Tax exemptions and other benefits for foreign experts working on official development assistance projects in Vietnam are regulated in a government decision that will take effect

Foreign experts at the construction site of the Phu My Bridge in HCM City.

An expert with a permit to stay in Vietnam for less than 183 days cannot buy or import a motor vehicle.

Any vehicle bought here }or imported must be sold, given away or sent back to the expert’s country no later than 30 days before the working term ends.

In this case, no tax will be paid if the vehicle is sold or given to another ODA expert, or shipped home. If it is sold or given to anyone else in Vietnam, tax must be paid.

No tax will be due when buying or importing certain items for personal use.

The tax-free personal items and quantities listed in the decision’s appendix include one television, one washing machine, one air conditioner, one personal computer, one electric stove, one microwave oven, one fridge, 400 liters of beer, 40 liters of other alcoholic beverage, and 20 cartons of cigarettes per person.

Income tax and work permit exemptions

The new legal document, which updates the 1998 decision on the subject, continues to exempt foreign experts in ODA projects from paying tax on their official income in Vietnam.

However, no tax exemption will be allowed on remuneration from other employment.

With housing, the Vietnamese government promises not to revoke the title deeds to property owned by foreign aid experts or their family members, as long as they abide by the regulations on buying, selling or otherwise transferring property in Vietnam.

Foreign experts covered by the decision and their family members are also exempt from paying the regular fees for public welfare, national security and defense.

Furthermore, foreign aid experts do not need a work permit or to register their names in Vietnam.

Visa convenience

Foreign experts in ODA projects and their family members can obtain multiple-entry and exit visas from the Vietnamese government agencies that approve the projects.

To apply for a visa valid for three years, they must have been staying in Vietnam for six months at least.

They also benefit from the same policies that apply to diplomats needing to leave Vietnam in a hurry, if their project managers deem it necessary for their safety.

Currency exchange, driving license

The new decision continues to allow foreign experts in ODA projects and their family members to bring foreign currencies into Vietnam up to the levels allowed by law.

As before, they can convert their pay into a foreign currency before remitting the money abroad.

The decision, which covers researchers, managers, assessors, engineers and consultants recruited by the Vietnamese or foreign partners in ODA projects, also makes it easier for them to get their driving licenses notarized and motor vehicles registered.

VietNamNet/TN