How to Extend and Renew a Visa in Vietnam?

Breathtaking landscapes, rich history, diverse cuisine, and affordable prices make Vietnam a tourist paradise for international travelers. From renowned national parks to the world’s largest natural cave, Vietnam has much to offer travel enthusiasts.  

Many foreigners, who are already in Vietnam, wish to extend their stay to explore the country further. Vietnam’s immigration laws permit foreigners to extend their stay in the country. There are two ways: they can either renew their Vietnam visa or extend it. Read on to know more about this.  

How Long Can Tourists Stay in Vietnam with their Visa?

Depending on their country of origin, foreigners can apply for an eVisa or tourist visa to enter Vietnam for tourism. The Vietnam eVisa for tourism is valid for a maximum of 30 days, while the validity of a regular tourist visa varies between 15 days to 3 months. Tourists arriving in the country can extend or renew their visas.  

There are two ways through which they can extend their stay in Vietnam. They can either renew their visa or extend their visa validity. When already in Vietnam, visitors may extend their tourist visas. The extension period can either be 15 or 30 days, depending on individual cases. Most international travelers prefer to extend their visa’s validity period as it is cost-effective and easy. They can do it while they are still in the country. To renew a Vietnam visa/eVisa, they need to exist and re-enter Vietnam.  

Why is Visa Extension/Renewal Required

Irrespective of the type of travel authorization (eVisa/Tourist Visa), overstaying visa validity can result in penalties or legal actions as per Vietnamese law. Foreigners are expected to extend or renew their visas before their legal expiry date. Those who do not follow this rule will have a bad mark in the records of Vietnam immigration. They will face difficulties if they try to apply for a Vietnam visa in the future.  

A visa extension provides the opportunity to extend one’s stay for a specific duration, thereby facilitating the completion of tourism or business plans. It is crucial to initiate the visa extension process prior to the expiry of the current visa. This is due to the stipulation that the approval process generally requires between 5 to 8 working days. Therefore, planning ahead for a visa extension can avoid potential complications or disruptions to one’s itinerary.  

Conditions for Vietnamese Visa/eVisa Extension

To extend a visa or eVisa in Vietnam, there are several conditions and requirements that foreigners must adhere to.   

Firstly, the applicant must have a passport that is valid and ready to undergo the visa extension procedure. This is a crucial document needed for foreigners to successfully extend their visas. Secondly, foreigners residing in Vietnam are required to register their temporary residence with local police from the area where they are staying. This proof of residence is a necessary condition for visa extension.  

Another requirement is that the individual’s Vietnam visa must still be within its validity period. Expired visas can’t be extended and need to be renewed or replaced. In addition, for business, work, or investment visas, a Vietnamese company needs to vouch for the foreigner and aid in carrying out the procedures required for the visa extension. This sponsor company plays a critical role in visa extension, especially for business-related visas.  

Lastly, foreigners must have maintained a clean legal record during their stay in Vietnam. Any criminal activities or violations of Vietnamese laws could result in the denial of the visa extension. All these conditions are essential for a successful visa or eVisa extension in Vietnam.  

How to Apply for Visa Extension in Vietnam

Applying for a visa extension in Vietnam involves several steps, and it is crucial for foreign visitors to understand the process thoroughly.  

Step 1: This involves the preparation of all necessary documents by foreigners. These documents must meet all requirements, and they should be sent to the nominated travel agency for verification.  

Step 2: Here, an applicant sees the travel agency which guarantees the foreigner’s stay, submitting these documents to the office of the Vietnam Immigration Department. This is an essential step as it officially initiates the visa extension application process.  

Step 3: In this step, foreigners are required to pay the visa extension fee. This fee varies depending on the type of visa they are applying for an extension. Once the fee is paid, the review process commences, which typically takes around five working days. It is during this period that the documents and applications are reviewed for approval.  

Step 4: In this step, foreigners retrieve their passports, which now contain the visa extension stamp. This stamp validates the extension of their stay in Vietnam.  

By following these steps, one can successfully apply for a visa extension while in Vietnam, ensuring a continued, lawful stay in the country.  

Where To Apply for Visa Extension

When it comes to extending a visa in Vietnam, the process is usually carried out at the Immigration Management Department offices located in the cities or provinces where foreigners are residing or working. This simplifies the process, as individuals can apply for extensions within their local vicinity. 

In the three major cities of Vietnam, these offices can be found at specific addresses: 

In Hanoi, the capital city, the office for visa extension is located at 44 - 46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District. This location serves those seeking visa extensions within the Hanoi region. 

In Danang, another major city, the office is located at 78 Le Loi Street, Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District. This location facilitates the visa extension process for individuals residing or working in and around Danang. 

For those in Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, the office can be found at 333 - 335 - 337 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1. This office serves those who are residing or working in the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City. 

By visiting these designated offices, foreigners can apply for and obtain visa extensions in Vietnam, thereby ensuring their legal status during their stay. 

Required Documents for Visa Extension

Extending a visa in Vietnam requires submitting specific documents. However, the nature of these documents varies depending on the type of visa one possesses. 

A common requirement for all visa types includes the declaration form for issuance, supplement, amendment of visa, and extension of temporary residence (form NA5). Additionally, a valid passport or internationally recognized travel document is obligatory. 

For a tourist visa, the necessary documentation is relatively straightforward. Only the basic documents mentioned above are required. However, extending a work or business visa entails additional paperwork. This includes legal documents of the guaranteeing company, a confirmation letter of temporary residence from the local police of the area where the foreigner is temporarily staying, and a letter of introduction for the employee who is submitting the document to the immigration department. 

When it comes to an investment visa, the requirements are slightly different. In addition to the common documents, legal paperwork of the company, including the Enterprise Registration Certificate featuring the shareholders’ names, is required. Similar to the work/business visa, a confirmation letter of temporary residence and a letter of introduction for the document submitter are also required. 

Lastly, for a visa to visit relatives, documents validating personal relationships are required, alongside a confirmation letter of temporary residence from the local police. An identity card of the family member who vouches for the foreigner is also a necessity. 

By ensuring these documents are accurately prepared and submitted, the visa extension process can progress smoothly and successfully. 

Cost for Visa Extension

The cost associated with extending a Vietnam visa is variable, hinging on several factors. These factors include the type of original visa held, the desired extension period, and whether the extension process is being self-managed or facilitated by an agency. 

It’s important to consider these aspects when budgeting for a visa extension in Vietnam, as costs can differ significantly depending on these variables. Ultimately, one must be informed about all potential costs to avoid unexpected expenditures during the visa extension process.   

Validity of Visa Extension

The validity of a Vietnam visa extension can range from 15 days to 1 month, 3 months, or even 6 months, largely contingent on the original visa’s validity. However, it’s important to note that these extension durations are subject to periodic changes. Consequently, before proceeding with a visa extension application, it’s highly recommended to consult with a reliable visa agent, such as Vietnam-visa.com, to verify current regulations and ensure a smooth extension process. 

Conclusion

Extending or renewing a visa in Vietnam allows tourists to prolong their stay and fully experience the country’s beauty. Both processes require careful attention to Vietnamese immigration laws and conditions, such as having a valid passport, maintaining a clean legal record, and registering temporary residence. Required documents and fees vary by visa type, and it’s crucial to start the extension process before the current visa expires to avoid complications. Successful visa extension ensures a continued, legal, and enjoyable stay in culturally rich and diverse Vietnam.