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Vietnam Immigration Blacklist is a list of foreign individuals who are prohibited from entering Vietnam in any form. In the case of foreigners temporarily residing in Vietnam, they can also be deported if on this list. In this article, let's learn about the causes, consequences and some tips to avoid falling into the above list!

1. Reasons leading to being blacklisted:

• Intentionally not leaving Vietnam or not renewing your visa after the visa has expired;

• Using a visa for the wrong purpose. For example, entering the country with a tourist visa but the foreigner comes to work and receive salary in Vietnam;

• Working in Vietnam but without a valid work permit;

• Violating civil or criminal laws in Vietnam;

• Violating visa regulations in Vietnam such as using fake passports, fake residence cards, etc.

2. Consequences of being on the Vietnam Immigration Blacklist:

If your name is on the Vietnam Immigration Blacklist, there could be serious consequences such as: 

• A big financial penalty;

• Immediate expulsion;

• Prohibition from entering Vietnam which could last up to 5 years. 

Your name will also be circulated to all foreign embassies of Vietnam and security checkpoints, so you won’t be able to get a visa or entry permit during the ban. 

It is important to remember that the Vietnam Immigration Blacklist is taken seriously and can severely affect your chances of visiting and working in Vietnam. Consequently, it is vital to make sure you abide by all the immigration regulations if you intend to travel to Vietnam.

3. Tips to avoid being on the Vietnam Immigration Blacklist:

• Please pay attention to the validity of your visa, always comply with the regulations on exit or visa extension in each case;

• Apply for the correct visa type for your purpose of entry;

• Strictly comply with Vietnamese laws and always research carefully before making any decisions in Vietnam;

• In case you violate, whether accidentally or intentionally, please cooperate with the competent authorities in a civilized manner.

So we have finished learning about information related to the Vietnam Immigration Blacklist!

If you are still hesitant to visit Vietnam due to Vietnamese laws and regulations, do not hesitate to contact us for detailed advice!

We - Vietnam-immi.org is a team of experts in Vietnam Visa with more than 15 years experience & industry knowledge. Understanding the complexity of the Vietnam paperwork process, we aim to become the solution to your Vietnam's legal document requests. 

• Phone: +84.28.6685.1315
• Hotline: +84.357.522.522
• Email: sales@vietnam-immi.org

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Those holding APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) are exempted from Vietnam visa requirements for a stay of up to 60 days, as stated clearly in Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam 2014. 

But, is it possible for business travelers to extend their stay in Vietnam on ABTC after the 60-day visa-free scheme? Let’s find out in this article!

1. What is an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)?

APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to increase economic collaboration and commercial exchange between countries located in the Asia-Pacific region. Its members strive to promote sustainable economic progress, free and open trade, and investment in the Asia-Pacific.

Source: X @POTUS

Possessing an ABTC facilitates the entry of business travelers and senior government officials into APEC economies, including Vietnam. Successful applicants receive a five-year card, acting as an entry authorization to Vietnam with pre-clearance granted and a 60-day stay duration - eliminating the need for a separate visa application. 

2. What are the benefits of holding an ABTC?

The ABTC gives frequent business travelers:

• Fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at participating airports;
• Multiple, short-term entries to precleared APEC economies without having to make a separate visa application to fully participating members.

An example of an APEC Business Card (ABTC)(Source: Collected)

3. How to extend

Fortunately, you can extend your stay in Vietnam after the expiration (60 days) for a two-time limit. Each extension will grant you the right to stay for up to 3 months. Therefore, to remain in Vietnam without leaving for another country in the use of ABTC, you have to follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the required documents along with the extension fee

• Your original passport

• Photos of both sides of your ABTC

Step 2: Receive your passport with the extended stay within 8 – 10 working days.

*Note: The Immigration Department of Vietnam is the authority in charge of evaluating and informing of this process in Vietnam.

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Foreigners who wish to extend their stay in Vietnam but are unable to do so for a variety of reasons. A visa run is one of the best options at that point.

A visa run is a way for travelers to remain in a country without having to go through the traditional visa extension process. Generally, visa runs involve traveling to a nearby country where you can easily renew your visa and then returning. Some countries require you to stay for a certain amount of time before you can return, while others simply require that you leave and return on the same day. 

The majority of expats choose Vietnam visa runs for the following reasons:

• Cost-effective: Taking a bus or flight to a neighboring country can occasionally be much less expensive than extending a visa, especially if you can look for cheap tickets;

• Numerous types of visas are available: therefore, you have a wide range of options for your new Vietnam visa, including 1 month, 3 months, single entry, and multiple entry;

• Travel possibility: Since obtaining a visa requires leaving Vietnam for another nation, you will have the option of traveling there provided you have the necessary time and funds;

• Flexible entry port policy: Vietnam visa run can be used for entry at both airports, and land ports so expats will have many more options which are suitable for themselves.

1. About the process: 

Currently, foreigners in Vietnam can apply for two kinds of visas, which are Visa run by air, and Visa run by land.

Visa run by air means foreigners will exit Vietnam and re-enter Vietnam by air. This is the run visa form chosen by many foreigners in Hanoi.

Visa run by land means the foreigner will exit to a neighboring country that has a land border gate with Vietnam such as Laos or Cambodia, then re-enter Vietnam through that land border gate. This is the form chosen by many foreigners in the Central and Southern provinces to apply for a cheap run visa.

What you have to do are…

2. Required documents:

Please carefully prepare the following documents before performing a visa run in Vietnam:

• Original airline or bus tickets; an original (if entering through a land port) or printed (if entering through an airport);
• E-visa/ Vietnam visa exemption certificate or Vietnam Visa Approval Letter;
• Original passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity and two blank pages;
• Vietnam entry and exit form;
• 02 passport-size photographs with a white background, taken recently, showing the front and both ears.

3. Before you leave, grab some advice:

• Verify Visa Requirements: Make sure you are familiar with the most recent visa requirements for both Vietnam and the country where you are applying for a visa. Because regulations can change, it's important to be knowledgeable and ready.

• Make Your Travel Plans: By adding some sightseeing or exploration to your trip, make the most of your visa run. Make the most of your time abroad by researching popular attractions along your chosen route.

• Essentials to bring: Don't forget to pack all the required paperwork, including your passport, any necessary visa application forms, and supporting documents. Bring enough money, cozy clothes, and any necessary medications, in addition.

• Budget considerations: Keep in mind that visa runs come with additional costs, such as travel, lodging, and visa fees. To prevent any unforeseen financial expenses during your trip, plan your budget appropriately.

Vietnam visa run is a popular way for travelers to extend their stay in the country, but it’s important to remember that visa run is not always successful and can be expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, making an informed decision and understanding the risks before attempting one is a must.

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ESIM is no longer a new concept for technology users in Vietnam. Since put into use, eSIMs have become increasingly popular because of their convenience. What’s more, users of Apple Watch eSIM can also synchronize their smartwatch with the iPhone and can use it to make and receive phone calls and exchange text messages without having to carry their phone with them all the time. 

Currently, eSIM is supported by the 3 leading network carriers in Vietnam, which are Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone. In this article, let's learn about carriers that support eSIM in Vietnam.

1. Viettel

Viettel is the pioneer in bringing eSIM to Vietnam in February 2019. Initially, Viettel only supported converting physical SIM to eSIM on eSIM-supported devices. Currently, Viettel also offers eSIM subscriptions. 

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Viettel eSIM is supported on many devices such as iPhone 11, iPhone 11 ProMax, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPad mini 2019, Samsung Note 21, Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 5, iPhone XS, Galaxy S20, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Huawei P40 Pro, P40 Pro+, and some smartwatches.

Viettel eSIM price is just like a physical SIM, specifically 50,000 VND for a prepaid eSIM and 60,000 VND for a postpaid eSIM. The fee for converting from a regular SIM to an eSIM is 35,000 VND.

How to convert Viettel physical SIM to Viettel eSIM at home

Viettel SIM subscribers can convert their physical SIM to eSIM at home through the My Viettel application without having to go to Viettel physical stores. Here's how:

Step 1: Install My Viettel on Google Play or App Store

Step 2: Log in or register for My Viettel with your phone number

Step 3: In the Menu section (top left corner), open Add-ons. Select Change SIM > Change eSIM.

Step 4: Fill in the required information. Pay the service fee to complete.

2. Vinaphone

Vinaphone is the next carrier to introduce eSIM starting from March 2019. Vinaphone allows its users to choose an eSIM number and also supports converting physical SIMs to eSIMs.

Vinaphone eSIMs can be used on some models of iPhone XR, XS, XSMax, iPhone 11 and above, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Galaxy S21 5G, S21 + 5G, S21 Ultra 5G,...

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Up to now, Vinaphone does not support converting physical SIMs to eSIMs at home, so those who want to have their SIM converted shall go to Vinaphone transaction points. Below are the documents that need to be prepared:

• Citizen ID card

• The physical SIM card that needs to be converted

The teller will check and receive the request if personal information matches the eSIM subscriber information.

After registering, you can ask the teller to activate your eSIM at the counter or do it yourself by following these steps:

Step 1: Turn on Wi-Fi on your mobile phone. Make sure your device has a stable Internet connection.

Step 2: Go to Settings > Mobile > Add Cellular Plan.

Step 3: Scan the QR code containing eSIM information.

Step 4: Select a mobile package to continue the profile download process.

3. Mobifone

Mobifone supported eSIMs in June 2019, initially on iPhone XS Max, XS, XR, and Google Pixel 2. Up to now, Mobifone eSIMs are available on iPhone 15/14/13/12/11/XS series, iPhone XR, iPad Pro 12.9/11/10.5/9.7/10.2, iPad Air 3, iPad mini 5, Samsung Galaxy Fold 3/2/1, Z Flip 3/2/1, S21/S20 series, Note 20 series, Book 2/1, and other phone lines such as Google Pixel 5/4/3/2 series; Oppo Find X3 Pro; Motorola Razr 2019; Microsoft Surface Duo; Huawei P40, P40 Pro,…

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Users can register for an eSIM at Mobifone stores, or through the My Mobifone application (for iOS devices).

How to convert a Mobifone SIM to eSIM at home

Step 1: Download My Mobifone on App Store.

Step 2: Log in to My MobiFone with your phone number.

Step 3: Go to Other. Select Customer Information

Step 4: Select Change to eSIM and click Agree

Step 5: Complete all the next steps as instructed by the application

Above is an overview of some carriers that support eSIMs in Vietnam, as well as how to convert a physical SIM to an eSIM. Hope this helps.