(VOVworld) – The bill on foreigners’ entry, exit and residence in Vietnam was submitted to the ongoing National Assembly session on Monday afternoon. Compared with the 2000 ordinance, the bill stipulates in more details the rights and obligations of foreigners who enter Vietnam. Some amendments have been made to match reality in the country.  Specifically, the bill bans foreigners from changing entry purposes, except in some cases, to ensure the publicity and transparency of laws, create favorable conditions for foreigners and tighten management. Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang says: “The exemption of visas for foreigners is undertaken on the basis the bilateral and international accords to which Vietnam is signatory. The unilateral visa exemption is being implemented in accordance with the Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee. To make it more relevant to the current situation, the bill stipulates conditions for issuing visas for foreigners who enter Vietnam for investment, work and study purposes. Although the bill prohibits foreigners from changing their entry purposes, there are some exceptional cases. Those who can supplement entry purposes include those who are accompanying diplomats on missions, representatives of consulates and UN organizations, and students of university, colleges and high schools”.

According to Minister Quang, high-level scientists and experts who are residing temporarily in Vietnam are eligible for permanent residence permits. Foreigners who do not have any identification of nationality and have stayed in Vietnam uninterruptedly from before 2000 are eligible for Vietnamese citizenship application. The bill also states that the residence card is now valid for 10 years instead of 3 years as previously.