You need to apply for an approval letter on arrival for foreign experts to work in Vietnam but do not know what the procedures and documents are prescribed in the current Covid-19 epidemic? To understand the necessary procedures and save time for businesses, please refer to the following article with Nhi Gia!
Table of Contents
Documents for approval letter on arrival application that you need to prepare
+ Foreigner’s passport which is still valid for more than 6 months (scan the passport’s photo page).
+ Information about the expected date of entry into Vietnam.
+ Place to receive the visa: Noi Bai, Da Nang, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, or Moc Bai, Huu Nghi, Cau Treo Border Gate, etc.
Process and time for applying for approval letter on arrival
During the Covid-19 epidemic prevention period, the procedures to apply for a Vietnamese approval letter on arrival for foreign experts have been much more complicated compared to the previous time. For entry into Vietnam, the Immigration Agency requires a variety of documents and intermediate steps to ensure compliance with regulations, process and medical quarantine according to the State policies. Two steps to apply for an approval letter on arrival include:
Step 1:
- Applying for the approval letter from the People’s Committee of the Province/City where the agencies/organizations wishing to invite foreign experts into Vietnam are located, with the appropriate purpose.
- Proposing the plan of quarantine after entry and submitting it to the Department of Health for approval.
Step 2:
Documents of approval letter on arrival application for entry at the airport include:
+ Approval letter from the People’s Committee of the Province/City where the agencies/organizations wishing to invite foreign experts into Vietnam are located.
+ Scanned copy or photocopy of the foreigner’s passport.
+ Confirming the expected date of entry into Vietnam.
+ Some sample forms as prescribed by the Immigration Agency of Vietnam.
+ Legal documents of the inviting or sponsoring organizations/businesses in Vietnam (in case of being sponsored by businesses).
+ Personal documents of relatives being Vietnamese (in case of being sponsored by individuals).
Notes: The requirements for some of the above documents are only temporary, they are subject to changes and requirements of Vietnam Immigration Agency.
Frequently asked questions when applying for approval letter on arrival during the epidemic period
Question: Do I need to take an NCovid test before entering during the epidemic period?
Answer: Enterprises, units and individuals wishing to invite or sponsor foreign experts to enter the country must notify them of taking SARS-CoV-2 tests using Real time-PCR techniques and having negative results 3-5 days before the date of entry into Vietnam.
The SARS-CoV-2 test must be done at the laboratory of the authorized medical authority. Foreign experts must have international health insurance or the agencies or organizations inviting them must commit to pay treatment costs in case of COVID-19 infection.
Question: Can an expert without a work permit or temporary resident card apply for an approval letter on arrival?
Answer: Yes. If the inviting or sponsoring enterprises or units provide the documents in accordance with the regulations, it will still be able to obtain an approval letter on arrival during the epidemic period.
Question: Is it possible to apply for emergency approval letter on arrival?
Answer: Yes. The emergency processing time is 2 working days from the date of submission of the application to the Immigration Department.
Some notes when entering Vietnam during the epidemic period
+ After entering Vietnam, foreign experts must be in medical quarantine for 15 days according to the Government’s regulations.
+ When the experts who have completed the quarantine in other localities, return to the company to work, the inviting or sponsoring enterprises, agencies and units shall responsible for informing the Department of Health of the Province/City for further monitoring and following-up of health according to regulations.
+ Experts, investors, managers, technical workers wishing to enter Vietnam to work for less than 14 days to attend meetings, sign the economic cooperation agreements and contracts will not have to be in medical quarantine if they meet the requirements and strictly follow the procedures of entry for less than 14 days according to the Official Letter No. 5619/SYT-NVY dated September 25, 2020.
Hopefully, with the information about the procedures to apply for approval letter on arrival during the epidemic period, you will understand and have suitable plans for foreigners to enter Vietnam quickly. Please contact Nhi Gia via the hotline +84 1900 6654 or send a message via Facebook Fanpage at https://www.facebook.com/nhigia to get advise and quotation for approval letter on arrival services during the epidemic period. The requirements for documents are simple, the process is fast to optimize time and cost for customers!
>> See more: Emergency entry services for foreigners
