Quyết định 09/2004/QD-BNG

DECISION

INTRODUCING INTERIM REGULATIONS ON VISA WAIVER FOR JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN CITIZENS

THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

- Pursuant to the Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam dated April 28, 2000; 

- Pursuant to the Government's Decree No.21/2003/ND-CP dated Marche 10, 2003 on defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

- Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s authorization given in the Government’s Official Dispatch No. 103/CP-KTTH dated December 1, 2003 and the Prime Minister’s direction given in the Government Office's Official Dispatch No. 535/VPCP-QHQT dated June 28, 2004, 

HEREBY DECIDES

Article 1. to introduce interim regulations on visa waiver for Japanese and South Korean citizens.

Article 2. this Decision shall replace the Decision No. 08/2003/QD-BNG of the Minister of Foreign Affairs dated December 8, 2003 prescribing interim regulations on visa waiver for Japanese citizens on entry into Vietnam for sightseeing, tourism and business purposes, and enter into force from July 1, 2004. 

Article 3. Heads of entities concerned shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./. 

INTERIM REGULATIONS

VISA WAIVER FOR JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN CITIZENS
(Annexed to the Decision No. 09/2004/QD-BNG of the Minister of Foreign Affairs dated June 30, 2004)

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. A Japanese and South Korean citizen shall, irrespective of his/her passport type, be exempted from applying for a visa upon entry into or exit from Vietnam with the temporary residence duration of fewer than 15 days from the entry date provided (s)he fulfills the following eligibility requirements: 

a- Hold a legitimate passport issued respectively by a regulatory authority of Japan or South Korea which remains valid for a period of at least 03 months after the entry date;

b- Have a ticket for return or onward travel;

c- Ensure that (s)he is not listed as people banned from entering Vietnam in accordance with regulations set forth in paragraph (b), (c), (d) and (dd) Clause 1 Article 8 of the Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam dated April 28, 2000.

Article 2. If a Japanese and South Korean citizen who wishes to stay for more than 15 days has reasonable grounds for such stay for which a written request is submitted by an entity or individual in Vietnam acting as his/her guarantor to either the Immigration Administration - the Ministry of Public Security (applicable to those required to contact the Ministry of Public Security to file their applications) or the Consular Department, the Protocol Department – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (applicable to those required to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to file their applications), (s)he may be granted a visa to leave Vietnam or an extension of his/her stay in Vietnam based on his/her stay purposes.

Article 3. Any Japanese and South Korean citizen who fails to meet one of the requirements set out in Article 1 hereof shall not be allowed to enter Vietnam, or shall make his/her period of stay in Vietnam shortened. 

Chapter II

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 4. If any Japanese and South Korean citizens comply with eligibility requirements for visa waiver as referred to in Article 1 hereof and received his/her visa before July 1, 2004, (s)he shall continue to enter or exit Vietnam as usual based on that visa’s expiry date and shall not be refunded his/her visa application fee.

Article 5. The Director of Consular Department shall assume responsibility to use diplomatic means to inform Japan and South Korea of visa waiver granted to their citizens in accordance with provisions set forth herein, and of possible cancellation of these regulations made at the Government of Vietnam’s discretion where necessary./.