Military service is a noble duty of Vietnamese youth and citizens. However, if you are preparing to go to Japan, is it possible to defer military service? Let’s find the answer with Nhat Huy Khang in the content below!
Military service is a glorious duty of Vietnamese citizens to contribute to building and protecting the Fatherland. Eligible Vietnamese citizens will serve in the Vietnam People’s Army for 24 months.
In 2022, the age for military service remains the same as in previous years, meaning it is still from 18 to 25 years old. The age for enlistment is calculated precisely from the date of birth recorded on each citizen’s birth certificate to the date of enlistment.
The question “Can I defer my military service when going to Japan?” is a concern for male workers aged 18-27. Many young men worry about this, because performing two years of military service could mean missing out on many job opportunities in Japan. However, you shouldn’t worry too much, because the law allows for temporary deferment of military service. This creates opportunities for workers to develop themselves, bringing many benefits to themselves, their families, and the country.
So, specifically, what cases allow for temporary deferment of military service? Huy Khang Japanese Labor Export Center will answer your questions about the regulations and procedures for deferring military service in Vietnam. Let’s find out!
1. Can I defer my military service when going to Japan?
As mentioned above, men aged 18 to 25 are required to perform military service. However, for citizens with university or college degrees who have been granted a temporary deferment from military service, according to the current Military Service Law (Article 30), the age for conscription will be up to 27 years old.
The conscription order will be issued once in February/March each year. This is stipulated in the Military Service Law (Article 33). Therefore, next year, citizens will begin their military service in February or March 2022.
Cases eligible for temporary deferment from military service are stipulated in the 2015 Military Service Law (Article 41). Nhat Huy Khang will discuss this in more detail in the following section.
Whether or not military service can be deferred when going to Japan is a question many workers wonder about.
1.1 For citizens who have not yet gone to Japan to work
According to the regulations of the 2015 Military Service Law, citizens who go abroad for work are not eligible for temporary deferment of military service. However, generally, candidates and trainees who have passed the job application process for working in Japan will not have to enlist.
Trainees who have passed the job application process for working in Japan and are studying Japanese at a center while waiting to depart for work in Japan will receive support from the center. If they receive a summons for a military service health examination, the company/center will provide the trainee with the necessary documents, confirming that they are being trained for overseas employment. Through this, they may be exempt from military service.
1.2 For trainees currently working in Japan
If a conscription notice is issued, trainees who have worked in Japan for 3 years will not have to enlist. However, if trainees or workers who have returned to their home country are still within the age range for mandatory military service, they will not be exempt and must still participate.
Trainees who have already participated in special military service will receive many benefits when registering for work programs in Japan.
2. What cases are eligible for military service deferment?
To get an accurate answer to the question of whether military service can be deferred while working in Japan, please refer to the Military Service Law. This law clearly stipulates the cases in which military service can be deferred.
Conditions for Deferring Military Service
Military service is a mandatory responsibility for all citizens, contributing to the building and protection of the Fatherland. However, citizens must meet certain conditions to be called up for military service. Similarly, certain cases will be granted deferment to ensure the greatest benefit for each citizen and the nation.
Below, Nhat Huy Khang will list the cases eligible for temporary deferment of military service as stipulated in the Law on Military Service:
According to Article 9 of the Law on Military Service, if you are studying at schools within the national education system, you will be granted a deferment of military service. These schools include:
Ethnic boarding schools, high schools, ethnic semi-boarding schools, gifted schools, specialized schools, and pre-university schools.
Universities, colleges, and universities.
Vocational colleges, professional secondary schools, and vocational secondary schools.
Research institutes and academies responsible for training doctoral and master’s degree holders.
According to Article 10 of this law, students studying at schools run by foreign individuals/organizations, international organizations, or Vietnamese citizens residing abroad (who meet the requirements for investment in Vietnam) will be granted a deferment of military service. Students studying abroad at foreign schools for 12 months or more will also be granted a deferment of their conscription.
However, please note that Article 11 of the Military Service Law states that if you are studying at the schools specified in points b and c, clauses 9 and 10, you will only be granted a deferment under certain conditions. Specifically, you will only be granted a temporary deferment for one intensive training course. If you continue your studies in other training courses, you will not be granted a temporary deferment. Furthermore, you will be tested annually and will be called up for military service if the reason for the deferment no longer exists.
Therefore, you should carefully review this before deciding to go to Japan. To avoid incurring additional costs for going to Japan.
3. Do those who return from working abroad have to perform military service?
After answering the question of whether military service can be deferred after working in Japan, this article will continue to address the question of whether returning from overseas employment requires military service.
First, let’s look at some of the necessary conditions for enlistment. Besides age, citizens must meet the following conditions to participate in military service:
Citizens must strictly adhere to the Party’s guidelines and policies, and the State’s laws and regulations.
Participants must have a clear background.
Citizens wishing to participate in military service must have at least a grade 8 education. However, in localities where it is difficult to meet the recruitment quota, the educational requirement for selected citizens may be grade 7.
Citizens must be in good health to serve in the military.
If, after returning from overseas employment, you are over the age for military service, you will not be called up for enlistment. In the case that after working in Japan and returning to your home country, you are still within the age range for conscription, you must still undergo a health check. If you meet the legal requirements, you are still required to perform military service.
After returning from overseas employment, you can continue to participate in the Tokutei Visa program or a second-time Japan employment program to continue working in Japan.
Hopefully, this article has helped answer your questions about whether military service can be deferred after working in Japan and whether you need to enlist after returning from overseas employment. If you have any further questions about overseas employment programs, the Specified Skilled Worker Visa program, etc., please leave a comment so Nhat Khang Huy can answer them for you!
