A quick guide to Certificate of Visa Exemption (VEC), Vietnam

That's the normal stay extension stamp on the passport by immigration department not the separate TRC

charmavietnam wrote:

That's the normal stay extension stamp on the passport by immigration department not the separate TRC

Apparently it is officially known as a " Temporary Residence Permit ", under the new rules, anyone on a VEC has to apply for a TT Visa, ( 3 - 12 months ),then they can get a 3 Yr TRC.

VEC holder should apply for Visa?
Then what is the significance of VEC?
Or VEC not exists according to new law?
And you said that one of your acquaintance got new VEC. Then that new VEC holder also need to apply for visa?
Or you mean people who want to get a TT visa and TRC, it's possible to apply for that when they possess the VEC?

bluenz wrote:

Under the new rules, anyone on a VEC has to apply for a TT Visa, ( 3 - 12 months ),then they can get a 3 Yr TRC.

charmavietnam wrote:

VEC holder should apply for Visa?
Then what is the significance of VEC?
Or VEC not exists according to new law?
And you said that one of your acquaintance got new VEC. Then that new VEC holder also need to apply for visa?
Or you mean people who want to get a TT visa and TRC, it's possible to apply for that when they possess the VEC?

bluenz wrote:

Under the new rules, anyone on a VEC has to apply for a TT Visa, ( 3 - 12 months ),then they can get a 3 Yr TRC.

I told my friend about the 3 TRC, but he said he doesn't want it, ( must like his 90 day visits ), but it does work out a little more expensive. ( and he's REALLY tight ) He also aid he didn't have to pay any money for his new VEC, only when he goes to get his 90 days.
A new Foreign spouse/sibling of a VN, ( or a VK ),  can apply directly for a TT visa, ( not sure if this is available outside VN though?? A VEC is ), then they can apply for a 3 yr TRC.  VEC holders still have to apply for the TT visa first, as stupid as it sounds.
I was quite sure last year the VEC was no more after Jan/May 2015 and was surprised to see them still being issued, it's hard to find info on VEC's on the websites, that what gave me the impression they were being made obsolete.

bluenz wrote:

It sounds like they are talking about the 12 month TT visa, it's for spouses/siblings of VN's,  and entitles you to the TRC,( as does any TT Visa ),  I always used to call it a Temporary Residence Certificate, but apparently it is Card not Certificate, or again something in the translation? same thing really, but Certificate sounds more official.

I can't open that link, but sounds like the thing, 4cm x 2cm, you could get 4 to a page, but it's always only 3.

The link is on Google drive so you must log in gmail/ GG account to see it. Sorry

VanKhanh Ho wrote:

bluenz wrote:

It sounds like they are talking about the 12 month TT visa, it's for spouses/siblings of VN's,  and entitles you to the TRC,( as does any TT Visa ),  I always used to call it a Temporary Residence Certificate, but apparently it is Card not Certificate, or again something in the translation? same thing really, but Certificate sounds more official.

I can't open that link, but sounds like the thing, 4cm x 2cm, you could get 4 to a page, but it's always only 3.

The link is on Google drive so you must log in gmail/ GG account to see it. Sorry

It's ok thanks Van, I've got the real thing right in front of me. a couple of times I've gone into that Google drive , and later had problems with my computer.

@VanKhanh Ho Thanks for the information and the Decree no. That's pretty much in line what immigration told my wife when she got our last 90 day stamp 3 months ago. They said when our VECs expire (2018) they  couldn't renew them again (we've did it twice) and that we had to apply for another type of visa at that point.  She's goes back Monday again for our next 90 days and will try and get a little more information. Hau Giang immigration is fairly helpful as I've posted in the past and Ill pass on anything new that concerns this subject here. On another note Id like to start a new thread on PRC's but it appears only one member has been able to get one and he hasn't posted in 8 months. Any positive interest?

Rick

Budman1 wrote:

@VanKhanh Ho Thanks for the information and the Decree no. That's pretty much in line what immigration told my wife when she got our last 90 day stamp 3 months ago. They said when our VECs expire (2018) they  couldn't renew them again (we've did it twice) and that we had to apply for another type of visa at that point.  She's goes back Monday again for our next 90 days and will try and get a little more information. Hau Giang immigration is fairly helpful as I've posted in the past and Ill pass on anything new that concerns this subject here. On another note Id like to start a new thread on PRC's but it appears only one member has been able to get one and he hasn't posted in 8 months. Any positive interest?

Tick

One thing about the new rules for applying for a PRC, before there was no residence requirement, ( I applied in my first year here ), now it says 3 years, maybe this might make it actually possible to receive one???

I don't know where to post it, just post here for someone who needs
http://tuoitrenews.vn/society/30702/for … n-november

Now we really po tay with these news 
This again come back to 5 year VEC.
Actually what is happening here?

ngattt wrote:

I don't know where to post it, just post here for someone who needs
http://tuoitrenews.vn/society/30702/for … n-november

charmavietnam wrote:

Now we really po tay with these news 
This again come back to 5 year VEC.
Actually what is happening here?

ngattt wrote:

I don't know where to post it, just post here for someone who needs
http://tuoitrenews.vn/society/30702/for … n-november

Go back about 16 comments, Budman posted this link yesterday, that's what we've BEEN discussing/trying to explain.
   It doesn't actually explain it clearly, and then having a 6 month instead of the 90 day extension thrown in the mix, just confused it even more.

" People in other countries should apply for the visa exemption at the Vietnamese agencies in charge of visas there, whereas those who temporarily reside in Vietnam must complete the procedures at the Vietnam Immigration Department. "
I think they still need to a VEC to enter VN.

From that news we can guess that is a VEC.

charmavietnam wrote:

From that news we can guess that is a VEC.

Yes, although when they speak about the 12 month passport requirement it doesn't make any sense???

" They will also be required to have a passport with at least one year of validity "
Sounds more like a TT Visa.

But this part is definitely VEC.
" The visa exemption has a maximum validity period of five years and must be at least six months shorter than the remaining validity of the passports of the policy beneficiaries."

TT visa plus 3 year TRC, 5 year VEC, PRC, 'lease property'... wow the list goes on....
Lucky expatriates, huh? 

bluenz wrote:

I think you still have to apply for the VEC oversea's first, ( if you are there ), this is where it is confusing, we are really only paying for a Residence PERMIT every 90 days.( the stamp ). But the word PERMIT is hardly ever mentioned on any websites.
You mean this blue stamps?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4WBH_ … sp=sharing

That is "Chứng nhận tạm trú", roughly translated as Temporary Residence Certificate.
It sounds like they are talking about the 12 month TT visa, it's for spouses/siblings of VN's,  and entitles you to the TRC,( as does any TT Visa ),  I always used to call it a Temporary Residence Certificate, but apparently it is Card not Certificate, or again something in the translation? same thing really, but Certificate sounds more official.

I can't open that link, but sounds like the thing, 4cm x 2cm, you could get 4 to a page, but it's always only 3.

That Temporary Residence Certificate I mentioned is a blue rectangle  stamps on your passport saying that you can reside here until what day.

bluenz wrote:

charmavietnam wrote:

VEC holder should apply for Visa?
Then what is the significance of VEC?
Or VEC not exists according to new law?
And you said that one of your acquaintance got new VEC. Then that new VEC holder also need to apply for visa?
Or you mean people who want to get a TT visa and TRC, it's possible to apply for that when they possess the VEC?

bluenz wrote:

Under the new rules, anyone on a VEC has to apply for a TT Visa, ( 3 - 12 months ),then they can get a 3 Yr TRC.

I told my friend about the 3 TRC, but he said he doesn't want it, ( must like his 90 day visits ), but it does work out a little more expensive. ( and he's REALLY tight ) He also aid he didn't have to pay any money for his new VEC, only when he goes to get his 90 days.
A new Foreign spouse/sibling of a VN, ( or a VK ),  can apply directly for a TT visa, ( not sure if this is available outside VN though?? A VEC is ), then they can apply for a 3 yr TRC.  VEC holders still have to apply for the TT visa first, as stupid as it sounds.
I was quite sure last year the VEC was no more after Jan/May 2015 and was surprised to see them still being issued, it's hard to find info on VEC's on the websites, that what gave me the impression they were being made obsolete.

Sorry but I thought that I mentioned before that VEC is still valid under the new law and TT Visa is a new one, a supplemental one, not to replace VEC. That is 2 different regimes that you can not do both. This new Decree 82 confirmed my opinion one more time.

You can check my opinion here https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 09#2791516

"Article 12. Cases of visa-free entry, Immigration Law 2015
5. Vietnamese people residing overseas who have passports or laissez-passers issued by foreign authorities, foreigners being their spouses or children; foreigners being spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens shall be granted visa-free entry (aka VEC) as prescribed by the government."

And from what I under standing, Vietnamese spouse and children can choose to apply for a VEC OR a TT Visa. If you already have a VEC, you are not required (and not allowed) to apply for a Visa any more.

If you got a TT Visa, then you are eligible to apply for a TRC for maximum 3 years. That's it

bluenz wrote:

charmavietnam wrote:

From that news we can guess that is a VEC.

Yes, although when they speak about the 12 month passport requirement it doesn't make any sense???

" They will also be required to have a passport with at least one year of validity "
Sounds more like a TT Visa.

But this part is definitely VEC.
" The visa exemption has a maximum validity period of five years and must be at least six months shorter than the remaining validity of the passports of the policy beneficiaries."

Hi

That new Decree 82 is about VEC and purely VEC. Nothing about Visa

You see "6 months entry" and you think that it is a Visa, that is not true.

"Article 10 Decree 82/2015/ND
1. Individuals entering Vietnam on visa exemption documents are granted a residence certificate (stamps) allowed to stay 6 months for each entry; if the visa exemption document has less than 6 months validation, then granted a residence certificate (stamps) with same validation with the visa exemption documents."

Nice post about VEC!
I have a question. Say in my situation, I have both US and Vietnamese passports. The Vietnamese passport grants me the ability to travel back and forth to VN without a need for visa and won't expire until 2021. Do I still need to apply for VEC if I were to work longer than a year in VN?

ZePhilosopher wrote:

Nice post about VEC!
I have a question. Say in my situation, I have both US and Vietnamese passports. The Vietnamese passport grants me the ability to travel back and forth to VN without a need for visa and won't expire until 2021. Do I still need to apply for VEC if I were to work longer than a year in VN?

Yes you do by the sound of it,
CERTIFICATE OF VISA EXEMPTION FOR VIETNAMESE AND FAMILY MEMBERS (5 YEARS VISA)
I. Forms of Certificate of Visa Exemption

I. The certificate of visa exemption might take the following forms:

1. A stamped certificate: A visa exemption certificate is stamped on the passports of Vietnamese nationals living abroad and foreign nationals to allow their entrance into Vietnam.

2. Detached Certificate: A visa exemption certificate issued to Vietnamese people living abroad under permanent resident’s permit granted by foreign authorities and holder of passports of foreign countries or territories with which Vietnam does not have diplomatic relations.

II. Required documents attached to application for visa exemption certificate:

1. For Vietnamese residing abroad, profile comprises:

a. 01 application form for visa exemption certificate (Fill-out the form and print with barcode on Letter-sized paper at http://mienthithucvk.mofa.gov.vn/%C4%90 … fault.aspx ).

b. One recent 2 x 2 inch picture (white background, straight face, bare head, no colored glasses)

c. Foreign passports or equivalent documents with validity of at least 6 months upto date of entry. If the applicant does not have a passport, he/she must submit a permanent resident’s permit  issued by US authorities with the validity of at least 6 months upto the date of entry (attached a copy for competent authority to file)

d. One of the following documents (attached copy for competent authority to file) if available:

- A certificate of Vietnamese citizenship;

- A copy or excerpt of the Decision for Recovery of Vietnamese citizenship;

- A copy or excerpt of the Decision for Renunciation of Vietnamese citizenship;

- Certificate of Lost of Vietnamese citizenship;

- A Vietnamese passport (valid or invalid)

- An Identity Card (valid or invalid)

- A Birth Certificate (Copy accepted)

- The latest voter’s card

- A Family Register Book

- A travel document issued before 1975

- An Identity Card issued before 1975

- An Excerpt from Birth Register issued before 1975

- Documents issued by competent foreign authorities if they can prove that the person in question has original Vietnamese citizenship or of Vietnamese origin.

e. In case of not having documents listed at section (d), the following documents could be submitted:

- A guarantee issued by an overseas Vietnamese association from the country of residence (in due form provided)

- A guarantee from a Vietnamese citizen (in due form provided)

The said documents do not need require further certification or verification.

2. With holders of foreign passports being wives, husbands, and children of a Vietnamese citizen or Vietnamese residing abroad, the attached file comprises of:

a. One application form for a visa exemption certificate.

b. One recent 2 x 2 inch photo (white background, straight face, bare head, without colored glasses).

c. A foreign passport with validity of at least 6 months upto date of entry (a copy attached for competent authority to file)

d. One of documents proving relationship between wives/husbands/children and the Vietnamese residing abroad (a copy attached for competent authority to file)

- Certificate of Marriage

- Certificate of Birth

- A Certificate of relationship with father, mother, children;

- Other valid documents as regulated by the Vietnamese Law.

- Decision of Adoption

3. The re-issuance or from the second issuance of Certificate of Visa Exemption

For re-issuance of Certificate of Visa Exemption (due to the expiration or lost of the Certificate of Visa Exemption), the applicant needs to submit:

Application Form
Copy of the expired Certificate.
For more information, please contact our Consuls:

- Business hours: From 09:00 to 17:30, all weekdays

- Telephone: 212-644-0594, 212-644-0831; 212-644-2535;

- Fax: 212-644-5732

- Website: vietnamconsulate-ny.org

- Email: info@vietnamconsulate-ny.org

- Address: 866 U.N. Plaza, Suite 428, New York, NY 10017

ZePhilosopher wrote:

Nice post about VEC!
I have a question. Say in my situation, I have both US and Vietnamese passports. The Vietnamese passport grants me the ability to travel back and forth to VN without a need for visa and won't expire until 2021. Do I still need to apply for VEC if I were to work longer than a year in VN?

In your case a VEC would be a waste of time if you have a VN passport for traveling. You'll still need a work permit and a valid visa to work here. A VEC is not a valid document  that allows you to work, only visit.

Rick

Budman1 wrote:

ZePhilosopher wrote:

Nice post about VEC!
I have a question. Say in my situation, I have both US and Vietnamese passports. The Vietnamese passport grants me the ability to travel back and forth to VN without a need for visa and won't expire until 2021. Do I still need to apply for VEC if I were to work longer than a year in VN?

In your case a VEC would be a waste of time if you have a VN passport for traveling. You'll still need a work permit and a valid visa to work here. A VEC is not a valid document  that allows you to work, only visit.

Rick

There are a few "ifs" here but if ZePhilosopher" is still in his family Hộ khẩu registry then he should be eligible to work in Vietnam just as any other VN citizen.  I was told by a Việt Kiều friend living in VN and freelancing on US immigration that the key to retention of Vietnamese citizenship (for dual citizenship) was absolutely to not have your family remove you from their book.  That was true in his case and he was free to operate a business and work as any Vietnamese citizen could. 

There is a statement of renunciation of other citizenship that one must make when obtaining US citizenship but I have read in several places that it has no legal validity.  You cannot remove your own citizenship.  Your country must remove it.  This is why US citizens who wish to renounce their citizenship for tax purposes must apply to have it removed.

bluenz wrote:

ZePhilosopher wrote:

Nice post about VEC!
I have a question. Say in my situation, I have both US and Vietnamese passports. The Vietnamese passport grants me the ability to travel back and forth to VN without a need for visa and won't expire until 2021. Do I still need to apply for VEC if I were to work longer than a year in VN?

Yes you do by the sound of it,
CERTIFICATE OF VISA EXEMPTION FOR VIETNAMESE AND FAMILY MEMBERS (5 YEARS VISA)

1. For Vietnamese residing abroad, profile comprises:

Hi, the "Vietnamese" mentioned in this guidance is "Vietnamese people residing overseas who have passports or laissez-passers issued by foreign authorities" (Article 12.5 Immigration Law), which mean VEC for Vietnamese who do not have Vietnamese passport.

In this case ZePhilosopher having a Vietnamese passport so he/she is not required to apply for a VEC to enter/ exit Vietnam

Article 3. DECREE NO. 136/2007/ND-CP OF AUGUST 17, 2007, ON VIETNAMESE CITIZENS EXIT AND ENTRY

1. Vietnamese citizens holding national passports stated at Point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Decree (including ordinary passport) may leave and enter Vietnam through its border gates...
3. Vietnamese citizens holding exit and entry papers granted by competent Vietnamese agencies do not need visas when leaving and entering Vietnam. => If they do not need a Visa, so they do not need a Visa Exemption also (aka VEC)

VanKhanh Ho wrote:

bluenz wrote:

ZePhilosopher wrote:

Nice post about VEC!
I have a question. Say in my situation, I have both US and Vietnamese passports. The Vietnamese passport grants me the ability to travel back and forth to VN without a need for visa and won't expire until 2021. Do I still need to apply for VEC if I were to work longer than a year in VN?

Yes you do by the sound of it,
CERTIFICATE OF VISA EXEMPTION FOR VIETNAMESE AND FAMILY MEMBERS (5 YEARS VISA)

1. For Vietnamese residing abroad, profile comprises:

Hi, the "Vietnamese" mentioned in this guidance is "Vietnamese people residing overseas who have passports or laissez-passers issued by foreign authorities" (Article 12.5 Immigration Law), which mean VEC for Vietnamese who do not have Vietnamese passport.

In this case Ze Philosopher having a Vietnamese passport so he/she is not required to apply for a VEC to enter/ exit Vietnam

Article 3. DECREE NO. 136/2007/ND-CP OF AUGUST 17, 2007, ON VIETNAMESE CITIZENS EXIT AND ENTRY

1. Vietnamese citizens holding national passports stated at Point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Decree (including ordinary passport) may leave and enter Vietnam through its border gates...
3. Vietnamese citizens holding exit and entry papers granted by competent Vietnamese agencies do not need visas when leaving and entering Vietnam. => If they do not need a Visa, so they do not need a Visa Exemption also (aka VEC)

That Decree is 2007, and as we know a lot has happened since then.
If I was Ze Philosopher I would be going into the VN Embassy/Consulate and getting their version of it.

bluenz wrote:

VanKhanh Ho wrote:

Article 3. DECREE NO. 136/2007/ND-CP OF AUGUST 17, 2007, ON VIETNAMESE CITIZENS EXIT AND ENTRY

1. Vietnamese citizens holding national passports stated at Point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Decree (including ordinary passport) may leave and enter Vietnam through its border gates...
3. Vietnamese citizens holding exit and entry papers granted by competent Vietnamese agencies do not need visas when leaving and entering Vietnam. => If they do not need a Visa, so they do not need a Visa Exemption also (aka VEC)

That Decree is 2007, and as we know a lot has happened since then.
If I was Ze Philosopher I would be going into the VN Embassy/Consulate and getting their version of it.

If I had to hazard a guess it would be that the big change in 2007 was that exit visas were no longer required for Vietnamese citizens to leave the country.

bluenz wrote:

VanKhanh Ho wrote:

Article 3. DECREE NO. 136/2007/ND-CP OF AUGUST 17, 2007, ON VIETNAMESE CITIZENS EXIT AND ENTRY

1. Vietnamese citizens holding national passports stated at Point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Decree (including ordinary passport) may leave and enter Vietnam through its border gates...
3. Vietnamese citizens holding exit and entry papers granted by competent Vietnamese agencies do not need visas when leaving and entering Vietnam. => If they do not need a Visa, so they do not need a Visa Exemption also (aka VEC)

That Decree is 2007, and as we know a lot has happened since then.
If I was Ze Philosopher I would be going into the VN Embassy/Consulate and getting their version of it.

Hi

The Decree is still valid until now (5 Oct 2015). I did check before reference to it. And it is right that he/she should check with the Immigration Department about using his/her Viet passport for sure.

Different immigration offices, different opinions :-)

charmavietnam wrote:

Different immigration offices, different opinions :-)

Haha, this issue is something should not be different from different offices. And it likely will not

charmavietnam wrote:

Different immigration offices, different opinions :-)

I meant in the USA, VN Embassy or Consulate, probably know more than Immigration here.

But that's how we experienced     

VanKhanh Ho wrote:

Haha, this issue is something should not be different from different offices. And it likely will not

Unfortunately I don't know how to post a link,but there is a translation of Section 4 of the new legislation regarding issue of VEC's on the English language website of Vietnamnet,vn in the society section published 12/10/2015 referring to 92/2015/ND-CP This seems to explain quite well how to go about it for people living abroad and people living in Vietnam Perhaps someone who knows how to could post the link

Hi,
Thanks for the input 
Here is the link :
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/societ … cates.html

oasisbarhatien wrote:

Unfortunately I don't know how to post a link,but there is a translation of Section 4 of the new legislation regarding issue of VEC's on the English language website of Vietnamnet,vn in the society section published 12/10/2015 referring to 92/2015/ND-CP This seems to explain quite well how to go about it for people living abroad and people living in Vietnam Perhaps someone who knows how to could post the link

I have just checked and saw a translation for Decree 82/2015. The quality is must not so good but still fine for your reference.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4WBH_ … sp=sharing


If you cannot access the link then inbox me your email

Here we go again, why does a VN citizen need a Visa exemption???? The 2007 said they don't, didn't it?

Article 3. DECREE NO. 136/2007/ND-CP OF AUGUST 17, 2007, ON VIETNAMESE CITIZENS EXIT AND ENTRY

1. Vietnamese citizens holding national passports stated at Point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Decree (including ordinary passport) may leave and enter Vietnam through its border gates...
3. Vietnamese citizens holding exit and entry papers granted by competent Vietnamese agencies do not need visas when leaving and entering Vietnam. => If they do not need a Visa, so they do not need a Visa Exemption also (aka VEC)

2015 
3. A paper proving that the applicant is among the subjects eligible for visa exemption:
a) Vietnamese people residing overseas submit certified copies of original documents or present copies attached to original documents for reference one of the following papers: birth certificate, decision for renunciation of Vietnamese citizenship or certificate of loss of Vietnamese citizenship, other papers indicating Vietnamese citizenship or valid to prove the original Vietnamese citizenship of the applicant;
  How did they get overseas without a VN passport???

bluenz wrote:

Here we go again, why does a VN citizen need a Visa exemption???? The 2007 said they don't, didn't it?

Article 3. DECREE NO. 136/2007/ND-CP OF AUGUST 17, 2007, ON VIETNAMESE CITIZENS EXIT AND ENTRY

1. Vietnamese citizens holding national passports stated at Point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Decree (including ordinary passport) may leave and enter Vietnam through its border gates...
3. Vietnamese citizens holding exit and entry papers granted by competent Vietnamese agencies do not need visas when leaving and entering Vietnam. => If they do not need a Visa, so they do not need a Visa Exemption also (aka VEC)

2015 
3. A paper proving that the applicant is among the subjects eligible for visa exemption:
a) Vietnamese people residing overseas submit certified copies of original documents or present copies attached to original documents for reference one of the following papers: birth certificate, decision for renunciation of Vietnamese citizenship or certificate of loss of Vietnamese citizenship, other papers indicating Vietnamese citizenship or valid to prove the original Vietnamese citizenship of the applicant;
  How did they get overseas without a VN passport???

Hi

The Vietnamese citizens mentioned in Decree 136 must holding national passports. The questioner ZePhilosopher is having a Vietnamese passport, so....

The Vietnamese in Decree 82 are Vietnamese people residing overseas who have passports issued by foreign authorities (Article 12. 5. Immigration Law 2015)

Sorry, my fault, a little bit more explanation:

- Law on Vietnamese nationality 2008 stated that “Vietnamese people residing overseas” are (i) Vietnamese citizens and (ii) persons of Vietnamese origin who permanently reside in foreign countries (Article 3.3).

ZePhilosopher fell to the 1st category when she/he is having a Vietnam passport.

Decree 82/2015 mention about visa exemption for the second kind of Vietnamese people, persons who residing overseas and do not have VN passport. How did they get overseas without VN passport, well, in the Vietnam war, they left by many ways that are sad stories, like Syrian now. They and their children, grandchildren...are "persons of Vietnamese origin".

Thanks,

After jumping through all the hoops for marrying my Vietnam wife here in Ho Chi Minh I am presently looking for information on applying for 5 year exemption.
Where do I get these documents?
How long does this require for processing?
What is required?
I have called many places that say service in English and get only Vietnamese.

HOCKEYRULES wrote:

After jumping through all the hoops for marrying my Vietnam wife here in Ho Chi Minh I am presently looking for information on applying for 5 year exemption.
Where do I get these documents?
How long does this require for processing?
What is required?
I have called many places that say service in English and get only Vietnamese.

Here's a start:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=369913

Budman1:  As a friend of mine used to say when he got old:  "I like your altitude."

HOCKEYRULES wrote:

After jumping through all the hoops for marrying my Vietnam wife here in Ho Chi Minh I am presently looking for information on applying for 5 year exemption.
Where do I get these documents?
How long does this require for processing?
What is required?
I have called many places that say service in English and get only Vietnamese.

When my VEC expires, ( and I get a new passport ), I won't be wasting my time on another, I'll be applying for a TT Visa, ( 3 months ), then applying for a 3 yr TRC, no more 90 days BS.

bluenz wrote:

When my VEC expires, ( and I get a new passport ), I won't be wasting my time on another, I'll be applying for a TT Visa, ( 3 months ), then applying for a 3 yr TRC, no more 90 days BS.

Two things:   1) Can you tell me (us) what TT stands for?  Maybe it is somewhere earlier in this thread but it is getting a little bit long to re-read.  Perhaps one of the more knowledgeable ones here could post a list of abbreviations.

2) Can you get a TRC without a work permit or do we assume that you have a WP?  My understanding was the TRC's tied to language teaching work permits had been cut to two years and there was even talk of cutting them down to one.  A one year TRC would have fewer advantages over the VEC and probably costs close to or over the $40 US for the four VEC extensions.