Exemption from nationality fees for free migrants in the Vietnam - Laos border area

The Ministry of Finance has just issued Circular No. 64/2017/TT-BTC guiding the exemption of nationality fees, civil status fees, and residence registration fees for people who are allowed to reside under the provisions of the Agreement between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Laos on resolving the issue of free migrants and unregistered marriages in the border areas of the two countries when carrying out procedures on nationality, civil status registration, residence registration, and other documents related to personal identity.

Illustration

Accordingly, the subjects exempted from the fee are those who are permitted to reside by Vietnamese authorities, including: Free migrants in the border areas of Vietnam or Laos from 1985 or earlier; Free migrants in the border areas of Vietnam or Laos from 1986 to July 8, 2013 with the following conditions: Respecting the laws of the country of residence, not violating criminal law; having a stable life, having a house and fixed assets, having cultivated land in the country of residence, not being a wanted person or serving a sentence according to the laws of the country of origin.

Free migrants in the border area between the two countries from 1986 to July 8, 2013 who do not meet the three conditions above and are returned by Laos and have been accepted by Vietnam are also exempted from fees.

In addition, people who are not legally married after registering their marriage according to the laws of each country and wish to apply for a residence permit in the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam are also exempted from fees.

Free migrants in the border areas of Vietnam or Laos after July 8, 2013 are not subject to this Circular.

This Circular takes effect from August 15, 2017 and will expire when the Agreement terminates.

According to Lan Phuong/chinhphu.vn