Talents and world-leading business leaders are exempted from visas when visiting Vietnam

Temporary visa exemption for foreigners in special need of incentives to serve socio -economic development - Photo: NAM TRAN

On August 8, the Government issued Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP regulating temporary visa exemption for foreigners who are in special need of incentives to serve socio-economic development.

Previously, at the regular Government meeting in February 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security , and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to study appropriate visa policies and diversify visa exemptions for a number of countries and subjects such as billionaires around the world.

Special visa exemptions

Accordingly, Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP, visa-exempt subjects include:

Guests of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the President, the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Standing Member of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vice President, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuracy, the State Auditor General, ministers and equivalents, secretaries of provincial and municipal Party committees, chairmen of people's councils, and chairmen of people's committees of provinces and cities.

Scholars, experts, scientists, professors of universities, research institutes; chief engineers; high-quality digital technology industry human resources. Scientists in the field of science and technology must meet the criteria: winning prestigious international awards in science and technology that are recognized.

Investors, corporate leaders, and leaders of large enterprises in the world are listed in the 100 largest capitalized enterprises in the world, announced annually by prestigious international organizations.

People working in the fields of culture, art, sports, tourism have a positive influence on the public. For outstanding football players in the world who meet the criteria of being in the list of 100 best football players announced annually by prestigious international organizations; invited by domestic professional football clubs to compete, exchange...

Honorary Consuls of Vietnam abroad. Guests of research institutes, universities, colleges, large enterprises. Based on the proposals of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government, the Government decides on the list of research institutes, universities, colleges, and large enterprises that are allowed to invite foreigners.

Other cases requiring visa exemption for foreign affairs purposes or serving socio-economic development shall be decided by the Minister of Public Security based on the proposals of agencies and organizations.

Brazilian Arsenal football player Gilberto Silva wearing a conical hat, interacting with fans in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: HONG LINH

Special visa exemption conditions

Conditions to enjoy special visa policy are as follows: have a valid passport; in case of diplomatic guests, there must be a notification from the competent authority or organization.

For experts and influential people in the fields of education, culture, arts, sports, tourism, investors need a written request from a ministry, ministerial-level agency, government agency or Party agency, or the National Assembly.

Guests of research institutes, universities, colleges, large enterprises and other subjects requiring special visa exemptions must have a written request from the relevant agency or organization.

People who are entitled to special visa policies are in cases where entry is not allowed and exit is temporarily suspended according to the provisions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Special visa exemption cards come in two forms: electronic cards and hard cards with chips, which have the same legal value. Agencies and organizations have the right to choose to issue special visa exemption cards in electronic form or hard cards with chips to foreigners.

Under this special visa policy, foreigners are allowed to use a special visa exemption card to enter Vietnam multiple times during the visa exemption period.

The visa exemption period is not more than 5 years and is at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport.

NGUYEN HIEN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhan-tai-lanh-dao-doanh-nghiep-hang-dau-the-gioi-duoc-mien-thi-thuc-khi-den-viet-nam-20250809083045584.htm