How to extend and renew your visa in Vietnam quickly?

If you are planning to stay longer in Vietnam, understanding the process of visa extension Vietnam is essential. Timely extending or renewing your visa helps you stay legally, avoid penalties, and ensures that your travel and work plans continue without interruption. This guide provides all the necessary information to make your visa extension or renewal process smooth and hassle-free.

Why is visa extension important?

If your visa expires without being extended, you not only risk fines under the law but also negatively affect your travel record, which can make returning to Vietnam more difficult in the future. It’s recommended to apply for a visa extension Vietnam before it expires, as the processing time usually takes 5 to 8 working days.

Reasons why extending your visa is important:

• Stay legally: A visa extension Vietnam is the only way to remain in the country after your current visa is about to expire, without having to leave and re-enter.
• Avoid penalties: Overstaying can lead to fines and may hurt your immigration record, causing problems for future entries.
• Save time and money: Extending your visa is usually faster and cheaper than applying for a new visa or doing a “visa run.”
• No disruption to work or plans: You’ll have extra time to complete contracts, handle work tasks, or enjoy your travel schedule without interruptions.

Vietnam Visa overstay penalties for foreigners 

Since December 31, 2021, the new regulations in Decree 144/2021/ND-CP officially came into effect, applying to all cases of administrative violations related to residence. Accordingly, foreigners who overstay their visa may face fines ranging from 500,000 VND to 20,000,000 VND, depending on the severity of the violation.

Fines based on the length of overstay:

• 1 – 15 days: 500,000 – 2,000,000 VND
• 16 – 29 days: 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND
• 30 – 59 days: 5,000,000 – 10,000,000 VND
• 60 – 89 days: 10,000,000 – 15,000,000 VND
• 90 days or more: 15,000,000 – 20,000,000 VND

In serious cases, the authorities may also impose deportation or a temporary entry ban, which makes timely visa extension Vietnam even more important.

Vietnam visa extension requirements

Normally, when a foreigner enters Vietnam, they are issued a visa with a duration that matches the purpose of their stay. In cases where the visa is about to expire and you wish to stay longer, you can proceed with the visa extension procedure. The documents that need to be prepared for a Vietnam visa extension include:

• An application for temporary residence extension or an official letter requesting an extension, which provides full personal information such as full name, nationality, date of birth, gender, passport number and validity, occupation, reason for entry, and the desired extension period.
• A passport that is still valid for at least 30 days from the date of submitting the application.
• A visa extension declaration form (NA5 form) with valid confirmation from the sponsoring organization or enterprise.
• If visiting relatives working at a diplomatic mission in Vietnam: a copy of the relative’s ID card must be included.
• If working at a foreign representative office in Vietnam: a copy of the employment contract must also be submitted. 

Where to apply for Vietnam visa extension?

If you are planning to stay longer in Vietnam, knowing where and how to apply for a Vietnam visa renewal is essential. Here is a guide for Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam visa extension in Hanoi

If you are in northern Vietnam, you can go to the Immigration Department in Hanoi to submit your visa extension application.

Address: No. 44 – 46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Working hours:

• Monday – Friday: 7:00 – 11:00; 13:30 – 17:00
• Saturday: 7:00 – 11:00

Vietnam visa extension in Da Nang

Previously, foreigners in central Vietnam could go to the Immigration Department in Da Nang to apply for a visa extension. However, since August 2018, the Da Nang office has been merged into the Immigration Department in Hanoi. Therefore, if you want to extend your visa, you need to go to the Immigration Department in Hanoi.

Vietnam visa extension in Ho Chi Minh City

If you are living in southern Vietnam and want to extend a tourist visa or a business visa, you can go to the Ho Chi Minh City Immigration Office to complete the procedure.

Address: No. 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Working hours:

• Monday – Friday: 7:00 – 11:30; 13:30 – 17:00
• Saturday: 7:00 – 11:30

In more complex cases, the application will be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City Immigration Department.

Address: No. 333 – 335 – 337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Working hours:

• Monday – Friday: 7:30 – 16:30
• Saturday: 8:30 – 10:30

For those holding visas of type NG1, NG2, or NG4, the visa extension requires the sponsoring organization or agency to submit a visa extension application to the Consular Department or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs.

Information about these visa types:

• NG1 and NG2 visas: For members of delegations invited by the head of state of Vietnam.
• NG2 visa: For staff working at diplomatic or consular missions, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organizations, as well as individuals visiting these staff members.

Cost to extend visa in Vietnam 

The visa extension fees for foreign visitors are regulated in Circular No. 157/2015/TT-BTC. According to this regulation, it is a mandatory fee that foreigners must pay to the Immigration Authorities, or to Vietnam’s Diplomatic Missions abroad such as embassies or consulates, when they need to extend their Vietnam visa.

To ensure that you extend your visa on time, you can choose to use Wexplore Vietnam’s visa extension service for an additional fee of 30 USD per person. We guarantee the most competitive extension fees in the market and provide a full refund if we do not process your application on time or if we reject it.

Frequently asked questions

If you are planning to stay longer in Vietnam, you may have many questions about the visa extension Vietnam process. Here are some frequently asked questions to help guide you through it.

Can I extend my Vietnam visa online?

It is possible to extend certain types of Vietnam visas, such as work visas, investment visas, or family visit visas, online after filling out and submitting the application through the Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security or the National Public Service Portal. However, electronic visas (E-visas) cannot be extended. In this case, you must exit Vietnam and apply for a new visa.

How soon should I apply for a Vietnam visa extension?

Although Vietnamese law does not specify an exact time for submission, to ensure timely processing before your current visa expires, you should submit your application at least 5 – 7 days before the expiration date, or as early as possible.

How long is a Vietnam visa extension valid for?

The duration of a Vietnam visa extension depends on the original visa type, usually ranging from 15 days, 1 month, 3 months, up to 6 months. For example, a 1-month or 3-month tourist visa can generally be extended for an additional month. Please note that these timeframes may change, so it is recommended to check the information with a Vietnam visa extension service before submitting your application. 

Applying for a visa extension Vietnam is the most convenient way to remain in the country legally and avoid penalties for overstaying. By preparing the necessary documents, submitting your application on time, and following the proper procedures, you can enjoy a smooth and stress-free extension process. To save time and ensure a high success rate, consider using the visa services provided by Wexplore Vietnam. Contact us at +84 904 879 729 for detailed guidance!