Visa Extension During COVID-19 Virus Crisis

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Crazy system...
Tried to explain that if I come back in 20th when current visa expires there isn't any use extending it as I have the VEC to take its place. But she didn't care.. just lodge forms and extend. No point asking why not stamp the passport now or in the future to validate the VEC.

Doing it her way just makes more paperwork..

Crazy is a lot more gentle than I would have expressed if it were not for the Forum Mafia jumping on obscenities ! You are perfectly right, makes no sense, but rules are rules, however stupid. If the whole virus thing has not abated when your current visa runs out you will have no choice other than to extend it. With luck the border with Cambodia will reopen soon then all you will need to do is a quick border run to get your VEC activated. If all remains closed however then they will not validate your VEC, only extend your current one. Stupid, but just the way it is.

I am staying in hcmc.  My one year DL tourist visa (for US citizens) is due to expire in about 10 calendar days.  I got my police confirmation of my temporary residence yesterday; and I went to a local visa office today and was informed that I had to go to a tour agency.  What are my best options for extending my stay in Vietnam without travel outside the country?  Should I do visa renewal or extension?  What price range am I looking at?  I would like to be better informed before I meet a tour agency.  I would appreciate it if you could suggest a tour agency you have had success with (maybe by messaging if the forum board does not permit direct url links). Thanks in advance.

catravel wrote:

I am staying in hcmc.  My one year DL tourist visa (for US citizens) is due to expire in about 10 calendar days.  I got my police confirmation of my temporary residence yesterday; and I went to a local visa office today and was informed that I had to go to a tour agency.  What are my best options for extending my stay in Vietnam without travel outside the country?  Should I do visa renewal or extension?  What price range am I looking at?  I would like to be better informed before I meet a tour agency.  I would appreciate it if you could suggest a tour agency you have had success with (maybe by messaging if the forum board does not permit direct url links). Thanks in advance.

Where was the immigration office ?

They say use tour office now because the borders are closed. So you have no other legal choices available
If you do decide to use tour company shop around because they are aware that tourist have no other choice at the moment

Jlgarbutt wrote:

They say use tour office now because the borders are closed. So you have no other legal choices available
If you do decide to use tour company shop around because they are aware that tourist have no other choice at the moment

Lets not forget the inflated prices that agents come up with that cant be done at immigration.

Indices wrote:

Where was the immigration office ?

No. 254 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  There is also an office in Hanoi.

catravel wrote:

Indices wrote:

Where was the immigration office ?

No. 254 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  There is also an office in Hanoi.

Give this one a try, dont mention you went to the other office.

Vietnam Immigration Department (A18) in Ho Chi Minh City  - Address: No 161 Nguyen Du, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City -
Telephone: + (84)838299398 - Fax: + (84)838244075 -
Email: phongqlxnc@vnn.vn]VN immigration

Just read this on VietNamNet News:

Foreigners can extend visas amid COVID-19 outbreak: spokeswoman

27/03/2020    10:13 GMT+7

"Foreigners in Vietnam can make visa extension procedures at the Immigration Department  in line with regulations, spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed."

Does this help?

I think the tour offices have to close.
Only essential services like food, probably pharmacies can be open now.
My sister -in -law just called to say she can't work in her restaurant tomorrow. It's closed.

PM issues directive on COVID-19 prevention and control

16:33 | 27/03/2020
"VGP - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has signed a Directive rolling out measures to strengthen the COVID-19 prevention and control amid rapid increase of new infection cases over the past three weeks. "

Never have had an issue in Tay Ninh city for Vec.
But I'm in and out of vietnam as much as possible. I'm to young for retirement 10 years to go 😂