Circular No. 43/2011/TT-BCA guiding the issuance of entry-exit permits for Vietnamese citizens traveling to border provinces and cities of China adjacent to Vietnam

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for issuing entry-exit permits to Vietnamese citizens traveling to border provinces and cities of China adjacent to VietnamVietnamese citizens traveling to border provinces and cities of China adjacent to Vietnambordering Vietnam

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;

To facilitate Vietnamese citizens traveling to border provinces and cities of China adjacent to Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security issues guidelines for issuing entry-exit permits as follows:

Article 1. Scope of application

This Circular provides guidance on the procedures for issuing entry-exit permits for Vietnamese citizens traveling to border provinces and cities of China adjacent to Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as entry-exit permit); specifies the subjects eligible for issuance, the scope of use, and the validity period of the entry-exit permit; and sets out the model "Entry-Exit Permit" and the model "Application Form for Entry-Exit Permit" (Form TK8).

Article 2. Subjects Eligible for Issuance of Entry-Exit Permit

1. The entry-exit permit shall be issued to Vietnamese citizens residing in provinces and cities of Vietnam who have the need to travel to border provinces and cities of China adjacent to Vietnam for tourism or other personal purposes.

2. The entry-exit permit shall not be issued to Vietnamese citizens residing abroad who return to Vietnam for a limited time.

Article 3. Validity Period and Scope of Use of the Entry-Exit Permit

1. The entry-exit permit shall be issued individually and shall be valid for no more than twelve months from the date of issuance and shall not be extendable.

2. The entry-exit permit shall only be valid for use within the border provinces and cities of China adjacent to Vietnam.

3. Vietnamese citizens holding the entry-exit permit may exit and enter through the nearest land, rail, or waterway border gates.

Article 4. Documents Required for Application for Entry-Exit Permit

The documents include:

- One application form "Request for Entry-Exit Permit" according to Form TK8 issued together with this Circular;

- Two recent photographs, size 4x6 cm, facing forward, bareheaded, white background, one of which is affixed to the application form;

- For children under 14 years old, the application form must be filled out and signed by their parents or guardians, accompanied by a copy of the birth certificate and a copy of the document proving the relationship between the child and the guardian. The application form must be confirmed by the Police Station of the commune, ward, or town where the child resides or temporarily resides and stamped over the photograph.

- The applicant must present the Identity Card for verification and comparison.

In case of reissuing the entry-exit permit, the previously issued permit must be returned if it is still valid.

Article 5. Place of Accepting Applications and Time Limit for Processing the Issuance of Entry-Exit Permit

1. Vietnamese citizens requiring an entry-exit permit shall submit their applications at the Exit-Entry Management Department of the Public Security Bureau of the border province adjacent to China.

2. The time limit for processing the issuance of the entry-exit permit is three working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents.

3. The person receiving the entry-exit permit must pay the fee as prescribed by the Ministry of Finance.

Article 6. Implementation Organization

1. The Exit-Entry Administration Bureau shall be responsible for:

- Organizing the printing and managing blank entry-exit permits according to the model issued together with this Circular; supplying blank entry-exit permits according to the request of the Public Security Departments of provinces sharing borders with China.

- Guiding and inspecting the Public Security Departments of provinces sharing borders with China in the issuance of entry-exit permits and resolving issues arising during the implementation of this Circular.

2. The Public Security Departments of provinces sharing borders with China shall be responsible for:

- Arranging personnel, equipment, and facilities to ensure the acceptance of applications, processing, delivering results, and transmitting data on the issuance of entry-exit permits to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.

- Organizing the printing of the Application Form for Entry-Exit Permit according to the model issued together with this Circular.

Article 7. Effective Date

1. This Circular shall take effect from August 14, 2011.

2. The Directors of the General Departments, Heads of units directly under the Ministry, Directors of Public Security Departments of centrally governed municipalities, and Directors of Fire Prevention and Fighting Departments are responsible for implementing this Circular.

During the implementation, if any difficulties arise, local public security agencies, relevant agencies, and organizations should report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau) for timely guidance.