All About Vietnam immigration office
The Vietnam Immigration Office is responsible for monitoring the entry, exit, and residence of both Vietnamese and foreigners. If you intend to visit, live, or work in Vietnam, you must know what this authority is, what it does, what kind of documents it releases, and how you approach it in the right way.
What is the Vietnam immigration office?
The Vietnam Immigration Office is a government agency under the Ministry of Public Security. As stipulated in Section 1 of the 2014 Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, the office functions as an administrative authority responsible for managing all matters related to the entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreign nationals within the country.
Its main duties include:
- Granting and managing visas, residence permits, and exit-entry documents.
- Monitoring foreign activities related to immigration.
- Enforcement of immigration-related laws and national security policy.
- It is the issuance authority of immigration documents for Vietnamese and foreigners.
Which documents does the Vietnam immigration office issue?
Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 6 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens (2019) and amended in 2023 (with effect from August 15 2023), the Vietnam Immigration Office provides the following documents:
- Diplomatic Passport
- Official Passport
- Ordinary Passport
- Travel Document
- Other documents as stipulated in international treaties to which Vietnam is a party (newly added in 2023)
Additional Details:
- Passports are state property; they are handed out by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to its citizens for the purpose of international travel, identification, and proof of citizenship. E-passports have a built-in chip storing encrypted personal details, as well as the sender’s digital signature.
- Travel Documents are granted to citizens for cross-border travel as per agreements between Vietnam and neighboring countries.
- E-passports or regular passports are issued to citizens aged 14 and older, while simplified procedures apply to younger applicants or those eligible for non-chip passports.
Vietnam immigration offices
There are some main offices of the Vietnam Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security:
Hanoi – Vietnam Immigration Department:
- Address: 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Phone: +84 24 3825 7941
- Working Hours: work from Monday to Saturday morning
- Closed on weekends and public holidays
Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam Immigration Department
- Address: 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Phone: +84 28 3920 0365
- Working Hours: work from Monday to Saturday morning
- Closed on weekends and public holidays
Da Nang – Vietnam Immigration Department
- Address: 78 Le Loi Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
- Phone: +84 236 3822 381
- Working Hours: work from Monday to Saturday morning
- Closed on weekends and public holidays
How to Apply For Visa at Vietnam immigration office
To apply for a visa directly at a Vietnam Immigration Office, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Prepare the application documents
Applicants must prepare all required documents in accordance with current legal regulations.
Step 2: Submit the application
In-person submission at one of the two offices of the Vietnam Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security:
- Immigration officers will verify the legality and completeness of the submitted documents:
- If the application is complete and valid: It will be accepted, and the applicant will receive an appointment slip for result collection. Payment of processing fees will be required. Receipts are issued either in-person or electronically via online payment.
- If the application is incomplete or invalid: The applicant will be guided to make corrections or will receive an official notification through the relevant online portals.
- If the application is ineligible: It will not be accepted, and the applicant will receive a written explanation or an online notification clearly stating the reason for rejection.
Step 3: Receive the result
Applicants can choose one of the following methods:
- In-person collection at the Vietnam Immigration Department by presenting the appointment slip, identification documents, and payment receipt.
- Postal delivery, if previously requested and paid for.
- In case the visa is not granted, the applicant will receive a written explanation or an online notification detailing the reason.
- Result issuance schedule: Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and Tet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit a visa application online?
Yes, via the national or Ministry of Public Security portals. Some documents may need to be submitted by mail.
Is it possible to apply for a residence card here?
Yes. The Vietnam Immigration Office handles temporary and permanent residence permits for eligible foreigners.
What if my application is rejected?
You’ll be notified with the reason for rejection via official letter or the government portal.
Do these offices handle visa extensions?
Yes, including renewals and other immigration services.
Conclusion
Immigration office vietnam Vietnam Immigration Office is the government agency that operates all procedures relating to immigration matters of Vietnamese citizens and foreigners. Based on Vietnamese legislation, the office has important functions such as granting travel documents and visas, and guaranteeing national security. If you're looking for a hassle-free visa experience, Seniword is the best option for you. Let our experts guide you through the process and save your time and effort with our professional visa services.