PROCEDURES FOR AND JURISDICTION OVER ISSUANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL CARDS

This Decision sets forth eligible entities who are issued with APEC Business Travel Cards (abbreviated as ABTC); procedures for and jurisdiction over issuance and management of ABTCs for Vietnamese business people; personal information review, issuance of temporary residence certificates to foreign business people using ABTCs; responsibilities of agencies, organizations, enterprises and individuals for issuance, use and management of ABTCs.

For the purposes of this Decision, the terms below shall be construed as follows:

1. ABTC is a card issued to a business person and allowing him/her to enter APEC member economies without a visa.

2. Vietnamese business people are those who have Vietnamese nationality and are working at agencies, enterprises and organizations established in accordance with Vietnamese law.

3. Foreign business people are business people participating in APEC member economies, having their personal information reviewed or holding ABTCs to enter Vietnam.

1. An ABTC has two forms: physical card and electronic card. A physical ABTC and an electronic ABTC have the same legal validity. Vietnamese business people choose physical ABTC or electronic ABTC or both physical ABTC and electronic ABTC in their discretion.

2. Physical ABTC card is a rectangular-shaped card that is printed on a special material, utilizing technology that is common to all member economies and meeting the International Civil Aviation Organization's standards.

3. Electronic ABTC is a card issued on an electronic interface through the ABTC application on a smart electronic device connected to the internet.

1. The ABTC contains the subsequent details: portrait, full name, date of birth, sex, nationality, card number, card expiration date, signature, passport number, APEC member economies’ consent for entry.

2. The information on the ABTC must match the information in the valid passport.

The ABTC is valid for up to 05 years from the date of approval granted by APEC member economies, must not exceed the passport's validity period, and cannot be extended.

1. A Vietnamese business person issued with an ABTC shall take responsibility:

a) To use the card for travel to conduct operations of the agency/organization/enterprise or attend conferences, seminars and meetings in APEC member economies;

b) To keep and preserve the card; not to arbitrarily erase, alter or falsify the form and information written on the card; not to use the card to violate the law;

c) To respect and comply with regulations of law on entry, exit, transit, residence and other regulations concerning activities of the business person in APEC member economies.

d) In case the business person no longer holds the position specified in the written permission for use of the ABTC mentioned in Article 9 of this Decision, return the card to his agency/ organization/enterprise within 05 working days from the date on which he no longer holds the position.

2. Foreign business people using ABTCs shall comply with regulations of law on entry, exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.

1. The ABTC is valid for entry to and exit from APEC member economies indicated on the card. On each entry, the holder of an ABTC is issued with a temporary residence certificate by member economies for the period specified by such member economies.

2. Vietnamese business people and foreign business people carrying ABTCs are responsible for presenting ABTCs and valid passports to persons in charge of control of immigration when exiting and entering at border checkpoints of APEC member economies.

3. ABTC holders are given priority to carry out immigration procedures at designated areas at the border checkpoints of APEC member economies.

1. Eligibility criteria to be satisfied by the agency/organization for which a business person is working:

There is a need to send the business person on a short-term travel to APEC member economies to attend conferences, seminars and meetings, and conduct operations of the agency/organization.

2. Eligibility criteria to be satisfied by the enterprise for which a business person is working:

a) The enterprise has operated continuously at least 24 months up to the date of submission of the application for permission to use ABTC, has strictly abided by regulations of law on trade, tax, customs, labor, social insurance and other relevant laws at the time of submission of the application for issuance of ABTC;

b) There is a need to send the business person on a short-term travel to APEC member economies to conduct operations of the enterprise.

3. Eligibility criteria to be satisfied by the applicant for ABTC:

a) He/she is 18 years of age or older, has active legal capacity and has registered permanent residence in Vietnam, unless otherwise provided in clause 4, Article 9 of this Decision;

b) He/she has worked at the agency/organization/enterprise for at least 12 months up to the date of application for permission to use ABTC;

c) He/she has participated in social insurance at the agency/organization/enterprise according to the position proposed for issuance of ABTC for at least 06 months, unless otherwise exempted from compulsory social insurance in accordance with regulations of the law on social insurance;

d) He/she is not suspended from exit as prescribed in the Law on exit and entry of Vietnamese citizens.

1. Regarding an enterprise that has capital contributed by the enterprise over 50% of charter capital or voting shares of which is held by the State;

a) The business person who is working at a credit institution, excluding people's credit fund holds the position of Deputy Head of the Division or equivalent and higher, or Chief Accountant;

b) The business person who is working at an enterprise operating in the fields of finance, securities, or insurance holds the position of Deputy Head of the Division or equivalent and higher, or Chief Accountant;

c) The business person who is working at a group, corporation, or company established by the Prime Minister's decision, or their member unit, holds the position of Deputy Head of the Division or equivalent and higher; Chief Accountant; Assistant or Secretary to the Chairperson of the Board of Members, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Chairperson of the company, or Director General;

d) The business person who is working at another enterprise holds the position of Deputy Head of the Division or equivalent and higher, or Chief Accountant.

2. Regarding an organization or enterprise that has capital contributed by the enterprise over 50% of charter capital or voting shares of which is held by the State or is not held by the State:

a) The business person who is working at a credit institution holds the position of Head of the Division or equivalent and higher, or Chief Accountant;

b) The business person who is working at an enterprise operating in the fields of finance, securities, or insurance holds the position of Head of the Division or equivalent and higher, or Chief Accountant;

c) The business person who is working at Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry holds the position of Head of the Division or equivalent and higher, or Chief Accountant;

d) The business person who is working at a cooperative or union of cooperatives holds the position of Chairperson of the Board of Directors, member of the Board of Directors, Director General, Director, or Chief Accountant;

dd) The business person who is working at another enterprise holds the position of Head of the Division or equivalent and higher, or Chief Accountant.

3. Cadres and civil servants who have tasks to attend APEC conferences, seminars, meetings, and activities related to economic cooperation and development.

4. Chief Representatives and Deputy Chief Representatives of Vietnamese trade representative offices in APEC member economies.

1. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies and heads of central political-social organizations shall consider giving permission for the use of cards to people, as specified in point d, clause 1, clause 3, and clause 4, Article 9 of this Decision, who are working at enterprises under the management of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, or central political-social organizations, except for cases within the jurisdiction of Chairpersons of Boards of Members of corporations and general companies, and Chairpersons of companies as stated in clause 4 of this Article.

2. The Governor of the State Bank consider giving permission for use of cards to people specified in point a clause 1 and point a clause 2 Article 9 of this Decision.

3. The Minister of Finance shall consider giving permission for the use of cards to people specified in point b, clause 1 and point b, clause 2, Article 9 of this Decision, Chairpersons of Boards of Members of corporations and general companies, and Chairpersons of companies established according to the Prime Minister’s decision.

4. Chairpersons of Boards of Members of corporations and general companies, and Chairpersons of companies established according to the Prime Minister’s decision shall consider giving permission for use of cards to people specified in point c, clause 1, Article 9 of this Decision, except for cases within the jurisdiction of the Minister of Finance as specified in clause 3 of this Article.

5. The Chairperson of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry shall consider giving permission for use of cards to people specified in point c clause 2 Article 9 of this Decision.

6. The Chairperson of the People's Committee of the province where the enterprise is headquartered shall consider giving permission for the use of ABTCs in the following cases:

a) People, as specified in point d clause 1 Article 9 of this Decision, who are working at enterprises under the management of the provincial People's Committee;

b) People specified in points d and dd clause 2 Article 9 of this Decision.

7. In special and necessary cases, the Minister of Public Security shall consider giving permission for use of ABTCs to business people.

8. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees, heads of central political-social organizations, and the Chairperson of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry may authorize their deputies to sign written permissions for business people to use ABTCs.

1. The agency/organization/enterprise employing business people specified in clause 1, point c of clause 2, clause 3, and clause 4, Article 9 of this Decision shall submit an application for written permission to a business person for use of an ABTC, either in person, online, or by post, to the specialized agency of the respective ministry, ministerial-level agency, the provincial People's Committee, central political-social organization, or the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or to the specialized department of the corporation, general company, or company established according to the Prime Minister’s decision.

2. An application consists of:

a) An electronic or original copy of an application form for permission for use of the ABTC, signed by the leader of the agency/organization, or the legal representative of the enterprise, who shall bear responsibility for the involved personal information according to the Form AP02 in the Appendix;

b) Electronic copy or copy of Decision to send a cadre on business trip, or documents proving that he/she is assigned to attend conferences, seminars, meetings, or to conduct operations of the applicant in APEC member economies.

3. If the application is valid, the specialized agency of the ministry, ministerial-level agency, provincial People's Committee, central political-social organization, or the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or the specialized department of the corporation, general company, or company established according to the Prime Minister’s decision shall receive and process it. In case the application is invalid, the specialized agency of the ministry, ministerial-level agency, provincial People's Committee, central political-social organization, or the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or the specialized department of the corporation, general company, or company established according to the Prime Minister’s decision shall be responsible for providing guidance on completion of the application using Form AP09 in the Appendix.

4. Within 06 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the specialized agency of the ministry, ministerial-level agency, provincial People's Committee, central political-social organization, or the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or the specialized department of the corporation, general company, or company established according to the Prime Minister’s decision shall consider requesting a competent authority to give a written permission for use of the ABTC, using Form AP01 in the Appendix to the eligible business person, or return the application to and notify the ineligible business person in writing stating reasons for refusal to process the application according to Form AP10 in the Appendix.

5. Within 02 working days from the date of receipt of the application submitted by the specialized agency, the competent authority shall consider giving the written permission for the use of ABTC.

6. The applicant for written permission for use of the ABTC may register to receive the result in person, online, by post, or through authorization in accordance with the law.

7. In case the application is submitted in person, the applicant may designate a person to submit the application and receive the result on behalf of the business person.

8. In case documents included in the application are already available in databases accessible to the agency receiving and processing the application, the applicant is not required to submit such documents.

1. The organization/enterprise employing business people specified in points a and b clause 2 Article 9 of this Decision shall submit an application for written permission to a business person for use of an ABTC, either in person, online, or by post, to the specialized agency of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the Ministry of Finance.

2. An application consists of:

a) An electronic or original copy of an application form for permission for use of the ABTC, signed by the legal representative of the applicant, who shall bear responsibility for the involved personal information according to the Form AP02 in the Appendix;

b) An electronic copy or copy of a commercial contract signed by the applicant or its member unit with a partner of an APEC member economy with a term of no more than 2 years up to the time of submission of the application, accompanied by documents showing that the contract has been performed.  If the documents are written in a foreign language, they must be notarized or certified to be translated into Vietnamese. In case there is no commercial contract, documents proving the need to cooperate with partners of APEC member economies or develop markets at APEC member economies are required;

c) An electronic copy or copy of decision on appointment of position which the business person has held;

d) An electronic copy or copy of financial statement submitted by the applicant in the latest year, to the tax authority.

3. If the application is valid, the specialized agency of the SBV, the Ministry of Finance shall receive and process it. In case the application is invalid, the specialized agency of SBV, the Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for providing guidance on completion of the application using Form AP09 in the Appendix.

4. Within 02 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the specialized agency of the SBV or the Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for transferring it to tax, insurance, and police authorities of the locality where the applicant is headquartered to verify information related to the applicant for permission for use of the ABTC. In case complex issues arise, the specialized agency of the SBV or the Ministry of Finance shall send the application to other relevant agencies for verification.

5. Within 15 working days from the date of receipt of the application form from the specialized agency of the SBV or the Ministry of Finance, tax, insurance, and police authorities shall provide written response to the result of verification.  In case the verification is required at more than one place, tax, insurance and police authorities shall have a written exchange with the specialized agency of the SBV or the Ministry of Finance to extend the time limit for provision of written response to the result of verification up to 10 working days.

6. On the basis of verification by the tax, insurance and public security authorities, and consideration of the applicant’s production and business capacity, the applicant’s capability and cooperation plan with partners of APEC member economies, within 03 working days, the specialized agency of the SBV or the Ministry of Finance shall consider requesting the Governor of SBV or the Minister of Finance to give a written permission for use of the ABTC, using form AP01 in the Appendix to the eligible business person, or return the application to and notify in writing the ineligible business person, stating reasons for refusal to process the application, using Form AP10 in the Appendix.

7. Within 02 working days from the date of receipt of the application submitted by the specialized agency, the Governor of SBV or the Minister of Finance shall consider giving the written permission for the use of the ABTC.

8. In case any suspicious sign is detected or certain contents are required to be clarified, in addition to the application components specified in clause 2 of this Article, or after receipt of the written verification from tax, insurance and police authorities that contains details requiring explanation and clarification, the specialized agency of the SBV or the Ministry of Finance shall request the applicant to provide additional relevant documents for review according to the Form AP09 in the Appendix. If the applicant fails to provide these additional documents within 01 month, the specialized agency of the SBV or the Ministry of Finance shall close the application.

9. The applicant for written permission for use of the ABTC may register to receive the result in person, online, by post, or through authorization in accordance with the law.

10. In case the application is submitted in person, the applicant may designate a person to submit the application and receive the result on behalf of the business person.

11. In case documents included in the application are already available in databases accessible to the agency receiving and processing the application, the applicant is not required to submit such documents.

1. The enterprise employing business people specified in points d and dd clause 2 Article 9 of this Decision shall submit an application for written permission to a business person for use of an ABTC, either in person, online, or by post, to the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee.

2. An application consists of:

a) An electronic or original copy of an application form for permission for use of the ABTC, signed by the legal representative of the applicant, who shall bear responsibility for the involved personal information according to the Form AP02 in the Appendix;

b) An electronic copy or copy of a commercial contract signed by the applicant or its member unit with a partner of an APEC member economy with a term of no more than 2 years up to the time of submission of the application, accompanied by documents showing that the contract has been performed.  If the documents are written in a foreign language, they must be notarized or certified to be translated into Vietnamese. In case there is no commercial contract, documents proving the need to cooperate with partners of APEC member economies or develop markets at APEC member economies are required;

c) An electronic copy or copy of decision on appointment of position which the business person has held;

d) An electronic copy or copy of financial statement submitted by the applicant in the latest year, to the tax authority.

3. If the application is valid, the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee shall receive and process it. In case the application is invalid, the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee shall be responsible for providing guidance on completion of the application using Form AP09 in the Appendix.

4. Within 02 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application, the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee shall be responsible for transferring it to tax, customs, insurance, and police authorities to verify information related to the applicant for permission for use of the ABTC. In case complex issues arise, the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee shall send the application to other relevant agencies for verification.

5. Within 15 working days from the date of receipt of the application form from the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee, tax, customs, insurance, and police authorities shall provide written response to the result of verification.  In case the verification is required at more than one place, customs, tax, insurance and police authorities shall have a written exchange with the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee to extend the time limit for provision of written response to the result of verification up to 10 working days.

6. On the basis of verification by the tax, customs, insurance and public security authorities, and consideration of the applicant’s production and business capacity, the applicant’s capability and cooperation plan with partners of APEC member economies, within 03 working days, the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee shall consider requesting the Chairperson of the provincial People's Committee  to give a written permission for use of the ABTC, using form AP01 in the Appendix to the eligible business person, or return the application to and notify in writing the ineligible business person, stating reasons for refusal to process the application, using Form AP10 in the Appendix.

7. Within 02 working days from the date of receipt of the application submitted by the specialized agency, the Chairperson of the provincial People's Committee  shall consider giving the written permission for the use of ABTC.

8. In case any suspicious sign is detected or certain contents are required to be clarified, in addition to the application components specified in clause 2 of this Article, or after receipt of the written verification from tax, insurance and police authorities that contains details requiring explanation and clarification, the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee shall request the applicant to provide additional relevant documents for review according to the Form AP09 in the Appendix. If the applicant fails to provide these additional documents within 01 month, the specialized agency of the provincial People's Committee shall close the application.

9. The applicant for written permission for use of the ABTC may register to receive the result in person, online, by post, or through authorization in accordance with the law.

10. In case the application is submitted in person, the applicant may designate a person to submit the application and receive the result on behalf of the business person.

11. In case documents included in the application are already available in databases accessible to the agency receiving and processing the application, the applicant is not required to submit such documents.

1. Case of new issuance of ABTC: initial issuance.

2. Cases of re-issuance of ABTC:

a) The business person has been issued with an ABTC but the old ABTC card issued by APEC member economics has expired or will expire soon;

b) The business person’s personal information is changed;

c) The business person’s working position or working place is changed;

d) The business person has completely served his/her criminal sentence, or the Court's travel restriction verdict has expired, or he/she is no longer wanted, or prohibited from using the ABTC for national defense and security purposes;

dd) The enterprise's head office is relocated to another province/city.

3. Application components:

a) An electronic copy or original copy of application form for issuance of ABTC using Form No. AP05 in the Appendix, certified and stamped with a photo by the leader of the agency/organization, the legal representative of the enterprise, the person authorized by the legal representative of the enterprise, or the leader of the personnel organization agency in economic sectors or the state authority managing enterprises’ operations;

b) 02 photos taken within the last 06 months, size 3 cm x 4 cm, bare head, front view, no glasses, white background;

c) An electronic copy or original copy of application form for issuance of ABTC using Form No. AP03 in the Appendix, signed by the leader of the agency/organization, the legal representative of the enterprise or the person authorized by the legal representative of the enterprise;

d) An original copy of written permission for use of ABTC, issued by the competent authority. In case of online application, the applicant shall use an electronic copy of the written permission.

4. Within 06 months from the date on which the competent authority gives permission for use of ABTC, the applicant shall submit 01 application for new issuance or re-issuance of the ABTC, either in person, online, or by post, to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security.

5. In case documents included in the application are already available in databases accessible to the agency receiving and processing the application, the applicant is not required to submit such documents.

6. If the application is valid, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security shall receive and process it. If the application is invalid, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security is responsible for providing guidance for the applicant to complete the application using Form AP09 in the Appendix.

7. The applicant for new issuance/re-issuance of the ABTC to the business person shall pay fee as prescribed.

8. Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application and after the applicant has paid the fee as prescribed, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security is responsible for sharing the applicant's personal information data with the competent authority of APEC member economies in case the business person is eligible, or returning the application and notifying in writing, stating the reasons for refusal using Form AP10 in the Appendix in case the business person is ineligible.

When receiving the applicant's personal information data, if requested by the business person, the APEC system will issue an electronic ABTC to the business person and notify via his/her email.

Within 17 working days from the date on which personal information data are shared, APEC member economies shall consider approving the applicant's personal information data.

After APEC member economies grant approval, if the business person wishes to print the physical ABTC, the applicant shall send an application form, using Form AP04 in the Appendix to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security. Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of the application form, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security shall issue the physical ABTC to the business person.

9. In case any suspicious sign is detected or certain contents are required to be clarified, in addition to the documents specified in clause 3 of this Article, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security shall conduct verification or request the applicant to provide additional relevant documents for review according to the Form AP09 in the Appendix. If the applicant fails to provide these additional documents within 01 month, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security shall close the application.

10. The applicant for new issuance/re-issuance of the ABTC to the business person may register to receive the result in person, online, by post, or through authorization in accordance with the law.

11. In case the application is submitted in person, the applicant may designate a person to submit the application and receive the result on behalf of the business person.

12. In case the business person has been issued with the ABTC that remains valid but the applicant changes its corporate type or name, the applicant is responsible for sending an official notification to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security and requesting permission for the business person to continue using the ABTC until its expiry date. After the ABTC expires, the applicant shall follow procedures for reissuing the ABTC to the business person in accordance with this Article.

1. Cases where the valid ABTC is replaced without any change to the position, the agency/organization/enterprise:

a) The business person is issued with a new passport;

b) The business person requests addition of a member economy to the physical ABTC;

c) The business person’s physical ABTC is lost;

d) The business person’s physical ABTC is damaged;

dd) The business person is listed by the competent authority of at least one APEC member economy notifying that his/her ABTC is no longer valid.

2. Application components:

In addition to the documents specified in points a and b, clause 3, Article 14 of this Decision, the applicant must submit:

a) The physical ABTC (if any) in the cases specified in points a, b, d, dd clause 1 of this Article;

b) A report on the loss of the physical ABTC, using Form AP06 in the Appendix in the case specified in point c, clause 1 of this Article; if the business person has received a notification of the processing of the physical ABTC loss report, using Form AP08 in the Appendix, he/she is not required to re-submit this notification.

3. The applicant for replacement of the ABTC, currently residing in Vietnam shall submit 01 application either in person, online, or by post, to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security.

4. If the application is valid, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security shall receive and process it. If the application is invalid, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security is responsible for providing guidance for the applicant to complete the application using Form AP09 in the Appendix.

5. The applicant for replacement of the ABTC issued to the business person shall pay fee as prescribed.

6. Within 04 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application and after the applicant has paid the fee as prescribed, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security is responsible for returning the result to the applicant in case the business person is eligible, or returning the application and notifying in writing, stating the reasons for refusal to process the application using Form AP10 in the Appendix in case the business person is ineligible.

7. In case any suspicious sign is detected or certain contents are required to be clarified, in addition to the documents specified in clause 2 of this Article, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security shall conduct verification or request the applicant to provide additional relevant documents for review according to the Form AP09 in the Appendix. If the applicant fails to provide these additional documents within 01 month, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security shall close the application and request the applicant to re-apply for the written permission for use of the ABTC to the competent authority specified in Article 10 of this Decision.

8. The applicant for replacement of the ABTC to the business person may register to receive the result in person, online, by post, or through authorization in accordance with the law.

9. In case the application is submitted in person, the applicant may designate a person to submit the application and receive the result on behalf of the business person.

An ABTC issued to a Vietnamese business person shall be invalidated in the following cases:

1. The physical ABTC is lost;

2. The old ABTC is still valid but the business person applies for re-issuance/replacement of the ABTC.

3. The business person no longer holds or changes the position specified in the written permission for use of the ABTC.

4. The business person’s personal information is changed.

5. The enterprise's head office is relocated to another province/city.

6. The enterprise has been dissolved, gone bankrupt or stopped operating.

7. The business person has forged his/her application to enable the ABTC to be issued.

8. The business person no longer holds Vietnamese nationality as prescribed by the law on nationality.

9. The business person has served a criminal sentence or is wanted or has a Court ruling on travel restrictions.

10. The business person does use the ABTC for the intended purposes. 

11. For national defense and security reasons.

1. In the case specified in clause 1 Article 16 of this Decision:

a) Within 02 working days from the date on which it is detected that the physical ABTC is lost, the business person shall submit a report on such loss, in person, online or by post according to the Form No. AP06 in the Appendix to an immigration authority affiliated to the provincial police authority or the commune-level police authority to request invalidation of the physical ABTC.  In case of a force majeure event, the time limit for submission of the notification of loss may be extended, but the notification must clearly state the force majeure event.

b) Within 01 working day from the date of receipt of the report on loss of the physical ABTC, the recipient shall send a written document to the Immigration Department affiliated to Ministry of Public Security and the applicant of receipt of the report, using Form No. AP07 in the Appendix.

2. In the cases specified in clause 3, clause 4 and clause 5, Article 16 of this Decision, within 10 working days, the agency, organization or enterprise shall revoke the ABTC and send a document and the physical ABTC to the Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security to  invalidate the ABTC and at the same time, notify the specialized agency of ministry, ministerial-level agency, the provincial People’s Committee, central socio-political organization, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or the corporation, general company, or company established according to the Prime Minister’s decision.

3. In the cases specified in clause 6, Article 16 of this Decision, within 05 working days from the date on which the enterprise is dissolved, bankrupt, or stops operation, the specialized agency of ministry, ministerial-level agency, the provincial People’s Committee, central socio-political organization, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or the corporation, general company, or company established according to the Prime Minister’s decision shall be responsible for sending a document to the Immigration Department affiliated to Ministry of Public Security to invalidate the ABTC.

4. In the cases specified in clause 7, Article 16 of this Decision, the competent authority, the investigation agency, the Court shall send a document to the Immigration Department affiliated to Ministry of Public Security to invalidate the ABTC.

5. In the cases specified in clause 8, Article 16 of this Decision, the Ministry of Justice shall send a document to the Immigration Department affiliated to Ministry of Public Security to invalidate the ABTC.

6. In the cases specified in clause 9, Article 16 of this Decision, the Court, the judgment-enforcing agency, the People's Procuracy, the police authority shall send a document to the Immigration Department affiliated to Ministry of Public Security to invalidate the ABTC.

7. In the case specified in clause 11, Article 16 of this Decision, the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Public Security has the jurisdiction to sign the document to invalidate the ABTC, and send the document to the Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security to invalidate the ABTC.

1. In the case specified in clause 1, Article 16 of this Decision, within 02 working days from the receipt of the notification of the transfer of the report on the loss of a physical ABTC, the Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for notifying competent authorities of APEC member economies of the invalidation of the physical ABTC and sending a document to the business person, using the Form AP08 in the Appendix.

2. Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of the application form from the agencies mentioned in Article 17 of this Decision, or there is a document confirming that the business person no longer meets the eligibility criteria for issuance of an ABTC as prescribed in clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 of Article 16 of this Decision, the Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for notifying competent authorities of APEC member economies that the ABTC issued to the Vietnamese business person is no longer valid.

3. In the cases specified in clause 2, clause 10 Article 16 of this Decision, the Immigration Department affiliated to Ministry of Public Security shall invalidate the ABTC that is still valid on the APEC system.

4. The invalidated ABTC will not be re-validated. If a Vietnamese business person wishes to continue using the ABTC, he/she must follow procedures for applying for re-issuance or replacement of the ABTC.

1. The Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security shall consider notifying the result of personal information review within 15 working days from the date of receipt of the exchanged information from competent authorities of APEC member economies on personal information data on business people of such member economies when such business people apply for ABTCs for entry into Vietnam.

Where it requests competent authorities of APEC member economies to supplement personal information data, the Immigration Department of the Public Security Ministry of Vietnam shall consider notifying the result of personal information review to such competent authorities within 21 working days from the date of receipt of initial information on personal data on business people of such APEC member economies.

2. Regarding business people of member economies participating in the ABTC Scheme, the fee for personal information review is exempted when competent authorities of such member economies request Vietnam to consider issuing ABTCs to their business people for entry into Vietnam.

3. If business people whose ABTCs, with the name of Vietnam in the list of member economies giving approval for entry, are issued by competent authorities of member economies enter Vietnam, they are not required to pay other fees related to immigration and residence procedures.

4. Business people from member economies participating in the ABTC Scheme have not yet been granted approval by the Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security for entry into Vietnam with their ABTCs, if they are not allowed to enter Vietnam in accordance with the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.

The Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security has the jurisdiction to consider exchanging the result of personal information review with competent authorities of member economies participating in the ABTC Scheme, when business people of these member economies request to be issued with ABTCs to enter Vietnam.

1. Foreign business people using ABTCs to enter Vietnam are issued with temporary residence certificates by the checkpoint immigration unit at international checkpoint for 90 days for each entry and 30 days shorter than the validity period of their passports.

2. In case the ABTC is valid for less than 90 days, a temporary residence certificate of which  validity period is equal to that of the card shall be issued.

1. A foreign business person’s ABTC is invalidated for entry to Vietnam in the following cases:

a) The business profile was forged to enable the ABTC to be issued;

b) The foreign business person issued with the ABTC has violated Vietnamese laws and has faced penalties;

c) The foreign business person using ABTC to enter Vietnam is denied entry because he/she is not allowed to enter according to the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.

2. Investigating agencies, People's Procuracies, People's Courts and judgment-enforcing agencies at all levels are responsible for notifying the Immigration Department affiliated to Ministry of Public Security of the cases specified at point a, point b, clause 1 of this Article.

3. The checkpoint immigration unit is responsible for notifying the Immigration Department affiliated to Ministry of Public Security of the case specified at point c, clause 1 of this Article.

4. The Immigration Department affiliated to Ministry of Public Security is responsible for notifying competent authorities of APEC member economies that the ABTC issued to that business person is no longer valid for entry into Vietnam.

1. Preside over and cooperate with ministries, central agencies, People’s Committees of provinces and relevant agencies and organizations in drafting, promulgating or submitting legislative documents on issuance, management and use of ABTCs to competent agencies for promulgation; provide guidance on online procedures for issuing ABTCs to Vietnamese business people.

2. Preside over and cooperate with ministries, central agencies and People’s Committees of provinces in building and connecting data on applicants for ABTCs; list of Vietnamese business people who have been issued with ABTCs; the list of Vietnamese business people who have not yet been issued with ABTCs; the list of Vietnamese business people whose ABTCs have been invalidated; update information on the National Database on Immigration; provide online public services.

3. Verify and review personal information on Vietnamese business people, issue ABTCs, invalidate ABTCs, control entry and exit of business people holding ABTCs; issue temporary residence certificates, review personal information on foreign business people.

4. Exchange information with competent authorities of APEC member economies, including the following information:

a) Data on personal information on Vietnamese applicants for ABTCs;

b) Vietnamese business people and business people from member economies participating in the ABTC Scheme who receive notification of invalidation of ABTCs;

c) Result of review of personal information on business people of member economies participating in the ABTC Scheme.

5. Inspect, examine, settle complaints and denunciations, handle violations against regulations on issuance, management and use of ABTCs of business people; provide guidance, inspect, and examine issuance of written permissions for use of ABTCs by ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial People’s Committees, central socio-political organizations, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or corporations, general companies, or companies established according to the Prime Minister’s decision.

6. Implement international cooperation related to the ABTC Scheme.

7. Report state statistics related to ABTCs.

1. Receive and process applications for issuance of written permissions for use of ABTCs as per law.

2. Cooperate with the Ministry of Public Security to exchange information, look up and release statistics on personal information on applicants for ABTCs; the list of business people issued with ABTCs under their management.

3. Before January 15 every year, exchange with the Ministry of Public Security, in writing about use of ABTCs by business people under their management.

4. Connect databases between specialized agencies of provincial People's Committees and local enterprise registration authorities, tax, customs and social insurance agencies to provide support for issuance of written permissions for the use of ABTCs.

5. Settle complaints and denunciations, handle violations against regulations on issuance of written permissions for use of ABTCs issued to business people.

6. The Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for complying with regulations in clause 1 thru clause 5 of this Article in conformity with its tasks and powers, and issuing regulations on fees for issuance of ABTCs under its jurisdiction.

1. Provide complete and accurate information and documents on enterprises; take responsibility for the accuracy of the information declared in reports and commit to strictly observe laws and regulations of APEC member economies applicable to ABTC holders.

2. Agencies, organizations and enterprises are responsible for cooperating with competent agencies in managing activities of foreign business people using ABTCs to enter Vietnam for the proper purposes of entry and cooperating with accommodation establishments in declaring temporary residence for business people in accordance with law.

3. Vietnamese agencies, organizations and enterprises are responsible for cooperating with the Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security in providing information about business people's personal information to APEC member economies when they request Vietnam to review personal information to enable ABTCs to be issued.

4. Agencies, organizations, and enterprises shall be responsible for strictly complying with regulations of this Decision. Any violations committed during the ABTC issuance application process shall be handled in accordance with the law. The Immigration Department affiliated to the Ministry of Public Security will not consider issuing ABTCs to business people working for agencies, organizations, or enterprises that commit violations.

5. Agencies, organizations, enterprises and individuals that are entitled to use ABTCs shall send annual reports on use of their ABTCs to specialized agencies affiliated to ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial People’s Committees, central socio-political organizations, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or corporations, general companies, or companies established according to the Prime Minister’s decision before December 31^st . Such reports must clearly state the number of ABTCs issued, management and use of ABTCs at agencies, organizations and enterprises.

In case the agency/organization/enterprise fails to send annual reports, specialized agencies affiliated to ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial People’s Committees, central socio-political organizations, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or corporations, general companies, or companies established according to the Prime Minister’s decision shall consider suspending business people working for the agency/organization/enterprise from use of their ABTCs or will consider subsequent applications for written permission for use of ABTCs, submitted by the agency/organization/enterprise.

6. During the use of the ABTC, if any issue arises, specialized agencies affiliated to ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial People’s Committees, central socio-political organizations, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or corporations, general companies, or companies established according to the Prime Minister’s decision must be immediately notified.

1. This Decision takes effect from July 01, 2026.

2. This Decision replaces the Decision No. 09/2023/QD-TTg dated April 12, 2023 of the Prime Minister.

1. Business people who have been issued with ABTCs before the effective date of this Decision may continue to use their cards until such cards are expired, except for the case prescribed in Article 16 of this Decision.

2. If business people have submitted applications for issuance of written permissions for use of ABTCs, or applications for new issuance or re-issuance of ABTCs before the effective date of this Decision, and they are currently considered and processed, regulations of the Decision No. 09/2023/QD-TTg dated April 12, 2023 of the Prime Minister shall continue to apply to process such applications.

1. The Ministry of Public Security shall preside over and cooperate with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial People’s Committees, central socio-political organizations, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or corporations, general companies, or companies established according to the Prime Minister’s decision to organize the implementation of this Decision.

2. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees, heads of central socio-political organizations, the Chairperson of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairpersons of Boards of Members of corporations, general companies, or companies established according to the Prime Minister’s decision, and relevant organizations, enterprises, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.