Circular No. 16/1998/TT-BNV guiding the issuance of border crossing permits for Vietnamese citizens traveling to Laos.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Issuing Border Passes for Vietnamese Citizens Traveling to Laos

Pursuant to Article 5 of the Protocol amending and supplementing the Agreement on National Border Regulations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic signed on August 31, 1997 regarding the issuance of border crossing permits for citizens of both countries to cross each other's borders, the Ministry of Public Security hereby provides guidance as follows:

I- APPLICABLE OBJECTS

1. Vietnamese citizens who are state officials, workers, and employees managed by provincial authorities sharing a border with Laos, dispatched by the Provincial People's Committee to work and visit in the corresponding province of Laos, shall be eligible for the issuance of a Border Crossing Permit in accordance with Article 5 of the Protocol amending and supplementing the Agreement on National Border Regulations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic signed on August 31, 1997.

2. State officials, workers, and employees from central agencies and provinces not bordering Laos, dispatched to work and visit in Laos; cases residing in border provinces but working in provinces of Laos that do not share a border with Vietnam must hold passports or travel documents equivalent to passports issued by competent Vietnamese authorities.

3. Vietnamese citizens nationwide traveling to Laos for personal matters such as tourism, visiting relatives, medical treatment, self-funded labor, and self-funded study must hold passports or travel documents equivalent to passports issued by the Ministry of Public Security (Department of Exit and Entry Administration) pursuant to Clause 3 of Article 6 of Decree No. 48/CP dated March 8, 1993 of the Government.

4. Vietnamese citizens residing in border areas (border communes) traveling to Laos' border areas for visiting relatives, exchanging necessary goods for daily life... are not eligible for border crossing permits but may use border identification cards.

In cases where residents of border areas travel to non-border areas of Laos, they must follow the provisions set out above in point 3.

II. PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING BORDER CROSSING PERMITS

1. Individuals falling under Point 1 of Section I requesting a Border Crossing Permit to travel to Laos shall submit their application at the Exit and Entry Management Office of the Provincial Public Security Department where they reside, including:

The decision of the competent authority regarding the dispatch of its officials to Laos for work and friendly visits. The decision must clearly state the name and purpose of the dispatch to Laos.

Each individual must fill out an application form for a "Border Crossing Permit" according to the model provided by the Ministry of Public Security (Department of Exit and Entry Administration), attaching three recent photographs measuring 4cm x 6cm, facing forward without head coverings, with one photo affixed to the application form. The head of the direct agency shall stamp and confirm the application form.

Pay the prescribed fee as stipulated by the Joint Circular of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Processing time: no later than five working days from the date the Provincial Public Security Department receives complete and valid documents.

2. The Border Crossing Permit is issued by the Public Security Department of the province sharing a border with Laos and is valid for one year.

The Border Crossing Permit is only valid within the corresponding province of Laos sharing a border and is issued to individuals. Holders of a Border Crossing Permit are exempt from visa requirements for exit and entry to Laos as specified in Article 5 of the aforementioned Protocol.

III- IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Department of Exit and Entry Administration - Ministry of Public Security is responsible for establishing the model of "Border Crossing Permit," the model of "Application Form for Border Crossing Permit," and guiding, inspecting, and urging all levels of public security organs to implement this Circular.

2. This Circular takes effect from the date of issuance./.