Passengers fill in health declarations at Incheon International Airport in South Korea on February 24, 2020. — YONHAP/VNA Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry on Friday received a diplomatic note from the Republic of Korea (RoK) Embassy in Việt Nam which said amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, the Korean Government has decided to suspend the validity of short-term visas for foreigners, irrespective of countries and territories, starting from 00:00 on April 13. 

Accordingly, the ministry noted that the Korean Government will temporarily end the validity of 90-day visas issued by the Korean representative agencies abroad before April 5. 

The restrictions will result in the cancellation of 2.35 million short-term visas. Visitors from China will be most affected, with 1.95 million visas to be cancelled, followed by Việt Nam with 90,000.

Foreigners who entered the RoK on long-term visas could stay in the country for the allowed period. 

Visa applicants were asked to submit health certificates issued by medical agencies and COVID-19 test results within 48 hours from the application date. 

The decision is not applicable for C-4 visas for skilled engineers invited by Korean firms, long-term working and investment visas, diplomatic and official passport holders, families of Korean citizens or other urgent and humanitarian cases. 

The ministry urged Vietnamese citizens to refrain from travelling between the two countries at present, abide by epidemic prevention and control measures, and regularly update themselves on the two countries’ regulations. 

Further assistance could be reached via the citizen protection hotlines +82 2 720 5124 at the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK and +84 981 84 84 84 in Việt Nam. — VNS