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posted 12 months ago
Under Vietnamese law, visas cannot be extended. In cases where a foreign national wishes to continue residing in Vietnam after the expiration of their current visa, they must complete the procedure to apply for a new visa, rather than requesting an extension.
According to Consolidated Document No. 30/VBHN-VPQH 2023 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam and its implementing regulations, visas in Vietnam are no longer extended in the traditional sense. Instead, foreign nationals must apply for a new visa that corresponds to their current purpose of stay, should they wish to lawfully remain in Vietnam.
Below is a classification of common visa types and the legal conditions associated with reapplication:
Applicable to: Foreign nationals entering Vietnam for tourism purposes or visiting relatives, without engaging in employment or investment activities.
Maximum duration upon reissuance: Up to 90 days.
Applicable to: Foreign nationals working with enterprises in Vietnam without having signed a long-term labor contract.
Maximum duration upon reissuance: Up to 1 year.
Applicable to: Foreign nationals working in Vietnam under a lawful employment contract or exempt from work permit requirements in accordance with the law.
Maximum duration upon reissuance: Not exceeding 2 years.
Applicable to: Foreign nationals studying or undertaking internships at licensed educational institutions, training centers, or research institutes in Vietnam.
Maximum duration: Not exceeding 1 year.
Applicable to: Spouses, children, parents, or relatives of foreign nationals lawfully residing in Vietnam.
Maximum duration upon reissuance: Not exceeding 1 year.
See also: Benefits and Privileges of Holding a Vietnamese Visa
The application for a new visa in Vietnam must follow the administrative procedures set forth in the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, along with detailed guidance provided in Circular No. 31/2015/TT-BCA and other relevant legal instruments.
Depending on the purpose of stay and the corresponding visa type (e.g., DL, DN1, LĐ1, DH, TT, etc.), the foreign applicant or the sponsoring organization must prepare a dossier that includes:
The applicant may submit the application dossier to one of the following competent authorities, depending on the place of residence and sponsorship status:
According to the information provided by the National Public Service Portal (Cổng Dịch vụ công Quốc gia), the standard processing time is:
No more than 05 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application, applicable to all submission methods:
In cases where additional verification is required, the processing time may be extended subject to notification by the competent authority.
The applicant will receive either:
Important Note: In case of visa denial, the foreign national must leave the territory of Vietnam before the expiration of their current permitted stay.
According to the Fee Schedule attached to Circular No. 25/2021/TT-BTC, the following are the indicative visa issuance fees:
The visa and transaction fees are as follows: a transfer from an old passport or visa to a new one costs 5 USD. A single-entry visa is priced at 25 USD. For multiple-entry visas, the fee depends on the duration of validity: 90 USD for visas valid up to 90 days, 95 USD for those valid for more than 90 days and up to 180 days, 135 USD for those valid for more than 180 days and up to 1 year, and 145 USD for visas valid for more than 1 year and up to 2 years. Additionally, the visa fee for persons under 14 years of age, regardless of duration, is 25 USD.
See also: Article on Visa Validity and Reissuance Procedures in Vietnam
The process of applying for a visa renewal or new issuance in Vietnam carries legal risks if not handled in strict compliance with applicable regulations. Below are some common mistakes foreign nationals should avoid:
Filing too close to the visa’s expiration date may result in an overstay, constituting a violation under Article 18 of Decree No. 144/2021/NĐ-CP, and may lead to the following penalties:
– Failing to report the loss or damage of international travel documents;
– Providing false information in the visa or travel document application;
– Entering restricted areas or exceeding the permitted scope of travel without authorization;
– Failing to present travel documents upon request by a competent authority;
– Overstaying without permission for a period of less than 16 days.
Many applications are rejected due to failure to submit complete or valid documentation, such as:
Applications may be temporarily suspended if:
Hiring unlicensed or unauthorized service providers—those not registered with or authorized by the immigration authority—poses serious legal risks, including:
To ensure that the process of renewing or applying for a new visa is conducted lawfully and efficiently, foreign nationals are advised to follow these recommendations:
Yes. If you have submitted a new visa application before the expiration of your current visa and have received an official appointment slip from the competent authority, you are permitted to continue residing legally in Vietnam while your application is being processed.
You will be notified of the reason for refusal in writing or via the Public Service Portal. In most cases, you will be granted a period of 5–7 days to leave Vietnam or to submit a written explanation or appeal (if eligible). It is strongly advised to seek urgent assistance from an immigration lawyer or legal expert.
No. Under current regulations, Vietnamese visas cannot be renewed, even for short-term stays. When a visa is about to expire, a new visa application must be submitted.
However, if you remain eligible, you may apply for a new visa multiple times. Approval of subsequent visas is at the sole discretion of the Immigration Authority. Certain visa categories (e.g., DN, LD, TT) may require additional documentation, sponsorship, or consultation with relevant agencies.
This document reflects the legal regulations in effect as of 2025. However, visa policies are subject to change depending on actual administrative conditions. To ensure updated and situation-specific advice, investors and foreign nationals are strongly encouraged to consult with legal counsel or immigration specialists.
For expert consultation, please contact:
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