is set to work with relevant ministries and agencies on air routes, visa issuance and lifting of travel restrictions for tourists from several countries and regions that have managed to control the pandemic.

Though Vietnam has yet to open its doors to international visitors, the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control had said at a meeting on May 28 that the tourism industry could pilot a plan to welcome foreign tourists to island destinations on a trial basis with strict safety measures in place to safeguard both them and locals.

iVisa.com

The ministry is studying a plan to kick-start international tourism by reopening its doors to visitors from some select markets where the Covid-19 pandemic has been controlled such as Japan, South Korea and China and some high-spenders such as Australians and New Zealanders.

Phu Quoc, dubbed ‘pearl island’, has become a top tourist destination after it built an international airport in 2012 and the government rolled out a 30-day visa-free policy for foreigners in 2014.The island received over five million visitors last year, up 30 percent from 2018, including 541,600 foreigners.

Vietnam has suspended international flights since March 25 and banned entry of foreign nationals except certain special categories since March 22.

The number of foreign visitors in the first five months was 3.73 million, a 48.8 percent year-on-year decline.

Reporting by Hoai Thu, Viet Tuan. This article first posted on VNExpress

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Travel

Vietnam proposes to resume international flights with limited frequency

by Helen Huynh

Transport Minister Nguyen Van The directed the ministry’s sub-divisions and the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) to propose resumption of international commercial flights with limited frequency.

Preference will be given to experts and persons on mission in these flights.

However, these flights must be monitored carefully and regulations of social distancing ought to be carried out.

Related: Social distancing on flights lifted as 20 days no community transmission cases of Covid-19 reported in Vietnam

According to the Ministry of Transport, Vietnam’s aviation industry suffers serious revenue loss because of Covid-19 impacts with a year-on-year decrease of 46 percent. It is scheduled that the sector will recover at the end of 2021.

The Ministry also said that from April 1, the number of passengers has accounted for 1-2 percent compared to before the pandemic. Revenue and profit of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam have seen a drop of 24 percent while turnover of the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation has seen a year-on-year decrease of 60 percent.

Aviation is recovering as quickly as it can after the country has relaxed regulations of social distancing. In six days including four-day holidays and two next days, local airlines have transported 230,000 passengers. Averagely, an airline transported 39,000 passengers, equaling to 38 percent of normal days of 2019.

Dinh Viet Thang, director of Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, said that local market and international market will recover by the middle of 2021 and the end of 2021 respectively.

iVisa.com

Reporting by SGGP

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Travel

Insider’s view: The Coronavirus Permanent residency visa suggestion

by Vietnam Insider

With the COVID19 Permanent Residency visa, no person will have to worry about extending visas in the near future and people will have an option to settle in a new country and possibly find a job.

A historical visa, the first international visa, specifically designed to lower the spread of COVID19 now and in the near future.

A free visa that grants anyone that is legally in a foreign country on a temporary visa, a permanent resident status in order not to worry about expiring visa’s and grant people the opportunity to look for jobs in order to avoid people taking transport such as flights to return to their home country, which increases the risk of catching the virus and / or bringing it to another country based on the principal that many governments has locked their borders and urge people to stay indoors at all time.

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Available to anyone that was legally in a country on the 20th of April and still reside there (just because 20th of April is the day of the suggestion, so we avoid anyone having gone to a country to try and obtain a free visa)

The visa will grant, to anyone holding the COVID19 Permanent Residency visa:
  • Access to ALL jobs available in the country for indefinite employment
  • Access to public registrations – e.g. social security number, tax file number, bank accounts etc. without saying “oh you can only get a bank account if you have X documents first” the only documents you should need, should be: Passport and the COVID19 Permanent Residency visa
  • Access to all education. Where education is free, a (reasonable) fee should be charged to the visa holder. Where education cost money, cost of education should not exceed that of citizens (or only marginal)
  • Global prosecution rights for banks and companies alike, in the unlikely event that the person holding the visa should take advantage of the situation and return to their home country having coursed damage / debt to the COVID19 Permanent Residency visa holding country. (We will all need a certain trust on both governments and people here and trust that the people that are legally in a foreign country, will do whatever they can to obey by the law of the country to the benefit of them and the world.)
  • Access to any language program a country runs for newcomers free of charge if a country has such available
  • Ability to start a company, any company

The limitations of the visa:

  • Valid for 2 years with possibility for extensions if the individual has shown to contribute to the country through either a job, volunteer work or simply spending money in the country and can prove they still have the means to provide for themselves (and whoever is with them). There will need to be a certainty on the extension, so that companies will be sure their employee can remain in the country after the pandemic subsides.
  • Limits on free healthcare (if in a country where there is such a thing) – for instance no free healthcare the first 1 year in the country, yet access to signing the same insurances as a citizen.
  • Limits on government support in term of finances (e.g. no government support, here the government where the person is citizen should go in and help if such would be needed, all in an effort to limit the spread of COVID19).
  • Limits on free education, where countries provide free education, but yet still grant them a discount to what international students would normally pay, simply because the people will be able to contribute to the country afterwards as well.

For more limits, my suggestion is to look at countries where governments pay for largely everything (e.g. Denmark), as such limitations will be largely transferable to countries that does not pay for largely everything.

I have largely avoided thinking about any negative aspects of what the COVID19 Permanent Residence visa may course to a country as well as any of the POSITIVE effects the COVID19 Permanent Residence visa will have on a country.

The idea is mostly to spark a debate amongst the global nations, for them to collectively help prevent further spread of the COVID19 virus.

Now, you are all thinking, WHY should this visa come into existence?

In short, the COVID19 Permanent Residency visa should be developed:

To avoid people having to travel because their visa expires and / or having to leave in order to try to find a job in their home country.

Think of the likes of long-term travelers, digital nomads and tourists that was placed comfortably in a country before the shut downs and had a relatively long expiration on their visa, yet if the virus continues they may non the less be forced to leave for one or another reason.

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Myself, I am from Denmark and came to Canada on the 8th of January 2020 with a return flight on the 21st of June 2020 (legal ETA visa duration / touristy visa).

As I was in Canada when everything shut down in March and had been for two months and with my flight out in June, I found (and still find) that it would be irresponsible for me to return home to Denmark, as I would only add to the risk of catching the virus and spreading it within Denmark, as oppose to staying in Canada. (Denmark actually shut down before Canada, so even more reasons to stay in Canada to avoid catching the virus in Denmark, adding to the strain of the health care products globally).

If people, like me, are only on a tourist visa they will not be able to get a job in a foreign country, yet it may not be responsible to leave the country either based on above consideration or they may not have a choice if the situation continues for many more months.

If people, like me, are only on a tourist visa they will not be able to get a job in a foreign country, yet it may not be responsible to leave the country either based on above consideration or they may not have a choice if the situation continues for many more months.

Newspapers continue to talk about stranded people in foreign countries and governments have shut down boarders to prevent anyone from entering their countries and advising people to stay indoors. And if people are advised to stay indoors, it must be assumed that it is far from safe to take a flight anywhere in the world.

With the COVID19 Permanent Residency visa, no person will have to worry about extending visas in the near future and people will have an option to settle in a new country and possibly find a job. Nor does any nation have to worry about visa extensions in their governments and can thus focus their agendas elsewhere while it is also a hope that people will find less of a desire / need for repatriation so the government has more time to focus on their battle against the spread.

Two assumptions might be made, for nations to be less afraid of a continuous strain on society if people stay in their country.

  1. We might consider, that the majority of people in any given country did not come there seeking immigration in the first place, as such, it should be assumed that the majority of people obtaining the COVID19 will not want to use it for longer than needed and return to their home country when it is deemed safe to travel.
  2. In term of countries having considerations as to rather foreigners will take their citizens job, it might be assumed, for simplicity, that equally many people from each country is stranded abroad, so that nations essential swap their workforces.

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Words by Phillip A. W. Olsen| The opinions expressed here are his own. The Vietnam Insider is not responsible for the opinions, facts or any media content presented by contributors

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No penalty for overstay Vietnam visa during national social distancing

by Vietnam Insider

Vietnam’s Department of Immigration is shutting offices for the foreseeable future, but foreigners needing visa renewals should not be overly concerned.

As the nation ‘stays at home’ to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the department office will close from April 2 until further notice, a source from the department told Việt Nam News.

Related: Guidelines for foreigners in Vietnam on how to extend temporary residence card due to COVID-19

However, if a visa belonging to any foreigner staying in Vietnam right now expires while their offices are closed, the holder will not be penalised.

Instead, visas can be renewed when the office reopens.

Also read: Foreigners in Vietnam can extend visas amid coronavirus outbreak

No date for the reopening has been confirmed as it depends on the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the source said.

— VNS

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Travel

How to avoid troubles when getting visa extension in Vietnam during coronavirus pandemic?

by Vietnam Insider

Many foreigners are fretting over their legal status in Vietnam amid uncertainty over visa extensions and the pandemic risk of traveling.

“I’m just sort of hoping the government would pardon those who overstay [their visa],” Eva* said.

The 29-year-old American citizen, who has lived in Saigon for two years, said she has no idea if her business visa could be extended, which will expire in three weeks.

Eva, a digital nomad working for an overseas tech company, said a three-month extension would cost her between $170 and $350, according to quotes from different agents.

“It is expensive, but cheaper than heading home. And going home would be horrible too,” she noted.

“Many flights are being cancelled leaving helpless tourists stranded with no alternative but to extend visas.  I spent this morning researching visa extension options. I was quoted between $350 to $370 to extend a 3 month tourist visa by another 3 months or $170 for a months extension.” Mark Double told Vietnam Insider.

In a message sent to Vietnam Insider, Mimo Osman said “Why there is no mercy with the visa help and Extension in Vietnam who been there for long time. I am 75 year old pensioner no work live on my pension have two Vietnamese children in my name no one to help now i am stuck here’

The U.S. publicly advised its citizens to immediately return “unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period” on March 19.

Eva is not the only foreign resident who’s been kept awake at night by the visa limbo. In the past week, several expat groups on Facebook have been flooded with threads about visa extension for foreigners in Vietnam, with many complaining about agencies charging exorbitant fees.

As boarding a plane home is not a safe option with the risk of being exposed to the virus, many who are nearing the end of their current stay in the Southeast Asian nation are getting increasingly anxious about their immigration status.

Their distress is compounded by the fact Vietnam has shut its borders with the world by suspending all international routes starting Wednesday and halting the issuance of new visas for all nationalities starting March 18.

Previously, Vietnam had decided no more visa waivers would be issued for South Koreans and Italians of Vietnamese origin, and nationals of Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, France, Spain, and the U.K., as well as Belarus, Russia, and Japan.

Visa regulations for those already residing in Vietnam have also fluctuated, according to several visa agencies.

Vietnam-based Domicile Corporate Services company wrote on its website on Wednesday: “We did see a period last week where visa extensions were being denied to some, but as at the date of writing we believe everyone can get an extension.”

Those in Vietnam with existing visas are able to extend them. However, the process and extension period, ranging between one to three months, depends on the visa type and original sponsoring party.

In practice, according to the company, Vietnamese authorities have temporarily stopped accepting new applications for work permits and only approve a limited number of renewals. For temporary residence card holders, the company said there were some approvals for extension before and that the authorities will now issue the cards “for valid cases again.”

Legal status uncertainty has put Holland in a bundle of nerves. The former English teacher who has lived in Hanoi for three years will only know if his tourist visa can be extended two weeks before the expiration date on May 20.

“I want to extend my visa for another three months. I’m not a hundred percent sure if I am able to. My agency has explained that between now and then it’s very possible that many policies could change,” the American citizen said.

Holland is deeply concerned if he were to be forced to return to the U.S. “where the situation becomes worse every day” and leave his Vietnamese girlfriend.

For Paolo*, an Ecuadorian citizen in Saigon, the fee he has to pay to get his three-month tourist visa extended is VND9 million ($385), four times more than what he usually paid and more expensive than his monthly rent.

“I don’t know if it’s reasonable. But I don’t have too many options. I have to suck it up,” Paolo said.

The temporarily out-of-work English teacher paid the fee for the application 10 days ago but there has been no good news from his agency. Time is running out for him as his visa expires on April 6.

From March 16, his home country Ecuador officially closed its borders to everyone, including its citizens and residents, for 21 days.

The ambiguity of the situation also puts a weight on Anna*. The Filipino teacher at an international school has called Saigon home for over two years where she lives with another expat partner.

Anna was applying for a work permit but since her school suspended operations, just like hundreds of others in Vietnam since the Covid-19 outbreaks emerged following the government’s directive to protect students, her school had halted her application.

She does have a business visa, but whether it can be extended is unclear.

“My business visa expires on May 1. I can still extend it for another three months but am just hoping there won’t be changes in getting it,” she said.

The visa limbo has also alarmed foreign diplomats in Vietnam. On Tuesday, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam posted on its Facebook page it is working with the Vietnamese government to clarify arrangements for those Australians whose Vietnamese visa is due to expire and will provide updated information as soon as possible.

On the same day, the British Embassy in Hanoi voiced their concern on social media, saying “it is unclear whether work permits for foreign nationals in Vietnam will be extended and the mechanism or timeline for doing this.”

In an emailed response, the embassy said it is seeking clarity on wider policies on the extension of work permits and visas so that British nationals can be informed of the mechanisms and timelines.

“We have asked Vietnamese authorities for continued flexibility when British nationals have flights canceled,” an embassy spokesperson said.

In another emailed response, Rachael Chen, spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, said it and the U.S. Consulate General in HCMC will provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in need and provide information via its website and through messages sent to those registered in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (step.state.gov) on entry restrictions, foreign quarantine policies, and urgent health information provided by local government.

Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said a press conference on Thursday that amid the pandemic, foreigners in Vietnam can still extend their visa at the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security.

As the pandemic continues to ravage countries, Anna has made up her mind about not going home to the Philippines.

“Although I know it is good to be with my family right now, it’s better not to go anywhere. I don’t know if I go to the airport, I will get the virus there. So, it’s better to stay. I am safer here.”

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

How to apply for visa extension:

You can apply for a visa extension on your own or apply through a local agency in Vietnam. Steps to apply are as follows:

Prepare the renewal/extension application form NA5 (download it here) a long with your passport.

Hand in the documents above to the Immigration office below, with the fee if required

  • Immigration office in Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

  • Immigration office in Da Nang: 78 Lê Lợi, Thạch Thang, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000

  • Immigration office in Ho Chi Minh city: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh city

  • Working hours: Monday-Friday (Morning: 7am – 11h30am; Afternoon: 1h30pm – 5pm) and Saturday (Morning time only)

Wait for 5 working days for the result. Normally it takes 5-7 working days for a 1 month visa and 10 working days for a 3 month visa.

Visit the website of Vietnam Immigration Department for more information.

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Foreigners in Vietnam can extend visas amid coronavirus outbreak

by Vietnam Insider

Foreigners in Vietnam can make visa extension procedures at the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security in line with regulations, spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed.

Hang made the statement at a regular press conference held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi on March 26 while mentioning visa extension procedures for foreigners in Vietnam amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Vietnam News Agency reports.

Vietnam frequently shares relevant information and stands ready to coordinate and create favorable conditions for foreign representative agencies in the country to conduct citizen protection and address visa-related issues on the basis of ensuring requirements on disease prevention and control in accordance with domestic and international laws, she said./.

How to apply for visa extension:

You can apply for a visa extension on your own or apply through a local agency in Vietnam. Steps to apply are as follows:

Prepare the renewal/extension application form NA5 (download it here) a long with your passport.

Hand in the documents above to the Immigration office below, with the fee if required

  • Immigration office in Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

  • Immigration office in Da Nang: 78 Lê Lợi, Thạch Thang, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000

  • Immigration office in Ho Chi Minh city: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh city

  • Working hours: Monday-Friday (Morning: 7am – 11h30am; Afternoon: 1h30pm – 5pm) and Saturday (Morning time only)

Wait for 5 working days for the result. Normally it takes 5-7 working days for a 1 month visa and 10 working days for a 3 month visa.

Visit the website of Vietnam Immigration Department for more information.

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Vietnam expands foreign visa ban

by Vietnam Insider

Vietnam will temporarily suspend visa-free travel for citizens of Japan, Belarus and Russia from tomorrow as its ministry of health reported nine more coronavirus cases today, bringing total in the country to 85.

The foreign ministry had already suspended visa waivers for nine European countries and South Korea. Visitors from the United States, Europe and Asean countries will be immediately transported to repurposed military camps for 14 days quarantine.

Weeks after Vietnam declared that all 16 of its coronavirus cases had recovered, the number of infected patients is rising once again due to infected people arriving from overseas. So far, no deaths have been reported in Vietnam.

Vietnam has a free trade agreement with Russia and Belarus, while Japan is the second largest source of foreign investment in the country.

— Reuters

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Vietnam Airlines suspends all flights from and to Malaysia and France

by Daisy Nguyen

Vietnam Airlines said on Monday it will suspend its flights to France and Malaysia due to the coronavirus, which has forced several countries to close their borders to control its spread.

The national carrier will halt services between Vietnam and France starting March 17 until further notice, it said in a statement. Reuters reports.

While flights between Vietnam and Malaysia will be suspended from March 18-31 because of the Malaysian government’s temporary border closure announcement, it added.

Vietnam stops granting visas to foreigners for 30 days from today

Vietnam has decided to suspend its visa issuance to all foreigners for 30 days to deal with the increasingly serious epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Tuoi Tre Newspaper reports.

The suspension started at 00:00 on Wednesday, March 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday.

People who are exempt from a visa will be required to submit documents proving they have tested negative for COVID-19 issued by an authorized agency and accepted by Vietnam in order to enter the Southeast Asian country.

The same rule will be applied to those who possess visa exemption certificates, which are issued for overseas Vietnamese and their family members, and to special cases, namely specialists, business managers, and skilled workers.

The health certificate requirement is not applicable to those entering Vietnam for diplomatic and official duties.

All people entering the country must undergo medical checks and follow epidemic preventive measures as required.

Aside from arrivals that are already subject to isolation, people arriving from the U.S., European countries, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will also be required to stay in quarantine camps.

Those who are not required to stay in quarantine camps must self-isolate and be put under medical monitoring at their houses, enterprises, and accommodation facilities.

The prime minister has tasked the Ministry of National Defense and authorities in all provinces and cities with preparing more quarantine facilities to get ready for the upcoming time.

According the Tuoi Tre Newspaper, the country will continue to keep a close watch on the situation and coordinate with other countries and international organizations to timely adjust its epidemic prevention measures.

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