UK citizens who needed to visit Vietnam these days can do so, for as long as their visit is considered “necessary”. Traveling for leisure or tourism is still not allowed and the Vietnamese government has only allowed the entry of certain types of travelers. These include those foreigners who are traveling for business.
If you are a businessman from the UK and you would like to visit Vietnam to conduct business, you should start applying for a business visa now. The processing of a business visa is somewhat different these days and there are several additional requirements that you must submit in order to be approved for the visa.
Changes to Vietnam Visas Due to Covid-19
The UK is among those countries whose citizens can enjoy visa-free entry to Vietnam. However, since the Covid-19 virus is still spreading very rapidly in some other countries around the world, Vietnam would like to minimize the entry of foreigners. Because of this, they have suspended the visa-free privileges, and the only way for UK citizens to enter Vietnam these days is to have a business visa. However, the business visa must be applied through a sponsor company. The sponsor company will also be required to send a letter to the Local People’s Committee to request permission for the entry of the foreign visitor.
Who Can Enter Vietnam During the Covid-19 Pandemic?
As mentioned, not all foreigners are allowed to enter Vietnam these days. The Vietnamese authorities will only allow the entry of those people with “very compelling reasons” to visit. This is to minimize the entry of foreigners and prevent another wave of the pandemic. Here are the only foreign visitors that Vietnam is allowing to enter these days.
- Foreign businessmen and investors
- Foreign diplomats
- Skilled workers
- Experts working on important projects
- Foreigners on official duty
Vietnam Business Visa Requirements for UK Citizens During the Covid-19 Period
To apply for a business visa to Vietnam, you must have the following:
- Sponsor company
- Travel authorization issued by the Local People’s Committee of the city you wish to visit.
- Confirmed hotel booking for the entire 14 days of quarantine with a pre-booked vehicle for airport pickup.
- Travel insurance that can cover the cost of treatment for Covid-19. Without travel insurance, the sponsor company must submit a document that they agree to pay the cost of treatment if the visitor will get sick.
Process of Applying for a Vietnam Business Visa this Covid-19 Pandemic
Below are the steps on how to apply for a business visa to Vietnam during this Covid-19 pandemic:
- First of all, your Vietnamese sponsor company should send a letter to the Local People’s Committee to seek permission for your visit. The letter should include details of your visit and some information about the type of work that you wish to do in Vietnam.
- If the Local People’s Committee will allow your visit, they will issue the travel permit. After getting the travel permit, your sponsor company can start applying for your business visa from the Vietnam Immigration Department.
- When the business visa is approved, you can now book your flight and start planning your flight to Vietnam.
The process of applying for a visa to Vietnam these days is a bit complicated. It’s even more difficult if you do not have a sponsor company. But if you really need to visit Vietnam for some important reasons, you can ask assistance from a local agency in Vietnam. The agency can request a travel permit from the Local People’s Committee and apply for your visa from the Vietnam Immigration Department.
Covid-19 Test and Quarantine Requirements for UK Citizens To Enter Vietnam
To ensure the safety of everyone, Vietnam is requiring all foreign visitors to submit a negative Covid-19 test before they will be allowed to enter the country. The test should be performed at least 3 to 5 days before the flight and must be done by a WHO-certified laboratory in the United Kingdom. The test should clearly state that the foreign visitor is negative of the Covid-19 virus.
Aside from undergoing the Covid-19 test, all foreign visitors will be asked to go on a 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Vietnam. Therefore, they must arrange for a hotel accommodation that will serve as their quarantine facility. There are various hotels all over the country that the Vietnamese government has designated as quarantine facilities, so you must choose from any of these hotels for your quarantine stay. The cost of booking already includes your meals during your entire stay.
Since foreign visitors will not be allowed to take any form of public transportation before their quarantine, you should book a vehicle in advance that will could pick you up from the airport. In most cases, it is the hotel that will provide this. The vehicle will be waiting for you at the airport on arrival and will take you directly to your hotel for quarantine.
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