Circular No. 64/2017/TT-BTC guides the exemption of nationality fees, civil status registration fees, and residence registration fees for persons permitted to reside under the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on the settlement of issues related to free migration, non-marital marriages in the border areas of the two countries when handling procedures for nationality, civil status registration, residence registration, and other documents related to personal matters.

CIRCULAR

||| Guidance on exemption from nationality fees, civil status registration fees, and residence registration for

persons permitted to reside according to the provisions of the Agreement between the Government

of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic

people's democracy of Laos concerning the settlement of issues related to free migration and non-marital cohabitation in the border areas of the two countries when handling procedures related to

nationality, civil status registration, residence registration, and other relevant personal documents

This Circular is based on the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic dated July 8, 2013 regarding the settlement of issues related to free migration and non-marital cohabitation in the border areas of the two countries (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement);

Based on Decision No. 2423/QD-CTN dated November 14, 2016 of the President extending the validity of the Agreement;

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Implementing Decision No. 133/QD-TTg dated February 3, 2017 of the Prime Minister on the issuance of a plan to implement the Agreement extended until November 14, 2019;

Exempting nationality fees, civil status registration fees, and residence registration fees for persons permitted to reside according to the provisions of the Agreement when handling procedures related to nationality, civil status registration, residence registration, and other relevant personal documents.

Pursuant to the Law on Fees and Registration Fees dated November 25, 2015;

Pursuant to Decree No. 215/2013/NĐ-CP dated December 23, 2013, promulgated by the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

This Circular guides the exemption of fees when handling procedures related to nationality, civil status registration, residence registration, and issuing other relevant personal documents for persons permitted to reside according to the provisions of the Agreement, including persons permitted to reside according to the Agreement; persons returned by Laos and agreed to be accepted by Vietnam; and persons who have registered non-marital cohabitation and wish to apply for permission to reside in the territory of Vietnam, which has been approved by competent Vietnamese authorities.

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Tax Policy,

The Minister of Finance issues this Circular guiding 1. The subjects exempted from fees are those permitted to reside by competent Vietnamese authorities, specifically:

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

a) Persons who migrated freely in the border areas of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam or the Lao People's Democratic Republic before 1985;

Article 2. Applicability

b) Persons who migrated freely in the border areas of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam or the Lao People's Democratic Republic from 1986 to July 8, 2013, with the following conditions: - Respecting the laws of the country of residence and not violating criminal laws; - Having stable living conditions, owning fixed assets such as houses and land for cultivation in the country of residence; - Not being wanted or serving a sentence under the laws of their home country.

c) Persons who migrated freely in the border areas of the two countries from 1986 to July 8, 2013, who do not meet all three conditions specified in point b of this Clause, and were returned by Laos and agreed to be accepted by Vietnam.

d) Persons who have registered non-marital cohabitation and wish to apply for permission to reside in the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2. Persons who migrated freely in the border areas of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam or the Lao People's Democratic Republic after July 8, 2013 are not subject to this Circular.

1. This Circular takes effect from August 15, 2017 and will expire upon termination of the Agreement.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 93/2014/TT-BTC dated July 14, 2014 of the Minister of Finance guiding the exemption of nationality fees, civil status registration fees, and residence registration fees for persons permitted to reside according to the Agreement when handling procedures related to nationality, civil status registration, residence registration, and other relevant personal documents.

Article 3. Implementation Organization

3. Chairmen of the People's Committees of border provinces between Vietnam and Laos and relevant agencies are responsible for implementing this Circular. Any difficulties encountered during implementation should be promptly reported to the Ministry of Finance for study and guidance./.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 93/2014/TT-BTC dated July 14, 2014, issued by the Minister of Finance, guiding the exemption of nationality fees, civil status registration fees, and residence registration fees for persons permitted to reside according to the provisions of the Agreement when handling procedures related to nationality, civil status registration, residence registration, and other documents related to personal identity.

3. The Chairpersons of the People's Committees of the border provinces of Vietnam - Laos and relevant agencies shall be responsible for implementing this Circular. In the course of implementation, if there are any difficulties, it is requested that agencies, organizations, and individuals promptly report them to the Ministry of Finance for study and guidance./.