New policies take effect in February 2017

Pilot grant of e-visas for foreigners

The Government has issued Decree No. 07/2017/ND-CP defining procedures on pilot grant of e-visas for foreigners entering Viet Nam, which has come into effect since February 1, 2017.

According to the Decree, foreigners who apply for e-visas will realize these following steps:

1 - Access the websites http://www.xuanhapcanh.gov.vn or http://www.immigration.gov.vn for registration of personal information

2 - Receiving codes for e-files and paying visa fee

It will take 3 days to process an application for an e-visa valid.

Sanctioning of administrative violations against regulations on environmental protection

Decree No. 155/2016/ND-CP dated on November 18, 2016 on sanctioning of administrative violations in the field of environmental protection took effect from February 1, 2017.

Under the Decree, the maximum penalties for individuals and organizations are VND 1 billion and VND 2 billion, respectively.

Guidance on regulation on selling duty-free goods

The Government promulgated Decree No. 167/2016/ND-CP dated on December 27, 2016 providing guidance on the regulation on selling duty-free goods.

The Decree, scheduled to come into effect since February 15, 2017, stipulates eligible persons and conditions for purchase of duty-free goods.

Accordingly, passengers on entry shall be entitled to purchase duty-free goods at shops at limited areas of international airports right after completing entry procedures and shall not be allowed to purchase duty-free goods after leaving the limited areas.

Business in prize-winning electronic games for foreigners

The Government has issued Decree No. 175/2016/ND-CP to amend and supplement some articles of Decree 86/2013/ND-CP, dated July 29, 2013 on business in prize-winning electronic games for foreigners.

Under the new Decree, the electronic game machines with prizes used in business shall be 100% new.

Especially, the technical specifications of electronic game machines shall have to be clarified by manufacturers and verified by G7-based independent certification organizations.

Payout rates of slot machines installed in gaming facilities shall be at least 90%, according to the Decree.