Decree No. 327/2025/NĐ-CP on policies for entry, exit, and residence of foreigners at the International Financial Center in Vietnam

DECREE
Regulations on entry, exit, residence policies for foreigners at the International Financial Center in Vietnam
Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam No. 47/2014/QH13 has been amended and supplemented with some articles according to Law No.

On the basis of 61/2014/QH13;

On the basis of 51/2019/QH14 and Law No. 23/2023/QH15; Decision No. 222/2025/QH15 dated June 27, 2025 of the National Assembly on the International Financial Center in Vietnam;

Pursuant to Resolution No. At the proposal of the Minister of Public Security;

The Government promulgates this Decree on regulations regarding entry, exit, and residence policies for foreigners at the International Financial Center in Vietnam.

This Decree stipulates the following:

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. Issuing visas and temporary residence cards for important foreign investors, experts, managers, highly skilled workers working for agencies and organizations headquartered at the International Financial Center in Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as the International Financial Center) and accompanying family members.

2. Granting permanent residency for important foreign investors, experts, scientists, persons with special talents, senior managers working long-term for agencies and organizations headquartered at the International Financial Center.

1. Foreigners falling under the following categories:

Article 2. Applicability

a) Important foreign investors, experts, managers, highly skilled workers working for agencies and organizations headquartered at the International Financial Center and accompanying family members;

b) Important foreign investors, experts, scientists, persons with special talents, senior managers working long-term for agencies and organizations headquartered at the International Financial Center.

Article 3. Criteria for determining foreigners eligible for preferential visa issuance, temporary residence card issuance, and permanent residency resolution

2. Agencies, organizations, and individuals related thereto.

1. Criteria for determining important investors eligible for preferential visa issuance, temporary residence card issuance, and permanent residency resolution as prescribed in this Decree shall be applied according to the criteria for determining strategic investors set forth by the Management Authority of the International Financial Center (hereinafter referred to as the Management Authority).

2. Criteria for determining foreigners who are managers, senior managers, experts, and highly skilled workers eligible for preferential visa issuance, temporary residence card issuance, and permanent residency resolution as prescribed in this Decree shall be applied according to Clause 1, Clause 2, Clause 3, and Clause 4 of Article 3 of Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 7, 2025 of the Government on foreign workers working in Vietnam, as follows:

a) Criteria for determining managers shall be applied according to Clause 1 of Article 3 of Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 7, 2025 of the Government;

b) Criteria for determining senior managers shall be applied according to Clause 2 of Article 3 of Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 7, 2025 of the Government;

c) Criteria for determining experts shall be applied according to Clause 3 of Article 3 of Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 7, 2025 of the Government;

d) Criteria for determining highly skilled workers shall be applied according to Clause 4 of Article 3 of Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 7, 2025 of the Government.

3. Criteria for determining foreigners who are scientists and persons with special talents eligible for preferential permanent residency resolution as prescribed in this Decree shall be applied according to one of the criteria for determining foreigners belonging to special categories requiring preferential visa exemption for the purpose of serving economic and social development as stipulated in Section II of Appendix I (List of criteria for determining special categories requiring preferential visa exemption for the purpose of serving economic and social development) issued together with Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 8, 2025 of the Government on granting visa exemptions for a certain period for foreigners belonging to special categories requiring preferential treatment for the purpose of serving economic and social development.

3. The criteria for determining foreign individuals as scientists or those with special talents eligible for preferential consideration for permanent residence under this Decree shall be applied according to one of the criteria for identifying foreign individuals who are special subjects eligible for visa exemption when entering Vietnam as stipulated in Section II of Appendix I (List of Criteria for Identifying Special Subjects Eligible for Visa Exemption When Entering Vietnam to Serve Economic and Social Development) issued together with Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 8, 2025 of the Government on granting temporary visa exemptions to foreign individuals who are special subjects eligible for preferential treatment to serve economic and social development.

Article 4. Issuance of Visas and Temporary Residence Permits

1. Foreign individuals who are important investors, experts, managers, or highly skilled workers employed by agencies or organizations with headquarters at the International Financial Center and meeting the criteria specified in Article 3 of this Decree shall be issued visas or temporary residence permits marked UĐ1 for a term not exceeding ten years upon the request of the Administrative Authority.

2. Foreign spouses and children under eighteen years old of foreign individuals specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall be issued visas or temporary residence permits marked UĐ2 upon the request of the Administrative Authority for a term consistent with the visa or temporary residence permit marked UĐ1 issued to their relatives as specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The procedures for inviting, guaranteeing entry, requesting issuance of visas, and temporary residence permits for foreign individuals as stipulated in this Article shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Articles 16, 19, and 37 of the Law on Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam; the processing time shall not exceed three working days from the date of receipt of complete files.

Article 5. Conditions for Permanent Residency Consideration

Foreign individuals who are important investors, experts, scientists, persons with special talents, senior managers working long-term at agencies or organizations with headquarters at the International Financial Center and meeting the criteria specified in Article 3 of this Decree shall be considered for permanent residency in Vietnam when they meet the following conditions:

1. They have documents proving long-term employment at agencies or organizations with headquarters at the International Financial Center and have continuously worked there for at least three years.

2. They are proposed for permanent residency by the Minister, Head of a Governmental Agency at the level of a Ministry, or the People's Committee Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang City, which manages the relevant sector.

Article 6. Procedures for Granting Permanent Residency

1. The Administrative Authority shall handle the application procedures for granting permanent residency for foreign individuals at the agency managing entry and exit. The file includes:

a) A permanent residency application form of the foreign individual;

b) A criminal record certificate issued by the competent authority of the country where the individual is a citizen;

c) A diplomatic note from the representative office of the country where the individual is a citizen requesting Vietnam to grant the individual permanent residency;

d) A certified copy of the passport or a photocopy of the passport after presenting the original for verification;

e) A proposal document according to Form NT-01 promulgated together with this Decree and documents proving compliance with the conditions for permanent residency consideration as stipulated in Article 5 of this Decree.

2. Within two months from the date of receiving complete files, the Minister of Public Security shall examine and decide on granting permanent residency; if additional verification is deemed necessary, the period may be extended but not more than one month.

3. Within two months from the date of receiving notification of granting permanent residency, the foreign individual must go to the agency managing entry and exit to receive the permanent residency card.

4. Every ten years, the foreign individual with permanent residency status must visit the agency managing entry and exit to renew the card. The procedures for renewing and reissuing the permanent residency card are carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 43 of the Law on Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Article 7. Revocation of the Usage Value of Visas, Temporary Residence Cards, and Permanent Residence Cards

The immigration management agency shall revoke the usage value of visas, temporary residence cards, and permanent residence cards issued to foreigners according to this Decree in the following cases:

1. Foreigners no longer fall within the category eligible for preferential issuance of visas, temporary residence cards, or settlement of permanent residence under this Decree.

2. There is a written request from the Administrative Authority.

Article 8. Competent Authorities

1. The Administrative Authority shall be responsible for reviewing and ensuring that foreigners are the correct subjects and meet the criteria for preferential issuance of visas, temporary residence cards, and settlement of permanent residence for those working at organizations with headquarters in the International Financial Center as stipulated in this Decree.

2. The Administrative Authority and organizations with headquarters in the International Financial Center where the foreigner works shall be responsible for coordinating with relevant authorities to resolve issues arising related to foreigners who have requested preferential issuance of visas, temporary residence cards, or permanent residence cards.

3. The Administrative Authority shall notify the immigration management agency in writing about the request to revoke the usage value of valid visas, temporary residence cards, or permanent residence cards issued to foreigners but who no longer work for organizations with headquarters in the International Financial Center or no longer fall within the category eligible for preferential treatment under this Decree, or the Administrative Authority no longer has the need to guarantee or request preferential treatment.

Article 9. Effective Date and Responsibility for Implementation

1. This Decree shall take effect from January 17, 2026.

2. The Minister, Heads of Ministries, Agencies under the Government, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and cities, and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.

ANNEX
(Pursuant to Decree No. 327/2025/NĐ-CP
dated December 18, 2025 of the Government)

Form NT-01: Request for Resolution on Permanent Residence for Foreigners Working at the International Financial Center in Vietnam

Respectfully submitted to: ... (2)

We respectfully request your esteemed authority to consider granting permanent residence to the following ... foreigner(s):  

Head of the organization

Note:

(2) Immigration Management Department or Provincial Public Security Department's Exit-Entry Management Division

(3) Clearly state which category the foreigner belongs to (important investor, expert, senior manager, scientist, person with special talent, etc.), ensuring compliance with the criteria specified.

(4) Clearly state the date from which the foreigner has been working at the International Financial Center.

(4) Specify the date from which the foreign individual has been working at the International Financial Center.