One way ticket & TRC

THIGV wrote:

I have stated this in enough threads that regular readers must be sick of it but the best way to handle your trip is through a Viet Kieu owned travel agency.   In the US they have regular working relationships with the Viet Consulates and know exactly which documents you will need.  I can't speak for all locations, but the agency I use does not even up charge for the visa since I buy my tickets from him as well.  Here is info on the VEC from the Embassy in Canberra.  I hope you still speak Vietnamese:  http://vietnamembassy.org.au/thu-tuc-ch … %e1%bb%b1c  If you were born in AU, you may have to provide some documentation from your parents.  At any rate, my advice to seek out a VK travel agent still stands.

Developing a good relationship with a Viet Kieu owned travel agency is very good advice. Note, as in any business, the quality and honesty can vary from agency to agency. Get advice from local Viet Kieu friends and relatives before selecting an agency and pass on the name of the person who recommended the agency to the agency.

Also note, Many of us have discussed VEC's repeatedly.

TuyetDang wrote:

I was looking at the VEC but it seems to be if you have a job in Vietnam to apply is that correct?

Just the opposite.  The VEC is nominally for visiting relatives in Vietnam.  It is available to Viet Kieu and westerners with Vietnamese spouses or in some cases children.  You can obtain a VEC while still outside of VN.  VEC stands for Visa Exemption Certificate but it is not really that.  You still have to have your passport stamped periodically (now 6 months) but you should not have to leave the country. 

The work permit is not a visa but is, just as it says, a permit to work.  You need the WP to work irrespective of what type of visa you hold.  Some here have insisted that you must obtain the work related TRC as well to work legally, but that is subject to dispute.   The 2 year work related TRC replaces a visa and can be obtained after or at the same time as the WP. 

The 3 year family based TRC is new and a lot of information and misinformation is swirling around but you should be eligible for that too.  I believe that you will need to be sponsored by your Vietnamese citizen relatives who I assume are in Nha Trang.  I don't believe that you can obtain a family based TRC while you are still in Australia but it have certainly been wrong before.  Colinoscapee may be correct that the VEC will be phased out in favor of the TRC but I see nothing to indicate that you could not get one now, as long as you can rustle up the proper documents from your parents.  It is after all still on the Canberra embassy website.  It has also been stated on the TRC thread that you must hold a VEC or TT visa to apply for the family based TRC.

TuyetDang wrote:

I have the 5 year multiple VEC would that also be classified as the VEC in order to apply for the 5 years family TRC?

Looks like you are good to go.  I think the logic is that you can't apply for a residency permit until you are a resident.  Go to Nha Trang and get settled in with a job and then see about your WP and TRC.  You should be eligible for either type of TRC once you get your work permit.

My best to you but I hope you are aware that there is a prejudicial attitude in Vietnam against Viet Kieu as English teachers.  I wouldn't be surprised if in Nha Trang you encounter Russians teaching English.  I personally feel it is incorrect and hope you can overcome it.  It may be easier if you are inclined to teach the very youngest learners.