Vietnam Immigration Department
The Vietnam Immigration Department is the official authority responsible for issuing visas. Its functions include monitoring, approving, and handling entry and exit procedures for both Vietnamese citizens and foreigners entering or leaving Vietnam. Let’s explore more details about this department with Wexplore Vietnam!
Introduction to Vietnam Immigration Department
The Vietnam Immigration Department is an agency under the Ministry of Public Security, responsible for managing all immigration-related activities in Vietnam. It handles administrative procedures for both Vietnamese citizens and foreigners, including the issuance, renewal, and replacement of passports, visas, temporary residence cards, permanent residence cards, and other matters related to entering or leaving Vietnam.
- Issuing immigration documents: The department issues passports to Vietnamese citizens and provides or renews visas, temporary residence cards, permanent residence cards, and electronic visas (e-visas) for foreigners.
- Managing foreigners: It monitors and manages the entry, transit, residence, and activities of foreigners during their stay in Vietnam.
- Handling administrative procedures: The department receives and processes applications related to immigration and assists in resolving any issues that may arise during the process.
- International cooperation: It works closely with domestic authorities and international organizations to strengthen border security and maintain order.
- Data management: The department develops, operates, and updates the national immigration database to support management and information retrieval.
For domestic Vietnamese
The Vietnam Immigration Department is responsible for handling administrative procedures related to:
- Issuing ordinary passports for citizens traveling abroad for tourism, study, work, or permanent residence.
- Renewing or reissuing passports in case of loss, damage, or expiration.
- Providing ID or citizen identification verification for exit procedures.
- Issuing residence documents for citizens planning to live, work, or study overseas for an extended period.
- Processing repatriation procedures for Vietnamese citizens who have lived abroad for many years and wish to return to Vietnam.
For Vietnamese overseas and foreigners
The Department of Immigration Vietnam also oversees and provides various support services, including:
- Issuing, renewing, or modifying Vietnam visas.
- Providing a Visa Approval Letter, which is required to obtain a visa on arrival at international airports in Vietnam.
- Issuing and extending Temporary Residence Cards (TRC) for foreigners living, working, or studying in Vietnam.
- Issuing Permanent Residence Cards for foreigners who meet the conditions for long-term stay.
- Processing family sponsorship applications, including those for spouses, children, or relatives of Vietnamese citizens or foreigners residing in Vietnam.
- Approving settlement or long-term residence applications for foreigners who wish to live in Vietnam permanently.
Offices
Currently there are three offices of Vietnam Immigration in three main regions of the country: The North, the Central, and the South. Following is the detailed contact of these offices:
Vietnam Immigration Department (A18) in Hanoi
The Hanoi Immigration Department serves the northern region:
Address: No. 44 – 46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh Ward, Ha Noi
Website: https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/
Email: [email protected]
Numbers for querying:
- Phone: 02438257941
- Fax: 02438243287, 02438243288
- Hotline for entry/exit procedures for Vietnamese citizens: 02438260922
- Hotline for entry/exit procedures for foreigners: 02438264026
Vietnam Immigration Department (A18) in Danang
Address: No. 78 Le Loi Street, Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City.
Telephone: + (84)7511-3823383
Vietnam Immigration Department (A18) in Ho Chi Minh City
The HCMC Immigration Department covers the southern region:
Address: 333 – 335 – 337 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Phone: 02839202300
- Hotline for entry/exit procedures for Vietnamese citizens: 02838386425
- Hotline for entry/exit procedures for foreigners: 02839200365
How is EVISA processed by the Vietnam Immigration Department?
The Department of Immigration Vietnam handles e-VISA applications entirely online, usually taking 3 – 5 working days to process.
Steps to apply:
- Submit online: Complete your application through the official Vietnam Immigration portal or an authorized agency. You will need to provide personal details and upload both a passport photo and a portrait.
- Pay the visa fee: The fee is non-refundable and depends on the type of entry – $25 for a single entry or $50 for multiple entries.
- Wait for processing: Standard processing is 3 – 5 working days. Applications requiring corrections may take longer. Urgent or super-fast processing options can reduce the wait time.
- Receive your e-VISA: Once approved, your e-VISA will be emailed to you as a PDF file.
- Travel to Vietnam: Either print the e-VISA or keep a digital copy on your device. Present it along with your valid passport at an official international checkpoint to enter Vietnam.
Apply for a Faster e-Visa Using a Vietnam Visa Agency
Instead of waiting 3–4 working days or longer, you can use the emergency visa to Vietnam service at Wexplore Vietnam. We work directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department to expedite the approval process, allowing your e-Visa to be approved on the same day — or even within 1–2 hours in urgent cases.
Process:
- Step 1: The applicants submit an online visa application.
- Step 2: WexploreVietnam and submit the application to the Department of Immigration Vietnam on your behalf.
- Step 3: The Immigration Department reviews your information. Once approved, the visa approval letter is issued and sent to us via official mail.
- Step 4: We scan the approval letter as a JPG or PDF and send it directly to your email, ready to use upon arrival in Vietnam.
Learn more about>> How Vietnam evisa works
Working hours
Like other Vietnamese government organizations, the working hours in the Vietnam Immigration Department will start at 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM in the morning and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM in the afternoon, from Monday through Friday, except the Vietnamese public holidays
Tips for smooth immigration procedures
To ensure a smooth immigration process and avoid unnecessary issues, consider the following points:
- Prepare your documents in advance: Check that all required documents are valid and scan them clearly if submitting online. Make a checklist to ensure you don’t miss any important papers.
- Keep copies of your documents: Maintain both physical and digital copies to present when needed or in case the originals are lost or damaged.
- Fill in information accurately: Mistakes or missing details can delay your application or lead to rejection. Double-check all information before submission.
- Follow official instructions: Adhere to the guidelines provided by the Department of Immigration Vietnam and related authorities to avoid confusion, and do not rely on unverified sources.
- Use a trusted e-Visa agency: Professional agencies like Wexplore Vietnam can guide your application, review documents before submission, and provide fast-track support when needed, helping to shorten processing time.
The Vietnam Immigration Department plays a central role in managing all immigration-related activities in the country. If you need to apply for an e-Visa, using a trusted agency like Wexplore Vietnam can help speed up the process and provide professional guidance, making your application simpler and more efficient!
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