1. Overview

Vietnam visa validity expires meaning that foreigners cannot stay in Vietnam legally anymore. If you don’t want to leave Vietnam after the visa validity, you are required to extend your visa. 

There are two kinds which are Visa extension and Visa renewal. It depends on the Vietnam Immigration Department to decide which kind you are allowed to extend, you cannot choose at your discretion. 

• Visa renewal: Foreigners will obtain a new visa sticker on your passport, indicating an updated duration permission. Additionally, the renewal fee is higher compared to the extension fee, as it includes charges for stamping and visa sticker services.
• Visa extension: Foreigners will get an extension stamp on their passport reflecting their new staying duration permission in Vietnam. By getting visa extension, foreigners are not issued new visas but are also allowed to stay in Vietnam longer without leaving the country.

2. Who can apply

For visa extension in Vietnam, foreigners must fulfill the following criteria:

• Possession of passport valid for at least 06 months from the time of extension/renewal and have at least 02 blank pages.
• Foreigners residing in Vietnam must possess a temporary residence registration from the local police in their residing area.
• The individual's Vietnam visa must still be valid.
• In case of business, work, and investment visa extension, Vietnamese companies should provide assurance and facilitate the procedures for extending Vietnam visa.
• Foreigners should not have committed any crimes during their stay in Vietnam.

3. Required documents

Applicants who are eligible for visa extension or visa renewal must prepare general documents along with other documents in respect of different types of visas.

General documents:

• Declaration form for issuance, supplement, amendment of visa and extension of temporary residence (form NA5);
• Valid passport or equivalent papers.

*Note: In order to extend your Tourist visa, you only need these two general documents.

Specific documents in some cases:

- Business Visa

• Documents from the guarantee company verifying its legal status; 
• Labour contract and Confirmation letter of temporary residence issued by the local police in the area where the foreigner temporarily resides in Vietnam;
• Letter introducing the employee submitting the documents at the immigration department.

- Work Visa

• Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption;
• Confirmation letter of temporary residence issued by the local police in the area where the foreigner temporarily resides in Vietnam;
• Letter introducing the employee submitting the documents at the immigration department.

- Investment Visa

• Enterprise Registration Certificate, detailing shareholder names.
• Documents from the guarantee company verifying its legal status;
• Labour contract and Confirmation letter of temporary residence issued by the local police in the area where the foreigner temporarily resides in Vietnam;
• Letter introducing the employee submitting the documents at the immigration department.

4. How it works

As for Visa extension, your existing visa category must align with the duration you seek to extend:

• Extension for 1 additional month: If your current visa is a 1-month single, 1-month multiple, 3-month single, or 3-month multiple entry visa, you are eligible to apply for a one-month visa extension.
• Extension for 3 additional months: If your current visa is a 3-month single or 3-month multiple entry visa, you have the option to apply for a three-month visa extension.

As for Visa renewal, your existing visa type does not align with your requested stay duration:

• Should you wish to enhance your existing visa from a 1-month duration to a 3-month duration, you must submit an application for the renewal of either a 3-month single entry or 3-month multiple entry visa.
• If you desire to convert your current single-entry visa into a multiple-entry visa, you are required to apply for visa renewal.

You can refer to the process below:

Step 1: Prepare all required documents including

Step 2: Submit the above documents to one of these Vietnam Immigration Offices:

• Hanoi immigration office: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

• Immigration office in Ho Chi Minh City: 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Immigration office in Da Nang: 78 Le Loi, Hai Chau District Da Nang.

• Immigration offices in provinces and cities.

Step 3: The office will receive your extension or renewal application and provide instructions on the next steps. 

5. Processing time & Fees

The expected processing time is 7-10 working days after submission. 

Currently, applicable fees for Visa extension and Visa renewal are not specifically mentioned in binding documents including Circular No. 25/2021/TT-BTC. Fees may vary by your request as well as whether you use third party services.