Vietnam begins real-time data sharing for all foreign residents Sept. 15

Vietnam will replace its 2015 immigration coordination framework with mandatory real-time data sharing under Decree No. 286/2026/NĐ-CP, effective Sept. 15.

Real-time sharing replaces the 2015 framework

The decree requires the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other national agencies and provincial People’s Committees to exchange immigration records regularly and in real time. It replaces Decree 64/2015/NĐ-CP, which governed coordination between authorities but lacked the same real-time requirements.

Shared records will include visa information, temporary residence card data, entry and exit records and security-related information. The government said the system is intended to improve oversight while supporting lawful entry, transit and residence.

All foreign visitors and residents are covered

The change applies to foreign nationals entering, leaving, transiting through or residing in Vietnam. That includes tourists using e-visas or visa exemptions, expats, digital nomads and other foreign residents covered by Vietnam’s residency rules.

The decree tightens government oversight rather than adding a new visa requirement. The published summaries impose no new application, fee or re-filing step on current visa or residence card holders, so foreigners don’t need to submit records again before Sept. 15.

Agencies face immediate reporting deadlines

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must upload visa and temporary residence card records to the national immigration database immediately after issuance. If its technical systems can’t support direct uploads, it must send applicant lists to immigration authorities within five working days.

Immigration authorities under the Ministry of Public Security must give border units under the Ministry of National Defence information about foreigners receiving visas at border gates before those travelers arrive. Exchanges between the two ministries must be continuous and timely.

A separate government data-sharing decree requires mandatory interagency exchanges to run through the national Data Sharing and Coordination Platform by Dec. 31, creating the wider technical framework for the immigration system.