Consolidated Document number 4444/VBHN-BNG Circular stipulating procedures for issuing Entry Permits to bring corpses, remains, and ashes back to Vietnam

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the issuance of entry permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam

Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, regulating the procedures for issuing entry permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam, has been amended and supplemented by:

1. Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BNG dated December 26, 2023, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, regulating the procedures for issuing entry permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam; Circular No. 02/2011/TT-BNG dated June 27, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, guiding the procedures for registering overseas Vietnamese citizens; Circular No. 04/2020/TT-BNG dated September 25, 2020, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, guiding the issuance, extension, cancellation of diplomatic passports, service passports, and issuance of letters of request for foreign countries to issue visas, which shall take effect from February 14, 2024;

2. Circular No. 06/2025/TT-BNG dated June 13, 2025, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, regulating the procedures for issuing entry permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam, which shall take effect from July 13, 2025.

Based on the Law on Overseas Representative Offices of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam dated June 18, 2009;

Based on the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases dated November 21, 2007;

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;

Based on Decree No. 103/2010/NĐ-CP dated October 1, 2010, issued by the Government, detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases and health quarantine at border areas;

Implementing Resolution No. 50/NQ-CP dated December 10, 2010, issued by the Government, regarding the simplification of administrative procedures within the scope of management functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hereby regulates the procedures for issuing Entry Permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam as follows:^[1]

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

Article 1. This Circular stipulates the procedures for issuing Entry Permits for corpses, remains, and ashes (hereinafter referred to as Entry Permit) to be brought back to Vietnam by air, land, sea, and rail.

Article 2. The repatriation of the corpses, remains, and ashes of martyrs and Vietnamese volunteer soldiers from countries sharing borders with Vietnam shall be carried out by the Ministry of Defense and is not within the scope regulated by this Circular.

Article 3. Principles for bringing corpses, remains, and ashes back to Vietnam

Clause 1. Bringing corpses, remains, and ashes back to Vietnam must comply with the wishes of the deceased's relatives, national traditions, and must be approved by the competent authority of Vietnam as specified in Article 4 of this Circular.

Clause 2. Transporting corpses, remains, and ashes across the border must comply with the laws of Vietnam and relevant foreign countries concerning customs and health quarantine.

Clause 3. All costs related to bringing corpses, remains, and ashes back to Vietnam shall be borne by the person requesting the Entry Permit or the deceased's relatives.

Article 3. Remains, bones, ashes may be brought back to Vietnam

1. Except for the cases specified in Clause 3 of this Article, remains, bones, ashes may be brought back to Vietnam if the deceased is:

a) A Vietnamese citizen registered as a permanent resident in Vietnam;

b) A Vietnamese person residing abroad whose relatives (biological father, biological mother, adoptive father, adoptive mother, husband, wife, biological child, adopted child, full brother, full sister, full sibling, paternal grandfather, paternal grandmother, maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, full child of the deceased's paternal grandfather, paternal grandmother, maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother) are permanent residents in Vietnam;

c) A foreigner who is a permanent resident in Vietnam.

2. The bringing back to Vietnam of remains, bones, ashes of individuals who are not permitted entry due to national security and social order reasons shall be considered and resolved on a case-by-case basis.

3. Remains of individuals who died from infectious diseases classified under Group A as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 3 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases dated November 21, 2007 (Avian Influenza A-H5N1; Plague; Smallpox; Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever; Lassa Fever; Marburg Fever; West Nile Fever; Yellow Fever; Cholera; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome caused by viruses and newly emerging dangerous infectious diseases with unknown causative agents) shall not be brought back to Vietnam. (Ebola); Lassa (Lassa) or Marburg (Marburg); West Nile fever (Nile); yellow fever; cholera; severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by viruses and newly emerging infectious diseases with unknown causative agents.

Article 4. Authority to Issue Permit

The authority to issue the Permit is the diplomatic mission, consular office, or other entity authorized to perform consular functions of Vietnam abroad (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Diplomatic Mission) where the deceased is located, or the Diplomatic Mission concurrently responsible for that country, or the Diplomatic Mission most convenient, if there is no Diplomatic Mission in the country where the deceased is located.

Article 5. Person Requesting the Permit

Individuals, legal entities, agencies, organizations may request the Permit if they fall under the following circumstances:

1. Relatives of the deceased;

2. Persons authorized in writing by the relatives of the deceased;

3. The management agency/unit of the deceased; or friends, acquaintances of the deceased, if the deceased has no relatives or the relatives do not object to the bringing back of the remains, bones, ashes.

Article 6. Procedure for Issuing the Permit

1. The person requesting the Permit submits one set of application documents including:

a) One application form for bringing remains, bones, ashes back to the country according to Form No. 01/NG-LS issued together with this Circular;

b)^[2] Documents proving that the applicant falls under Article 5 of this Circular:

- One copy of the passport or travel document of the applicant;

- One copy of the document proving kinship with the deceased;

- One original power of attorney in the case where the applicant falls under Clause 2 of Article 5 of this Circular;

- One original power of attorney in the case where the applicant is the management agency/unit of the deceased as stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 5 of this Circular.

c)^[3] Documents proving that the deceased falls under Article 3 of this Circular:

- Original passport or travel document of the deceased (if available);

- One copy of the Vietnamese residence card of the deceased in the case where the deceased falls under Point c of Clause 1 of Article 3 of this Circular;

- One copy of the death certificate issued by the competent authority of the foreign country or the Diplomatic Mission;

- One copy of the health and medical quarantine certificate issued by the competent authority of the foreign country (for remains); excavation certificate and health and medical quarantine certificate issued by the competent authority of the foreign country (for bones); cremation certificate (for ashes);

- In the case where the deceased falls under Point b of Clause 1 of Article 3 of this Circular: (i) One copy of the Application for Permission to Bring Back Remains, Bones, Ashes of Relatives for Burial and Preservation at the Local Level according to Form No. 02/NG-LS with confirmation of agreement by the People's Committee of the commune, ward, town or cemetery management agency; and (ii) One copy of one of the following documents of the deceased's relatives: Citizen Identity Card, Confirmation of Residence Information, Information Provision Form in the National Population Database, National ID Card Database, Residence Card. If the receiving agency can access information about the deceased's relative's place of residence in the Electronic Household Registration Database, National Population Database, then submission of a copy of this document is not required.

2.^[4] The application for the Permit may be submitted directly to the Diplomatic Mission or sent by mail. The application may be submitted electronically in the case where the technical infrastructure at the Diplomatic Mission allows it (including connection to the National Population Database).

3. Resolution by the Diplomatic Mission:

3.1. For the cases specified in Clause 1 of Article 3 of this Circular, after reviewing the application and finding that all conditions stipulated in this Circular are met, the Diplomatic Mission will undertake the following actions:

- Issue the Permit according to Form No. 03/NG-LS issued together with this Circular, stamp "void" on the Vietnamese passport of the deceased (if available), and deliver the result to the applicant within one working day from the date of receipt of complete and valid application documents.

- Notify the issuance of the Permit to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Customs at the port of entry, and the Exit-Entry Management Agency at the port of entry.

- Notify the cancellation of the validity of the passport of the deceased who is a Vietnamese citizen to the Exit-Entry Administration Department of the Ministry of Public Security.

- Record in the Entry Permit Register for Remains, Bones, Ashes according to Form No. 04/NG-LS issued together with this Circular.

3.2. For the cases specified in Clause 2 of Article 3 of this Circular, the Diplomatic Mission will send an electronic message detailing the personal details of the deceased to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within one working day from the date of receipt of complete application documents.

The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will exchange letters with relevant agencies within one working day from the date of receipt of the Diplomatic Mission's electronic message and reply to the Diplomatic Mission within one working day from the date of receipt of feedback from relevant agencies.

Within one working day from the date of receipt of the notification of approval from the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Diplomatic Mission will issue the Permit and deliver the result to the applicant.

Article 7. Record Keeping

1. The application file for obtaining an Entry Permit for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam shall include the documents specified in Clause 1 of Article 6 of this Circular.

2. Diplomatic agencies must strictly preserve and store the files according to the following timeframes:

- Three years for the application file for obtaining an Entry Permit for corpses, remains, and ashes;

- No limitation for the Entry Permit issuance logbook for corpses, remains, and ashes.

Article 8. Complaints and Reports

1. Individuals, legal entities, agencies, and organizations have the right to lodge complaints and reports against violations of laws in the process of issuing Entry Permits.

2. The complaints and reports referred to in Clause 1 of this Article shall be resolved in accordance with the laws on complaints and reports.

Article 9. Implementation Organization

1.^[5] This Circular takes effect forty-five days from the date of signature. From the date this Circular takes effect, the forms numbered 05/NG-LS "Application for Bringing Corpses and Remains Back to the Country", form number 14/NG-LS "Entry Permit for Corpses and Remains", and form number 15/NG-LS "Entry Permit Issuance Logbook for Corpses and Remains" issued together with Decision No. 05/2002/QĐ-BNG dated July 30, 2002 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall be abolished.

2.^[6] The Consular Service Department Director and the Heads of Diplomatic Agencies are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular. In the course of implementation, if there are any difficulties, the Diplomatic Agencies are requested to promptly report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for guidance on resolution.

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^[1] Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BNG dated December 26, 2023 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on procedures for issuing entry permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam; Circular No. 02/2011/TT-BNG dated June 27, 2011 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding procedures for registering overseas Vietnamese citizens; Circular No. 04/2020/TT-BNG dated September 25, 2020 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding the issuance, extension, revocation of diplomatic passports, service passports, and issuance of letters of request for visa issuance by foreign countries, effective from February 14, 2024, is based on the following grounds:

"On the basis of the Law on Residence No. 08/2020/QH14 dated November 13, 2020;

On the basis of Decree No. 104/2022/NĐ-CP dated December 21, 2022 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of decrees related to the submission and presentation of household registration books and temporary residence certificates when performing administrative procedures and providing public services;

Pursuant to Decree No. 81/2022/NĐ-CP dated October 14, 2022, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Consular Service Department Director."

Circular No. 06/2025/TT-BNG dated May 13, 2025 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on procedures for issuing entry permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam, effective from July 13, 2025, is based on the following grounds:

"On the basis of the Law on Residence No. 68/2020/QH14 dated November 13, 2020;

On the basis of Decree No. 28/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 24, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

On the basis of Decree No. 70/2024/NĐ-CP dated June 25, 2024 of the Government detailing certain provisions and implementing measures of the Law on Identity Cards;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Consular Service Department Director."

^[2] This point has been amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 1 of Article 1 of Circular No. 06/2025/TT-BNG dated May 13, 2025 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on procedures for issuing entry permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam, effective from July 13, 2025.

^[3] This point has been amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 1 of Article 1 of Circular No. 06/2025/TT-BNG dated May 13, 2025 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on procedures for issuing entry permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam, effective from July 13, 2025.

^[4] This clause has been amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 2 of Article 1 of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BNG dated December 26, 2023 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on procedures for issuing entry permits for corpses, remains, and ashes to be brought back to Vietnam; Circular No. 02/2011/TT-BNG dated June 27, 2011 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding procedures for registering overseas Vietnamese citizens; Circular No. 04/2020/TT-BNG dated September 25, 2020 of the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding the issuance, extension, revocation of diplomatic passports, service passports, and issuance of letters of request for visa issuance by foreign countries, effective from February 15, 2024.

^[5] Article 5 of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BNG dated December 26, 2023, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to amend and supplement certain articles of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on procedures for issuing permits for the importation of corpses, remains, and ashes back to Vietnam; Circular No. 02/2011/TT-BNG dated June 27, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding procedures for registering Vietnamese citizens residing abroad; and Circular No. 04/2020/TT-BNG dated September 25, 2020, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding the issuance, extension, cancellation of diplomatic passports and official passports, and issuance of letters of request for visa issuance from foreign countries, which shall take effect from February 15, 2024, is hereby stipulated as follows:

"Article 5. Effective Date

This Circular shall take effect from February 15, 2024."

Article 3 of Circular No. 06/2025/TT-BNG dated May 13, 2025, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to amend and supplement certain articles of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on procedures for issuing permits for the importation of corpses, remains, and ashes back to Vietnam, which shall take effect from July 13, 2025, is hereby stipulated as follows:

"Article 3. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular shall take effect from July 13, 2025.

2. Files received before this Circular takes effect shall continue to be processed according to the provisions of relevant Circulars.

3. This Circular abolishes Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BNG dated December 26, 2023, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to amend and supplement certain articles of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on procedures for issuing permits for the importation of corpses, remains, and ashes back to Vietnam; Circular No. 02/2011/TT-BNG dated June 27, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding procedures for registering Vietnamese citizens residing abroad; and Circular No. 04/2020/TT-BNG dated September 25, 2020, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding the issuance, extension, cancellation of diplomatic passports and official passports, and issuance of letters of request for visa issuance from foreign countries.”

^[6] Article 4 of Circular No. 06/2023/TT-BNG dated December 26, 2023, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to amend and supplement certain articles of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on procedures for issuing permits for the importation of corpses, remains, and ashes back to Vietnam; Circular No. 02/2011/TT-BNG dated June 27, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding procedures for registering Vietnamese citizens residing abroad; and Circular No. 04/2020/TT-BNG dated September 25, 2020, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs guiding the issuance, extension, cancellation of diplomatic passports and official passports, and issuance of letters of request for visa issuance from foreign countries, which shall take effect from February 15, 2024, is hereby stipulated as follows:

"Article 4. Organization of Implementation

1. The Director of the Consular Department, the Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, the Heads of overseas representative offices of Vietnam, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular. In the course of implementation, if there are any difficulties, they are requested to promptly report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consideration and resolution.

2. Files received before this Circular takes effect shall continue to be processed according to the provisions of relevant Circulars."

Article 2 of Circular No. 06/2025/TT-BNG dated May 13, 2025, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to amend and supplement certain articles of Circular No. 01/2011/TT-BNG dated June 20, 2011, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, concerning procedures for issuing permits to bring corpses, bones, and ashes back to Vietnam, shall take effect from July 13, 2025, and is hereby stipulated as follows:

Article 2. Responsibilities for Implementation

The Director of the Consular Department, the Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, the Heads of Vietnamese agencies abroad, and related organizations, individuals are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular. In the course of implementation, if there are any difficulties, they are requested to promptly report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consideration and resolution.