Circular No. 41/2011/TT-BCA guiding the issuance of border crossing permits for Vietnamese citizens traveling to Laos and entry permits for Laotian citizens to provinces and cities in Vietnam.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for issuing border crossing permits for Vietnamese citizens to Laos

and permits to provinces and cities of Vietnam for Laotian citizens and permits to the provinces and cities

of Vietnam for Laotian citizens

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Pursuant to the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic signed on September 14, 2007 regarding facilitation of the movement of people, means of transport, and goods across the border with the aim of further promoting investment and trade cooperation between the two countries;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 61/NQ-CP dated December 17, 2010 of the Government on simplifying administrative procedures within the scope of management functions of the Ministry of Public Security;

Pursuant to Decree No. 77/2009/NĐ-CP dated September 15, 2009 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security;

The Ministry of Public Security hereby provides guidelines for issuing border crossing permits for Vietnamese citizens to Laos and permits to provinces and cities of Vietnam for Laotian citizens as follows:

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular guides the procedures for issuing Vietnamese-Lao border crossing permits for Vietnamese citizens (hereinafter referred to as border crossing permit) and permits to provinces and cities of Vietnam for Laotian citizens (hereinafter referred to as permit); specifies the subjects eligible for these permits, their validity periods, and usage scopes; and promulgates the model "Vietnamese-Lao Border Crossing Permit," model "Application Form for Vietnamese-Lao Border Crossing Permit" (Form TK7), model "Permit to Provinces and Cities of Vietnam" (Form N25), and model "Application Form for Permit to Provinces and Cities of Vietnam" (Form N24).

Article 2. Subjects Eligible for Border Crossing Permit and Permit

a) Vietnamese citizens residing in provinces sharing borders with Laos who have the need to travel to the corresponding border province in Laos for work or personal matters;

b) Officials, employees, and workers without permanent residence registration in provinces sharing borders with Laos, belonging to organizations, enterprises, or institutions headquartered in such provinces (including those from other provinces or central ministries and agencies) for work purposes.

2. Subjects eligible for permits to provinces and cities of Vietnam are Laotian citizens entering Vietnam with a border crossing permit issued by the police department of a province sharing borders with Vietnam for work or personal matters.

Article 3. Validity Period and Usage Scope

1. For border crossing permit:

a) Each individual receives a separate border crossing permit valid for up to 12 months from the date of issuance, which cannot be extended and is only valid for use within the corresponding border province of Laos. Individuals holding a border crossing permit who wish to travel to other regions of Laos must obtain a permit from the provincial authority of Laos at the point of entry;

b) Vietnamese citizens holding a border crossing permit may enter and exit through the nearest border gate.

2. For permits to provinces and cities of Vietnam:

a) The permit is valid for 15 days from the date of issuance and does not exceed the temporary stay period granted at the border gate or any extension thereof;

b) Holders of the permit may travel to provinces and cities of Vietnam within the period specified on the permit.

1. For Vietnamese citizens as specified in Point a, Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular, the application package includes:

- 01 Application form for requesting a border crossing permit according to Model TK7;

- 02 photographs measuring 4x6cm, front view, bareheaded, white background, of which 01 photograph is affixed to the Application form.

In case of reissuance, the previously issued border crossing permit must be submitted if it still has validity.

When applying for a border crossing permit, the applicant must present their household registration book and identity card for verification to confirm that they have permanent residence in a border province.

2. For officials, workers, and employees as specified in Point b, Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular, the application package includes:

- 01 Application form for requesting a border crossing permit according to Model TK7, with confirmation and stamping of the photograph by the directly managing agency, organization, or enterprise;

- 02 photographs measuring 4x6cm, front view, bareheaded, of which 01 photograph is affixed to the Application form.

In case of reissuance, the previously issued border crossing permit must be submitted if it still has validity.

Officials, employees, and workers may entrust their agencies, organizations, or enterprises to submit the application and receive the result. If requesting permits for multiple individuals, a list signed and stamped by the agency, organization, or enterprise must be attached. Officials and staff members must present their letter of introduction and personal identity cards when submitting the application and receiving the result.

3. Vietnamese citizens who need to apply for a border crossing permit should process the application at the Exit and Entry Management Office of the Public Security Department of the province sharing a border with Laos where they reside or where their working agency, organization, or enterprise is located.

4. The time limit for processing the border crossing permit application procedure is 03 working days from the date all required documents are received as stipulated.

Article 5. Procedures, place for receiving applications and time limit for processing permit issuance procedures

1. For Laotian citizens as specified in Clause 2, Article 2 of this Circular, the application package for requesting a permit includes:

- 01 Application form for requesting permission to enter various provinces and cities of Vietnam according to Model N24;

- Border crossing permit of the person requesting the permit.

2. Laotian citizens who need to apply for a permit should process the application at the Exit and Entry Management Office of the Public Security Department of the province sharing a border with Laos where they enter.

3. The time limit for processing the permit issuance procedure is 01 working day from the date all required documents are received as stipulated.

Article 6. Fees for issuing border crossing permits and permits

Persons receiving border crossing permits and permits must pay fees as prescribed by the Ministry of Finance.

Article 7. Responsibilities of the Exit and Entry Administration Bureau

1. Organize printing and management of blank border crossing permits according to the models issued under this Circular; provide blank border crossing permits according to the request of the Public Security Departments of provinces sharing a border with Laos.

2. Guide and inspect the Public Security Departments of provinces sharing a border with Laos on the issuance of border crossing permits and permits and resolve issues arising during the implementation of this Circular.

Article 8. Responsibilities of the Public Security Departments of provinces sharing a border with Laos

1. Arrange personnel, equipment, and facilities to ensure the reception, processing of applications, delivery of results, and transmission of data on border crossing permits and permits to the Exit and Entry Administration Bureau.

2. Organize printing of Models TK7, N24, and N25 issued along with this Circular to issue to persons requiring border crossing permits or permits.

Article 9. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from August 14, 2011, and replaces Circular No. 10/1999/TT-BCA dated September 28, 1999, of the Minister of Public Security guiding the issuance of border crossing permits for Vietnamese citizens entering Laos.

2. Directors of the General Directorates, heads of units under the Ministry, Directors of Public Security Departments of centrally governed municipalities, and Directors of Fire Prevention and Control Departments are responsible for implementing this Circular.

During the implementation, if any issues arise, local public security units, related agencies, and organizations shall report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Exit and Entry Administration Bureau) for timely guidance.