Vietnam Visa Extension and Overstay: How to Avoid Fines and Legal Issues

For travelers and entrepreneurs exploring Vietnam’s business landscape, understanding the importance of Vietnam visa extensions and the risks of overstaying your visa in Vietnam is essential. Failing to comply with immigration rules can result in hefty Vietnam visa overstay charges, deportation, or even a permanent ban from re-entering the country.

This blog will explore the consequences of overstaying a visa in Vietnam, from fines to legal repercussions, and guide you on how to extend your visa in Vietnam or renew your visa properly. We’ll also explain how the exit visa Vietnam works to help you leave the country legally if needed.

Need help with your Vietnam visa extension? Contact The Nest Asia for expert guidance!

Vietnam Visa Extensions for Expats

Vietnam offers various visa categories, including tourist (DL), business (DN), work (LD), study (DH), family visit (TT), investment (DT), and personal purpose (VR), which can make it confusing for many expats to choose the right one. Tourists and business travelers often struggle with distinguishing between 1-month and 3-month single-entry visas or deciding whether they need a single-entry or multiple-entry visa.

Since August 15, 2023, Vietnam’s e-visa program allows stays of up to 90 days for both single and multiple entries. Additionally, from March 15, 2025, citizens of 12 countries, including Germany, France, Italy, and Japan, will enjoy a 45-day visa exemption.

In addition to the issues mentioned, here are other common mistakes to watch out for in your Vietnam visa application:

• Mismatched details between your passport and visa application
• Confusion about the arrival date: you can only enter Vietnam on the specified date
• Not being clear about your visa extensions
• Overlooking details in the approval letter
• Failing to verify the visa status on the receipt
• Unaware of your visa’s validity, leading to overstaying
• Forgetting to extend your visa

Vietnam Visa Overstay Charge

Overstaying your visa in Vietnam can result in serious consequences, including fines, deportation, and blacklisting. In 2024, authorities identified over 15,000 cases of overstaying visas in Vietnam, highlighting the need for compliance with visa regulations.

Vietnam visa overstay charges range from VND 500,000 to VND 40,000,000, depending on how long you overstay in Vietnam. Blacklisting typically lasts 1-3 years, during which you are banned from re-entering the country. In severe cases, overstaying a visa may lead to imprisonment.

To avoid these penalties, make sure to apply for a Vietnam visa extension before your visa expires. If you do overstay your visa in Vietnam, administrative penalties will apply under Decree No. 144/2021/ND-CP, effective from January 1, 2022.

If you overstay for one year (365 days), you risk deportation and being banned from entering Vietnam in the future. Additionally, you will be required to pay an overstay fine of VND 16,000,000 (US$700) or more.

How to Renew Visa in Vietnam?

Employers can help foreign employees renew their Vietnam work permits by following these four steps:

Step 1: Obtain Approval of Demand

Employers must apply for approval to hire foreign employees one to two months before the work visa expires. Required documents include:

• Registration Form No. 2 (for approval of demand to hire foreign employees)
• Certified copy of the business registration

Submit the documents to Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour or Provincial People’s Committee. Processing time is typically 12 days for in-person submissions and 15 days for online submissions. Upon successful processing, employers will receive the approval certificate.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

Employers must submit the following for work visa renewal:

• Registration form No. 7 for Vietnam work visa renewal
• Original medical check-up report
• Current Vietnam work permit
• Original police check report
• Certified copy of the passport
• Approval of demand certificate
• Two 4 x 6 cm photos

Step 3: Submit Documents

Submit the completed application form in person at one of these Vietnam Immigration Department offices, no later than 5-45 days before the work visa expires:

• Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District
• Ho Chi Minh City: 335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1

Eligibility Requirements

• Valid passport or international travel document for at least one more year
• Entry into Vietnam with a visa exemption certificate (if applicable)
• Documentation proving residency or relationship to a Vietnamese citizen
• No exit suspension conditions under Article 28 of the Law on Foreigners’ Entry

Legal Framework

• Law No. 47/2014 QH13 (June 16, 2014) on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, and Residence in Vietnam
• Decree No. 82/2015/ND-CP (September 24, 2015) on visa exemptions
• Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA (January 5, 2015) detailing foreigner entry and residence
• Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC (October 11, 2016) on fees related to immigration services

Step 4: Issue New Work Visa

Once the Ministry of Labour receives a complete and valid application, they will issue the new work visa within 3 working days.

Visa Renewal Processing Time

The visa renewal process is handled at the local Immigration Office. Follow these steps:

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet all the visa renewal requirements.
2. Submit Documents: Submit the required documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department. If everything is in order, you’ll receive a receipt. If not, additional information will be needed.
3. Collect Results: Present the receipt to the officer for results and sign the receipt.

Processing Time: Submit your application 5-7 days before the visa expires. Processing typically takes 7-10 working days.

Conclusion

Understanding Vietnam visa extensions and the consequences of overstaying your visa in Vietnam is crucial for expats and travelers. Adhering to visa requirements and applying for extensions in a timely manner will help you avoid hefty fines, blacklisting, and other legal complications. Make sure to monitor your visa’s validity and renew it before it expires to ensure a smooth stay in the country. If you do overstay Vietnam, penalties will apply, and in extreme cases, you may face deportation or even imprisonment. Always stay informed and take action to extend your visa or renew it as needed.

Keep your stay in Vietnam stress-free! Contact The Nest Asia for visa extension assistance!

About Us

The Nest Asia is a one-stop resource offering comprehensive information, practical relocation advice, cultural insights, valuable connections, and trusted services to help expatriates living in Vietnam navigate the transition, overcome challenges, and build a fulfilling life abroad. Starting your journey in a new country can often feel overwhelming. The Nest Asia is your trusted partner – we’re here to simplify that process and ultimately make Vietnam feel like home for you and your loved ones.