Deputy Spokesman: MoFA works to welcome back foreigners
PSNews - According to Deputy Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (c) Doan Khac Viet, the ministry has suggested measures to the Government to open the door to foreign tourists, experts and investors, including resuming visa waivers for citizens from 13 countries and visas for foreigner tourists, said deputy spokesman Doan Khac Viet.
During the ministry’s regular press conference on September 8, Deputy Spokesman said the ministry is actively working with countries to simplify entry-exit procedures, as well as collecting feedback from the public and businesses at home and abroad.
In accordance with the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, foreigners wishing to enter Vietnam to work for domestic firms or projects must apply for visas at the Ministry of Public Security’s Immigration Department. Types of visa and visa durations are decided by the department. Once approved, visas can be obtained at Vietnamese representative agencies abroad.
Viet said in the near future, the Foreign Ministry will continue working with the Ministry of Public Security, relevant ministries and agencies to consider and suggest suitable immigration policies.
Regarding the consular procedures, Viet said that the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department is working hard to create the most favourable conditions for people to carry out consular procedures.
Viet said that to meet the increasing demand for consular procedures, the Foreign Ministry has directed the Consular Department and related units to implement drastic measures to maximise the efficiency of receiving and handling dossiers.
During the National Day holiday from September 1-4, the ministry upgraded technical infrastructure by installing more machines and equipment for the One-Stop Unit at the Consular Department.
The department has also made efforts to diversify the way it advises people, especially by encouraging them to use flexible forms of submissions (instead of direct submissions) such as via post or through local agencies for external affairs.
These measures have yielded positive results, Viet stated, adding that after the holiday, the department has been receiving an average of 360 dossiers per day (compared to 150-250 before). Notably, in the past three days, it received more than 1,000 dossiers and certified nearly 8,000 documents. People no longer have to go home and queue for their turns the next day, he stressed.
Viet went on to say that the Consular Department has closely coordinated with the Foreign Ministry and local authorities to take measures to ensure security, order, and COVID-19 prevention and control.
Following the direction of the ministry, the department and the One-Stop Unit will continue to study and consult the Government on the simplification of consular certification and legalisation procedures in particular and consular procedures in general, and strengthen the application of information technology to quickly and promptly handle citizens' requests.
