How Long Can You Stay In Vietnam Without A Visa?

Traveling to Vietnam can be a whirlwind experience. With breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, and one of the most astonishing sea views in the world, no wonder Vietnam is at the top of your travel list! Moreover, if you have already decided on your vacation dates, then planning your trip has just become easier.

The Vietnam government has listed down 24 countries in the world that can stay in Vietnam without a visa for 14 to 90 days. However, it is essential that all the citizens of these countries visiting Vietnam should hold a valid passport.

The Vietnamese tourism board has a list of countries that are exempted from providing a visa. However, tourists from these countries can only travel across Vietnam for a particular duration, after which the government has the right to ask you to leave the country immediately. 

The countries that do not require a Vietnam Visa

• The exemptions for Sweden, Belarus, Japan, Finland, Denmark, Russia, and Norway are applicable till December 31, 2022. 
• Exemptions for the countries of France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom are applicable until June 30, 2021.
• Spouses and children of any Vietnamese citizens can stay in Vietnam without a visa until six months. However, they have to show proper papers that prove their relation.

Extending visa exemption

After entering Vietnam, if you want to extend your stay but are under the visa-exempt rule, then you can either extend your visa or renew it. 

Requirements for extending or renewing your visa

• You must have a valid passport that is applicable for at least six months from your time of an extension.
• Your passport should have a minimum of 2 empty pages.

Applying for visa extension or renewal

You can either do it by yourself or approach a reliable, local Vietnamese agent or company for the application process.

Extension of Vietnam visa

You can be eligible for a visa extension only if you intend to stay in Vietnam for not more than six months.

• You can apply for an extension only for a single entry visa. (for almost three months)
• An extension stamp will be put on your passport that will indicate that your stay in Vietnam has been extended officially. 
• You will be allowed to extend your visa for only two times.

Renewing your Vietnam visa

If you want to get yourself a new visa without going back home and applying again, then you can renew it during your stay in Vietnam itself.

• The renewal process is applicable for both single and multiple entries.
• You will need an empty page on your passport where a new sticker will be pasted as your renewed visa.

Application Process

1. Fill up the application for NA5 for the renewal or extension and keep it with your valid passport.
2. Submit the documents to the immigration department in one of the following cities along with a fee (if any):
3. Hanoi
4. Ho Chi Minh
5. Da Nang

Working hours

• Monday to Friday (Mornings – 7 am – 11:30 am; Afternoons – 1:30 pm – 5 pm) 
• Saturday (7 am to 11:30 am)

You will have to wait for at least five working days to get the visa renewed or extended.

Overstaying with a Visa in Vietnam

Overstaying in Vietnam once your visa has expired can cause severe consequences. However, you can always avoid such a circumstance in the first place.

• Always keep a check on the date that is given on your visa. In case of a misprint, you can contact the office and get it corrected. So as soon as you get your visa, make sure that all the details are correct, especially the date of expiry of your visa. 
• Set a reminder or an alarm of the expiration date. To be safe, keep a weekly reminder that notifies you every now and then about the date. 

What to do if you accidentally overstay your Visa in Vietnam?

There is a heavy fee that you will have to pay for either an extension on your visa or getting an exit visa to leave Vietnam. 

1.    If you have overstayed for a small duration

If you have overstayed for not more than three days, then all you have to do is directly go to the international airport. You have to pay the penalty of around 22 USD per day (500,000 VND), and then you will get an exit visa.  

2.    If your overstaying duration has been longer than three days 

If you have overstayed for a much more extended period, then you will have to submit your original, valid passport and pay the fees at an Immigration office in either Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi. This way, you can avoid any delay that you will face in the airport when you are leaving Vietnam.

What to do if your reason for overstay is the loss of passport?

If in case you have lost your passport and have therefore overstayed your visa in Vietnam, then it is best that you immediately go to the local police station. Fill up a report for Passport Loss and get a sealed confirmation from them. 

Once you get a confirmation, call the Embassy of your country in Vietnam for a passport renewal. You may have to wait for a few weeks to get your new passport. Also, if the Embassy of your country is not situated in Vietnam, then contact the nearest country’s Embassy and ask them for a diplomatic note.

The Embassy or consulate of your country will then write a letter to the Immigration department of Vietnam and request them to issue a new visa for you to exit Vietnam.

Additional Information

• People with APEC Business Travel Card from APEC members can stay in Vietnam without any visa for not more than 60 days each time they visit.
• Vietnam has allowed citizens from all nationalities who are visiting the Phu Quoc Island directly to travel the island for 30 days without any visa. To qualify for this, you will have to show a return ticket to the airport authority once you arrive in Vietnam. And, you should hold a valid passport of at least 45 days.
•  Vietnamese living abroad does not require a visa if they intend to stay for not more than 90 days, along with a copy of their visa exemption certification.