REGULATIONS ON VISA EXTENSION

REGULATIONS ON VISA EXTENSION

Foreign nationals who wish to stay in Vietnam for purposes such as tourism, visiting relatives, business, or marriage are required to apply for a visa extension. In case of visa overstay, foreign nationals may be subject to administrative fines, deportation, and even a ban on re-entry into Vietnam for a period prescribed by law. Let’s explore the procedures for visa extension and CELIGAL’s related services below.

What Is a Visa?

Pursuant to Clause 11, Article 3 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014:

"A visa is a document issued by a competent Vietnamese authority, permitting a foreign national to enter Vietnam. A visa may be valid for single or multiple entries and cannot be converted to another purpose."

It is important to distinguish between a Visa and a Passport, specifically:

A passport is a document issued by a competent authority of a country to its citizens for the purpose of exiting and entering countries and for certifying nationality and personal identity.

In other words, when a foreign national exits their home country, they must have a passport, and in order to enter Vietnam, they must be granted a visa.

Conditions for Visa Extension

To be eligible for a visa extension, the visa must be one that is legally extendable, and the passport holder must fall within the eligible categories prescribed by law, including:

• DN Visa – Issued to foreigners entering Vietnam to work with enterprises in Vietnam;
• LĐ Visa – Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam;
• ĐT Visa – Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and foreign lawyers practicing law in Vietnam.
• Enterprises and organizations employing foreign nationals may apply for an extension of temporary stay visas for such foreigners for a period of up to one (01) year.

Procedures for Visa Extension for Foreign Nationals

Step 1: Consulting and addressing clients’ inquiries regarding legal regulations on visa extension for foreigners;

Step 2: Advising on conditions under which foreign employees are eligible for visa extension;

Step 3: Guiding clients in preparing the necessary documents and materials for visa extension;

Step 4: Translating, notarizing, and legalizing documents required for visa extension;

Step 5: Completing the visa extension application dossier in Vietnam on behalf of clients;

Step 6: Representing clients in carrying out visa extension procedures at competent state authorities.

Why Should You Not Handle Visa Extension Procedures on Your Own?

• Visa extension procedures require numerous and complex documents;
• Regulations on visas and visa extensions are frequently amended and require in-depth legal knowledge;
• Application dossiers must be carefully prepared and adequately explained to competent authorities during submission.

CELIGAL’s Visa Extension Services

To provide maximum convenience for foreign nationals and enterprises, CELIGAL offers professional visa extension services. With a team of experienced lawyers and legal specialists, we are committed to assisting clients in completing visa extension procedures in the shortest possible time, with efficiency and compliance with Vietnamese law.