WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I OVERSTAYING VISA VIETNAM
Expired visa isn’t a rare problem but tourists can face severe consequences and different amounts of fines depending on the length of the overstay and level of severity. The following article will share with you the solutions to deal with overstaying your visa to deal with unwanted risks.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. CONSEQUENCES OF EXPIRED VISA
Expired visa is the status when tourists overstay their allowed duration according to regulations related to different types of passports’ length of stay.
Different types of visas have different lengths of stay, but usually it is no more than 90 days. For example, Vietnam tourist visa has a duration of 90 days.
Simultaneously, tourists have not applied for an extension at Vietnam’s Department of Immigration. At this point your presence in Vietnam is considered illegal, in violation of Vietnam’s Immigration Laws and are subjected to administrative sanctions, or even get put on Vietnam’s Blacklist that would result in a ban from entering Vietnam.
2. FINES WHEN YOUR VISA EXPIRED
When your visa expires, you will be fined according to your length of overstay. Below is the list of the amount you have to pay according to current regulations:
- From 1-10 days: 1.250.000 VND (around $51).
- Under 1 month: 4.000.000 VND (around $162).
- From 1-3 months: 10.000.000 VND (around $405).
- Over 3 months: 16.000.000 VND (around $640).
- Foreigners living in Vietnam without proper papers will be fined from 30.000.000 VND to 40.000.000 ($1215 – $1619)/
These violations are not only financially damaging but also cause severe legal issues, negatively affecting personal interests. Depending on the severity of the violation, government authorizations can apply severe punishments like deportation or ban from entering Vietnam. These actions are direct consequences of regulation violations and also to ensure the safety and order within Vietnam.
3. HOW TO AVOID VISA EXPIRATION
The best and most effective way to avoid Visa expiration is to thoroughly remember your length of stay in Vietnam according to your entry papers.
Alongside that, to ensure you don’t have to face any fines for visa expiration, you need to apply for visa extension before your visa expires.
Our best advice is for you to start your extension application 5-7 days before its expiration. This amount of time allows authorized government departments to process all necessary procedures without legal problems or unwanted fines. Early start gives you time to fulfill all requirements and avoid troubles during the process of reviewing your application.
4. THINGS TO DO WHEN YOUR VISA IS ALREADY EXPIRED
If you are a foreign worker, on a business trip or a tourist and your visa is about to or already expire, you need to immediately stop all activities and prepare a file to apply for an extension at an office of Vietnam’s Department of Immigration in your local area. Here, according to your status and personal situations your application will be reviewed and lower any fines or punishment you may receive.
4.1. Instructions On How To Get Your Visa Extended
In order to apply for a visa extension, you need to prepare the followings:
- A valid passport: Still usable for at least 2 months after the extension date.
- A local company or personal sponsor: A company/business or a Vietnamese citizen decided to legally sponsor your stay in Vietnam.
- Temporary resident declaration.
- Pay your overstay fees.
The application file includes:
- Visa extension request form (Form NA5).
- The original passport with an Authentic Vietnamese stamp.
- The accepted Temporary resident declaration.
- Papers related to your type of visa: Work permit, Investment certification, personal relation certification and all papers need an authenticated copy.
Where to apply:
- Immigration department of your province/city.
- The Vietnam Department of Immigration.
Time to process:
Usually your applications are processed within 5-7 working days.
Be aware that visa expiration is a serious legal problem which can lead to fines or ban from gaining entry into Vietnam. Therefore please make sure to always keep track of your visa duration, and prepare to apply for an extension or leave Vietnam before that date.
4.2 Using Trustvisa’s Services
Most tourists can not get a visa extension without a citizen or a business sponsor. TrustVisa offers many visa services including visa extension with a 99% success rate will help you get your visa extension and not have to deal with any fines or punishments.
By using TrustVisa, you will
- We have a system to fill your information automatically, reducing misinput that will slow down your process.
- Time saving services
- Reasonable prices, many deals.
- Fastrack options at airports for free for most service options (except the regular option).
- Work during holidays and weekends.
5. HOW TO LEAVE VIETNAM WHEN YOUR VISA EXPIRED
If your visa has expired, you can not leave Vietnam until you resolve the issue. You need to go to Vietnam’s Department of Immigration and pay your fines. Afterward you will be granted a new visa, allowing you to leave Vietnam. This is an important step to ensure you follow all regulations and avoid future legal problems.
6. FAQ ABOUT OVERSTAYING IN VIETNAM
❓What to do if I lost my passport?
✅Answer: in cases where losing a passport leads to visa expiration, you need to report your situation clearly and quickly apply for a temporary passport. After that apply directly at the Department of Immigration or the Office of Immigration at province/city where the individuals reside.
❓What if I have to stay in Vietnam longer due to my health?
✅Answer: If you need to stay in Vietnam longer due to personal health problems, you need to take some steps to ensure you follow Vietnam regulations.
- Alert the Department of Immigration or local Office of Immigration to inform them of your health problems and ask for help in procedures.
- Prepare personal health papers: You need to submit papers from hospitals or doctors in Vietnam, confirmation of personal health and their advice to not travel abroad. These papers must be clear, detailed and translated into Vietnamese if it is in foreign languages.
- Apply for an extension or a new visa: With health documents and sponsor from a citizen or business (from a relative, where you work or an organization), you can apply for a visa extension or a new visa. This application needs to include health papers or a detailed explanation for your application.
Contact TrustVisa today!