Visa Renewal

Witty1 wrote:

Yes good old UK doing naff all to help as usual
As it stands I think upto end of april a new month extension should be possible at immigration, so check that before giving any lumps of cash to travel companies.
Also it did say over stay penalties would be waved during this lockdown so I guess and that's the trouble it's a guess, it should be ok to just sit it out then renew after.
Would be good if the immigration depth would confirm that

I'm hoping Moc Bai will re open for visa on entry or cheaper TRC options available.

Witty1 wrote:

Yes good old UK doing naff all to help as usual
As it stands I think upto end of april a new month extension should be possible at immigration, so check that before giving any lumps of cash to travel companies.
Also it did say over stay penalties would be waved during this lockdown so I guess and that's the trouble it's a guess, it should be ok to just sit it out then renew after.
Would be good if the immigration depth would confirm that

VN immigration office isnt that great on info.

Currently formvisa extension at immigration office they ask for passport and NA5
NA5 needs embassy stamp ti be accepted...  over to you UK embassy... oh wait they washed their hands of the situation...

Hello,

Please note that some unnecessary posts have been removed from this thread.

Thanks,

Diksha
Team Expat.com

colinoscapee wrote:

Sobie wrote:

I do not understand you all. Why do you need a sponsor? I'm here , 4 years, on a tourist visa and I'll consider it as a personal failure ... the thought about a sponsor! Why are you here? Just a personal thing !  Today checked for an 3 months extension. I found a company ,340$ , and stopped searching.  Just did a calculation and found  the surplus payment acceptable .

The agent or company that does your tourist visa is your sponsor, its outlined in the laws of Vietnam.

So when someone follows THIGV's advice and gets their visa before leaving their home country (at an Embassy or Consulate) then is the Embassy or Consulate their technical sponsor for a tourist visa?

In that scenario no agent is used.

Trip 3 to immigration and hoped to be all sorted with sponsor letter stamped by police... Arrive immigration and get declined.

Need to have letter from UK embassy saying I can leave in 30 days....

Back to square one.

Lots of people have same answer in immigration office this morning

Sorted. So anyone going to immigration in HCM don't go to window 17 as instructed you will get turned down. Wait and go to window 14 and they accept

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Sorted. So anyone going to immigration in HCM don't go to window 17 as instructed you will get turned down. Wait and go to window 14 and they accept

This is an object lesson in Vietnamese bureaucracy.  Just hope they don't fool everyone tomorrow by switching windows.

The silly part is window 17 say visa extensions... Just don't go there.

Lucky I happen to see other people being sent to window 14 for same reasons.

Reminds me of the mental hospital in the countryside that had all its signage in English but didn't treat foreigners.

colinoscapee wrote:

Reminds me of the mental hospital in the countryside that had all its signage in English but didn't treat foreigners.

Probably for the best, right?

colinoscapee wrote:

Reminds me of the mental hospital in the countryside that had all its signage in English but didn't treat foreigners.

We’re in a hospital in Saigon for chest X-ray. I went through the procedures, then it was my husband’s turn.  The two doctors stopped writing and looked at each other. I asked what the problem was. They told me that public hospitals at district level cannot treat foreigners even though the doctors there were specialized in our ailment.

“But I’m a foreigner too”, I said.  “You have a Vietnamese last name so we wrote down that you’re Vietnamese national.”  Oh.

Then they looked at my nephew who accompanied us and said, “Why don’t we use your name for the patient instead?”

That’s how my husband, a “real” foreigner, was treated at a hospital where no foreigners ever went. And yes, the signage throughout the hospital was in two languages.

That's quite ingenious.. if something go wrong no way to prove medical error.. 😁

Also worth noting... Used grab car today for two passengers -3 journeys so far in normal four seat car.

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Also worth noting... Used grab car today for two passengers -3 journeys so far in normal four seat car.

You booked a Grab CAR using the app?

Where? What city?

Booked grab car using app... Lexington Residence to Pearl Plaza, then from Pearl Plaza to immigration and from immigration to Vincom centre.. all Ho Chi Minh

District 2 - Binh Thanh - District 1

Binh Thanh dropped off at police station.. seen by whole station, two passengers in four seat car
No one said anything.

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Booked grab car using app... Lexington Residence to Pearl Plaza, then from Pearl Plaza to immigration and from immigration to Vincom centre.. all Ho Chi Minh

District 2 - Binh Thanh - District 1

Binh Thanh dropped off at police station.. seen by whole station, two passengers in four seat car
No one said anything.

No surprise...HCMC is unlock from yesterday! So anyone can move.

kallouche wrote:

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Booked grab car using app... Lexington Residence to Pearl Plaza, then from Pearl Plaza to immigration and from immigration to Vincom centre.. all Ho Chi Minh

District 2 - Binh Thanh - District 1

Binh Thanh dropped off at police station.. seen by whole station, two passengers in four seat car
No one said anything.

No surprise...HCMC is unlock from yesterday! So anyone can move.

Since GRAB sent out a notice that they were NOT available, it IS a surprise:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 44#4854769

Just booked one home.. 100% working in HCMC

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Just booked one home.. 100% working in HCMC

Can confirm 100% Grab CAR is avilable in HCMC

Andybris2020 wrote:

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Just booked one home.. 100% working in HCMC

Can confirm 100% Grab CAR is avilable in HCMC

I just refreshed the GRAB app on my Android phone.

Now GRAB cars are available again in Vung Tau.

Thanks guys!

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Sorted. So anyone going to immigration in HCM don't go to window 17 as instructed you will get turned down. Wait and go to window 14 and they accept

Good info Jigarfella 

Andybris2020 wrote:

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Just booked one home.. 100% working in HCMC

Can confirm 100% Grab CAR is avilable in HCMC

Good & up to date info Jigarbottom, lucky someone has their finger on the pulse here!

Heads up for those near or at the end of their visa term. Today they announce that any one overstay will be fined. Previously reports say that no penalties until the 30th of April.. but seem now things have changed

Today they announce that any one overstay will be fined. LINK?

A link is always good for information such as this.

This isn't a link but is is a very specific statement:

"Foreigners whose visas expired during the period between April 1-22 will not be considered to have overstayed."


Before April 1st and after April 22?

The quote comes from an email from the Canadian Consulate in HCMC. You can see it in the Official Vietnam Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) Info Site thread.

It also specifically states that the Canadian government does not sponsor visas. It was at the end so I bolded it and enlarged the font by a few magnitudes.

I agree.. a link would be useful.
Source in this case is human being who works in local police.. I did ask can i have a link. Watch this space.

Not sure if anyone else need help with Visa Renewal and are a US citizen... But appears from attached that some people have managed to get written assistance from the embassy - see attached.. doh how to attach photos ???

VietCanada wrote:

This isn't a link but is is a very specific statement:

"Foreigners whose visas expired during the period between April 1-22 will not be considered to have overstayed."


Before April 1st and after April 22?

The quote comes from an email from the Canadian Consulate in HCMC. You can see it in the Official Vietnam Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) Info Site thread.

It also specifically states that the Canadian government does not sponsor visas. It was at the end so I bolded it and enlarged the font by a few magnitudes.

I just added the link to your text

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

VietCanada wrote:

This isn't a link but is is a very specific statement:

"Foreigners whose visas expired during the period between April 1-22 will not be considered to have overstayed."


Before April 1st and after April 22?

The quote comes from an email from the Canadian Consulate in HCMC. You can see it in the Official Vietnam Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) Info Site thread.

It also specifically states that the Canadian government does not sponsor visas. It was at the end so I bolded it and enlarged the font by a few magnitudes.

I just added the link to your text

Not working for me.  It just took me back to post #1.  Maybe better to just add the link in your reply instead of trying to modify his text.

THIGV wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

VietCanada wrote:

This isn't a link but is is a very specific statement:

"Foreigners whose visas expired during the period between April 1-22 will not be considered to have overstayed."


Before April 1st and after April 22?

The quote comes from an email from the Canadian Consulate in HCMC. You can see it in the Official Vietnam Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) Info Site thread.

It also specifically states that the Canadian government does not sponsor visas. It was at the end so I bolded it and enlarged the font by a few magnitudes.

I just added the link to your text

Not working for me.  It just took me back to post #1.  Maybe better to just add the link in your reply instead of trying to modify his text.

It's exactly what I intended: the thread he mentioned, not his individual post.

I was too tired to go searching for it specifically.

As it turned out, it was impossible to get an extension without feeding the sharks.

I was sent from Nguyen Thi Minh Khai  to the Nguyen Trai office where I was told that if the Australian Consulate stamped my form I could be granted a ONE month extension. Anyone betting that borders will be opened in a month?
Of course, the absolutely unhelpful consulate officials told me it was not their business. No appointments available, etc.

So...off to a very cheerful travel agent in Pham Ngu Lao who took my 350 bucks without blushing and promised a visa in 10 days. I hope the money is shared out equitably between agents and officials!

A good lesson about the real official attitude toward foreigners.

Its possible to get a partner (GF / Wife) to sponsor you... then no need for embassy visit.

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Its possible to get a partner (GF / Wife) to sponsor you... then no need for embassy visit.

A girlfriend cannot sponsor anyone, a wife can... but. not if the husband has a tourist visa (and the type of visa cannot be changed while in-country). There are 20 types of visas for Vietnam:
1. NG1 - Issued to members of delegations invited by the Secretary General of
Vietnam’s Communist Party of, the President of Vietnam, the President of the
National Assembly, the Prime Minister.
2. NG2 - issued to members of delegations invited by standing members of the
Secretariat of the Vietnam’s Communist Party, Deputy President of Vietnam,
Deputy President of the National Assembly, Deputy Prime Minister, President
of Vietnamese Fatherland Front, Executive Judge of The Supreme Court, Chief
Procurator of the Supreme Procuracy, State Auditor General; members of
delegations at the same levels of Ministers, Secretary Generals of Provincial
Communist Authorities, President of the People’s Committees of provinces.
3. NG3 - Issued to members of diplomatic missions, consular offices,
representative offices of international organizations affiliated to the UN,
representative offices of intergovernmental organizations and their spouses,
children under 18 years of age, and housemaids during their term of office.
4. NG4- Issued to people who come to work with diplomatic missions, consular
offices, representative offices of international organizations affiliated to the UN,
representative offices of intergovernmental organizations, visitors of members
of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international
organizations affiliated to the UN, and representative offices of
intergovernmental organizations.
5. LV1 - Issued to people who come to work with units affiliated to Vietnam’s
Communist Party; the National Assembly, the government, Central Committee
of Vietnamese Fatherland Front, the People’s Supreme Court, the People’s
Supreme Procuracy, State Audit Agency, Ministries, ministerial agencies,
Governmental agencies, the People’s Councils, the People’s Committees of
provinces.
6. LV2 - Issued to people who come to work with socio-political organizations,
social organizations, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
7. DT - Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and foreign lawyers practicing in
Vietnam.
8. DN - Issued to people who come to work with companies in Vietnam.
9. NN1 - Issued to Managers of representative offices or projects of
international organizations and foreign non-governmental organizations in
Vietnam.
10. NN2 - Issued to heads of representative offices, branches of foreign traders,
representative offices of other foreign economic, cultural, professional
organizations in Vietnam.
11. NN3 - Issued to people who come to work with foreign non-governmental
organizations, representative offices, branches of foreign traders, representative
offices of other foreign economic, cultural, professional organizations in
Vietnam.
12. DH - Issued to people who come to study or serve internship.
13. HN - Issued to people who come to attend conventions or conferences.
14. PV1 - Issued to journalists who have permanent residences in Vietnam.
15. PV2 - Issued to journalists who come to work for a short period of time in
Vietnam.
16. LD - Issued to people who come to work.
17. DL - Issued to tourists.
18. TT - Issued to foreigners that are parents, spouse, and children under 18
years of age of the foreigners issued with LV1, LV2, ĐT, NN1, NN2,
UNIVERSITY, PV1, LĐ visas, or foreigners that are parents, spouse, children
of Vietnamese citizens.
19. VR - Issued to people who come to visit their relatives or for have other
purposes.-
20. SQ - Issued to people in the cases mentioned in Clause 3 Article 17 of this
Law.

Of course, the above is changing on July 1.

Understanding the Vietnamese visa system is a bit like studying quantum mechanics. Anyone who claims to understand it is full of poo. The uncertainty principle always applies; and in any equation, this is the most important symbol - $.

cruisemonkey wrote:

There are 20 types of visas for Vietnam:

Careful.  We have all been notified that cut and paste without attribution is not allowed here.  Someone contact OB so he can report your post for deletion.

Not entirely correct.. mine was a tourist visa when I arrived.. sponsored no problem at all.

THIGV wrote:

cruisemonkey wrote:

There are 20 types of visas for Vietnam:

Careful.  We have all been notified that cut and paste without attribution is not allowed here.  Someone contact OB so he can report your post for deletion.

Because it's government, crediting the site is likely not required in this case, but adding it might be good manners

https://visa.mofa.gov.vn/NewsDetail.aspx?id=29

Just saw this comment...I used an agent in Ha Noi that also has a colleague here in Sai Gon.  I initially got the reference from Ocean Beach maybe a year and  a half ago.  The company is Viet Nam Visa and my particular agent is Hoang Hai Yen.  Her number is: 092 809 76 03, email: haiyen.vietnamvisavoa.com

She has been informative and helpful during all this crazy wuhan stuff. 

Their prices are reasonable, 345US for a 90 day single entry US visa....that was their price for the last several months...they did  not jack up the rates as corona craziness took over. 

Over the last month, I was watching different 'legal' / expat pages on FB and watching prices....lots of people were quoting cheap visa extensions....but it turnedo out to be a bait and switch scheme....anyway hope this helps.  They will be closed tomorrow and the next day for Reunification Day...so if you are interested, send them an email and at least explore your alternatives. 
Good Luck
Ken Byrnes

def1412 wrote:

Just saw this comment.

To avoid double posting like this, never use the back arrow on your browser after you post.  Instead go to the top of the page and hit Vietnam on the forum tree.  Better yet, just leave the site altogether and then come back in.