Decision No. 3207/2008/QD-BNG Issuing the Regulation on Visa Exemption for Citizens of the Russian Federation Holding Ordinary Passports

Pursuant to …;

ISSUING REGULATIONS ON VISA EXEMPTION FOR CITIZENS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION HOLDING ORDINARY PASSPORTS

WITH A TEMPORARY STAY PERIOD OF 15 DAYS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PURPOSE OF ENTRY

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MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam dated April 28, 2000;
Based on Decree No. 15/2008/NĐ-CP dated February 4, 2008, issued by the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
Pursuant to Circular No. 5979/VPCP-QHQT dated September 11, 2008 of the Government Office regarding visa exemption for citizens of the Russian Federation holding ordinary passports;

DECISION:

Article 1. This Decision promulgates Regulations on visa exemption for citizens of the Russian Federation holding ordinary passports with a temporary stay period of 15 days without regard to the purpose of entry.

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect from January 1, 2009.

Article 3. Heads of relevant units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for implementing this Decision./.

REGULATIONS

ON VISA EXEMPTION FOR CITIZENS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION HOLDING ORDINARY PASSPORTS
(Promulgated together with Decision No. 3207/2008/QD-BNG dated December 10, 2008 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs)

Chapter 1.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Citizens of the Russian Federation holding ordinary passports and regardless of the purpose of entry are exempted from visa requirements when entering and exiting Vietnam with a temporary stay period not exceeding 15 days from the date of entry, provided they meet the following conditions:

a) Possess a valid passport issued by the competent authority of the Russian Federation and remaining valid for at least three months from the date of entry;

b) Have return tickets or onward travel tickets to another country;

c) Not be among those prohibited from entering Vietnam according to provisions (b), (c), (d) and (đ) Clause 1 Article 8 of the Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam dated April 28, 2000.

Article 2. Citizens of the Russian Federation referred to in Article 1 who wish to remain beyond 15 days, if genuinely having legitimate reasons and being supported by a written request from an organization, entity, or individual in Vietnam sent to the Department of Immigration Police - Ministry of Public Security (for those processing through the Ministry of Public Security) or the Consular Department, Protocol Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs - Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for those processing through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) may be considered for issuance of a visa and extension of the temporary stay period consistent with their purpose of staying and will be exempted from visa fees.

Article 3. Citizens of the Russian Federation who do not meet any of the conditions stipulated in Article 1 of these Regulations shall not be allowed to enter or have their temporary stay period in Vietnam shortened.

Chapter 2.

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 4. Citizens of the Russian Federation eligible for visa exemption as stipulated in Article 1 of these Regulations, who have obtained a Vietnamese visa before January 1, 2009, shall normally enter and exit Vietnam within the validity period of that visa.

Article 5. The Director of the Consular Department is responsible for handling diplomatic procedures to notify the Russian Federation about the visa exemption for Russian citizens as prescribed in these Regulations, as well as the possibility of the Vietnamese Government revoking the implementation of these Regulations when necessary.