Supporting foreigners in Vietnam in the context of Covid

The Covid-19 epidemic that has taken place since the beginning of 2020 has had a strong impact on most aspects of economy and society. Of which the number of foreigners immigrating Vietnam has decreased significantly (by 75% in 2020) compared to 2019, even the first 6 months of 2021 decreased by 95% compared to the same period in 2020.

In order to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic, from the end of February to the beginning of March 2020, the Government issued Resolutions on unilaterally suspending visa exemption for citizens of 13 countries; from March 22^nd, 2020, temporarily suspend entry for all foreigners entering Vietnam, except for special cases of immigration for diplomatic or official purposes, experts, investors, managers, high-tech workers (collectively referred to as experts) and relatives.

Currently, the Ministry of Public Security has issued guidance on approval for foreigners to come Vietnam under the guarantee of agencies and organizations during the period of application of measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic. The guidance is posted on the Vietnam Immigration Portal in order to facilitate agencies, organizations and enterprises in carrying out procedures for inviting and guaranteeing foreign experts to enter Vietnam.

The guidance is built on the basis of relevant provisions of Law No.47/2014/QH13, Law No.51/2019/QH14 and the directions of the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 disease prevention and control. Foreigners who are allowed to enter Vietnam must perform isolation and comply with health requirements, ensure safety for epidemic prevention and control.

When the Covid-19 epidemic broke out in most countries around the world, many countries implemented travel restrictions, temporarily closed borders and stopped flights. Many foreigners come to Vietnam for traveling, visiting relatives and have not been able to return home. Following the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister and the leaders of the Ministry of Public Security, the Immigration Department has proposed the competent authorities many measures, guidelines and policies to support and make facvorable conditions for foreigners to reside in Vietnam during the epidemic period. In details:

- Applying "automatic extension of temporary residence" (meaning foreigners do not have to go to the immigration management agency to carry out procedures for residence extension but are still recognized as lawful residents and are allowed to leave the country when there are conditions) for foreigners who enter after March 1, 2020 under the visa exemption status; enter with an electronic visa or a tourist visa who could not leave the country due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic. In case of entry before March 1^st, 2020 and able to prove that they are trapped due to the epidemic, they will also be considered for the application of "automatic extension of temporary residence". There ar

- Making favorable conditions for diplomatic missions of countries to request extension of temporary residence for their citizens while waiting for exit;

- Exempting from sanction of administrative violations for legitimate reasons or force majeure. Visa support for foreigners whose passports are about to expire but have not yet been issued new passports due to the impact of the epidemic on the basis of a certified note or request of the diplomatic mission of that country.

- Supporting extension of temporary residence for foreigners returning to Vietnam to visit relatives sponsored by relatives in Vietnam; foreigners going for tour if they are guaranteed by an international travel agency committing to managing and coordinating with the authorities while waiting for exit;

In order to ensure the implementation of the "Dual goals" of the Government, both to ensure safety for epidemic prevention and to support businesses to overcome difficulties and develop the economy, foreigners who are working at organizations and enterprises and have been approved by the People's Committee (or Department of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs) of the province or city to employ foreign workers, are in the process of applying for a work permit or confirmation of exemption from work permits; foreigners who are stuck in Vietnam yet to be able to exit Vietnam and wish to work are requested by the guarantor enterprises to support production and business, and may have their temporary residence extended for a short time in accordance with the provisions of the Law. It should be noted that for foreigners in the above categories, they must make a temporary residence declaration and make sure to make a medical declaration in accordance with regulations.

The urgent implementation of policies to support foreigners stuck in Vietnam who cannot leave the country due to the impact of the above Covid-19 epidemic has contributed to ensuring normal economic activities in Vietnam. On the other hand, Vietnam aims to enhance position globally, meeting foreign policy requirements, demonstrating humanity while ensuring the management and preventing foreigners from illegal residence. The Vietnam Immigration Department has received many thank-you notes from diplomatic missions of many countries such as Russia, Australia, the United States, Ukraine, Thailand, Sweden, the European Union Delegation, etc. for supporting their citizens in procedures on immigration, exit and residence during the Covid-19 epidemic.

Up to now, although many countries have partially controlled the epidemic and deployed the Covid-19 vaccine campaigns, the situation of the Covid-19 epidemic in the world is still complicated. The number of foreigners immigrating in coming time depends on the epidemic situation in the world and disease control in Vietnam so.

The Immigration Department will continue to closely follow the directions of the Government, the Prime Minister and leaders of the Ministry of Public Security on the measures related to the immigration and exit of foreigners to ensure the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic along with the epidemic situation in Vietnam and over the world; promptly advise and propose competent authorities on measures, guidelines and policies on immigration, exit and residence of foreigners which will be contributing to the implementation of the "dual goal" of Vietnam.