Immigration in Vietnam in the face of the epidemic COVID-19

No country in the world has escaped the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, since the beginning of the year. Vietnam is trying to manage the spread of the virus as best it can.

COVID-19, information and rules in Vietnam

The rules of entry into the country are changing. We are doing our best to follow the government’s requests and will publish any changes in migration policy on this article.

On March 17, 2020:

For individuals wishing to travel to Vietnam:

  • From March 15, Nationals of the 26 Schengen countries and the United Kingdom are banned from entering Vietnam for 30 days. Also, foreigners who have stayed and/or transited in one of these countries during the 14 days prior to their arrival are not allowed to come to Vietnam. The access to Vietnamese territory has also been denied, since 5 February, to non-Vietnamese nationals coming from China (outside the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao) or having stayed in China (outside Hong Kong and Macao) in the 14 days preceding their arrival in Vietnam.

  • Visas issued on arrival are suspended.

  • Please note that these measures are not applied to holders of diplomatic or service passports on mission.

For individuals already in Vietnam and holding a Visa or Temporary Resident Card: 

  • From March 16, wearing a mask covering the nose and mouth is compulsory in public places and/or places exposing people at risk: bus stations, airports, supermarkets…

  • Any foreigner present on the Vietnamese territory can at any time be subject to medical check and/or compulsory isolation for fourteen days at its place of residence or any place chosen by the government. Failure to comply with local health prevention measures and, in particular, a medical declaration that is incomplete or false may lead to prosecution on the spot.

  • It is possible to extend a Visa (business or tourism), Temporary Resident Card or Work Permit without leaving the territory. The visa will be extended month by month as Vietnam considers COVID-19 as a natural disaster. We strongly suggest people who need it to call an agency and we remind them that the extension is not accepted automatically. The steps are relatively easy: deposit the passport at the immigration office or at a trusted agency. The new visa will be issued within 3 to 5 working days and the price will depend on the visa, the length needed and the nationality of the passport holder.

COVID-19, behaviors

These new immigration restrictions are essential to deal with the complex evolution of COVID-19 and the pandemic that has already caused the deaths of 6,400 people worldwide. To avoid more and more contamination, we kindly ask you first and foremost to take care of yourself and protect others. We also demand you to follow measures outlined by the World Health Organization

  • Wash your hands frequently and properly

  • Maintain social distancing

  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth especially with unwashed hands

  • Practice respiratory hygiene: cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue immediately

  • If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

  • Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider or reliable sources

  • Travel as less as possible

  • Stay home if you are unwell; avoid close contact with people who are sick

 

For your information, people are called:

  • F0 if they are a positive case

  • F1 if they have been in contact with F0

  • F2 if they have been in contact with F1

  • F3 if they have been in contact with F2, and so on

In case they are one of the FX introduced above, here at the actions to take: 

  • F0 have to be hospitalized

  • F1 have to be in quarantine at the hospital

  • F2 have to be in quarantine at home

  • F3 and others have to isolate themselves at home

If F1 becomes positive at the second test, F2 becomes F1 and F3 becomes F2…

 

Information by My Relocation Asia.

For further information, you can contact us.