Circular No. 04/2025/TT-BNG amends and supplements some provisions of Circular No. 04/2016/TT-BNG regarding procedures for issuing visas, extending temporary residence permits, and issuing residence cards for foreigners in Vietnam within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the same time, it abolishes some provisions of Decision No. 2985/2007/QĐ-BNG concerning the Fund for the Protection of Vietnamese Citizens and Legal Entities Abroad.
Scope of application
National Reception Bureau, Consular Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreigners in Vietnam.
Key points
- National Reception Bureau and Foreign Language Interpreters → receive and process applications for residence cards for foreigners falling under the provisions of Clause 3, Article 8 of the Law on Exit and Entry (excluding members of foreign diplomatic missions with offices from Da Nang city southward).
- Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs → receive and process applications/notifications for visa issuance and extension of temporary residence permits for foreigners falling under the provisions of Clause 1, Clause 2, Clause 3, and Clause 4, Article 8 of the Law on Exit and Entry in provinces and cities from Da Nang city southward.
- Residence card marked NG3 → validity period not exceeding five years and shorter than the remaining validity period of the passport by at least thirty days.
- Conditions for extending temporary residence for foreigners who have entered Vietnam visa-free under the provisions of Clause 1, Clause 2, Clause 3, and Clause 4, Article 8 of the Law on Exit and Entry shall be reviewed by the Consular Department or Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs.
- Citizen Protection Fund → abolish Point c, Clause 1, Article 5, Clause 2, Article 6, and Clause 3, Article 7.
🌐 Social impact of this document
- Foreigners in Vietnam will have their visa issuance, temporary residence extension, and residence card issuance procedures adjusted according to the new Circular.
- Relevant agencies such as the National Reception Bureau, Consular Department, and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs need to comply with changes in work procedures.
- The Citizen Protection Fund and Vietnamese Legal Entities Abroad will no longer operate under the old regulations.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What responsibilities does the National Reception Bureau and Foreign Language Interpreters have?
The National Reception Bureau and Foreign Language Interpreters receive and process applications for residence cards for foreigners falling under the provisions of Clause 3, Article 8 of the Law on Exit and Entry (excluding members of foreign diplomatic missions with offices from Da Nang city southward).
What is the validity period of the residence card?
The residence card marked NG3 has a validity period not exceeding five years and shorter than the remaining validity period of the passport by at least thirty days.
Who receives applications for visa issuance and temporary residence extension for foreigners?
Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs) receives and processes applications/notifications for visa issuance and extension of temporary residence permits for foreigners falling under the provisions of Clause 1, Clause 2, Clause 3, and Clause 4, Article 8 of the Law on Exit and Entry.
How long can foreigners who have entered Vietnam visa-free extend their temporary residence?
Foreigners who have entered Vietnam visa-free under the provisions of Clause 1, Clause 2, Clause 3, and Clause 4, Article 8 of the Law on Exit and Entry may be considered for temporary residence extension, multiple-entry visa issuance by the Consular Department or Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, with each extension not exceeding the duration of the previously granted temporary residence permit.
What changes have been made to the Citizen Protection Fund and Vietnamese Legal Entities Abroad?
The Citizen Protection Fund and Vietnamese Legal Entities Abroad abolish Point c, Clause 1, Article 5, Clause 2, Article 6, and Clause 3, Article 7.
Full text
CIRCULAR
Amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 04/2016/TT-BNG dated June 30, 2016 issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding procedures for issuing visas, extending temporary residence permits, and issuing residence cards for foreigners within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated June 30, 2016 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding procedures for issuing visas, extending temporary residence permits, and issuing residence cards for foreigners residing in Vietnam in Vietnam under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Fund for the Protection of Vietnamese Citizens and Legal Persons AbroadDecision No. 2985/2007/QD-BNG dated November 29, 2007of of the Minister of Foreign Affairs promulgating the Regulation on the organization and operation of the Fund for the Protection of Vietnamese Citizens and Legal Entities Abroad Son
Pursuant to the Law on Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam dated June 16, 2014; the Law amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Law on Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam dated December 16, 2019; the Law amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Law on Exit from and Entry into Vietnam for Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam dated June 24, 2023;
Based on the Law on Issuing Legal Normative Documents dated February 19, 2025;
On the basis of The Law on Diplomatic Missions of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam dated June 18, 2009, amended and supplemented on November 21, 2017;
Pursuant to Decree No.Decision No. 28/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 24, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
Pursuant to Decree No. 64/2015/NĐ-CPdated August 6, 2015 of the Government stipulating the mechanism for coordination among Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial People's Committees, and municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government in managing entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam;
Pursuant to Decision No. 119/2007/QĐ-TTgdated July 25, 2007 of the Prime Minister on the establishment of the Fund for the Protection of Vietnamese Citizens and Legal Entities Abroad;
Based on the proposal of the Consular Department Director;
The Minister of Foreign Affairs issues this Circular amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 04/2016/TT-BNG dated June 30, 2016 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding procedures for issuing visas, residence cards, and extending temporary residence permits for foreigners residing in Vietnam within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Decision No. 2985/2007/QĐ-BNG dated November 29, 2007 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs promulgating the Regulation on the organization and operation of the Fund for the Protection of Vietnamese Citizens and Legal Entities Abroad.
Article 1. Amending, supplementing, and abolishing some articles of Circular No. 04/2016/TT-BNG dated June 30, 2016 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding procedures for issuing visas, extending temporary residence permits, and issuing residence cards for foreigners residing in Vietnam within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
1. Replacing the term "National Reception Bureau" with "National Reception Bureau and Foreign Interpretation Service" in Clause 2, Article 3; Point d, Clause 2 and Point c, Clause 3, Article 5; Clauses 3, 5, and 6, Article 6; Clauses 2 and 3, Article 8; Article 10.
2. Amending and supplementing some clauses of Article 3 as follows:
a. Amending and supplementing Clause 2 as follows:
"2. The National Reception Bureau and Foreign Interpretation Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall receive and process applications for residence cards for foreigners falling under the provisions of Clause 3, Article 8 of the Law on Entry into and Exit from Vietnam (excluding members of foreign diplomatic missions based in cities south of Da Nang and their spouses, children under 18 years old, and accompanying staff during their tenure)."
b. Amending and supplementing Clause 3 as follows:
"3. The Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City):
a) Shall receive and process applications/reports for issuing visas and extending temporary residence permits for foreigners falling under the provisions of Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4, Article 8 of the Law on Entry into and Exit from Vietnam in provinces and cities south of Da Nang.
b) Shall receive and process applications for residence cards for members of foreign diplomatic missions in provinces and cities south of Da Nang and their spouses, children under 18 years old, and accompanying staff during their tenure."
3. Abolishing Point b, Clause 3, Article 4.
4. Amending and supplementing Clause 4 of Article 5 as follows:
"4. Foreigners who have entered Vietnam visa-free and fall under the provisions of Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4, Article 8 of the Law on Entry into and Exit from Vietnam shall be considered for extension of temporary residence permits and issuance of multiple-entry visas with each extension not exceeding the duration of the previous temporary residence permit based on the application submitted in accordance with Clause 2 of this Article, except where international treaties to which Vietnam is a party provide otherwise."
5. Amending and supplementing Clause 4, Article 6 as follows:
"4. The residence card has the code NG3, with a validity period not exceeding five years and shorter than the remaining validity of the passport by at least 30 days."
Article 2. Amending, supplementing, and abolishing some articles of Decision No. 2985/2007/QĐ-BNG dated November 29, 2007, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the Charter of the Fund for Protecting Vietnamese Citizens and Legal Entities Abroad.
1. Abolish Point c Clause 1 Article 5, Clause 2 Article 6, and Clause 3 Article 7.
2. Amend and supplement Clause 1 Article 8 as follows:
"1. The Fund for Protecting Citizens shall have a Book of Honor and may propose competent authorities to award honors to organizations, groups, and individuals both within and outside the country who have outstanding achievements in building and developing the Fund, and have made significant contributions to protecting Vietnamese citizens and legal entities abroad."
Article 3. Implementation Provisions
1. This Circular shall take effect from July 13, 2025.
2. During implementation, if there are any difficulties or new issues arise, the representative offices shall promptly report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for timely guidance./.
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