Immigration update: Vietnam | COVID-19: Tourist visas affected
Tourist Visas will not be issued to Citizens from Europe’s Schengen area
Government has decided to temporarily halt unilateral Visa exemption programs for citizens from South Korean, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Sweden, United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland and Norway and cease issuing tourist Visa to all Schengen countries.
Who will be affected?
All travellers and foreigners working in Vietnam
Background
After Vietnam reported its 16th COVID-19 infection on February 13, no new cases were detected for a 22 day period.
A renewed spike in COVID-19 cases taking the number of confirmed cases up to 61 was confirmed due to an individual returning from The United Kingdom on the 2nd March. This was the first confirmed case in Hanoi. Most of the additional cases were confirmed to be related to the same flight, hence the Government has implemented measures to mitigate negative impacts of the pandemic.
Impact
Government has temporarily halted unilateral Visa exemptions program for citizens from South Korean (effective from 29 Feb 2020), Italy (effective from 03 Mar 2020), Spain, Germany, France, Sweden, United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland and Norway due to infections in these nations ( effective from12 Mar 2020) and stop issuing tourist Visa to all the Schengen countries ( effective from 12.00 noon 15 Mar 2020)
Ministry of Labors Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has temporarily suspend the granting of new work permit to foreigners who come from COVID-19 areas.
MOLISA is scrutinizing every work permit application and are requesting extra supporting documentation to complete the process. This may include a full update health check report in Vietnam and original passport.
All Vietnamese citizens and foreigners living in Vietnam are advised to provide health declarations (effective from 8 Mar 2020).
Health declarations for foreigners entering Vietnam is now compulsory. All information would be kept strictly confidential and used solely to fighting the spread of COVID-19.
From noon Vietnam time, March 15, 2020, all foreign nationals will be refused entry to Vietnam if in the previous 14 days they have been/transit in/ to the UK or any Schengen country. This restriction will be in place for 30 days and not applicable to entrants for diplomatic or official purposes.
Visa on arrival for all nationalities will be suspend except for special cases.
Implementation
These measures have already been implemented and will remain in effect until further notice is received from the authorities.
All the travellers entering Vietnam from/ transit through the below infected areas will undergo a compulsory 14 days quarantine period at a port of entry in Vietnam
• Italy: Lombardi, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Marche and Piedmon
• South Korea : Deague City and Gyeongsangbuk- do province
• Iran: Tehran, Qon, Gilan
Other foreign nationals travelling with any COVID-19 illness symptoms will be requested to stop for 14 days quarantine or until a negative result is provided.
Santa Fe Analysis
Vietnam Government has strictly implemented all the possible measure to stop the spread out of COVID-19 hence all travellers should consider their travel plans to Vietnam.
Visas on arrival are no longer applicable for the current situation, travellers should prepare schedules to collect their Visa at the nearest Vietnam Embassy.
Employers are advised to keep assignment start dates flexible for affected travellers.
Regarding work permit and entry Visa please contact us for the most updated and latest advice.
Should you have any questions, please contact the followings.
Trang Nguyen
Immigration Manager – Vietnam
Santa Fe Relocation
Vietnam
D: +84 (0) 3933 0065
E: trang.nguyen@santaferelo.com
Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operation
Santa Fe Relocation
London, UK
D: +44 7990 021125
E: robert.day@santaferelo.com
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