Circular No. 31/2023/TT-BCA on the model of passports, travel documents, and related forms

CIRCULAR

Regulations on passport models, travel document models

and related forms

Pursuant to the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam;

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2018/NĐ-CP dated August 6, 2018 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security;

Pursuant to Decree No. 76/2020/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2020 of the Government detailing the subjects, procedures, formalities, authorities for issuing, revoking, and invalidating travel documents;

At the proposal of the Director of the Immigration Administration Department;

The Minister of Public Security issues this Circular regulating passport models, travel document models, and related forms.

Article 1. This Circular regulates passport models, travel document models, and related forms concerning the issuance, use of passports, and travel documents.

Clause 2. The application form for requesting issuance, extension, and reporting loss of diplomatic passports and official passports shall be implemented according to the regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Clause 3. The application form for requesting issuance, reporting loss of travel documents, and issuance of entry certificates shall be implemented according to the provisions of Decree No. 76/2020/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2020 of the Government detailing the subjects, procedures, formalities, authorities for issuing, revoking, and invalidating travel documents.

Clause 4. This Circular applies to Vietnamese citizens and relevant agencies and units.

Article 2. Passport Models

Clause 1. General specifications and technical requirements for passports:

Point a) The outer cover page prints the national emblem, national seal, and name of the passport; the passport has an embedded electronic chip with an electronic chip symbol;

Point b) Images within the passport pages depict beautiful landscapes, cultural heritage of Vietnam, combined with bronze drum patterns;

Point c) Languages used in the passport: Vietnamese and English;

Point d) Number of pages in the passport excluding the cover page: 48 pages for diplomatic passports, official passports, and ordinary passports with a validity period of five years or ten years; 12 pages for ordinary passports issued under expedited procedures with a validity period not exceeding twelve months;

Point đ) Size according to ISO 7810 (ID-3) standard: 88mm x 125mm ± 0.75mm;

Point e) Radius of the passport cover corner: 3.18mm ± 0.3mm;

Point f) The electronic chip is placed inside the back cover of the passport with an embedded chip;

Point g) The passport cover is made of high-strength synthetic material;

Point h) Passport number and letters are perforated using laser technology from page 1 to the back cover of the passport and match those on page 1;

Point i) All contents and images printed in the passport are produced using modern technology meeting security requirements, preventing forgery, and complying with ICAO standards.

Clause 2. Types of passports:

Point a) Diplomatic passport, cover page color brown red (model HCNG);

Point b) Official passport, cover page color dark green (model HCCV);

Point c) Ordinary passport, cover page color blue purple (model HCPT);

Point d) Ordinary passport issued under expedited procedures, cover page color black (model HCPT-RG).

Article 3. Travel Document Models

Clause 1. General specifications and technical requirements for travel documents:

Point a) The outer cover page prints the national emblem, national seal, and name of the travel document;

Point b) Languages used in the travel document: Vietnamese and Khmer for travel documents at the Vietnam-Cambodia border; Vietnamese and Lao for travel documents at the Vietnam-Laos border; Vietnamese and Chinese for travel documents at the Vietnam-China border;

Point c) Number of pages in the travel document excluding the cover page: 16 pages for travel documents at the Vietnam-Cambodia border and Vietnam-Laos border, 28 pages for travel documents at the Vietnam-China border;

Point d) Size according to ISO 7810 (ID-3) standard: 88mm x 125mm ± 0.75mm;

Point đ) The travel document cover is made of high-strength synthetic material;

Point e) All contents printed in the travel document are produced using modern technology meeting security requirements, preventing forgery.

Clause 2. Types of travel documents:

Point a) Travel document at the Vietnam-Cambodia border, cover page color blue purple (model GTHVN-C);

Point b) Travel document at the Vietnam-Laos border, cover page color light blue (model GTHVN-L);

Point c) Travel document for entry and exit at the Vietnam-China border for officials and civil servants, cover page color brown (model GTHVN01-TQ);

Point d) Travel document for entry and exit at the Vietnam-China border for border residents, cover page color gray (model GTHVN02-TQ).

Article 4. Forms

This Circular hereby promulgates the following forms:

1. Application forms for requesting issuance, restoration of validity, and reporting loss of ordinary passports

a) Application form for requesting issuance of an ordinary passport within the country for persons aged 14 years and older (Form TK01);

b) Application form for requesting issuance of an ordinary passport within the country for persons under 14 years old (Form TK01a);

c) Application form for requesting issuance of an ordinary passport abroad for persons aged 14 years and older (Form TK02);

d) Application form for requesting issuance of an ordinary passport abroad for persons under 14 years old (Form TK02a);

đ) Application form for requesting confirmation of identity for Vietnamese citizens abroad who request issuance of an ordinary passport (Form TK03);

e) Application form for requesting restoration of validity of an ordinary passport (Form TK04);

f) Report form for lost ordinary passports (Form TK05);

g) Statement form regarding failure to collect an ordinary passport (Form TK06).

2. Forms for relevant agencies

a) Notification of transfer of report form for lost ordinary passports (Form VB01);

b) Telegram from Vietnamese representative offices abroad requesting verification of identity for issuance of an ordinary passport for Vietnamese citizens (Form VB02);

c) Notification of resolution of report form for lost ordinary passports (Form VB03).

1. The Immigration Management Department shall be responsible for contracting with the Institute of Science and Technology to research, manufacture, and produce white pages with security technology and provide them promptly according to the requirements of the competent authority issuing passports and travel documents.

2. The competent authority issuing passports and travel documents must manage the white pages in accordance with regulations.

3. Before December 15 each year, the competent authority issuing passports and travel documents must forecast and register with the Immigration Management Department the quantity of white pages needed for the following year.

Registration shall be conducted as follows: overseas Vietnamese representative offices and foreign affairs agencies register through the Consular Department; police stations and county police departments register through provincial police departments; the Consular Department and provincial police departments register directly with the Immigration Management Department.

Article 6. Effectiveness and Transitional Provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from August 15, 2023.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 73/2021/TT-BCA dated June 29, 2021, issued by the Minister of Public Security on the format of passports and travel documents and related forms, and Circular No. 68/2022/TT-BCA dated December 31, 2022, issued by the Minister of Public Security amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 73/2021/TT-BCA dated June 29, 2021, issued by the Minister of Public Security on the format of passports and travel documents and related forms.

3. Repeal Article 6 of Circular No. 15/2022/TT-BCA dated April 6, 2022, issued by the Minister of Public Security amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 43/2017/TT-BCA dated October 20, 2017, issued by the Minister of Public Security on procedures for issuing and revoking certificates of eligibility for security and public order and conducting examinations for issuance of security service qualification certificates; Circular No. 45/2017/TT-BCA dated October 20, 2017, issued by the Minister of Public Security on procedures for registering seals, revoking and invalidating seals, invalidating the use of seals, and inspecting seal management and use; Circular No. 58/2020/TT-BCA dated June 16, 2020, issued by the Minister of Public Security on procedures for issuing and revoking registration and license plates for motor vehicles; Circular No. 65/2020/TT-BCA dated June 19, 2020, issued by the Minister of Public Security on tasks, powers, forms, contents, and procedures for traffic police patrols, inspections, and administrative violations handling; Circular No. 68/2020/TT-BCA dated June 19, 2020, issued by the Minister of Public Security on procedures for waterway police patrols, inspections, and administrative violations handling; Circular No. 73/2021/TT-BCA dated June 29, 2021, issued by the Minister of Public Security on the format of passports and travel documents and related forms.

Article 7. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Immigration Management Department shall be responsible for organizing implementation in coordination with relevant agencies, units, and local police forces; guiding and supervising the implementation of this Circular.

2. In case of difficulties or obstacles during implementation, agencies, units, and individuals should communicate with the Ministry of Public Security (through the Immigration Management Department) for guidance./.