Vietnam visa policy rebuffs foreign retirees’ love

Peter Zimmermann from Germany mentioned he and his spouse have been coming to Vietnam for 5-6 months each winter since 2013 they usually all the time rented a home or a big residence within the beach city of Nha Trang.

“Vietnam is absolutely a superb place to dwell as a retiree as native persons are open and really pleasant. There are good resorts, resorts, eating places, cafes and residences. Nice beaches by the ocean and many tradition and historical past to find,” he instructed VnExpress Worldwide.

Nevertheless, present visa insurance policies stay a serious barrier for pensioners trying to cool down in Vietnam as a result of the nation has not resumed its pre-pandemic visa insurance policies.

Aside from granting visa exemption to 24 tourism markets for stays of 15-30 days, Vietnam solely points a one-month single-entry e-visa to guests from different international locations, as a substitute of the three-month multi-entry visas it used to problem.

“It isn’t affordable for pensioners like us to depart the nation each 30 days and return with a brand new e-visa,” Zimmerman mentioned.

“It might be necessary for us to have visas for 3 months with the choice of extending them similar to in Thailand. We’re additionally completely satisfied to supply proof of revenue and financial institution statements.”

Peter Zimmermann (R) and his spouse have dinner with their associates at a restaurant in Nha Trang beach city, Could 2022. Photograph courtesy of Peter Zimmermann

Final month, American journal Travel+Leisure listed Vietnam as one in all eight most ultimate international locations for People to maneuver to after retirement due to low cost price of dwelling and numerous travel experiences.

There may be presently no particular visa coverage for foreigners who wish to retire in Vietnam. Overseas retirees can solely apply for vacationer visas.

Peter mentioned tens of millions of retirees with an excellent revenue are on the lookout for a second dwelling to spend the winter. If Vietnam doesn’t need them then they are going to go to different international locations and spend their cash there.

Michael Perry, a retiree from the U.S., mentioned that although he would love to only dwell in Vietnam and travel across the nation as he’s carried out many occasions over time, the shortage of a retirement visa makes it troublesome to try this.

“There isn’t a approach to retire in Vietnam as there isn’t any retirement visa. Previous to the pandemic one may get one-year vacationer visa with a U.S. passport however each 90 days one needed to depart and re-enter. Some retired expats I do know prolonged their vacationer visas and lived month by month or bought three month extensions. This isn’t retirement,” Perry mentioned.

“Retired individuals like me want to dwell our lives in Vietnam as a result of we love the nation and tradition however we should now use an e-visa and solely get 30 days.”

With Vietnam’s strict visa coverage, Perry mentioned he would select to remain in Cambodia “the place I can simply obtain a retirement visa.”

Mel Potter from the U.S. who has been dwelling in Vietnam for the final 10 years mentioned Vietnam is a superb place to spend retirement years.

“I want that authorities would change the necessities for retirees to personal a house.”