Enjoy business trips with a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa

Have you known that all countries in APEC economic cooperation can obtain a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa? Are you familiar with the process of utilizing this document for your business travels in Vietnam? If not, we encourage you to peruse this article to acquire all the necessary information and assemble a comprehensive package for your journey in this remarkable country.

WHAT IS THE 60-DAY VIETNAM EXEMPTION E-VISA? 

A 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa, often referred to as the virtual APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), is a digital entry authorization released in the form of a card (code VNM). This visa is designed to replace traditional ones, exclusively providing for eligible senior government officials and business travelers who derive from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies.  

With this visa in hand, individuals hailing from any of the countries members of the cooperation will receive free entry into Vietnam with a stay duration of up to 60 days. 

A sample of a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa

VALIDITY OF A 60-DAY VIETNAM EXEMPTION E-VISA

For fresh applications made after September 2015, a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa will remain valid for an extended period of five years instead of the previous three years. If the passport of the visa holder is renewed within these five years, it is necessary to obtain a reissued visa that reflects the new passport number.

WHAT COUNTRIES ARE GRANTED TO OBTAIN A 60-DAY VIETNAM EXEMPTION E-VISA? 

A 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa is a type of visa that allows 20 member economies in the Pacific Rim region to enter, aimed at facilitating the entry process of countries under mutual agreement. It has been granted to 18 from Asia since its first establishment, and hereafter adding Canada and the United States. 

Countries in the APEC agreement are: 

Australia (AUS)	Brunei Darussalam (BRN)	Canada (CND)	Chile (CHL)	People's Republic of China (CHN)
Hong Kong (HKG)	Indonesia (IDN)	Japan (JPN)	Republic of Korea (KOR)	Malaysia (MYS)
Mexico (MEX)	New Zealand (NZL)	Papua New Guinea (PNG)	Peru (PER)	The Philippines (PHL)
The Russian Federation (RUS)	Singapore (SGP)	Chinese Taipei (TWN)	Thailand (THA)	United States of America (USA)

BENEFITS OF A 60-DAY VIETNAM EXEMPTION E-VISA

There are loads of benefits exclusively available to holders of a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa that will greatly pose a multitude of aspects. Here are some of its most incredible advantages to look at. 

• Fast-track entry: As a recognized holder of the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa, you have the exclusive privilege of utilizing the fast-track lanes at customs and immigration checkpoints upon your arrival in the country. This refined process expedites your immigration clearance, contributing to a smoother and more simple overall traveling experience.

• Regional travel convenience: The 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa transcends the boundaries of Vietnam alone, bestowing upon you the privilege of effortless travel across multiple APEC member economies. This invaluable asset caters to the discerning needs of frequent business travelers, elevating their journeys within the region to unprecedented levels of convenience and sophistication.

• Enhanced status: By possessing a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa, you elevate your status as a business traveler, gaining recognition and privileges that facilitate seamless travel arrangements. This recognition extends to interactions with immigration authorities and official entities, ensuring a hassle-free journey.

• Multiple entries permitted: With the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa, you are granted the freedom of multiple entries within a consecutive 60-day period across all pre-cleared economies. This unparalleled advantage eliminates the need for cumbersome and expensive multiple-entry visas, allowing you to traverse the globe with unparalleled ease and grace.

• Superior privilege: As an individual visa holder of the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa, you will receive priority treatment at airport checkpoints, allowing you to breeze through security with ease at any time of entry. 

Some amazing benefits of a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa

THE CONDITIONS FOR BEING GRANTED A 60-DAY VIETNAM EXEMPTION E-VISA

Each country in APEC has a distinct condition for what an individual has to satisfy to be granted a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa. Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 3 of the Decision 09/2023/QD-TTg stipulating the eligibility criteria, applicants need to comply with some general requirements, irrespective of their arrival from any country. 

According to Decision No. 54/2015/QD-TTg, entrepreneurs in the group of subjects considered for visa issuance must fully meet the following conditions: 

Conditions for agencies and organizations where entrepreneurs are presently active in

• Employees are frequent travelers and have a short-term commitment to attending conferences, seminars, annual meetings, and other relevant activities for APEC.

Conditions for businesses where entrepreneurs are presently active in 

• The company has a continuous operation history of at least 12 months and adheres to trade, tax, customs, labor, social insurance, and other applicable laws.

• Enterprises have direct signing and business cooperation activities with partners from APEC member economies. 

• Personnel on short-term trips to carry out business cooperation, trade, investment, service activities, or other economic purposes in APEC member economies.

Conditions for the ordinary applicants 

• Applicants aged 18 years of age or older and are not limited in civil act capacity or have not lost civil act capacity.

• Applicants are currently employed or holding a valid position at an agency, organization, or enterprise for at least 12 months at the time of requesting permission to use the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa. 

• Applicants do not fall under the temporary exit cases as specified in Article 36 of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens.

Article 36 of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens for a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa. 

• The accused and defendants, as well as individuals who have been denounced or proposed to be subject to criminal proceedings, may be suspected of committing a crime. 

• Individuals who are entitled to have their imprisonment sentences postponed or suspended.

• Individuals who are eligible for conditional early release or a suspended sentence during the probation period.

• Individuals serving non-custodial reform penalties during their sentence-serving period, as outlined in the Law on the Execution of Criminal Judgments

• Obligors have criminal cases related to their obligations towards the state, agencies, organizations, or individuals.

• civil judgment debtors, as well as the at-law representatives of agencies or organizations responsible for executing judgments or rulings.

• Taxpayers, along with the at-law representatives of enterprises, were coerced to execute administrative decisions on tax administration. Additionally, Vietnamese individuals leaving the country for overseas residence, as well as overseas Vietnamese who have not fulfilled their tax obligations before their departure, as prescribed by the law on tax administration,

• Individuals and representatives of organizations who are coerced to execute administrative sanctioning decisions may require immediate prevention measures.

WHO CAN BE GRANTED A 60-DAY VIETNAM EXEMPTION E-VISA?

According to Article 9 of Decision 09/2023/QD-TTg, individuals will be offered a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa unless their entities align with the prescription of the authority. As of now, the entities are divided into three groups, each of which consists of different positions. 

These groups include: 

Business people in charge of commerce within the state-owned enterprises 

• Individuals are in the most supreme positions of establishments, including Presidents of the Board of Members, Presidents of the Board of Directors, or Presidents of any company. 

• Individuals are placed as members of the Board of Members or the Board of Directors. 

• Individuals are in highly responsible positions in enterprises, banks, or bank branches. The positions include General Directors, Deputy General Directors, Directors, and Deputy Directors. 

• Individuals are in the position of the Heads or Deputy Heads of the esteemed Management Boards of industrial parks, export processing zones, and economic zones.

• Individuals are placed in in-person positions in the enterprises, taking responsibility and control related to business, trade, investment, and service activities. The position encompasses chief accountants, heads and deputy heads of boards, heads and deputy heads of departments, or heads of the branches of the enterprise. 

• Individuals are empowered or hold highly influential positions within companies associated with sociopolitical organizations. These positions encompass the Chairman of the Board of Members, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Company, General Director, Deputy General Director, or Director, and Deputy Director.

• Individuals are the official Chairman or Vice Chairman holding empowerment leadership of the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry.

• Individuals are accredited as Directors, Deputy Directors, Heads and Deputy Heads of Boards, and Heads of Departments as part of the Vietnam Federation of Trade and Industry. 

Businessmen engaged in enterprises lawfully established in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Vietnamese jurisdiction

• Individuals are in positions of the highest or one of the highest offices of a private enterprise. These positions include Sole Proprietors, Chairman of the Board of Members, Chairman of the Board of Directors, members of the Board of Members, and members of the Board of Directors. 

• Individuals are assigned or self-positioned as presidents of Vietnamese or Foreign Joint Stock companies. 

• Individuals are the undertakers of executive management in enterprises, involving General Directors or Directors, Deputy General Directors, or Deputy Directors. 

• Individuals remaining at their post as President of the Board of Directors, members of the Board of Directors, Directors, or General Directors within cooperatives or joint cooperatives.

• Individuals are the Chief accountants, Directors of divisions, or Managers in person working for enterprises in the business, trade, investment, and service activities sectors. 

• Individuals are aligned to work for the branches of the enterprise as head leaders.

Stakeholders in the question of the APEC that contributed to the organization

• Individuals are in their duty to oversee the activities of Vietnamese enterprises and to partake in conferences, seminars, and other economic cooperation of APEC. These in-duty include Leaders of economic sectors, Ministerial Heads, and Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities. 

• Individuals are the official personnel and public servants responsible for participating in meetings, conferences, seminars, and other economic cooperation and development within APEC.

• Individuals are the key persons in APEC member countries and territories, serving as Chief Representative or Deputy Chief Representative of Vietnam trade representative agencies. 

Eligible applicants for a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa

SOME TYPE OF PEOPLE CAN NOT OBTAIN A 60-DAY VIETNAM EXEMPTION E-VISA

Given that a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa does not provide for all applicants, certain individuals will be excluded from the issuance. To learn more details, trace the following list to know which case may have received a refusal.

• The individual is in one of the cases as prescribed in Article 36 of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens for a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa.

• The individual in question has relinquished their position, whether due to the dissolution of their enterprise, bankruptcy, or cessation of operations.

• The enterprise has been dissolved, gone bankrupt, or stopped operating.

• The business person has deceitfully manipulated their application, thereby facilitating the issuance of the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa.

• The legislation governing nationality no longer recognizes the entrepreneur as a Vietnamese citizen.

• The business person has undergone a period of incarceration or has been subjected to a court ruling imposing travel restrictions.

• The businessperson is named on the official roster following an announcement by the competent authority of a participating economy or territory, signifying the invalidity of their 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa.

DOCUMENTATION COMPONENT OF A 60-DAY VIETNAM EXEMPTION E-VISA

It is always the case that comprehending the documentation of a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa will make the application process simpler. Prior to applying, here is the list of materials to prepare. 

• A comprehensive and elaborate document outlining the amount of taxes diligently paid by the enterprise or distinguished business person to the State Budget within 12 months. 

• An authenticated electronic copy of a valid passport or a document unequivocally showcases the indispensable requirement for frequent and short-term travel to conduct business cooperation with a foreign partner. Should the duplicate not be authenticated, it is mandatory to present the original document for meticulous verification and thorough comparison.

• A verified duplicate or a validated digital duplicate of the decision to dispatch officials to participate in APEC's economic cooperation and development conferences, seminars, meetings, and events. If the copy does not have authentication, it is crucial to present the original document for the purpose of verification and comparison.

• Authentic commercial contracts, which have been signed by an enterprise either in person or through the means of an electronic transaction, with a distinguished partner hailing from a participating economy. In the event that these contracts are composed in a foreign language, it is of utmost importance that they are duly notarized or certified and subsequently translated into the esteemed Vietnamese language.

• Should a commercial contract be absent, it is imperative to furnish documentation substantiating the necessity to collaborate with partners from participating economies.

• A certified copy or a certified electronic copy of the verdict regarding the position that the entrepreneur has occupied. If the duplicate lacks authentication, the genuine original must be presented for meticulous verification and thorough comparison.

• One application form for a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa issuance (TK06 form) in conjunction with Decision No. 09/2023/QD-TTg dated April 12, 2023, by the Prime Minister. It must be confirmed and stamped with the photo of the business leader or the official of the economic sector organization or specialized state management agency on the activities of enterprises.

• A comprehensive report elucidating the enterprise's adherence to social insurance obligations throughout the past 12 months. Also, it must be prepared along with corroborating documents, typically including the business person's social insurance payment duration until the time of applying.

• Should the businessperson not be obligated to partake in mandatory social insurance, it is imperative that the enterprise provides a written certification for submission.

• Two lastest-captured photos that indicate a bare head, straight face, and no glasses on a white background. More importantly, they must all be sized at 3cm x 4 cm, and no others are accepted.

• One original copy of the written request for issuance of a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa signed by the leader of the agency, organization, or legal representative of the enterprise (form CV02).

• One original document authorizing the utilization of the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa from a proficient authority issued within a span of 06 months commencing the date of submission of the application.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR A 60-DAY VIETNAM EXEMPTION E-VISA

In terms of the application for a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa, it is a very breezy procedure for those who understand all the steps in advance and comply with the guidance carefully. To know how to apply, let's jump into the last section of today's content for further information.

• Step 1: Get the dossier ready in compliance with the legal regulations

Prepare all the documentation components properly, as just mentioned. Exercise utmost caution while composing the documents and meticulously verify all the provided information, for any fraudulent elements within the dossier will render one ineligible for the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa.

• Step 2: Hand in your dossier

The dossier can be conducted online through either the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal. Head over to one of these websites and submit all the dossiers appropriately. 

In the case of direct submission, the agency, organization, or enterprise may appoint a representative to submit and receive the results of the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa on behalf of the entrepreneur.

• Step 3: Awaits results

Once the valid application is received, the specialized agency of the People's Committee of the province will promptly forward it to the tax authority, customs authority, insurance authority, and public security authority. These agencies will then verify all the information pertaining to the enterprise and the business person who has applied for ABTC eligibility. This process will be completed within three working days from the date of receipt of the application.

The competent authority will be approached by the specialized agency of the ministry, central agency, People's Committee of the province, socio-political organization, and Vietnam Federation of Trade and Industry within 15 days. They will either propose the issuance of an approval letter for the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa if the business person meets the criteria or provide a written response if the business person is deemed ineligible.

• Step 4: Receive results

If the dossier is valid, an appointment slip or a notification via SMS or email will be issued by the Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security's system. This will confirm the acceptance of the dossier and provide instructions for fee payment as per the regulations.

If, unfortunately, the application for the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa is rejected, the Immigration Management Department will provide a written response or a notification on the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal. Inside, it will clearly express the reasons behind the application's ineligibility and provide a comprehensive explanation for the refusal.

• Step 5: Address additional requests

If there are any uncertainties regarding the application, the Immigration Department, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Public Security, will ask the applicants to submit additional documents for further evaluation. If the agency, organization, or enterprise fails to provide the additional documents within three months, the officer in charge will not continue processing the application.

Instead, the agency, organization, or enterprise will need to submit a fresh application for the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa. 

The application process for a 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa

In general, the 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa is an invaluable resource for individuals whose circumstances align with the APEC mutual purpose, offering an absolutely easy experience to enter the country. Nevertheless, it will never be a straightforward process without fulfilling the eligibility requirements and following the meticulous step-by-step instructions from above.

Do you find yourself qualified for this fantastic visa? If yes, apply for this 60-day Vietnam exemption E-visa to earn the exclusive waving privilege and make the most of it for your business intentions.

If you find any problems with your application or simply unknown anything, please kindly drop your query at [email protected].With all politeness and kindness, we will do our best to get you through your issue.