How to renew visa in Vietnam 2026: Guide, Fees

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Foreign nationals who wish to extend their stay must comply with Vietnamese immigration laws and maintain a valid immigration status at all times. If your current visa is about to expire, understanding how to renew visa in Vietnam is essential to avoid fines or overstaying penalties.

Vietnam visa renewal options and stay duration rules

Based on our 20+ years of practical experience (since 2003) advising foreign clients at Tan Van Lang, there are two primary legal solutions for extending your stay:

1. Apply for a Vietnam visa extension or visa renewal inside the country through the Vietnam Immigration Department.
2. Perform a visa run, meaning you exit Vietnam and re-enter with a new visa and a fresh stay duration.

Each option has different legal requirements, processing timelines, and costs. Choosing the right method depends on your visa type, passport validity, and immigration history.

Before proceeding, remember a critical rule under current regulations:

According to the latest Law No. 23/2023/QH15 on entry and exit ^[1] , foreigners must ensure their passport validity remains at least 6 months and contains enough blank pages for the next visa stamp.

A critical detail most applicants overlook is that Vietnam visa renewal rules changed significantly after 2023, especially for tourist visas.

>>> Read more: Updated Vietnam visa / E-visa requirements 2026: Who needs a Visa, how to apply

Difference between visa renewal and visa extension

Many foreigners assume “visa extension” and “visa renewal” are identical. From our daily work with the Vietnam Immigration Department, these terms have distinct legal meanings.

Visa extension

A visa extension allows a foreigner to continue staying in Vietnam without leaving the country. Immigration authorities simply extend the stay duration on the existing visa.

Characteristics:

• No need to exit Vietnam
• Immigration adds an updated visa stamp or extension notice
• Stay period extended for 15 days, 1 month, or 3 months depending on case

This option is commonly used by foreigners:

• Waiting for Vietnam Work Permit approval
• Transitioning to a Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
• Sponsored by a Vietnamese company holding a valid DN1 visa

Visa renewal

A visa renewal requires the foreigner to leave Vietnam and obtain a completely new visa before re-entering.

The process usually involves:

1. Exit Vietnam through a land border or airport
2. Obtain a new visa approval letter or E-visa
3. Re-enter Vietnam and receive a new visa stamp at the entry port

Renewal resets the stay duration. It is commonly used when extension is not allowed.

Typical situations include:

• Tourist visas nearing expiration
• E-visa holders who cannot extend inside Vietnam
• Foreigners changing visa type

Why the distinction matters

Based on our 20+ years of experience, choosing the wrong method can lead to:

• Visa refusal at the exit-entry office
• Administrative penalties
• Temporary bans from re-entry

Foreigners should verify their eligibility before attempting either option.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Visa Rules for Foreigners: The Definitive Legal Guide 2026

Requirements for Vietnam visa renewal for foreigners

According to the latest immigration practices in 2025, only specific cases qualify for visa extension inside Vietnam.

Eligible cases for visa extension

Foreigners may apply for extension if they meet one of the following conditions:

1. Waiting for Vietnam Work Permit approval: Extension allowed for 1 month or 3 months
2. Work Permit expired but exit arrangement pending: Extension possible for 15 days or 1 month
3. Valid Work Permit but visa about to expire: Visa extended to match the Work Permit validity

These applications must be submitted through a sponsoring company or organization.

Required documents for visa extension

From our daily work with the Vietnam Immigration Department, the standard documentation includes:

A critical detail most applicants overlook is that personal tourist visa extensions are now rarely approved without a valid sponsoring organization.

>>> Read more: Vietnam visa rejection reasons and how to avoid 2026

Visa run option: Exit and re-enter Vietnam

When extension is not possible, the alternative solution is a visa run.

A visa run means temporarily leaving Vietnam and returning with a new visa and new stay duration.

Common visa run routes

Foreigners often choose nearby land borders for convenience.

The Moc Bai border is one of the most popular routes for visa runs from Ho Chi Minh City.

Visa types suitable for visa run

Some visas allow easy re-entry:

• E-visa (90 days validity)
• Visa exemption (45 days stay)
• 5-year visa exemption for Vietnamese overseas relatives

Applicants must ensure that the entry port registered on the E-visa matches the actual border crossing.

  From our practical experience, mismatched entry ports are one of the most frequent causes of entry refusal.

Costs associated with visa run

Visa runs often involve several expenses:

• Visa fee or E-visa processing fee
• Transportation to the border
• Accommodation if required
• Agent service fees

For many foreigners, this option is still faster than waiting for extension approval.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Airport Fast Track Service 2026 – Skip the Lines, Save Time

Detailed process: How to extend or renew visa in Vietnam

Foreigners located in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi can follow the official extension procedure.

Step 1: Prepare required documents

Start by collecting all necessary documents.

Key checks include:

• Passport validity at least 6 months
• Correct visa category such as DN1 visa or DL visa
• Valid company sponsorship

  Based on our experience, incomplete documentation is the most common cause of rejection.

Step 2: Online visa extension submission

Vietnam now requires online submission through the government portal.

Official website: https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn

Steps include:

1. Select Visa Extension service
2. Upload scanned documents
3. Complete applicant details

A critical detail most applicants overlook is that the submission must use the company’s digital signature token.

Without the digital signature, the system will not accept the application.

Step 3: Submit original documents at the immigration office

After online submission, the applicant must visit the exit-entry office of the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Original documents must be presented for verification.

Typical processing time:

Processing time does not include public holidays or system downtime.

Step 4: Collect visa extension result

Once approved, applicants return to the immigration office to collect their passport.

Immigration authorities will issue:

• A new visa stamp
• Updated stay duration

Before leaving the office, applicants must verify the expiration date. Errors should be corrected immediately.

>>> Read more: List of countries that are difficult to apply for Vietnam visa 2026

Processing time and costs for renewing your stay

The cost of renewing or extending a Vietnam visa varies depending on the method.

Visa extension fees

Typical extension costs include ^[2]:

Service providers may charge additional processing fees.

Visa renewal costs

Renewal requires obtaining a new visa.

Typical fees include:

Travel costs for visa run trips must also be considered.

>>> Read more: Vietnam visa service: Fast & secure solution for your trip 2026

Vietnam Immigration Department locations and contact info

Foreigners renewing visas often deal directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department.

The two main offices are located in major cities.

Ho Chi Minh City immigration office

Address: 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Services include:

• Visa extension
• Temporary residence card
• Entry-exit documentation

Hanoi immigration office

Address: 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

Services include:

• Visa renewal procedures
• Work permit related immigration services
• Visa status verification

  From our daily work with the immigration authority, visiting early in the morning reduces waiting time significantly.

Important compliance rules foreigners must know

Foreign nationals should follow several legal obligations while staying in Vietnam.

Temporary residence registration

• Foreigners must declare their temporary residence within 24 hours of arrival.
• Hotels usually complete this automatically. Private housing requires landlord registration through the local police.
• Failure to declare residence may cause issues during visa renewal.

Entry port consistency

• The entry port declared in the visa application must match the actual immigration checkpoint.
• Changing ports without prior amendment can result in refusal.

Avoid scam visa websites

The rise of online visa services has created many fraudulent visa websites.

Warning signs include:

• Unrealistic processing promises
• Requests for large upfront payments
• Fake government portal designs

Foreigners should only submit E-visa applications through the official portal or licensed agencies.

Frequently asked questions

Professional visa renewal support in Vietnam

Based on our 20+ years of practical experience, Tan Van Lang has handled tens of thousands of visa extension and visa renewal cases for foreigners in Vietnam.

Our legal support includes:

• Visa extension consulting
• Visa run arrangement at major borders
• Work permit and TRC application

Our immigration specialists work directly with the Vietnam Immigration Department to ensure your stay remains fully compliant with Vietnamese immigration laws.

Foreigners who want to renew visas quickly and avoid legal risks should consult an experienced immigration advisor before their visa expires.

For detailed guidance or urgent visa renewal assistance, contact Tan Van Lang via 08.666.000.63 (WhatsApp) to ensure your visa renewal is handled correctly and avoid costly delays or legal risks with your immigration status in Vietnam.