Vietnam has become more liberalized now in issuing its visa to the foreign visitors. In many countries, you can apply direct to the Vietnam Embassy or Consulates, and generally, it takes about 4-10 days. Now the visitors can also obtain the visa upon arrival at the airport with special requirement.

Most Expatriates living in Vietnam use resident cards, business visas or student visas.

You are in Vietnam and you need to get a visa extension?

Where?

You can go to the Vietnam embassy of your country, or if you are in a hurry, get a visa from a travel agency. For student visas, you can contact local universities. They will handle the procedure to get you a student visa.

Apply for a Visa at an embassy

REQUIREMENT and PROCEDURE

Passport of at least 6 months valid.
Visa application form.
2 to 3 of 4*6 inch photo
Visa fee: in a range of 50 - 85US$ if applied directly to Embassy or 25-45 US$ if your visa has been pre-approved. This fee depend on Embassy and Type of visa.

The visa application form may vary from Embassy to Embassy, so you need to take the form from Embassy where you will get the visa. Submit this form filled with your original passport, 2 or 3 photo, visa fee. If you apply directly to Embassy, your information then be sent to Hanoi for approval, so it take about 4 to 10 days (depend on the country you apply). In case, the Visa is approved at Immigration Office in Hanoi, it take you only one day.

Tourist visas

The tourist visa is only for single entry and one month stay, but extendable after you enter Vietnam. Diplomatic, Official visas, Business and other type of visa should be applied through the official agencies or government or business sponsor.

Business visas

Very convenient as they allow you to stay from 3 to 6 months, with multiple entry options (A lot of expatriates like to visit nearby countries such as Thailand or Cambodia for long week ends). If you are here as an investor, then you can ask for extended visas.

Student visas

They can be obtained after entering the country with a tourism visa if you ask the university where you take your classes. In this case, you will have to pay tuition in advance and attend classes for a minimum of 10 hours each week.

Visit the Foreigner Service Office

161, Nguyen Du (D.1) Ho Chi Minh City to convert your tourism visa into a resident visa.