Passport regulations change

HA NOI — Vietnamese citizens will have their passport renewed when it comes to expire after 10 years of validity, instead of applying for a new one, according to a new Government decree.

Decree 65/2012/ND-CP also stipulates that diplomatic and official passport holders will be allowed to extend their passport once by a maximum of three years when it is within six months of expiration.

These types of passports are valid for five years from the date of issuance.

Crew passport regulations have also been amended to extend validation from five years to 10 years. However, this passport cannot be further extended.

Authorities will not grant diplomatic or official passports to officers, employees, and soldiers of the People's Army and the People's Public Security who are sent to study abroad for more than six months.

The new decree also stipulates that passports for children under the age of nine must be granted by their parents. — VNS