Processing Time for Visa Exemption Certificates Reduced to 1 Working Day

On 21 September 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 2109/QĐ-TTg, approving a plan to reduce and simplify administrative procedures related to production and business activities under the management authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2025. This plan includes significant changes to procedures for the issuance of Visa Exemption Certificates.

Administrative Procedure No. 1: Issuance of Visa Exemption Certificates at Vietnamese Representative Missions Abroad

Administrative Procedure Code: 1.000841

• Simplification measure: The processing time is reduced from two working days to one working day.
• Implementation proposal: Amend and supplement Articles 6 and 7 of Decree No. 82/2015/NĐ-CP dated 15 November 2015, which regulates visa exemptions for overseas Vietnamese and for foreign nationals who are spouses or children of overseas Vietnamese or Vietnamese citizens.
• Implementation timeline: 2025.

Administrative Procedure No. 2: Issuance of Visas for Foreign Nationals at Competent Vietnamese Authorities Abroad

Administrative Procedure Code: 1.000612

• Simplification measure: Add an option allowing application dossiers to be submitted via postal services.
• Implementation proposal: Amend and supplement Articles 2 and 4 of Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA dated 5 January 2015 of the Ministry of Public Security, which prescribes forms and documents related to the entry, exit, and residence of foreign nationals in Vietnam.
• Implementation timeline: 2025.

Simplification Measures for Exit and Entry Procedures

The Decision also sets out a reduction plan for the following procedure:

Administrative Procedure No. 1: Issuance of diplomatic passports and official passports (non-electronic chip) by domestic authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Simplification measure: Permit agencies to use digital signatures and electronic seals when submitting application dossiers for diplomatic and official passports to domestic authorities under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Implementation proposal

• Amend and supplement Article 12 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens (2019), as well as the Law amending and supplementing a number of provisions of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (2023).
• Amend Article 7 of Circular No. 08/2025/TT-BNG dated 13 June 2025 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which provides guidance on the issuance, extension, revocation, and invalidation of diplomatic and official passports, as well as the issuance of diplomatic notes in support of visa applications.

Implementation timeline

• For amendments to the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens (2019): in accordance with the National Assembly’s legislative program.
• For amendments to the Circular: aligned with the timeline for amendments to the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens (2019).

Decision No. 2109/QĐ-TTg takes effect from 21 September 2025.

Estinated approval tool

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