From April 15 this year it will take only five days, instead of the former seven for overseas Vietnamese to receive a visa waiver.

This decision was stated in Decision No 10/2012/QD-TTg, replacing the former directive on the issue.

Under the new decision, any overseas Vietnamese returning to the country with the Entry Visa Waiver document are allowed to stay up to 90 days per visit. For longer stays, an organisation or individual must sponsor visitors and they must have a legitimate reason. Extensions will be capped at a further 90 days.

Extension requests must be submitted five days before the first entry period has expired.

To apply for an extension, the applicant must have a valid passport and a form requesting the change in visa and the extension of their stay with certification from the local police. /.