SJP Consultancy – News
April 30, 2026

Regulatory Updates:

Immigration, Biometrics, and Compliance in Vietnam

 

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As we move through the second quarter of 2026, several critical regulatory shifts have reached full enforcement. At SJP, we remain committed to ensuring our clients navigate the evolving administrative landscape in Vietnam with clarity and confidence.

During a meeting with General Loung Tam Quang (Minister of Public Security) on October 7, 2025, General Quang and SJP’s Managing Partner Simon J. Price, met to discuss the immigration changes that were to take effect on December 15, 2025, and enforced from April 30, 2026.

General Quang explained: Vietnam is an inclusive country, welcoming law-abiding citizens from all over the world, the changes being made are for the benefit, safety and security of the citizens of Vietnam and those who wish to visit or reside within our great country.

SJP has highlighted some of the most significant regulatory changes affecting foreign nationals and businesses

Immigration and Residence Penalties (Decree 282/2025/ND-CP)

Effective since December 15, 2025, and now under strict enforcement as of April 30, 2026, Decree 282 significantly increases the financial and administrative consequences for visa and residency violations.

Updated Fine Schedule for Visa/TRC Overstays:

Less than 16 days:

VND 500,000 to 2,000,000

16 to 30 days:

VND 5,000,000 to 10,000,000

30 to 60 days:

VND 10,000,000 to 15,000,000

60 to 90 days:

VND 15,000,000 to 20,000,000

90 to 180 days:

VND 20,000,000 to 25,000,000

180 days to 1 year:

VND 25,000,000 to 30,000,000

Over 1 year:

VND 30,000,000 to 40,000,000

Residing without permission:

VND 40,000,0000 to 250,000,000

 

Critical Note:

Beyond financial penalties, authorities are now more frequently exercising the right to deport individuals whose overstay exceeds 16 days. Furthermore, failure to properly declare temporary residence (Article 21) is being targeted with heightened scrutiny.

 Mandatory Mobile Phone Biometric SIM Registration

As of April 15, 2026, all mobile subscribers in Vietnam must complete biometric authentication.

      • Requirement: Foreigners must visit an authorized outlet of their service provider (Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone, etc.) to link their facial biometric data with their passport information.
      • Consequences: Any SIM cards found with inaccurate passport data or lacking biometric verification face a 60-day suspension.

Transportation and Licensing

For those looking to secure a motorbike license (A/A1), the process remains streamlined for existing drivers. Foreign residents holding a valid Vietnamese car driving license are exempt from the theoretical examination and are only required to pass the practical riding test.

Consumer and Public Safety Regulations

      • Advertising: Effective February 2026, online platforms must now allow users to skip video advertisements after five seconds.
      • Vaping: New classifications treat vaping as a serious infraction. Expect fines for personal use and severe legal penalties for the unauthorized import of these products.
      • Local Enforcement: Commune-level police now possess expanded authority to issue administrative fines of up to 20,000,000 VND for violations regarding public order and security.

Managing Compliance

Navigating these changes requires proactive management of your documentation. If you are concerned about your current residency status, need assistance with administrative compliance, or have questions regarding these new decrees, our team is here to help.

Ms. Thảo Nguyễn
Senior Partner – SJP Consultancy

Disclaimer:

Regulations in Vietnam are subject to sudden updates. This newsletter is for informational purposes only.