Time limit for visa exemption shortened to 5 days

The duration required for granting a visa exemption for overseas Vietnamese to enter Vietnam has been reduced from seven to five business days on receipt of valid applications, according to a prime ministerial decision.
The decision, which amends certain provisions of the regulation on visa exemptions for overseas Vietnamese, will come into effect on April 15, 2012.
The decision also regulates in detail the visit extension for holders of visa exemption certificates when their 90-days in Vietnam are over.
Accordingly, those who want to extend their stay in Vietnam are required to carry out procedures for extension five days before the period expires.
An extension file includes the passport of the individual applying for extension and the application for visa renewal, replacement, or modification, or visit extension.
This application must be certified by the police of the ward or commune where the applicant temporarily resides.
The extended period of stay must not exceed 90 days for each time of extension.