Decision No. 229/2005/QĐ-TTg Issuing the Regulations on Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners on Phú Quốc Island, Kiên Giang Province

DECISION OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Issuing Regulations on Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners

nước ngoài at Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to Ordinance No. 24/2000/PL-UBTVQH10 on Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam dated April 28, 2000;

Pursuant to Decree No. 21/2001/NĐ-CP dated May 28, 2001 of the Government detailing the implementation of Ordinance No. 24/2000/PL-UBTVQH10 on Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam;

At the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Report No. 787/TTr-NG-LS dated March 31, 2005,

DECISION:

Article 1. These Regulations on Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners at Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province are hereby issued together with this Decision.

Article 2. The Standard Measurement Quality Control Department shall be responsible for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Regulations adopted herein.

The Ministers of Public Security, National Defense, Foreign Affairs, Heads of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, Heads of Government Agencies, and the Chairman of the People's Committee of Kien Giang Province shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER 
(Signed)
Nguyen Tan Dung

REGULATIONS

Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners

at Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province

(Issued together with Decision No. 229/2005/QĐ-TTg dated September 16, 2005

of the Prime Minister)

PART I

ENTRY AND EXIT OF PHU QUOC ISLAND

Article 1. Phu Quoc Island (excluding areas designated for specific security and defense purposes) enjoys entry and exit benefits as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 3 of Decision No. 53/2001/QĐ-TTg dated April 19, 2001 of the Prime Minister regarding policies for border economic zones.

Article 2. Foreigners and Vietnamese holding foreign passports (hereinafter referred to collectively as foreigners) entering, exiting, and residing at Phu Quoc Island are exempt from visa requirements for a temporary stay not exceeding 15 days; in cases where foreigners enter a Vietnamese international border gate, remain in the transit area at that gate, and then proceed to Phu Quoc Island, they are also exempt from visa requirements under these Regulations.

For citizens of countries exempt from visa requirements, current regulations shall apply.

Article 3.

1. Foreigners entering through the international border gate of Phu Quoc by sea shall complete entry procedures with the immigration authority immediately at the border gate; foreigners entering Phu Quoc by air shall complete entry procedures at Vietnamese international airports; thereafter, they shall remain in the transit area of the airport while waiting to transfer to domestic flights to Phu Quoc Island.

2. Upon entry, passengers must present valid passports with at least 45 days remaining validity.

Article 4. In cases where passengers wish to travel to other localities after arriving at Phu Quoc Island, the immigration authority shall consider issuing visas at Phu Quoc Island; in cases where passengers wish to reside at Phu Quoc Island for more than 15 days, the immigration authority shall consider extending their temporary stay.

Article 5. Seamen holding seaman’s books or seaman’s passports with valid periods may enter and reside at Phu Quoc Island during the period when their ships are docked at Phu Quoc Island.

Article 6. From the date these Regulations take effect, the Ministry of National Defense shall report to the Prime Minister on the delineation of areas designated for specific security and defense purposes on Phu Quoc Island after reaching consensus with the Ministry of Public Security and the People's Committee of Kien Giang Province, and shall publicly announce and set up specific signs and prohibitory signs for each area.

Chapter II

RESIDENCE AT PHU QUOC ISLAND

Article 7. Foreigners entering Vietnam through the international border gate of Phu Quoc shall be issued a temporary residence certificate by the immigration authority at the border gate with a duration of stay consistent with the visa exemption period; foreigners legally residing in Vietnam who come to Phu Quoc Island do not need to go through the temporary residence certification process but only need to report their temporary residence according to current regulations.

Article 8. Foreigners arriving at Phu Quoc Island are free to reside and move around the island in accordance with the purpose of their entry registration, except for restricted areas and areas designated for specific security and defense purposes; if they wish to enter such areas, they must obtain permission from the competent authorities as stipulated in Decision No. 160/2004/QĐ-TTg dated September 6, 2004 of the Prime Minister on the determination of restricted areas and prohibited locations.

Article 9. Foreigners requesting an extension of their temporary stay, a change in the purpose of their temporary stay registration, issuance, supplementation, modification of visas, issuance of temporary residence cards, and permanent residence cards shall go through agencies, organizations, individuals, or directly handle procedures with the immigration authority of Phu Quoc Public Security. Procedures, formalities, and time limits shall be carried out in accordance with the Ordinance on Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam and Decree No. 21/2001/NĐ-CP of the Government detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Entry, Exit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Chapter III

IMPROVEMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE

TO SUPPORT ENTRY AND EXIT ACTIVITIES AT PHU QUOC

Article 10. The People's Committee of Kien Giang Province shall cooperate with relevant ministries and sectors to promptly submit to the Prime Minister proposals to upgrade Phu Quoc International Airport Gate to an international airport gate; An Thoi Port to an international maritime port gate. The Ministry of Public Security shall allocate personnel and equipment to carry out immigration management work at the two international gates of Phu Quoc. In the short term, immigration management forces of the Ministry of Public Security and related sectors at the local level shall allocate personnel and equipment to handle entry and exit procedures for foreigners as stipulated for international gates.

Article 11. The People's Committee of Kien Giang Province shall cooperate with relevant ministries and sectors to invest in infrastructure and provide funding for immigration management work to meet the timely needs of entry, exit, and residence of foreigners at Phu Quoc Island.

Chapter IV

MECHANISM FOR COOPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FOREIGNERS

Article 12. The Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for guiding the implementation of these Regulations; coordinating with the People's Committee of Kien Giang Province and relevant ministries and sectors to organize the implementation of these Regulations.

Article 13. The Ministry of National Defense shall be responsible for handling entry and exit procedures for foreigners traveling to Phu Quoc Island by sea; ensuring security and defense for Phu Quoc Island.

Article 14. The General Administration of Tourism shall be responsible for directing and managing specialized tourism activities of companies organizing tours to Phu Quoc Island; these companies shall be responsible for managing tourists, ensuring that tourists enter with permitted stay durations and purposes, and cooperating with functional agencies to address issues arising from tourist-related matters.

Article 15. The People's Committee of Kien Giang Province, within the scope of its duties and powers, is responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of Public Security to direct the Kien Giang Provincial Police to implement state management over exit, entry, and residence of foreigners on Phu Quoc Island.

Article 16. Organizations, entities, and individuals inviting or sponsoring guests to enter Phu Quoc are responsible for ensuring that guests enter with the permitted duration of stay and purpose; ensuring financial support and cooperating with state agencies to resolve issues arising from guest entry. /\.