Immigration to Vietnam

Immigration to Vietnam is the process by which people migrate to become Vietnamese residents. After the declaration of independence in 1945, immigration laws were modified to give the central government some control over immigrant workers arriving from nearby South Asian countries such as China (including Hong Kong), Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Vietnam Immigration Department recently relaxed the strict controls on immigrant workers under Decree 21/2001/ND-CP, 34/2008/NĐ-CP and 46/2011/NĐ-CP. ^[1]

History

During the French rule of Vietnam between 1925 and 1933, nearly 600,000 Chinese emigrated to North Korea, and in the Second Sino-Japanese warthat took place from 1937-1941, many Chinese left for South Vietnam. The war between China and Vietnam in 1978 led to further immigration, when thousands of Chinese people fled China for Northern Vietnam.^[2] The North Vietnamese communists made considerable efforts to drive out the Chinese immigrants, but many remained in the country, resulting in large Chinese communities in Vietnam.^[3]

Many of the recent immigrants are Vietnamese who had left the country in the 1970s^[4] and are returning to Vietnam due to more favorable political and economic conditions.

In the late 20th century, the majority of legal immigrants were males, but by the early 21st century, women accounted for nearly one-third of all legal immigrants. Over the last decade, many immigrants have been attracted to the urbanized areas of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and the Central Highlands.^[5] Neighboring provinces such as Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Na, and Binh Phuoc also witnessed an increase in immigration.^[6] The majority of immigrants moving to Vietnam in the last few years are much younger, with many between the ages of 15 and 34. Since the expansion of Decree No. 21/2001/ND-CP on 30 September 1992,^[1] the state has liberalized its visa policy with Russia, The United Kingdom, France, Phu Quoc Island, Germany, Spain, Italy and APEC Business Travel Card holders.^[7] This policy change led to an increase in the number of immigrants from these countries.

There are restrictions on the benefits that members of APEC Business Travel Card holders can claim, which are covered under Decree 34/2008/ND-CP.^[8] It overruled existing immigration laws and exercised new temporary immigration control for foreigners working in Vietnam. However, the Government announced that the same rules would not apply to nationals of Russia, UK, France, Phu Quoc island, Germany, Spain and Italy. The Government exercised Decree 46/2011/NĐ-CP for the management of foreign employees in Vietnam, known as Managed Migration for all legal labor and student migration from outside South Asia. This area of immigration is managed and administrated by the Vietnam Ministry of Police. ^[9] Immigration applications are made at Vietnamese embassies or by consulates, and depend on the type of visa or permit required.^[10]

In 2012, Vietnam saw a significant increase in immigration, and in that year, nearly 200,000 immigrants entered Vietnam.^[11]

Work permits

Foreigners attempting to obtain a work permit in Vietnam are required to be of at least 18 years of age, have educational experience relevant to the job they are attempting to acquire, provide medical records, disclose any criminal record they may have, and be sponsored by a company that is registered in Vietnam. ^[12] However, a work permit is not required if the worker's stay is under three months time. Standard work permits have a validity of 36 months. The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Society is responsible for issuing work permits. ^[13]

Illegal immigration

Illegal immigrants in Vietnam are mostly individuals who have worked or studied on a tourist visa/non-immigrant visa waiver, persons who entered the country without proper authority, and persons who overstayed their visas or entered with false documents. Many illegal immigrants from nearby countries make the dangerous boat journey across the sea to Vietnam.

Overstaying visa in Vietnam

Visa policy of Vietnam

Vietnam offers overstaying visas to foreigners who entered the country on a tourist visa. They are required to pay a fine before they then can request a visa extension. They are required to contact their local Immigration Office and pay for overstaying Vietnam Visa.^[14] There are two types of financial prerequisites for overstaying in Vietnam: a fine fee, and an extension fee, but in case the extension request is declined, the foreigner has to pay an exit visa fee and will be forced to leave the country.^[15] If foreigners have overstayed for a maximum of 2 days, they can pay their fine for overstaying at the airport.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions of Vietnam
• Visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens
• Vietnamese American

References