Visa Extension or Visa "Renewal"?

CheyneBC wrote:

Also, how do I determine which visa is better suited to my intended length of stay?
Business or tourist?

You have already stated in another post that you are coming here as a tourist.

You won't be eligible for a business visa without a stated intent to explore business opportunities, or if you are going to be employed here.

You also asked elsewhere about a "residence visa".

You won't qualify for that as a tourist unless you marry a Vietnamese man.

You also asked about how to trust a particular agency.

You don't necessarily need to go through an agency to get a tourist visa.

The Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam in your country is your first best option.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need the assistance of a Visa agent, it's best to ask someone whom you trust to recommend a trustworthy agency.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

VietCanada wrote:

Tourist visas extensions are only for one month right now.

I have already informed you once that this is erroneous information that you are posting.

You are confusing the limits of length of stay  with the limits on the length of an actual Visa

90 Day extensions of tourist visas ARE AVAILABLE NOW for most nationalities

I have quoted three sources that say you cannot stay in Vn longer than 30 days regardless of your visa.
If you disagree then you argument is with them.

Do you a source other than your own opinion? I asked you if you have personal experience with this. That would suffice.

Just stepping into the room and bellowing that you are right and anyone, everyone else is wrong does not help anyone looking for answers.

Nobody cares about your opinion. People need surety.

Where's your source?

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

cruisemonkey wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

I wonder if anyone has thought of this:

Will cheaper, 3 month SINGLE ENTRY visas be a thing of the past?

Would Immigration reason that one cannot assume an extension of length of stay after 30 days?

If so, would immigration then say that any tourist visa longer than 30 days MUST be the multiple entry type, since without an advance extension of length of stay, they want you prepared for a border run?

I doubt it because single entry DL visa holders will be able to get 30-day extensions of stay without leaving the country (assuming they haven't been in trouble with the police, or are suspected of working illegally).

I'm speculating that single entry DL visas might become "unavailable", forcing people to choose and pay for the higher priced multi entry visa.

Here's a hypothetical conversation:

I: "Why did you purchase a single entry, 90 day visa? Aren't you aware you must leave the country in 30 days?"

T: "No problem. I'm going to apply for an extension of my 'length of stay' permission before 30 days is up"

I: "However the approval of your extension is not guaranteed. As I am talking to you today you must certainly be prepared to leave the country in 30 days. You will not be allowed to return using this same visa."

That's if the conversation ever gets that far.

I'm just going out on a limb and predicting that multiple-month, single-entry visas may be history soon.

Possibly (it's Vietnam Immigration... so who knows what will happen, how the law will interpreted or if it will be enforced in a consistent manner throughout the country). Immigration officers have the ability to exercise discretion in ALL cases.

The only country(s) anyone has an absolute right to enter is that of their citizenship(s).

cruisemonkey wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

I wonder if anyone has thought of this:

Will cheaper, 3 month SINGLE ENTRY visas be a thing of the past?

Would Immigration reason that one cannot assume an extension of length of stay after 30 days?

If so, would immigration then say that any tourist visa longer than 30 days MUST be the multiple entry type, since without an advance extension of length of stay, they want you prepared for a border run?

I doubt it because single entry DL visa holders will be able to get 30-day extensions of stay without leaving the country (assuming they haven't been in trouble with the police, or are suspected of working illegally).

CheyneBC wrote:

was hoping to plan my trip after the new year, and hoping to be able to stay with friends.
Are the new "tourist visa rules"; only in place currently because of covid-19
(meaning are they temporary and likely to change)?

No, on July 1 an amendment to the law takes effect. Among other changes, tourist (DL) visa holders will only be given 30-day periods of temporary residence - length of stay - in Vietnam no matter what the length of validity of their visa. In other words, if a person enters on a tourist visa, be it: 3 months, 6 months or 1 year, they will have to either: do a 'visa run', or get an 'extension' every 30 days.

CheyneBC wrote:

Aslo, if I'm staying with friends then would I be better applying for resident visa as opposed to tourist visa?

You could enter on a business (DN) visa on the pretext you are seeking business/investment opportunities; then, the length of the visa and your period of temporary residence - length of stay - will be the same.

CheyneBC wrote:

Also, where would be the best place to "extend" visa?

If you're on a tourist visa, you will need an agent. Word of mouth is the best 'advertising'... tell us what city you will be in and someone will be able to recommend a reliable agent.

I don't know what DL & DN mean sorry.
But are u saying that if i apply for a business visa, then i could potentially get one granted for 1 to 2 years WITHOUT having to renew it or get a new one.?

CheyneBC wrote:

Oceanbeach,  Can u tell me the best way to get the longest length of stay in Vietnam (without a border run) and do u have any personal recommendations for "agents" or such that deal with visa renewal or new visas etc?

Does he ever.

CheyneBC wrote:

I don't know what DL & DN mean sorry.
But are u saying that if i apply for a business visa, then i could potentially get one granted for 1 to 2 years WITHOUT having to renew it or get a new one.?

DL = tourist visa
DN = business visa (will be DN1 and DN2 after July1)

Citizens of most countries can get up to 3-month DL & DN visas. U.S. citizens can also get 6-month and one year DL & DN visas. Anyone who wants to stay for more than a year needs: a Visa Exemption Certificate (VEC), a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or Permanent Residence Card (PRC).

Holders of business (DN) visas can stay in Vietnam for as long as the visa is valid i.e. the expiry date of the visa and the period of temporary residence (commonly called "length of stay") are the same. This is not true of tourist (DL) visas. Currently, DL visa holders are required to extend their period of temporary residence every 90 days. After July 1, they will be required to extend their period of temporary residence every 30 days - either by getting an in-country extension (how exactly that will work we do not yet know), or by doing a 'visa run' to another country.... which is currently impossible. 

cruisemonkey wrote:

CheyneBC wrote:

I don't know what DL & DN mean sorry.
But are u saying that if i apply for a business visa, then i could potentially get one granted for 1 to 2 years WITHOUT having to renew it or get a new one.?

DL = tourist visa
DN = business visa (will be DN1 and DN2 after July1)

Citizens of most countries can get up to 3-month DL & DN visas. U.S. citizens can also get 6-month and one year DL & DN visas. Anyone who wants to stay for more than a year needs: a Visa Exemption Certificate (VEC), a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or Permanent Residence Card (PRC).

Holders of business (DN) visas can stay in Vietnam for as long as the visa is valid i.e. the expiry date of the visa and the period of temporary residence (commonly called "length of stay") are the same. This is not true of tourist (DL) visas. Currently, DL visa holders are required to extend their period of temporary residence every 90 days. After July 1, they will be required to extend their period of temporary residence every 30 days - either by getting an in-country extension (how exactly that will work we do not yet know), or by doing a 'visa run' to another country.... which is currently impossible. 

Well I'm an Australian citizen. So do u know who would be best to speak to about a TRC?
Sounds like the one most suited to my circumstance

CheyneBC wrote:

Oceanbeach,
Can u tell me the best way to get the longest length of stay in Vietnam (without a border run) and do u have any personal recommendations for "agents" or such that deal with visa renewal or new visas etc?
I am travelling after the new year and am intending to stay 1 to 2 years with friends already living in Vietnam (Nha Trang)
Some have mentioned business visa, residential, tourist... all of the information is very conflicting and confusing... can u help me with a little clarity please?
Thank you

As I already replied to you previously, because you've stated very clearly that your intention is to be a tourist, you wouldn't qualify for anything other than a tourist visa, with the requirement that you report to immigration every 30 days in order to receive a new 30 day authorization to stay, even if your visa is of a 60 day or 90 day term.

That's the law scheduled to go into effect this July 1st.

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the longest tourist visa which is available to Australian citizens is 90 days.

So you would enter the country under the authorization of your 90 day visa, and the immigration officer at the airport would stamp your passport with a stamp "permitted to remain until __ __ ____" ("Được phép tạm trú đến") and they will fill in the date that your permission to remain expires.

On or before that date, you must visit an immigration office where, after an interview to ascertain your legitimate reason(s) for wanting to remain in the country, you will pay $10 USD (hopefully in equivalent VNĐ) to extend your "permission to remain" another 30 days.

For my recommendation for a trustworthy visa agent, please send me a private message.

Note: Any visa agent in the country can help you no matter where your destination may be.

You are not eligible for a Temporary Resident Card or a Visa Exemption Certificate.

If you follow advice previously given to get a business visa "under the pretext of exploring business opportunities" without that actually being true, you are setting yourself up for deportation and immigration blacklisting, as that would be illegal.

CheyneBC wrote:

Well I'm an Australian citizen. So do u know who would be best to speak to about a TRC?
Sounds like the one most suited to my circumstance

You are not eligible unless you are employed here under contract with a work permit OR you are married to a Vietnamese man.

There are a few other ways to be eligible but they all have to do with business or investment which is not applicable in your case since you have stated that you are coming here to be a tourist

CheyneBC wrote:

Well I'm an Australian citizen. So do u know who would be best to speak to about a TRC?
Sounds like the one most suited to my circumstance

To obtain a TRC you must meet one of the following criteria:

- foreigner who is a member of a two (or more) member limited liability company;
- foreigner who is the owner of a one-member limited liability company (except as authorized representative);
- foreigner who is a member of the board directors of a joint-stock corporation;
- foreign lawyer who is licensed to practice law in Vietnam;
- foreigner who is granted a Work Permit;
- foreign professionals, students and trainees working or studying in programs approved by the Government;
- immediate relatives of a Temporary Residence Card-holder (parents, spouse, and children).

All this basically boils down to you either:
- get a job;
- become an investor; or,
- be a relative of someone with a TRC.

In your case, I suggest you enter on a business visa then contact a reliable visa agent.

cruisemonkey wrote:

CheyneBC wrote:

Well I'm an Australian citizen. So do u know who would be best to speak to about a TRC?
Sounds like the one most suited to my circumstance

In your case, I suggest you enter on a business visa then contact a reliable visa agent.

Based on all the information she has provided about herself and her intention for her time here in Vietnam, you would appear to be advising her to commit fraud and make herself subject to deportation and blacklisting.

If I'm reading your advice incorrectly or I am missing something she has shared about herself, please correct me.

Yes, I'm aware that there are many people staying here on business visas when they do not qualify for a business Visa under the law.

However, in order for her to present herself as legitimately exploring business opportunities, if she is ever interviewed by immigration, she will need to show immigration what business she had established in her home country that applies to her search for opportunities here in Vietnam.

Then also, if she is ever interviewed by immigration, she will have to show them what her activities have been here in Vietnam that have related to that search for a business opportunity.

cruisemonkey wrote:

CheyneBC wrote:

I don't know what DL & DN mean sorry.
But are u saying that if i apply for a business visa, then i could potentially get one granted for 1 to 2 years WITHOUT having to renew it or get a new one.?

DL = tourist visa
DN = business visa (will be DN1 and DN2 after July1)

Citizens of most countries can get up to 3-month DL & DN visas. U.S. citizens can also get 6-month and one year DL & DN visas. Anyone who wants to stay for more than a year needs: a Visa Exemption Certificate (VEC), a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or Permanent Residence Card (PRC).

Holders of business (DN) visas can stay in Vietnam for as long as the visa is valid i.e. the expiry date of the visa and the period of temporary residence (commonly called "length of stay") are the same. This is not true of tourist (DL) visas. Currently, DL visa holders are required to extend their period of temporary residence every 90 days. After July 1, they will be required to extend their period of temporary residence every 30 days - either by getting an in-country extension (how exactly that will work we do not yet know), or by doing a 'visa run' to another country.... which is currently impossible. 

cruisemonkey,

Could you please elaborate on DN1 and DN2 you had mentioned regarding business visa. Further, is it necessary to obtain a TRC first before applying for a PRC (assuming work permit is in place). Thanks

cruisemonkey wrote:

You could enter on a business (DN) visa on the pretext you are seeking business/investment opportunities; then, the length of the visa and your period of temporary residence - length of stay - will be the same.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

If you follow advice previously given to get a business visa "under the pretext of exploring business opportunities" without that actually being true, you are setting yourself up for deportation and immigration blacklisting, as that would be illegal.

Could storm clouds be brewing?   

andidips wrote:

Could you please elaborate on DN1 and DN2 you had mentioned regarding business visa.

Currently, the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (47-2014-QH13) states -
"Article 8.8
8. DN - Issued to individuals who enter Vietnam to work with companies in Vietnam."

After July 1, the amended law (51-2019-QH14) states -
"8. DN1 - Issued to foreigners who work with other businesses and organizations with legal status in accordance with the laws of Vietnam.
8a. DN2 - Issued to foreigners who offer services, establish a commercial presence or perform other activities under international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory."

andidips wrote:

Further, is it necessary to obtain a TRC first before applying for a PRC (assuming work permit is in place). Thanks

Yes. To be eligible for a PRC, a person must have a TRC and fulfill one of three qualifications:
1. A person who fights for the freedom and independence of the Vietnamese race, for socialism, for democracy and peace, and for science, but who is suppressed.
2. A person with distinguished services contributing to the work of building and protecting the Vietnamese Fatherland.
3. A person being the spouse, child or parent of a Vietnamese citizen residing permanently in Vietnam.

THIGV wrote:

Could storm clouds be brewing?   

Naw... CheyneBC just has to change her reason for visiting Vietnam from being a tourist to looking for a job or investing.

Having a TRC is NOT one of the requirements to request a PRC. You must have lived in VN for at least 3 years before you can even apply for one. The other three requirements mentioned are true, however there is a whole bunch more to the application for a PRC, and I suggest that in less you've applied and received a PRC don't post misleading information. The procedure is extremely difficult but it is doable if you can successfully provide the required information.

Rick

cruisemonkey wrote:

THIGV wrote:

Could storm clouds be brewing?   

Naw... CheyneBC just has to change her reason for visiting Vietnam from being a tourist to looking for a job or investing.

Well, I do have a little $$...
and a Vietnamese friend of mine suggested we look at maybe buying a small bar when I am there...🤔
Does considering an investment count?

Hello everyone,

Please note that this topic is going slightly off-topic here.

If you wish to discuss about investment in Vietnam through certain types of visas, I would highly encourage you to start a new thread to do so, in order for this present thread to stay on track.

Thanks in advance,

Diksha
Team Expat.com

Diksha wrote:

If you wish to discuss about investment in Vietnam through certain types of visas, I would highly encourage you to start a new thread to do so, in order for this present thread to stay on track.

There was a thread, which may have been a sticky, about how to obtain an investor TRC.  Could you restick it along with the Marriage based TRC thread.  Since resticking the VEC thread it has had several posts.  These threads may not have frequent posts but they did get read.

here is something i want to discuss regarding "3 month visa extensions"

i heard on facebook from a user in a thread that the "3 month visa extension" for tourist visa holders is to be cancelled outright in July.

the guy had no corroborating proof or links, couldnt remember where he saw it and didnt know what exact day in july this will come into effect. i chatted with him a bit and he seemed like a reliable enough guy but i have seen no news of these changes nor any details regarding them anywhere online, and i am having no luck searching.

if this info is true however it seriously impacts my plans. does anyone know anything about this?

and to reiterate; this concerns; THREE MONTH TOURIST VISA EXTENSIONS not DL or business or residency cards or that 30 day amnesty thing through June. i dont want to open a business or get married or any that other stuff i just want to know about any changes to the THREE MONTH TOURIST VISA EXTENSIONS please

will they be off the table in july? what day? links please.

on another note; some other less credible guy said that 3 month extensions will be unlimited this year, unlike the current limit of two times only... this seems less likely but would be fantastic.. if you know anything about that also please reply ... with links!

and yeah yeah yeah... I know the second extension is more expensive, and yeah i dont care if you think agents are swine... that's your opinion. i am looking for factual provable information.

hope thats not too much to ask y'all. i know you like to trade ripostes and humorous jibes on here but if anybody actually knows anything about the above queries please reply.

have a nice day.

tommylacroix wrote:

here is something i want to discuss regarding "3 month visa extensions"

i heard on facebook from a user in a thread that the "3 month visa extension" for tourist visa holders is to be cancelled outright in July.

the guy had no corroborating proof or links, couldnt remember where he saw it and didnt know what exact day in july this will come into effect. i chatted with him a bit and he seemed like a reliable enough guy but i have seen no news of these changes nor any details regarding them anywhere online, and i am having no luck searching.

if this info is true however it seriously impacts my plans. does anyone know anything about this?

and to reiterate; this concerns; THREE MONTH TOURIST VISA EXTENSIONS not DL or business or residency cards or that 30 day amnesty thing through June. i dont want to open a business or get married or any that other stuff i just want to know about any changes to the THREE MONTH TOURIST VISA EXTENSIONS please

will they be off the table in july? what day? links please.

on another note; some other less credible guy said that 3 month extensions will be unlimited this year, unlike the current limit of two times only... this seems less likely but would be fantastic.. if you know anything about that also please reply ... with links!

and yeah yeah yeah... I know the second extension is more expensive, and yeah i dont care if you think agents are swine... that's your opinion. i am looking for factual provable information.

hope thats not too much to ask y'all. i know you like to trade ripostes and humorous jibes on here but if anybody actually knows anything about the above queries please reply.

have a nice day.

Please begin reading this thread you are now reading, again from the beginning.

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=894370

You'll find links that might satisfy your demands.

However, be aware that some nuances are lost in translation, and there is confusion about the length of visas, the length of extensions and the new restrictions on "Permitted to stay until..."

Yes, the new restrictions begin July 1st.

It's possible that 90 Day extensions will be available after July 1st but it's also definite that any new entry tourist visas and in-country extensions of visas (no matter how long the visa) which become effective on or after July 1st 2020 will only be allowed a 30 day "permission to remain"/"Được phép tạm trú đến" stamp in your passport.

If you want to remain another 30 days and you have the time available on your visa, you will go to immigration and pay $10 USD for a 30 day extension of your permission to remain.

If you don't have time remaining on your visa you will need to purchase a visa extension which will include a 30 Day permission to remain stamp.

Please see this thread:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=895449

and this thread (especially the email text from the US Embassy explaining the stopgap visa rules which don't apply to you if you intend to remain in county:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=895289

Last, since you aren't put off by the cost of an agent, then why don't you connect with a good one and have them assess your individual case while they explain the new restrictions to you?

Cheers!

Same news different day...

What happened to some of the regulars ? Haven't seen goodoldboy for a week or so

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Same news different day...

What happened to some of the regulars ? Haven't seen goodoldboy for a week or so

I'm glad you posted...

Have you been able to activate your new VEC or are you still surviving on Visa extensions?

Still on visa extension... no chance to leave and comeback again yet..

Hello everyone,

Some off-topic posts have been removed from this thread.

Thanks,

Diksha
Team Expat.com

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Still on visa extension... no chance to leave and comeback again yet..

If you can hang on until some time after 1 July you might be OK per the link to the KPMG newsletter posted by VietCanada.  https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 70#4872655 

From the link:  "Currently if a visa needs to be changed to a different type/category, a foreign national needs to leave Vietnam and enter again under the new visa.  This policy has been relaxed and a visa can be changed without the need to exit Vietnam [emphasis mine] in the following circumstances:
i.    Being an investor or a representative of a foreign organisation investing in Vietnam;
ii.    Being a parent, spouse, or child of the guarantor;" 

Number II. would seem to apply to holders of VEC's.

THIGV wrote:

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Still on visa extension... no chance to leave and comeback again yet..

If you can hang on until some time after 1 July you might be OK per the link to the KPMG newsletter posted by VietCanada.  https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 70#4872655 

From the link:  "Currently if a visa needs to be changed to a different type/category, a foreign national needs to leave Vietnam and enter again under the new visa.  This policy has been relaxed and a visa can be changed without the need to exit Vietnam [emphasis mine] in the following circumstances:
i.    Being an investor or a representative of a foreign organisation investing in Vietnam;
ii.    Being a parent, spouse, or child of the guarantor;" 

Number II. would seem to apply to holders of VEC's.

Good catch.

I had read about that Visa change a number of times and that flew right past me, as it applies to his situation

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

I had read about that Visa change a number of times and that flew right past me, as it applies to his situation

The Catch 22 could be that no matter if the law seems clear on its face, the guy behind the desk at Immigration at 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in District 3 has to agree. That could take a while past 1 July to work itself out.  Never forget, after all, that it is Vietnam.

Could be a technicality, but would a VEC, which isn't even a visa, be considered a visa type or category?  I would think so, but technically it's not a visa.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

CheyneBC wrote:

Oceanbeach,
Can u tell me the best way to get the longest length of stay in Vietnam (without a border run) and do u have any personal recommendations for "agents" or such that deal with visa renewal or new visas etc?
I am travelling after the new year and am intending to stay 1 to 2 years with friends already living in Vietnam (Nha Trang)
Some have mentioned business visa, residential, tourist... all of the information is very conflicting and confusing... can u help me with a little clarity please?
Thank you

As I already replied to you previously, because you've stated very clearly that your intention is to be a tourist, you wouldn't qualify for anything other than a tourist visa, with the requirement that you report to immigration every 30 days in order to receive a new 30 day authorization to stay, even if your visa is of a 60 day or 90 day term.

That's the law scheduled to go into effect this July 1st.

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the longest tourist visa which is available to Australian citizens is 90 days.

So you would enter the country under the authorization of your 90 day visa, and the immigration officer at the airport would stamp your passport with a stamp "permitted to remain until __ __ ____" ("Được phép tạm trú đến") and they will fill in the date that your permission to remain expires.

On or before that date, you must visit an immigration office where, after an interview to ascertain your legitimate reason(s) for wanting to remain in the country, you will pay $10 USD (hopefully in equivalent VNĐ) to extend your "permission to remain" another 30 days.

For my recommendation for a trustworthy visa agent, please send me a private message.

Note: Any visa agent in the country can help you no matter where your destination may be.

You are not eligible for a Temporary Resident Card or a Visa Exemption Certificate.

If you follow advice previously given to get a business visa "under the pretext of exploring business opportunities" without that actually being true, you are setting yourself up for deportation and immigration blacklisting, as that would be illegal.

Hi OCEANBEACH, I sent you a pm regarding recommendation for agent.
Sounds like a 90day tourist visa is the way to go and just renew every 30-days.
Would u suggest organising the visa before leaving AUS or getting visa on arrival as a lot of people seem to be talking about.
Thanks for being helpful

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

tommylacroix wrote:

here is something i want to discuss regarding "3 month visa extensions"

i heard on facebook from a user in a thread that the "3 month visa extension" for tourist visa holders is to be cancelled outright in July.

the guy had no corroborating proof or links, couldnt remember where he saw it and didnt know what exact day in july this will come into effect. i chatted with him a bit and he seemed like a reliable enough guy but i have seen no news of these changes nor any details regarding them anywhere online, and i am having no luck searching.

if this info is true however it seriously impacts my plans. does anyone know anything about this?

and to reiterate; this concerns; THREE MONTH TOURIST VISA EXTENSIONS not DL or business or residency cards or that 30 day amnesty thing through June. i dont want to open a business or get married or any that other stuff i just want to know about any changes to the THREE MONTH TOURIST VISA EXTENSIONS please

will they be off the table in july? what day? links please.

on another note; some other less credible guy said that 3 month extensions will be unlimited this year, unlike the current limit of two times only... this seems less likely but would be fantastic.. if you know anything about that also please reply ... with links!

and yeah yeah yeah... I know the second extension is more expensive, and yeah i dont care if you think agents are swine... that's your opinion. i am looking for factual provable information.

hope thats not too much to ask y'all. i know you like to trade ripostes and humorous jibes on here but if anybody actually knows anything about the above queries please reply.

have a nice day.

Please begin reading this thread you are now reading, again from the beginning.

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=894370

You'll find links that might satisfy your demands.

However, be aware that some nuances are lost in translation, and there is confusion about the length of visas, the length of extensions and the new restrictions on "Permitted to stay until..."

Yes, the new restrictions begin July 1st.

It's possible that 90 Day extensions will be available after July 1st but it's also definite that any new entry tourist visas and in-country extensions of visas (no matter how long the visa) which become effective on or after July 1st 2020 will only be allowed a 30 day "permission to remain"/"Được phép tạm trú đến" stamp in your passport.

If you want to remain another 30 days and you have the time available on your visa, you will go to immigration and pay $10 USD for a 30 day extension of your permission to remain.

If you don't have time remaining on your visa you will need to purchase a visa extension which will include a 30 Day permission to remain stamp.

Please see this thread:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=895449

and this thread (especially the email text from the US Embassy explaining the stopgap visa rules which don't apply to you if you intend to remain in county:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=895289

Last, since you aren't put off by the cost of an agent, then why don't you connect with a good one and have them assess your individual case while they explain the new restrictions to you?

Cheers!

thank you so very much. exactly the answers I was looking for. very helpful.

I am going to speak to my agent. she's reliable and not terribly overpriced... but im going to wait a week or so as I'm guessing all the govt info isn't completely clarified just yet.

thanks again. have a gooder

I had a 3 months tourist visa from February to May. In Đà Nẵng, I asked to a agency for a 3 months extension : 320 usd. 15 days after, I get a simple stamp, signed in Hà Nội, with validity until August.
Do you think it's possible to check whether this stamp is a fake or not ? Do you advise me to check this with immigration service in Đà Nẵng ? Or with local police station ?
Thanks for advance :-)
Laurent

Laurent futur Nha Trang wrote:

I had a 3 months tourist visa from February to May. In Đà Nẵng, I asked to a agency for a 3 months extension : 320 usd. 15 days after, I get a simple stamp, signed in Hà Nội, with validity until August.
Do you think it's possible to check whether this stamp is a fake or not ? Do you advise me to check this with immigration service in Đà Nẵng ? Or with local police station ?
Thanks for advance :-)
Laurent

I've got one of those to.    Maybe the handwriting is sketchy........possible the 5 looks like an 8.
There's your May & August.

Best to check though.

Easy money for these agents, 20 clients a week at $320 each
Silly thing is these stamps would be easy to copy - many shops allow you to have a custom stamp made. Just buy an ink pad and your in bsuiness.
The stick in visa is more official looking, but extensions that are just a bog standard stamp look as dodgy as hell.

So lest assume you do take it somewhere to be verifed. Local authorities check it and claim its fake, then thats afine for you and no visa... or local authority decides to do you a favour for a couple of million..

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Easy money for these agents, 20 clients a week at $320 each
Silly thing is these stamps would be easy to copy - many shops allow you to have a custom stamp made. Just buy an ink pad and your in bsuiness.
The stick in visa is more official looking, but extensions that are just a bog standard stamp look as dodgy as hell.

So lest assume you do take it somewhere to be verifed. Local authorities check it and claim its fake, then thats afine for you and no visa... or local authority decides to do you a favour for a couple of million..

My interest in this plan is to be able to claim to the agency in case of fake. When I will be far of Đà Nẵng, no way.

CheyneBC wrote:

Hi OCEANBEACH, I sent you a pm regarding recommendation for agent.
Sounds like a 90day tourist visa is the way to go and just renew every 30-days.
Would u suggest organising the visa before leaving AUS or getting visa on arrival as a lot of people seem to be talking about.
Thanks for being helpful

I never received your PM.

Maybe try again?

In my opinion, it's always better to have your visa approved and in your possession before you get on a plane to come here.

Apply through the Embassy or a Consulate of Vietnam (via website or in person) in your country.

Visa on Arrival agents can be a helpful alternative in some situations, but you should be able to arrange your initial entry visa without their help.

Laurent futur Nha Trang wrote:

I had a 3 months tourist visa from February to May. In Đà Nẵng, I asked to a agency for a 3 months extension : 320 usd. 15 days after, I get a simple stamp, signed in Hà Nội, with validity until August.
Do you think it's possible to check whether this stamp is a fake or not ? Do you advise me to check this with immigration service in Đà Nẵng ? Or with local police station ?
Thanks for advance :-)
Laurent

That's all there is to an extension.

I would advise anyone to not pay $320 to an agent you don't trust.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

CheyneBC wrote:

Hi OCEANBEACH, I sent you a pm regarding recommendation for agent.
Sounds like a 90day tourist visa is the way to go and just renew every 30-days.
Would u suggest organising the visa before leaving AUS or getting visa on arrival as a lot of people seem to be talking about.
Thanks for being helpful

I never received your PM.

1......In my opinion, it's always better to have your visa approved and in your possession before you get on a plane to come here.

2.......Visa on Arrival agents can be a helpful alternative in some situations, but you should be able to arrange your initial entry visa without their help.

1.......from my experience, you wont even get on the plane to come here if you dont have a visa or a visa approval letter. At departure airport check in.......no visa or no letter, no get on plane, go home try again.

2.....In all the years I have lived here I have always used the letter on arrival obtained on line. So every 3 months (tourist multi UK citizen) for nearly 14 years, work it out the math. In that time I have used 3 visa on line companies & never ever had a problem, not one time!

goodolboy wrote:

1.......from my experience, you wont even get on the plane to come here if you dont have a visa or a visa approval letter. At departure airport check in.......no visa or no letter, no get on plane, go home try again.

Thanks. That's a really good point; I didn't make that clear in my reply.

Yeah, in Vietnam (unlike other countries such as Laos) a "Visa on Arrival" is not initiated on arrival.

A paper copy of the visa approval letter needs to be presented before boarding a plane to Vietnam.

goodolboy wrote:

2.....In all the years I have lived here I have always used the letter on arrival obtained on line. So every 3 months (tourist multi UK citizen) for nearly 14 years, work it out the math. In that time I have used 3 visa on line companies & never ever had a problem, not one time!

Personally, I agree.

I like doing business with my visa agent because she has become indespensibly helpful to me in so many ways, including having an assistant waiting at the airport to walk my visa approval letter through the final approval process to get the visa in my passport.

However, I still recommend that others attempt to first get their visa through an Embassy/Consulate or E-visa, if they don't need any further assistance from the agency.