HOW TO EXTEND VIETNAM VISA FOR FOREIGNERS IN HO CHI MINH & HA NOI 2024

Applying for a Visa Extension from Within Vietnam

Doing a Visa Run

• This is the most convenient option if you don't want to leave Vietnam during your visit. It involves submitting an application to the Vietnamese immigration authorities along with the required documentation. The specific requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the type of visa you currently hold.
   
• If you extend your Vietnam visa, the Vietnam Immigration Department will affix a new visa stamp with a new expiration date to your passport, allowing you to remain in Vietnam until that date. You don't have to leave Vietnam to apply for a Vietnam visa extension, that is why people normally call this option as “extending visa without leaving the country”.
   
• In the past, almost types of visa (business, working, tourist, visa exemption, family visit, investment…)  can be applied for a visa extension with no limted on the times of applying. However, now in 2024 it is much sticter on the policy and requirement, there just some cases that can do visa extension in Vietnam:
  • Extending Visa for a certain of time (01 month or 03 months) because the foreign labor workers need more time to complete their work permit procedure. But just can do this once or twice, and the validity of visa extension is subject to the approval of Immigration Officer.
  • Extending Visa for a certain of time (15 days or 01 month) because the foreigners end up their contract and do not work for the company after their Work permit expire. You need to extend your stay to have enough time arranging your work to the sponsored company.
  • Extending Visa for a certain of time (can be up to the validity of their current work permit). This situation happens when the foreign labor’s current TRC/ Visas end before the validity of work permit. They can do this kind of extension in order to prolong their stay in Vietnam, while waiting for a new work permit to apply for a new TRC.

•  A visa run involves leaving Vietnam temporarily before your visa expires and then re-entering the country to receive a new visa stamp. This can be a more time-consuming and expensive option than doing visa extension, but it can be useful in certain situations. For example, visa runs may be beneficial if:
  • You are unable to meet the requirements for a visa extension.
  • You simply want to reset your visa clock and start fresh with a new visa stamp, but you do not want to back to your home country.
  • Some Vietnam visa types that suitable with visa run is: visa exemption, 5-year visa exemption, evisa...
     
• If you are considering doing a visa run, it is important to carefully research the visa requirements for the country you plan to visit. You should also factor in the cost of transportation, accommodation, and any other associated expenses.
   
• For more information, you can take a look at our article about 02 significant Visa Run services in Vietnam:
  • What You Need To Prepare For Vietnam Visa Run To Moc Bai
  • Vietnam Visa Run At Lao Bao Land Border Crossing From Da Nang- Hoi An

No.

Name of form or documents

How to prepare

Any notes

1

Form NA5 requesting for visa extension application

Sign & seal by the Company and the foreign expatriate

2

Form NA16 introducing signature of the person signing form and the company’s seal sample

Sign & seal by the Company

3

Introduction letter

Sign & seal by the Company

4

Business Registration Certificate

Notarized true copy

5

Passport

Original

6

Current Vietnam Visa/ Temporary Residence Card

Original

Vietnam Visa/ Temporary Residence Card is still valid at the time of submission

7

Current Work Permit

Notarized true copy

Provided if you still have a valid work permit

8

Online temporary residential certificate

Photocopy

The landlord of appartment/ hotel can assist you in doing this document.

9

A letter explaining your reason for requesting a visa extension

Sign & seal by the Company

Provided if you are in the case of:

• Need more time to complete your work permit procedure, or
• No longer work for the company and require time to arrange business matters and hand them over to your colleague.