Visa exemption for foreigners in special cases

Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP stipulates that the subjects exempted from visas are foreigners in the following cases:

a) Guests of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the President, the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Standing Member of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vice President, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuracy, the State Auditor General, Ministers and equivalents, Secretaries of Provincial Party Committees, Secretaries of Municipal Party Committees, Chairmen of People's Councils, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and cities;

b) Scholars, experts, scientists, professors of universities and research institutes; chief engineers; high-quality digital technology industry human resources;

c) Investors, leaders of corporations, leaders of large enterprises in the world;

d) People working in the fields of culture, arts, sports, tourism who have a positive influence on the public;

d) Honorary Consuls of Vietnam abroad;

e) Guests of research institutes, universities, colleges, large enterprises. Based on the proposals of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government, the Government shall decide on the list of research institutes, universities, colleges, and large enterprises that are allowed to invite foreigners;

g) Other cases requiring visa exemption for foreign affairs purposes or to serve socio-economic development shall be decided by the Minister of Public Security based on the proposals of agencies and organizations.

Visa exemption criteria and conditions

Regarding the criteria, Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP stipulates that the cases specified in points b, c, d, dd and e above must meet the criteria for determining special subjects in need of visa exemption incentives to enter Vietnam according to the List in Appendix 1 issued with this Decree.

Specifically, foreigners who are investors or leaders of large corporations or enterprises in the world must meet the criteria: The corporation or enterprise is on the list of 100 enterprises with the largest capitalization value in the world announced annually by prestigious international organizations.

Scientists in the field of science and technology must meet the criteria: Having won a prestigious international award in science and technology that is recognized.

For outstanding football players in the world, the criteria must be met: being on the list of 100 best football players announced annually by prestigious international organizations; being invited by a domestic professional football club to compete, exchange...

Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP also specifically stipulates the following visa exemption conditions:

1- Having a valid passport;

2- For the case specified in Point a above: Having a notification from a competent agency or organization.

3- For the cases specified in Points b, c, d, dd above: Having a written request from a ministry, ministerial-level agency, agency under the Government or Party or National Assembly agency.

4- For the cases specified in Point e and Point g above: Having a written request from a relevant agency or organization.

5- Not falling into the cases of not being allowed to enter or temporarily suspending exit according to the provisions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

The visa exemption period shall not exceed 05 years

The Decree stipulates that special visa exemption cards are issued to foreigners who are exempted from visas to enter Vietnam to serve socio-economic development.

Special visa exemption cards come in two forms: electronic cards and hard cards with chips, which have the same legal value. Agencies and organizations have the right to choose to issue special visa exemption cards in electronic form or hard cards with chips to foreigners.

Foreigners using special visa exemption cards are allowed to enter Vietnam multiple times during the visa exemption period. The visa exemption period shall not exceed 05 years and shall be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport.

Procedures for receiving and handling requests for issuance of special visa exemption cards

Agencies and organizations specified in 2, 3, 4 above shall send notices and written requests in the form with a copy of the passport personal information page directly or electronically to the Ministry of Public Security (Immigration Department).

The Ministry of Public Security (Immigration Department) shall consider issuing electronic special visa exemption cards according to form NC-01 and notify agencies and organizations of the access address to receive electronic special visa exemption cards according to form NB-01 or issue hard special visa exemption cards with chips according to form NC-02 in Appendix 2 issued with Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP; in case of refusal, reply to agencies and organizations in writing, stating the reasons.

The Decree clearly states that foreigners using special visa exemption cards are granted a temporary residence certificate for 90 days for each entry. In case the special visa exemption card is shorter than 90 days, a temporary residence certificate will be granted equal to the duration of the special visa exemption card; if there is a need to continue staying in Vietnam, they will be considered for an extension of temporary residence or issuance of a visa or temporary residence card according to the provisions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Public Security (Immigration Management Department) cancels the validity of the special visa exemption card in cases where foreigners do not meet the criteria and conditions for visa exemption as prescribed or have a written notice from the agency or organization as prescribed.

It is known that the Law on Entry does not have provisions on temporary visa exemption for foreigners who are in special need of preferential treatment. Therefore, the issuance of this Decree is extremely necessary to attract foreigners belonging to the group of talented people, high-quality human resources, creative startups, experts, leading scientists in fields that need incentives (such as semiconductor industry, core digital technology...). In addition, there are also leaders, managers, investors, senior experts of a number of large enterprises, cultural figures, artists, famous athletes... to build a dynamic economy with the ability to compete globally.

Source: baochinhphu.vn