Agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic or official passport holders between Vietnam and Nigeria

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[Abuja, Nigeria] October 30, 2019, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic or official passport holders. The agreement is effective from November 29, 2019.

AGREEMENT

BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON WAIVER OF VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC OR OFFICIAL PASSPORTS

PREAMBLE

The Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (hereinafter jointly referred to as the Parties and in the singular as a “Party”);

DESIRING to strengthen the existing bond of friendship and bilateral cooperation between the Parties; and

INTENDING to simplify and facilitate the travelling of holders of valid Diplomatic or Official Passports between the respective countries.

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1

WAIVER OF VISA REQUIREMENTS

Nationals of a Party who are holders of a valid Diplomatic or Official Passport may enter into, exit from and transit through the territory of the other Party and shall be permitted to stay in the territory of the Party for a maximum period of ninety (90) days from the date of entry without having to obtain a visa.

ARTICLE 2

COMPETENT AUTHORITY

The competent authority responsible for the implementation of the Agreement shall be:

1. For the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security and;

2. For the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Immigration Service of the Ministry of Interior.

ARTICLE 3

ACCREDITED DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR STAFF

1. Nationals of a Party who are holders of valid Diplomatic or Official Passports and accredited members of the staff of the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Posts in the country of the other Party, may freely enter, sojourn and exit the other Party during the time of appointment at the Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post.

2. Spouse and under 18 year-old children of the persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article shall also be exempted from having to obtain visa if they are holders of valid Diplomatic or Official Passports.

ARTICLE 4

ENTRY INTO AND EXIT FROM TERRITORIES OF PARTIES

Nationals of a Party who are holders of valid Diplomatic or Official Passports shall enter the territory of the other Party through the border checkpoints designated for international travel.

ARTICLE 5

LAW ENFORCEMENT

The provisions of this Agreement shall not exempt the holders of valid Diplomatic or Official Passports from complying with the domestic legislation relating to the entry into, sojourning in or exiting from the territory of the other Party.

ARTICLE 6

NOTIFICATION OF RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

1. The Parties shall exchange specimens of their Diplomatic and Official Passports, as well as information on the rules of their use, through the diplomatic channel, not later than thirty (30) days before the date of entry into force of the Agreement.

2. Each Party shall also transmit to the other Party, through the diplomatic channel, specimens of new or amended Diplomatic or Official Passports at least thirty (30) days before the introduction of the new or amended Diplomatic or Official Passports.

3. The Parties shall also inform each other in writing through the diplomatic channel of any changes in respect of the rules for the use of Diplomatic or Official Passports at least thirty (30) days before the introduction of the changes.

ARTICLE 7

REFUSAL OF ENTRY AND ISSUANCE OF NEW PASSPORT

1. Each Party reserves the right to, on a discretionary basis, refuse entry into their country of any holder of a Diplomatic or Official Passport of the other Party.

2. If the holder of a valid Diplomatic or Official Passport loses his or her Diplomatic or Official Passport in the territory of the country of the other Party, he or she shall inform the Competent Authorities of the host country for appropriate action. The Diplomatic Mission or Consular Posts concerned shall issue a new Diplomatic or Official Passport or travel document to the person and also inform the Competent Authorities of the other Party about the issuance of the new Passport or Travel Document.

ARTICLE 8

SUSPENSION

1. Each Party reserves the right to completely or partially suspend this Agreement for reasons of public order, national security or public health.

2. Such suspension, as well as the reasons therefore, shall be conveyed to the diplomatic channel and shall take effect immediately after receipt of such written notification by the other Party to whom it has been conveyed.

3. The suspending Party shall lift the suspension as soon as possible by way of written notice to the other Party through the diplomatic channel.

ARTICLE 9

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Any dispute between the Parties arising out of the interpretation, application or implementation of the provisions of this Agreement shall be settled amicably by negotiation through diplomatic channel.

ARTICLE 10

AMENDMENT

Any amendment to this Agreement shall be made through an exchange of Notes between the Parties and shall come into effect on the date of receipt of acceptance Note from the other Party.

ARTICLE 11

ENTRY INTO FORCE, DURATION AND TERMINATION

1. This Agreement shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the date of its signature.

2. This Agreement shall remain valid indefinitely. Either Party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice in advance through diplomatic channels to the other Party of its intention to terminate this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement, in two original texts, in Vietnamese and English languages, both texts being equally authentic.

DONE AT ABUJA ON THIS 30^TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2019.

For original copy Agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic or official passport holders between Vietnam and Nigeria