HÀ NỘI – The Ministry of Public Security’s Immigration Management Department will officially launch online invitation and guarantee procedures for Việt Nam-based agencies, organisations and enterprises applying for Vietnamese visa for foreigners on July 1.

The online procedure was piloted in HCM City on June 15.

The move follows Article 10 of Government’s Decree 07/2017/NĐ-CP, dated January 2017, on processes and procedures for pilot issuance of electronic visa to foreigners who wish to enter Việt Nam.

This move is an administrative reform in the immigration sector and follows government instructions to promote the use of science and technology in State management, the department said.

The online procedure will reduce costs and save time, the department said.

On Tuesday, the department conducted a training session on the application process, including steps to receive status and complete fax payment through the online system.

Domestic agencies, organisations and enterprises that wish to invite or/and give guarantee for foreign visitors must register for an online account by submitting a document via the portal or directly at the department headquarters on 44-46 Trần Phú Street, Hà Nội.

The department will respond and issue an account within three days of document receipt.

After opening the account, inviting and guaranteeing agencies, organisations and enterprises can submit documents for visa approval through an online system at www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.

The fees can be paid to the department headquarters via fax, through online payment on the department website, or through a deposit bank account.

The agencies can check and see the status of the submitted visa application on website www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, and use their online application code to print it out.

Earlier, on February 1, the Immigration Management Department started a two-year pilot plan to launch an electronic visa system for foreign tourists. Citizens from 40 countries are now eligible to apply for e-visas.

Applicants are required to complete a form available on two separate websites (one in Vietnamese and the other in English) run by the Ministry of Public Security. They will receive an application code and will be asked to pay a non-refundable fee online. – VNS