The Government issued Resolution No. 229/NQ-CP on August 8, 2025, granting visa - free entry to citizens of 12 countries:
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Poland
- The Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Luxembourg
- The Netherlands
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Switzerland
Accordingly, citizens of these countries will be exempt from entry visas and temporary residence in Vietnam for up to 45 days, entry for tourism purposes, regardless of passport type.
The resolution is valid from August 15, 2025, to August 14, 2028.
Decree No. 221/2025/ND-CP issued on 8 August 2025
This Decree regulates the subjects, criteria, conditions, and procedures for a special visa exemption granted to foreigners whose presence is prioritized for socio-economic development, specifically:
- Eligible Individuals for Visa Exemption: The Decree applies to various groups, including high-level government invitees, scholars, experts, scientists, high-level investors, leaders of large corporations, influential figures in culture and sports, and honorary consuls of Vietnam.
- Conditions & Procedure: To be eligible, individuals must hold a valid passport, meet the specific criteria outlined in the Appendix, and have a formal request from a competent authority or organization to the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) for approval.
- Special Visa Exemption Card: The card, which can be either electronic or a physical chip card, has the same legal validity. It allows for multiple entries with a validity period of up to five years and at least 30 days shorter than the passport's remaining validity.
- Temporary Residency: Holders of this card are granted a 90-day temporary residency certificate for each entry and may apply for an extension or a new visa/temporary residence card.
The Decree will take effect on August 15, 2025.
KPMG Recommendations
Resolution No.229 allows entry for tourism only; combining work and tourism is prohibited. Therefore, short-term work should consider other appropriate visas for entering Vietnam for business purposes.
Also, large corporations and enterprises in the world may proactively review the conditions and strategically utilize the special visa scheme as regulated in Decree 221 to guarantee the long-term visa exemption card for their eligible business leaders for ease of travel to Vietnam.
If you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact Dang Duc Giang – Director, Global Mobility Services.
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