Vietnam Visa Run – A Smart Solution When Your Vietnam Visa Expires 2025

Vietnam Visa run is an increasingly popular option for travellers who face the challenge of their Vietnam visa expiry. Instead of undergoing the long, time-consuming and often costly process of re-applying for a new visa, a visa run offers a simpler, faster way to legally extend your stay in Vietnam.

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What Exactly Is a Visa Run?

A “visa run” (also known as re-exit and re-entry visa method) is a travel term used to describe the act of leaving a country and then re-entering shortly thereafter in order to extend or maintain the validity of a visa.

Similarly, a Vietnam visa run is an option for foreign nationals living in Vietnam whose current visa has expired or is about to expire, and who wish to stay longer. Typically, they travel to a neighbouring country (such as Cambodia or Laos), then return to Vietnam to obtain a new visa stamp and thus extend their legal stay.

This strategy is commonly used by foreigners when they cannot renew their Vietnam visa via a standard extension process (for whatever reason) or when in-country renewal costs are too high. Hence many opt for a visa run as an alternative way to extend their Vietnamese visa.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) – Fast, Easy, All-Inclusive

Comparing Visa Run vs Standard Visa Extension

Visa Run vs Standard Visa Extension

Both the visa run and the standard visa extension are methods that help foreign visitors prolong their stay in Vietnam. However, there are key differences:

► Visa Run:

You leave the country in which you are residing (Vietnam), typically to a neighbouring country, and then re-enter Vietnam to obtain a new visa or extend your stay.

The time spent abroad during the visa run is usually very short — just a few days or up to a week.

It is often used when the current visa is about to expire and cannot be renewed via the normal in-country process.

Costs vary depending on the chosen country, and are subject to the immigration rules of that country.

► Standard Visa Extension:

You apply to an immigration authority or embassy/consulate inside the country (Vietnam) to extend your existing stay without leaving the country.

This can generally be done before your current visa expires and requires submitting required documents and paying a fee.

The cost is often lower than undertaking a visa run, but the process can take more time and administrative effort.

Advantages & Drawbacks of a Visa Run

While a visa run offers flexibility and a quick fix for an expiring visa, it also comes with certain pros and cons:

👉 Advantages:

Speed: A visa run can be completed within a few days, compared to standard extensions which may take weeks or even months.

Potential cost-savings: In some cases, performing a visa run can be more economical than paying for in-country renewal, especially when renewal fees become very high.

Flexibility: You can decide when and where to perform your visa run, giving more control over timing and destination.

Travel opportunity: The journey for the visa run gives you the chance to visit a nearby country, explore new places, and enjoy a short trip.

👉 Drawbacks:

Hassle & risk: You must exit the country and re-enter, and there may be immigration risks depending on the destination and local regulations.

Unstable: Relying on visa runs for stay extension may not guarantee long-term security, especially if immigration rules change.

Time and effort: Although faster than standard renewal, the trip involves travel, border formalities and arrangements abroad, which still require organisation.

>>> Read more: Vietnam visa service: Fast & secure solution for your trip 2025

Steps to Execute a Visa Run in Vietnam

Here are the steps for conducting a visa run from Vietnam:

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Before you initiate the visa run, prepare the following:

Requirement	Details
Original Passport	Must be valid for at least six months from the date of re-entry to Vietnam and contain at least two blank pages.
Entry Permission for Vietnam	One of the following documents: 5-year visa exemption certificate, E-visa, or visa approval letter for visa on arrival.
Round-trip Ticket	Confirmed flight or land ticket to a third country that you will visit during the visa run.
Visa and Supporting Documents for the Third Country	Provide the visa and required documents for entry into the third country, if applicable.
Visa on Arrival at Vietnamese Border	Requires two 4×6 cm photos (white background), completed visa application form, and stamping fee (e.g., 25 USD for single entry, 50 USD for multiple entry).
Note	The visa for the third country may need to be applied for in advance, either at the border/airport or through an embassy/consulate in Vietnam.

Step 2: Exit Vietnam

Depending on your chosen method (airport or land border), travel to an international exit point from Vietnam:

Present your passport and Vietnamese entry-permit document to immigration.
Receive your exit stamp confirming you have left Vietnam.
Travel to the third country of your choice.

Step 3: Enter the third country

At the border of the third country, present your passport and required entry documents, clear immigration.

Step 4: Exit the third country

After your short stay (you may stay a few days or immediately return) you exit the third country and re-enter Vietnam via a Vietnamese international entry-point.

Step 5: Re-enter Vietnam and complete the visa run

At the Vietnamese border, present the documents from Step 1:

If you are eligible for a visa‐on‐arrival, you will receive a new visa stamp in your passport.
Otherwise, you will be granted a new entry stamp and a new period of legal stay.
Now you can freely return to your place of residence in Vietnam and continue your stay legally under the new visa/entry period.

If you face difficulties preparing your paperwork, leave your contact details here and our consultant at Á Châu Visa will assist you promptly.

>>> Read more: Form NA2 – Complete Guide for Vietnam Entry Visa Application

Important Considerations When Conducting a Visa Run

✅ Document preparation:

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after re-entry into Vietnam and has sufficient blank pages.

Prepare all required documents, including Vietnam entry permit, round-trip ticket and third-country visa/entry documents (if needed).

Apply early for a third-country visa to avoid delays that could disrupt your visa run schedule.

✅ Research your third-country destination:

Investigate the immigration procedure, visa requirements and stay rules of your chosen third country.

Understand the culture, customs, local security and any travel restrictions.

Reserve accommodation and transportation in advance to avoid high costs or full bookings.

✅ Choose the right timing:

Avoid doing your visa run during peak travel seasons to save cost and reduce crowding.

Allow sufficient time for travel, border procedures and your short stay abroad.

Stay updated on travel-health warnings and border restrictions (e.g., disease outbreaks, transit bans).

✅ Stay safe and comply with laws:

Always carry your identity documents including passport, visas, tickets and entry documents.

Comply with the laws and regulations of the third country you visit.

Use reputable visa-support services if you feel uncertain.

✅ Additional notes:

Visa run procedures can vary depending on the third country you choose – always check the latest rules from the Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad.

Costs of a visa run may vary significantly by destination, type of visa and services used.

Performing visa runs repeatedly may impact your immigration record; authorities might view frequent visa runs as an abuse of stay/immigration rules.

>>> Read more: Airport Fast Track in Vietnam 2025 – Skip the Lines, Save Time

FAQs

Does a visa run affect future visa extensions?

Theoretically, a single visa run does not directly impact your future visa extension. However, frequent visa runs can create risks and may affect your ability to obtain extensions later. Immigration authorities might view repeated runs as misuse or evasion of immigration rules, which could raise concerns about your stay purpose and lead to rejection of future extensions. That said, this is not automatic and depends on many factors including your stay history, the country involved and current regulations. Therefore, weigh the option carefully and understand the rules in your specific case.

How often should I do a visa run?

The frequency depends on factors such as:

The type of visa you hold: Some visas have shorter durations and may prompt more frequent runs.
The third country you visit: Some countries have stricter rules on how often you can exit-and-re-enter.
The purpose of your stay: If you need a short stay, one or two runs might suffice; for longer stays you might need more.
Your personal itinerary: If you have flexible travel, you could plan runs at convenient times; if your schedule is fixed (e.g., work, teaching), you must choose wisely to avoid disruption.
In short, there is no fixed rule for frequency. Your decision should be based on your visa type, destination rules and personal situation.

Which country should I choose for the visa run?

When choosing a country for your Vietnam visa run, consider convenience, ease of visa procedures, cost and travel time. Popular options include Cambodia, Laos or Thailand because they are neighbouring countries of Vietnam with relatively flexible immigration and border entry processes, making the visa run more convenient and cost-effective.

With the detailed insights above from our team at Tan Van Lang, we hope you are now better equipped to plan your visa run and successfully extend your stay in Vietnam. If you have any questions or would like personalised service, contact us today at hotline 0907.874.240 - 028.7777.7979 for complimentary consultation.