(VNF) - 490 foreigners have registered for electronic visas to enter Vietnam, in which 210 visas have been issued. This is the number recorded during the first week the country practice issuing e-visa to overseas visitors, according to the Department of Immigration (Ministry of Public Security).

According to the new policy, visitors from other countries and regions are now able to apply for e-visa to enter Vietnam. Payment can be made online, too. It only takes the applicant three days for a 30-day e-visa, without requiring any other documents (letters of guarantee or invitation).

The first VN e-visa holder was a tourist from the UK.

The launch of e-visa is expected to simplify the immigration procedures and as a result, facilitating tourism and investment. It is considered a practical move as Vietnam’s tourism industry plans to to attract 15 to 20 million tourists in the next two years.

Visitors from the following 40 countries can apply for Vietnam’s e-visas during the course of the pilot programme: Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Ireland, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brunei, South Korea, Germany, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Cuba, Denmark, Timor Leste, the United States, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Myanmar, Mongolia, Japan, Panama, Peru, Finland, France, the Philippines, Romania, Spain, Sweden, China (not applicable for Chinese e-passport holders), Uruguay, Venezuela, Norway, and Slovakia.

International tourists arriving at Vietnam's airport (source: VGP)

The procedures for e-visa application in Vietnam is considered comparatively simple, since applicants do not have to be fingerprinted, photographed, or interviewed.

E-visa also allows visitors to conduct temporary residence declarations online.

"E-visas can be accepted at most international airports and 28 border gates in Vietnam," said Major General Le Xuan Vien, Head of Department of Immigration.

The Vietnamese Government has so far inked more than 80 agreements on visa exemption for citizens from 13 nations, including Russia, Denmark, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belarus, Britain, France, Spain and Italy./.

*Foreign visitors can apply for e-visas at: https://www.immigration.gov.vn.

( VNF )