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| The trial use of online visas for the last 10 months has been deemed a success, with the number of visitors applying increasing month by month, the Department of Immigration said yesterday. — Photo cafef.vn |
Department director Major General Lê Xuân Viên told a press conference that up to 96,478 foreigners were granted e-visas since February 2 when the scheme started.
Of these, 93,266 applied for the e-visa themselves while another 3,212 used organisations in Việt Nam.
Việt Nam is currently granting single entry e-visa to citizens of 46 countries, with Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, United Arab Republic, Canada and India the latest added to the list.
“The issuing of e-visas is simple, easy and guarantees transparency,” Viên said.
He said that most of the e-visa applications were handled within one to two working days, faster that the three-day time frame required in regulations.
He added that there were no incidents regarding e-visa checks at 28 ports where they were allowed, thanks to smooth data connection, which also ensured security against hackers.
The department head said that e-visas were open for all foreigners wanting to enter Việt Nam, especially those with no guarantors in the country.
In response to a question from the Canadian Embassy regarding procedures for those who had an e-visa but had lost their passports during their time in Việt Nam, Viên said that they should first contact and report to the diplomatic mission of their home country to renew the lost passports. They then should get in touch with the Department of Immigration to get a new visa granted.
Meanwhile, foreigners who enter the country by e-visa and want to extend their stay or switch to a multiple entry visa can apply for a new visa at the Department of Immigration if they have a domestic guarantor, for example, a tour agency, Viên said.
Any further questions regarding e-visas can be asked in English, French and Spanish on the immigration department’s official website at xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — VNS
