IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WARNS OF ILLEGAL E-VISA APPLICATION WEBSITES

Foreigners who are seeking e-visas to enter Việt Nam should search for information in advance and access the right website, the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security has said in a notice.

The e-visa fee of US$25 as regulated by the Ministry of Finance, should be paid via the electronic payment gateway, the department noted, as there are a number of businesses and individuals who publish false information on some websites and social networks to seek to gain illegal profits from e-visas issuance.

Since Việt Nam shifted to the new normal on March 15, 2022, the country has reinstated immigration policies, including e-visa issuance, which had been suspended since early 2020 as part of COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Since then, the department has processed and granted 459,000 e-visas.

Currently, citizens from 80 countries can apply for Việt Nam’s e-visas as named in the Government’s Resolution No 79/NQ-CP, dated May 25, 2020.

The department said it will propose the Ministry of Public Security coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to encourage the Government to expand the list of eligible countries.

The 14th National Assembly passed a resolution on piloting the issuance of e-visas for foreigners at its second session on November 22, 2016.

After the pilot scheme was put into place, starting February 1, 2017, the e-visa granting has been prescribed in the law amending and supplementing some articles of the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Việt Nam, which took effect on July 1, 2020.

Foreigners can apply for e-visas without invitation or guarantee by an agency, organisation or individual in Việt Nam.

An e-visa is processed within three working days after the Immigration Department receives the completed application and full e-visa fee.

Currently, about 30 countries worldwide offer e-visas with different forms and conditions, with some even requiring financial statements, interviews or fingerprint collection, according to the Immigration Department.

Source: VNS