Level 2 electronic identification for foreigners: Convenient, safe, fast

(Chinhphu.vn) - This policy not only serves management requirements but more importantly aims to bring a convenient, safe and friendly administrative experience to foreigners in Vietnam.

Officers of the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security, carry out procedures to grant electronic identification accounts to foreigners - Photo: VGP/PL

Convenient, safe and friendly for foreigners in Vietnam

From today (July 1), the Ministry of Public Security will nationally deploy the issuance of level 2 electronic identification accounts for foreigners disclosing in Vietnam.

In the context of Vietnam's strong international integration, the number of foreigners coming to Vietnam to reside, study, work and travel is increasing, leading to an increase in the need to access public administrative services and raising requirements for convenience, transparency and safety in the process of implementing procedures related to entry, exit and residence of foreigners.

The Immigration Department - Ministry of Public Security said that the issuance of electronic identification accounts helps foreigners easily carry out administrative procedures online, reduce time, paperwork and direct contact, while ensuring authenticity and protecting legal rights while living and working in Vietnam.

In addition, level 2 electronic identification accounts also facilitates foreigners to use many digital utilities in Vietnam such as: Verifying information in banking transactions, registering to rent a house, using public services, storing electronic residence cards and other legal documents on the VNeID application.

For management agencies, establishing a unified and consistent "digital profile" for each individual foreigner contributes to improving efficiency in verification, authentication, residence management, prevention and handling of violations if any.

This policy not only serves management requirements but more importantly aims to bring a convenient, safe and friendly administrative experience to foreigners in Vietnam.

5 steps procedure

This implementation is based on Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP dated June 25, 2024 of the Government regulating electronic identification and authentication, which stipulates the order and procedures for granting electronic identification accounts to foreigners, effective from July 1, 2024.

On July 19, 2024, the Minister of Public Security issued Decision No. 5349/QD-BCA-C06 promulgating newly issued and altered administrative procedures in the field of electronic identification and authentication under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Security, including the procedure for registering a level 2 electronic identification account for foreigners (implemented at the central and provincial levels).

The issuance of electronic identification accounts for foreigners promoting in Vietnam is chaired by the Immigration Department and the Department of Administrative Police for Social Order, Ministry of Public Security. Data for account issuance includes personal information, passport number or international travel document, permanent or temporary residence card, portrait photo, and biometric information.

The subjects performing this administrative procedure are foreigners who have been granted permanent residence cards or temporary residence cards in Vietnam.

Regarding procedures, the Immigration Department said there are 5 steps. Step 1: Foreigners go to the immigration department under the Ministry of Public Security to request a level 2 electronic identification account.

Step 2: Foreigners present their passport or valid international travel documents; provide complete and accurate information on the Application for Electronic Identification Account (Form TK01 issued with Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP dated June 25, 2024 regulating electronic identification and authentication); clearly provides the owner's mobile phone number, citizen's email address (if any) and other information requested to be integrated into the National Identification Application for the receiving officer.

Step 3: The receiving officer enters the information provided by the foreigner into the electronic identification and authentication system; collects facial photos and fingerprints of the foreigner to authenticate with the National Database on Immigration and confirms consent to register to create an electronic identification account.

Step 4: The immigration authority sends a request for an electronic identification account to the electronic identification and authentication authority.

Step 5: The electronic identification and authentication management agency notifies the account registration results via the National Identification Application (VNeID) or the owner's mobile phone number or email address.

Time for receiving documents: Office hours on working days from Monday to Friday (except holidays and Tet according to the law).

Colonel Nguyen Huu Khanh, Head of Hanoi Immigration Management Department, and officers and soldiers receive and process applications for level 2 electronic identification for foreigners.

Regarding the implementation method, foreigners go directly to the immigration management agency under the Ministry of Public Security to register for a level 2 electronic identification account. The agency receiving the application and performing the procedure: Immigration Management Department or Immigration Management Department of the provincial police. The agency authorized to issue electronic identification accounts: Department of Administrative Police for Social Order, Ministry of Public Security.

Regarding the composition and number of documents: Foreigners present their passports or valid international travel documents; provide complete and accurate information on the Application for an electronic identification account (Form TK01 issued with Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP dated June 25, 2024 regulating electronic identification and authentication); clearly provides the owner's mobile phone number, citizen's email address (if any) and other information requested to be integrated into the electronic identification account.

Processing time: No more than 3 working days for cases of issuing level 2 electronic identification accounts with information about facial photos and fingerprints in the National Database on Immigration. No more than 7 working days for cases of issuance level 2 electronic identification accounts but without information about facial photos and fingerprints in the National Database on Immigration.

Notify account registration results via National Identification Application (VNeID) or main mobile phone number or email address.

The procedure is very convenient and quick.

Colonel Nguyen Ba Tuan, Deputy Director of the Immigration Department, said that in order to prepare for the implementation and create favorable conditions for foreigners living, working and studying in Vietnam to carry out procedures, the Immigration Department has implemented a pilot program since July 2025.

The Department has received 333 applications and smoothly operates the level 2 electronic identification system for foreigners reflecting in Vietnam.

Colonel Nguyen Ba Tuan added that the Ministry of Public Security will launch a 50-day peak period to issue electronic identification to foreigners. The implementation period will be from July 1 to August 19, 2025.

“During this peak period, we will promote to foreigners to understand that Vietnam is implementing the issuance of electronic identification for foreigners at level 2 and the benefits of this in performing public services and procedures in the electronic environment, creating the most favorable conditions for foreigners to feel secure in interpretation, working and studying in Vietnam during the time granted according to the temporary and permanent residence card,” said Colonel Nguyen Ba Tuan.

On the morning of July 1, 17 foreigners were granted documents at the Immigration Department. Mr. Park HyungChe (Korean nationality) said he came to do level 2 identification and felt that the procedure was very convenient and quick. He received enthusiastic and specific guidance from the police officers.

According to the Immigration Department, granting electronic identification accounts to foreigners in Vietnam is an inevitable step forward, in line with the trend of modern management and national digital transformation.

Although there are still many challenges, with the strong direction of the Government and the consensus of agencies and localities, this policy will contribute to improving the effectiveness of state management, ensuring the legitimate rights of foreigners, and at the same time promoting the image of a transparent, safe and friendly digital Vietnam.

Electronic identification for foreigners is an important step in administrative procedure reform and digital transformation, contributing to creating favorable conditions for foreigners to live, work and travel in Vietnam, in line with the goal of promoting digital transformation of the Government and the Ministry of Public Security.

Phuong Lien

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/dinh-danh-dien-tu-muc-do-2-cho-nguoi-nuoc-ngoai-thuan-loi-an-toan-nhanh-chong-102250701145924774.htm