Vietnam starts to launch time-limited visa exemption scheme for special foreigners

The plan clearly defines tasks, timelines, deadlines and assigns specific responsibilities to relevant agencies and organizations in implementing Decree No. 221, which regulates time-limited visa exemptions for foreign nationals in priority categories.

Under the plan, the Ministry of Public Security is in charge of disseminating and publicizing the contents of the decree through diverse and appropriate channels suited to practical conditions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for communicating the decree to the business community, foreign investors and foreign nationals eligible for priorities.

Besides, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will work with the Ministry of Public Security, the Coordinating Council for Legal Dissemination and Education, and provincial and municipal People’s Committees to direct and guide central and local press, radio and television agencies in publicizing and explaining the decree.

The Ministry of Public Security will also oversee the announcement of new administrative procedures related to the scheme, while ensuring adequate resources, technical equipment, software systems and other necessary conditions for effective implementation.

It will be responsible for receiving and processing applications for special visa exemption cards, as well as revoking their validity in accordance with regulations.

Also, the ministry will oversee the entry of foreign nationals using special visa exemption cards at border gates, while facilitating smooth entry into and exit from Vietnam.

Relevant ministries, ministerial-level agencies and organizations will ensure that applications for special visa exemption cards are submitted for eligible foreign nationals in line with prescribed criteria.

Before March 1, these units are required to inspect, review and systematize relevant legal documents, and propose amendments, supplements, replacements or repeals as necessary.

Establishing criteria for foreign beneficiaries of preferential visas

From 2026 onwards, the Ministry of Education and Training is tasked with proposing criteria to identify eligible research institutes and major universities, while the Ministry of Finance is responsible for proposing criteria to determine large enterprises authorized to invite foreign nationals in special priority categories to enter Vietnam.

Other ministries, ministerial-level agencies and the bodies under the government will participate in reviewing, researching and proposing relevant criteria and lists.

The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Finance will consolidate feedback and submit it to the Ministry of Public Security within 30 days of the plan’s issuance for reporting to the government.

The Ministry of Public Security will then compile proposals and submit them to the government for the issuance of a resolution approving the criteria and lists of eligible research institutes, universities and major enterprises authorized to invite special-priority foreign nationals.

In addition, the Ministry of Public Security, in coordination with other relevant units, will enhance monitoring of foreign nationals entering, exiting and residing in Vietnam using special visa exemption cards, in order to promptly detect and address emerging issues.

Relevant ministries and agencies are required to develop detailed implementation plans for assigned tasks, ensuring progress, quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while avoiding formality and waste.

Implementation plans must be reported by August 15 each year or on an ad-hoc basis when required.