MIỄN THỊ THỰC CÓ THỜI HẠN CHO NGƯỜI NƯỚC NGOÀI THUỘC DIỆN ĐỐI TƯỢNG ĐẶC BIỆT TỪ NGÀY 15/8/2025 / LIM

Legal situation: I am a Brazilian football player who has been awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or. Due to my fondness for life in Vietnam, my family and I plan to relocate to live and work here. I have learned that Vietnam has recently issued regulations on a limited-term visa exemption for foreigners classified as special cases deserving preferential treatment for socio-economic development purpose. I would like to know if my case qualifies for preferential entry into Vietnam and for the issuance of a special visa exemption card. I sincerely hope for your legal advice on this matter. Thank you very much.

FDVN's response:

Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP on a limited-term visa exemption for foreigners classified as special cases deserving preferential treatment for socio-economic development purpose, issued by the Government’s Vietnam, officially takes effect from August 15, 2025. Accordingly, certain subjects meeting specific criteria stipulated in Appendix I attached to this Decree shall be granted preferential visa exemption for entry into Vietnam.

1. Regarding conditions:

Regarding your case as a foreign national who has been awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or, cross-referenced with Section III.2 of Appendix I attached to Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP, you fall under the category eligible for the visa exemption preference. However, you must ensure you meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP, as follows:

+ Have an unexpired passport;

+ Receive a written request from ministries, ministerial agencies, government agencies, or organizations of the CPV and National Assembly;

+ Not fall under cases prohibited from entry or suspended from exit as prescribed by the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Therefore, in this case, you are a subject eligible for preferential entry into Vietnam for socio-economic development purpose. If you fully meet the three (03) conditions stated above, you shall be granted a special visa exemption card in accordance with the law.

2. On the validity period of the visa exemption and the usage form of the special visa exemption card

Pursuant to the provisions of Clauses 4 and 5, Article 4 of Decree 221/2025/NĐ-CP, the validity period of the visa exemption and the usage form of the special visa exemption card are stipulated as follows:

+ Foreigners may use their special visa exemption cards for multiple entries into Vietnam within the visa exemption period. The visa exemption period shall not exceed 05 years and must be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport.

+ Foreigners proposed by agencies or organizations to be granted visa exemption to enter Vietnam for socio-economic development purpose shall be considered for issuance of eID accounts at level 2 as requested.

3. Procedure for receiving and processing applications for the special visa exemption card

Step 1: You shall submit a notification/application in the prescribed form, along with a copy of the personal information page of your passport, directly or via electronic means to the Ministry of Public Security (Immigration Department).

Step 2: The Ministry of Public Security (Immigration Department) shall consider the issuance of a special visa exemption card in electronic format (NB-01 Form) or a chip-embedded physical card (NC-02 Form) and notify you of the access address to receive the electronic card. In case of refusal, a written response stating the reason(s) shall be sent to the requesting agency/organization.

Processing time: No more than 03 working days from the date of receipt of the application dossier.

Based on the above legal analysis and grounds, it is evident that as an international football player awarded the FIFA-recognized Ballon d'Or, you belong to the special category eligible for preferential entry under the provisions of Decree 221/2025/NĐ-CP. Therefore, you may prepare your dossier to request the competent Vietnamese authorities to consider issuing a special visa exemption card, valid for a maximum of 05 years, permitting multiple entries and exits throughout the card's validity period.

FDVN is honored to support you in preparing the dossier, liaising with the competent authorities, and carrying out the procedures to promptly obtain the special visa exemption card.

Based on Nguyen Phan Tuan Thi – FDVN Law Firm

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