How to extend Vietnam visa, tourist, business visa and visa exemption

Nguyen Anh Thu03/02/2021

Are foreigners stuck here in Vietnam due to COVID 19 at the moment with tourist, business visa or visa exemption? Are they worried about how to legally stay here longer? So applicants are going to the right place as this will guide them on how to extend Vietnam visa. Let’s find out!

What is Vietnam visa extension?

Simply understood, Vietnam visa extension or renewal is both the way foreigners can extend their length of stay in Vietnam without leaving the country. However, with visa extension, the applicants will get a new stay duration stamp on their passport while applicants for the latter will have a new visa stamp on their passport. Both types of stamps clearly indicate clearly their new duration of stay in Vietnam. 

By getting this extension stamp, the applicants will have to only pay a lower fee than renewal, foreigners, therefore, tend to choose this method.

But before extending tourist, business visa or visa exemption, please make sure that the original passport is at least 6 months in validity from the time of extension, and at least 2 blank visa pages. However, please be noted that Vietnam visa extension is suitable for single entry only, so consider it seriously!

Why Vietnam visa extension?

Foreigners might be doubtful what the strength of Vietnam visa extension against Vietnam visa renewal is although they are all ways to help foreigners stay longer in the country? But trust us! Finish reading these reasons and surely find your own way!

• Visa run is not available during COVID 19, so extend the legitimate length of stay without leaving the country is a great choice;
• Cost-saving as Vietnam visa extension fee is cheaper than renewal;
• Still able to carry out normal activities, smooth business during COVID 19 instead of moving to another destination and then coming back (or even can’t come back due to quarantine);
• Avoiding being blacklisted by the Vietnam Immigration Department because of overstaying.

New regulations on Vietnam visa extension during COVID 19

Nothing can be expected but the outbreak of COVID 19 is so tremendous that numerous international flights have been canceled, and thousands of foreigners have no choice but to stay here in Vietnam. But don’t worry as the Vietnamese government also releases the new regulation on Vietnam visa extension during COVID 19 as below:

1. CONTINUE the “automatic stay extension” for foreign nationals until March 31st, 2021.

Eligible foreigners:

• entering Vietnam with Visa Exemptions, E-Visas, or Tourist Visas from March 1, 2020
• entering Vietnam before March 1, 2020 with Visa Exemptions, E-Visas, or Tourist Visas but having
  • Certification by your diplomatic mission in Vietnam through an official Diplomatic Note stating that you are stuck in Vietnam due to Covid 19 (attached with a translation in Vietnamese); or
  • Documents issued by the Vietnamese authorities certifying that you have undergone quarantine or treatment for COVID-19 or are stuck here due to reasons beyond your control.

During “automatic stay extension” period, foreigners are required to complete temporary residence and health status declaration.

2. Those foreign nationals who are not eligible for “automatic stay extension” or violate Vietnamese laws will be treated as prescribed by the applicable laws of Vietnam. This Notice is officially issued by the Immigration Department on their official website: xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

Can I extend my visa in Vietnam now?

The answer is yes!

Foreigners now can extend their Vietnam visa as long as they legitimately entered the country and haven’t been in the blacklist of the Vietnam Immigration Department due to overstaying. There are 2 common ways for Vietnam visa extension including directly apply with Vietnam Immigration Department or apply through a visa agent to free your mind from worries.

For those who have enough time, clearly know the required documents and administrative procedures for visa extension in Vietnam, stay close to the Department, please submit your documents to one of these offices:

• Hanoi Immigration Office: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Immigration Office in Da Nang: 78 Le Loi, Thach Thang, Hai Chau, Da Nang
• Immigration Office in Ho Chi Minh City: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Working hours: 

• Monday-Friday (Morning: 7am – 11h30am; Afternoon: 1h30pm – 5pm); and 
• Saturday (Morning time only)

For those who are quite busy and sick of documents/ procedures, try contacting www.vietnam-visa.com. We recommend them as they are really an expert in Vietnam visa extension with a reputation established since 2007. You can connect with them via their hotline +84.946.583.583 (WhatsApp, Viber, Zalo available)

How to extend Vietnam visa

Those who choose to apply for Vietnam visa extension directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department can need to prepare the following documents and submit to the office of Immigration of Vietnam:

• Renewal/extension application form NA5
• Original passport with current valid visa that has to expire and needs to be extended;
• For business visa:
  • Notarized business registration certificate of the company where the visa extension applicants are working;
  • Form NA16 Registered form of seal and signature of the legal representative of the enterprise operating in Vietnam.
  • Letter of introduction

You will need 02 travels to the Immigration Office, one to submit your documents and one to get your visa extension results.

Those who wish to enjoy a simpler procedure, contact the Vietnam visa extension agent we mentioned above for assistance.

Vietnam visa extension cost

As it is mentioned before, Vietnam visa extension might be cheaper than Vietnam visa renewal as you will get an extension stamp without exiting the country instead of applying for a new visa, leaving and then re-entering the country.

The cost of Vietnam visa extension will depend much on your original Vietnam visa and the visa types you want to extend. Here is the list of Vietnam visa extension you can apply for:

• extend original Vietnam visa exemption for up to 3 months;
• extend original 1 month Vietnam visa (tourist/business) for up to 3 months;
• extend original 3 months Vietnam visa (tourist/business) for up to 3 months;
• extend original 5 years Vietnam visa exemption certificate for up to 6 months;
• extend original Vietnam E-visa for up to 3 months;
• extend 1 year Vietnam visa for US passport holder (tourist/business) for up to 3 months;

You can contact the visa agent you are working with for the Vietnam visa extension cost.

Hope you find this informative for you and your friends. For any assistance of the Vietnam visa extension, contact a reliable visa agent like Vienam-visa.com.