What are passports and visas? What types of visas and passports are there? What are the differences between passports and visas? fdiinvietnam.com will help you distinguish between these two types of documents through the article below.
What is a visa? How many types of visas are there?
1. Visa concept
Visa, also known as entry and exit visa, is a certificate issued by a competent authority of a country to citizens of another country. Individuals with a visa will be allowed to enter and exit the country that issued the visa.
Depending on the purpose of entry and exit, the visa will have its own symbols, such as tourist visa symbol DL, student visa symbol DH, visa for workers symbol LD, family visit visa symbol TT or VR… At the same time, based on the purpose of entry and exit, the visa issuance period will also be different.
2. How many types of visas are there?
Depending on the regulations of each country, the classification and name are different. For example:
➤ If classified by immigrant visa and non-immigrant visa:
- Immigrant visa: Visa used for entry or settlement through investment, sponsorship, etc.;
- Non-immigrant visa: Visa used to enter the country for a certain period of time such as: student visa, tourism, visiting relatives, working, medical treatment…
➤ If classified by purpose, duration, number of entries:
- Purpose: Visa for studying abroad, traveling, settling down, working, visiting relatives, working, medical treatment…;
- Visa duration: Short-term visa or long-term visa;
- Number of entries: Single entry visa or multiple entry visa;
- Some other special types of visas: Schengen visa (visa that allows individuals to travel freely between countries in the Schengen area), visa on arrival (also known as visa obtained at the airport)…
➤ Or classify visas by general purpose:
- Entry visa;
- Exit visa;
- Transit visa.
What is a passport? What types of passports are there?
1. Passport concept
Passport is also known as passport is an important document issued by a competent state agency of Vietnam to its citizens. With a passport, individuals have the right to exit and enter the country. In addition, a passport is also considered a type of identification document used to prove nationality and identity.
Passports are usually bound into books.
2. How many types of passports are there?
According to Clause 3, Article 2 of Circular 73/2021/TT-BCA,there are currently 3 types of passports:
➤ Ordinary passport:
The cover page is purple, issued to Vietnamese citizens, valid for 10 years from the date of issue. International students and permanent residents also use this passport.
➤ Official passport:
Dark green cover page, issued to individuals in government agencies: officials, civil servants, police, military… working abroad.
➤ Diplomatic passport:
Reddish brown cover, issued to Government diplomatic officials on business trips abroad.
How are visas and passports different?
Many people still confuse visas and passports. Therefore, fdiinvietnam.com will analyze the differences in each category of passports and visas to help you easily distinguish between these two types of documents.
1. Subjects granted visas and passports
1.1. Visa
➤ For Vietnamese people going abroad:
Except in cases where citizens are banned from leaving the country, or in cases where Southeast Asian countries and some countries have visa exemption policies, all Vietnamese citizens are required to have a visa when entering a country.
➤ For foreigners entering Vietnam:
Issued to foreigners who want to enter Vietnam for a short period of time.
1.2. Passport
➤ Ordinary passport:
All Vietnamese citizens are considered for passport issuance, except in cases specified in Article 21 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens.
➤ Official passport:
The subjects granted official passports are cadres, civil servants , and public employees of public service units; officers, professional soldiers in the People’s Army, the People’s Police, or employees of representative agencies of Vietnam… who are directed, permitted, and sent abroad for work by the Prime Minister or competent authorities.
>> See details : Subjects granted official passports.
➤ Diplomatic passport:
Those who are granted diplomatic passports are leaders of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the President, the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court or those serving in the diplomatic sector who have been awarded diplomatic ranks…
>> See details: Subjects granted diplomatic passports.
2. Conditions for visa and passport issuance
2.1. Visa
➤ For Vietnamese people going abroad:
Currently, Vietnamese law does not stipulate specific conditions for this. Depending on the legal regulations of each country, there will be specific conditions. Individuals should contact the Embassy of the country they want to visit to know the exact conditions and procedures for issuing a visa.
➤ For foreigners entering Vietnam:
- The remaining validity of the passport must be at least 30 days longer than the validity of the visa you want to apply for;
- There are agencies, organizations and individuals in Vietnam inviting and sponsoring foreigners to enter the country;
- Have an entry approval letter from the competent authority of Vietnam.
2.2. Passport
➤ Ordinary passport:
The passport applicant is not included in the cases specified in Article 21 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens.
➤ Official and diplomatic passports:
- Be eligible for an official passport as prescribed by law;
- Being assigned or permitted to go abroad to perform work duties by competent agencies or individuals such as the Politburo, the National Assembly Standing Committee, the Prime Minister, etc.
3. Uses of visas and passports
3.1. Visa: Is a type of permit that allows an individual to enter, exit and stay in the country for which he or she applies for a visa.
3.2. Passport: Used for entry and exit and is used as a personal identification document to replace the ID card/CCCD.
4. Visa and passport issuance form
4.1 Visa
- Issued with passport (pasted and stamped directly on each page of the passport);
- Separate visa (separate visa);
- Issued via electronic transaction (e-visa).
4.2. Passport: A small book with many pages.
5. Visa and passport issuance time
5.1. Visa
➤ Visa for Vietnamese people going abroad:
Depending on the regulations on issuance and receipt time of each country. However, the issuance time is usually about 2 – 4 weeks or more.
➤ Visa for foreigners entering Vietnam:
- Receive visa at the competent visa-issuing authority of Vietnam abroad: 3 working days from the date of receipt of notification from the Immigration Department or the competent authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Receive visa at international border gate: no more than 3 working days.
- Receive visa at Immigration Department, competent authority of Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 5 working days from the date of receipt of complete documents.
5.2. Passport
➤ Domestic passport issuance time:
- Ordinary passport: 5 – 8 working days from the date of receiving the application and 3 working days from the date of receiving the application in case of having a referral letter from the hospital to go abroad for medical examination or treatment or a relative abroad having an accident or some emergency cases…;
- Official and diplomatic passports: 5 working days from the date of receipt.
➤ Passport issuance time abroad:
- Ordinary passport: 5 working days from the date of receipt of the first passport application and 3 working days from the date of receipt of the second passport application onwards;
- Official and diplomatic passports: 5 working days from the date of receipt.
6. Duration and legality of visa and passport
6.1. Visa
➤ Visa for Vietnamese people going abroad:
Each country will have different regulations on the duration and legal value of a visa depending on the purpose and time of visa application.
➤ Visa for foreigners in Vietnam:
The visa issued can be a single-entry or multiple-entry visa with a maximum duration of 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 2 years or 5 years.
6.2. Passport
➤ Diplomatic and official passports:
Term from 1 to 5 years, can be extended once but not more than 3 years.
➤ Ordinary passport:
- Valid for 5 years (for persons under 14 years old), 10 years (for persons 14 years old and above) and cannot be extended;
- In particular, ordinary passports issued under simplified procedures will be valid for no more than 12 months and cannot be extended. (Article 7 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens).
7. Visa and passport issuing agency
7.1. Visa
➤ Vietnamese people applying for visa to go abroad:
Embassy or Consulate General of the national representative agency wishing to visit in Vietnam.
➤ Foreigners applying for visa to Vietnam:
Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate General abroad.
7.2. Passport
➤ Domestic passport issuing agencies:
- General: Immigration Department of Provincial Police;
- Official and diplomatic passports: Consular Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an agency authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
➤ Passport issuing agencies abroad:
- Ordinary passport: Apply at the Vietnamese representative office in the country where the person resides;
- Official and diplomatic passports: Apply at Vietnamese representative agencies abroad.
>> See more: Comparison of visas and temporary residence cards for foreigners.
The relationship between visa and passport
Passport and visa are closely related. To get a visa, you must have a passport. Because a visa is issued by stamping or pasting on one or several pages of the passport. Therefore, without a passport, you will not be eligible for a visa.
In case the visa is issued separately, it is also required to be attached to the passport when going through immigration procedures.
Passport and visa services at fdiinvietnam.com
fdiinvietnam.com provides fast passport and visa services nationwide. With a team of highly qualified staff with many years of experience, fdiinvietnam.com will help you get a passport and visa in the shortest time without having to spend time or effort.
Within 5 – 8 working days, fdiinvietnam.com will complete all procedures and deliver your passport or visa to your doorstep.
Depending on each case, the service cost at fdiinvietnam.com will be different. For more information and service costs, you can call the hotline 0978 578 866 (North) – 033 9962 333 (Central) – 033 9962 333 (South) for free consultation and support.
See also:
>> Visa service for foreigners – From 2,000,000 VND;
>> Passport service.
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Frequently asked questions about visas and passports
1. What is a passport? How many types of passports are there?
– Passport is an important document issued by a competent state agency of a country to its citizens. With a passport, individuals have the right to exit and re-enter their own country.
In addition, a passport is also considered a type of identification document to prove nationality and identity. To go abroad, the first thing to do is to apply for a passport.
– There are 3 types of passports: ordinary passport, official passport and diplomatic passport.
>> See details at: What is a passport? How many types of passports are there?
2. What is a visa? How many types of visas are there?
– Visa, also known as entry and exit visa, is a certificate issued by a competent authority of a country to citizens of another country. Individuals with a visa will be allowed to enter and exit the country that issued the visa.
– Depending on the regulations of each country, there are different classifications with different names. You can see details at: How many types of visas are there?
3. What is the difference between a visa and a passport?
Visas and passports differ in: subjects, conditions, uses, issuance time, issuing authority, duration and legal value.
>> See details at: What is the difference between a visa and a passport?
4. What is the most basic difference between a visa and a passport?
– Visa is only used for the purpose of entering and staying abroad (visa-issuing country);
– In addition to the purpose of entry and exit, a passport is also used as a type of personal identification document.
5. What is the relationship between passport and visa?
The condition for getting a visa is to have a passport. Because the visa is issued by stamping or pasting on one or several pages of the passport, if issued separately, it must still be attached to the passport. In short, one of the important things to get a visa is that you must have a passport.
Call us at 0978 578 866 (North) – 033 9962 333 (Central) – 033 9962 333 (South) for support.