Vietnam is set to expand access to its electronic identification system, VNeID, for foreign nationals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from September 28, 2026.
Under the revised rules, foreigners who legally enter or reside in Vietnam in either city will be able to apply for an electronic identification account. Previously, eligibility was generally limited to those holding a Temporary Residence Card or Permanent Residence Card.
Foreign nationals applying for a Level 2 VNeID account may be required to appear in person for identity verification and biometric collection, including fingerprints and facial images.
The expansion will particularly benefit foreign legal representatives and company representatives who were previously unable to obtain personal e-ID accounts because they did not have the required residence documents. The eligibility rules could also be expanded nationwide in the future.
Vietnam has been gradually extending the use of VNeID across immigration and other administrative procedures.
Since June 1, 2026, companies have been required to use organizational VNeID accounts for eligible immigration applications. These include entry approval letters for foreign nationals and their dependents, visa extensions, work visas, exit visas, and temporary residence cards.
Employers are also required to use the system for work permit and Work Permit Exemption Certificate applications under regulations introduced in August 2025.
Foreign nationals holding Temporary Residence Cards became eligible for Level 2 VNeID accounts on July 30, 2025.
The broader shift toward digital identification began on July 1, 2025, when companies were required to use VNeID accounts for administrative procedures conducted both online and offline.
To obtain an organizational VNeID account, a company’s legal representative must first secure a Level 2 personal e-ID account. This requirement had created difficulties for companies whose legal representatives were foreign nationals and did not qualify for personal accounts.
Companies should identify eligible representatives and complete the registration process early to avoid possible delays in immigration and other administrative procedures.
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