New Updates on Visa Extension Policy during social distancing in Vietnam

It might be said that social distancing is the most effective method to minimize the outbreak of n-COVID19, therefore, Vietnamese Government strongly applies it in the whole country. If you are now in Vietnam and you are worried about your current visa is about to expire, this post will provide some updates on visa extension which might help you stay strong on this period.

The first update is about the closing time of Vietnam Immigration Department. To joint in the national campaign, Vietnam Immigration Department also closes from 01 to 15 Apr, 2020. If you need to come to their office, please be noted this fact.

Secondly, if your visa expires during this two week period, do not worry much, Vietnam Immigration Department will not count it as overstaying and of course, you can leave Vietnam without paying administrative penalty.

Thirdly, if you overstay in Vietnam less than 10 days due to force majeure situations such as quarantine, no flights available and border closing, kindly prepare the documents and Vietnam Immigration Department will consider for the waivers of administrative penalty.

One more update you should note is that you can do visa extension on your own, it can be done from 30 Mar to 30 Apr, 2020. If you enter Vietnam by visa free or tourist visa and you do not have any sponsor, please be advised your Embassy or Consulate to be your sponsor for your extension of maximum 30 days. Kindly prepare the following documents and submit them at Vietnam Immigration Department by yourself:

• Your orginal passport;
• Application form named NA5, signed and stamped by your
• Embassy/ Consulate in Vietnam;
• Temporary residence document;
• Health declaration;

Also here are the address of Vietnam Immigration Department, you should note:

• Immigration office in Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Immigration office in Da Nang: 78 Lê Lợi, Thạch Thang, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000
• Immigration office in Ho Chi Minh city: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh city

Incase you enter Vietnam for business purposes or visiting relatives, kindly ask your sponsor to take the responsibilities to extend your visa.

Furthermore about the visa matter, it is advised that local tourist companies are the one understand clearly about the procedures. They are able to be your sponsor to extend your Vietnamese visa without having to depart and re-enter Vietnam, you should reach out to these local tourist companies like Vietnamvisa.org.vn for further information about this option.