Immigration Department officers support a foreign resident in Hà Nội in filling out forms for Level-2 electronic identification accounts with VNeID on July 1. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Public Security on Tuesday launched a 50-day nationwide campaign to issue Level-2 electronic identification (eID) accounts for foreign nationals with residence cards in Việt Nam.

According to the ministry’s Immigration Department, the issuance of Level-2 eID accounts will facilitate foreign nationals in conducting administrative procedures online, saving time and paperwork, minimising in-person contact and ensuring authenticity and protection of their lawful rights while living and working in Việt Nam.

The Level-2 eID account also allows foreigners to access a wide range of digital utilities in Việt Nam, such as verifying personal information in banking transactions, registering rental accommodation, using public services and storing their electronic residence cards and other legal documents within the VNeID application, the national ID app.

The app has been freshly updated to feature an English interface option in addition to the main Vietnamese interface.

Foreign nationals residing in Việt Nam who come to register for an electronic identification account will be guided through fingerprint collection procedures for authentication against the National Immigration Database, and to confirm their consent for account creation. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

For management agencies, the creation of a unified and consistent digital profile for each foreign individual will improve identity verification and authentication processes, enhance residency management and help prevent and handle any violations. The policy aims not only to support effective State management, but also to provide a convenient, secure and user-friendly administrative experience for foreigners in Việt Nam.

The eID issuance is coordinated by the Immigration Department and the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order under the Ministry of Public Security. Required data include personal information, passport or other valid international travel documents, permanent or temporary residence cards, portrait photos and biometric data.

Eligible applicants are foreign nationals who have been granted temporary or permanent residence cards in Việt Nam. The issuance is done free of charge.

The Immigration Department has outlined the following five-step process:

(1) The applicant visits an immigration management agency under the Ministry of Public Security to request a Level-2 eID account.

(2) The applicant presents a passport or valid international travel document and accurately fills out Form TK01 (attached to Decree 69/2024/NĐ-CP). The form must include the registered mobile phone number, email address (if any) and any additional information to be integrated into the VNeID application.

(3) Officers input the applicant’s data into the eID system, collect biometric data (portrait photo and fingerprints), and verify it against the national immigration database. The applicant must confirm consent for the creation of the eID account.

(4) The immigration agency submits the account request to the electronic identification and authentication management authority.

(5) The authority notifies the registration outcome via the VNeID app, the applicant’s registered phone number or email address.

Processing time should be no more than three working days for applicants whose facial photo and fingerprints are already stored in the national immigration database, and no more than seven working days if biometric data is not yet in the database.

A foreigner inquires about the application process at the Immigration Department office in Hà Nội on July 1. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

Smooth rollout

Colonel Nguyễn Bá Tuấn, Deputy Director of the Immigration Department, said that in preparation for the official rollout, a pilot programme was conducted before July during which 333 applications were processed smoothly.

“During this campaign, we will inform foreign residents about the issuance of Level-2 electronic identity accounts and the benefits of using them in digital public services and administrative procedures. This will help them feel more secure when living, working or studying in Việt Nam under the duration of their residence cards,” Colonel Tuấn said.

Park HyungChe, a South Korean national, expressed satisfaction after completing the procedure at the Immigration Department on the morning of July 1, noting the “quick and smooth process” and the “clear, helpful instructions” from the officers.

Chen Hsiao Wu from Taiwan (China) said that obtaining an eID account made him feel “almost like a Vietnamese citizen” and expected it would greatly facilitate his public service access, residence registration and civil transactions such as banking and renting accommodation.

According to the Immigration Department, the issuance of eIDs to foreigners is a crucial step aligned with the national agenda for digital transformation and modern governance. While challenges remain, the ministry believes that with strong direction from the Government and cooperation from relevant agencies and localities, the policy will enhance state management efficiency, safeguard the legitimate rights of foreign residents and promote the image of a transparent, safe and digital-friendly Việt Nam. — VNS​

A South Korean national gets his portrait photo taken at the Immigration Department in Hà Nội on July 1 to be used for a Level-2 electronic identification account on the VNeID app. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

An Immigration Department officer under the Ministry of Public Security guides foreign national residing in Việt Nam through the procedures to apply for an electronic identification account. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

Foreign nationals in Hà Nội can visit the Immigration Management Office of the Hà Nội City Police, located at No.44 Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street, Hà Nội, to register.

For any issues encountered during the registration process or for assistance with procedures, citizens and foreign nationals may directly contact the Immigration Management Office of the Hà Nội City Police via the hotline numbers: 0692.191.506 or 0912.691.388.

For foreigners in HCM City, for any issues or support requests, please contact the Immigration Management Office – HCM City Police, head office at No.196 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street, Xuân Hòa Ward, or via hotline number 0283.829.9398.