Foreign nationals legally entering or residing in Vietnam can now obtain electronic identification accounts without being classified by account level. Issued under a government decree taking effect on September 28, 2026, the updated rules shorten processing times and integrate dozens of personal and organizational documents directly into the national VNeID application.
Vietnam has overhauled its digital identification framework for overseas visitors and residents, removing bureaucratic tiers and streamlining access to public administrative services. The changes, established under Decree No. 320/2026/ND-CP and issued on August 13, 2026, amend earlier provisions regarding electronic identification and authentication under a government decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 69/2024/ND-CP.
Removal of Account Levels and Expanded Eligibility
The most visible shift in the newly issued rules is the complete removal of the distinction between Level 1 and Level 2 electronic identification accounts for foreigners. Under the updated framework, any foreign national who legally enters or resides in the country can request an electronic identification account without being classified by account level.
In tandem with the changes for individual foreign residents, the updated policy extends eligibility to corporate entities. Organizations established or registered to operate within Vietnam can also obtain electronic identification accounts.
For domestic citizens, the amended decree clarifies that Vietnamese citizens aged six or older holding a valid citizen identity card or identity card may request either a Level-1 or Level-2 account, while those under six may obtain a Level-1 account upon request.
Registration Procedures and Biometric Verification
Obtaining an electronic identification account requires applicants to complete a structured registration process through provincial-level immigration authorities. Foreign nationals must visit the immigration management agency of the provincial-level police, present valid international travel documents or passports, and complete the TK01 application form with complete and accurate information.
Applicants must provide a mobile phone number registered in Vietnam, an optional email address, and any specific records they wish to integrate into the VNeID national identification application. Receiving officers input this data into the electronic identification and authentication system, capture facial images and fingerprints for cross-referencing against the national immigration database, and assist users in downloading and installing the VNeID application on their digital devices.
Specialized provisions govern the registration of foreign children under the age of 14. These minors must complete the procedure alongside a representative or guardian at the provincial-level police immigration office, using the guardian’s registered mobile phone number to register an electronic identification account for the child.
Document Integration and Administrative Reductions
The administrative burden on applicants drops significantly under the new framework. Local agencies are barred from requiring individuals or organizations to submit physical originals or copies of documents that have already been integrated into the application.
The updated decree vastly expands the portfolio of official paperwork that can be stored and updated digitally on the national app. The integration list now encompasses 66 types of documents issued to individuals, including birth certificates, residence information certificates, ordinary passports, visas, vehicle registration certificates, driving licenses, and investment licenses.
Furthermore, the system accommodates 140 types of documents issued to agencies and organizations. This expanded institutional category includes certificates of seal specimen registration, identification name certificates, business licenses, and export-import licenses.
Processing Timelines and Enhanced Security Measures
To accelerate digital adoption, the decree compresses official processing schedules. For individual foreign applicants whose biometric data already resides in the national immigration database, accounts must be issued within two working days; the window extends to five working days if biometric data requires initial collection or is not yet available.
Organizations face a maximum processing time of 10 working days if verification requires querying national or specialized databases. Overall, the updated decree shortens the maximum processing threshold from seven to five working days for individuals, and from 15 to 10 working days for organizations.
Security protocols have also been tightened to prevent identity fraud. An electronic identification account will automatically lock if the registered mobile phone number is no longer registered in the account holder’s name according to mobile network operator data.
Implementation Timeline and Strategic Impact
The decree officially takes effect on September 28, 2026. Government officials note that the integration of foreign nationals into the electronic identification infrastructure is a crucial component of the nation’s broader digital transformation strategy.
By enabling non-citizens to navigate public administrative platforms electronically, the policy aims to streamline bureaucratic procedures while creating the most favourable conditions for them to feel secure and at ease while residing, working, and studying in the country.
