Want to stay longer in Vietnam? Extend your stay or get a new visa; both need a sponsor. Conditions, documents, timing and when to leave and reapply.
Foreigners often talk about extending a visa, but Vietnamese law has two separate procedures: an extension of temporary stay (lengthening the stay shown on your entry stamp or residence certificate) and issuing a new visa while you are in Vietnam. Choosing the right one and filing on time helps you avoid overstaying, which is penalised and can affect later applications.
How long you are allowed to stay
On entry you receive a temporary residence certificate at the border. Under Article 31 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam:
- With a visa: your stay equals the visa's validity. For tourist visas (DL) longer than 30 days, the stay granted is 30 days and may be extended.
- Citizens of countries Vietnam has unilaterally exempted: a 45-day stay, with possible consideration for a visa or extension under the Law.
- Visa exemption under an international treaty: the period in the treaty, or 30 days if it sets none.
Look at the date on your entry stamp, not just the visa expiry date. That is the date by which you must leave or hold new papers.
Two ways to stay longer
- Extension of temporary stay (Article 35): lengthens your stay when the purpose is unchanged, for example a 3-month tourist visa holder who was first granted 30 days.
- New visa (Article 19): a fresh visa when the current one is about to expire, for example a DN visa holder whose company continues to sponsor them, or a change of purpose in the cases the Law allows.
Both are filed by the inviting or sponsoring agency, organisation or individual at the immigration authority (or the competent body of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic categories). Under the Law, the authority decides within 5 working days of receiving a complete file.
What the file usually includes
- The sponsor's request and the visa and stay extension application form (form NA5).
- Your original passport, valid long enough for the extra time requested.
- The sponsor's documents: company papers already notified to the immigration authority, or the identity documents and proof of relationship of a sponsoring relative.
- Details of the temporary residence registration at your current address.
If you are on an e-visa
An e-visa lasts up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. People who applied for their own e-visa online usually have no sponsor in Vietnam, which makes an in-country extension difficult. The usual route is to leave before it expires and apply for a new e-visa for the next trip, or to be sponsored by an eligible organisation or individual if you have a suitable purpose. Someone who entered on an e-visa and now holds a work permit or exemption confirmation can switch to a work visa.
When to file
- Start at least two weeks before your permitted stay ends, because the authority may ask for more documents.
- Do not file after you have overstayed in the hope of being extended anyway. The overstay has to be dealt with first.
- Do not book flights for the period when your passport is with the immigration authority.
When to switch to a temporary residence card
If you work, have invested VND 3 billion or more, or live with family in Vietnam, repeated extensions or visas take time and make it easy to miss a deadline. A temporary residence card lasts 2 to 10 years depending on the category and allows unlimited entries. You need a visa in a qualifying category, such as LĐ, ĐT1 to ĐT3 or TT.
If you have already overstayed
Under Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, an overstay of under 16 days is fined VND 500,000 to 2 million, and fines rise with the number of days; from 16 days, deportation is also possible. Contact the immigration authority or a service provider to resolve it before going to the airport.
Frequently asked questions
I entered under the 45-day visa exemption. Can I stay longer? The Law allows citizens of unilaterally exempted countries to be considered for a visa or extension, but you need a sponsor and a suitable purpose. If you plan a long stay from the start, get an e-visa or the right visa before you travel.
How many times can I extend? The Law does not set a fixed number for every case. Each request is considered on its purpose, sponsor and visa type, so the outcome depends on the file.
Gateway checks your entry stamp, visa type and reason for staying to choose between an extension of stay, a new visa, a residence card or leaving to reapply.
Need help with your own case?
See our Vietnam Visa service, or send a request for a free consultation.
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