Updated 8 July 2021
It is important to note upfront that issues related to Vietnamese visa and entry and exit requirements are the purview of the Vietnamese Government. While we will share information from Vietnamese authorities and will continue to advocate for flexibility in light of border closures, flight cancellations and social distancing, you’ll need to be responsible for your own visa status in relation to staying in Vietnam.
Question 1. What should I do if my visa has expired or is about to expire?
In accordance with advice from Vietnamese authorities:
- Australians and other foreign nationals who have work visas or other sponsored, non-tourist visas should work with their sponsors to extend their work permit and request visa extensions. You will be able to lodge your application directly with Vietnam’s Immigration Service with the support of your sponsor.
- Australians on tourist visas are encouraged to return to Australia as soon as possible. The Australian Embassy is providing registered Australians with information on available flights via email. Should you choose to stay in Vietnam on a tourist visa, it is your responsibility to resolve your immigration status.
- Foreigners who have overstayed their tourist visa are usually required to pay an administrative charge on departure. The Vietnamese authorities have advised that in certain cases foreigners who have overstayed their tourist visa by less than 10 days due to ‘objective and uncontrollable reasons’ will be considered for exemption from this charge. You will need to present supporting evidence of your circumstances to the immigration authorities when you depart.
Question 2: What are the conditions for automatic extension of temporary residence permits for foreigners?
Foreigners who entered Vietnam on a visa exemption, an e-visa or a tourist visa after 1 March 2020 will have their temporary residence permit automatically extended until 31 July 2021 but will need to declare temporary residence and medical information in accordance with Vietnamese regulations. Foreigners who entered Vietnam before 1 March 2020, may be considered for an automatic extension through to 31 July 2021 provided they can provide proof that they have been stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19 mandatory quarantine, treatment or other reasons beyond their control.
Any questions regarding this automatic extension should be directed to the Vietnamese Immigration Department on +84 (0)243 938 7320.
Question 3. Can I get some help with extending my visa to remain in Vietnam?
Anyone with a genuine and valid work permit can seek the assistance of their employer to have applications submitted and approved. For those not wanting to return to Australia, extending your visa is a matter between you and the Vietnamese authorities. Similar to the approach of a number of other Embassy & Consulates-General we cannot assist with individual applications to extend work permits or visitor visas. Despite indication from the Vietnamese authorities, we cannot sign the NA5 form, nor can we provide a supporting letter, as this would result in the Australian Government formally accepting responsibility for the person in receipt of that letter. We are not legally able to do that.
As in Australia, foreigners are not allowed to work while in Vietnam on a tourist visa. A tourist visa allows people to remain in Vietnam for a maximum of three months, after which they are expected to leave. Anyone overstaying can expect fines and may be refused entry in the future.
Question 4: Will the Australian Embassy provide a letter confirming Australians on tourist visas have been stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19?
The Australian Embassy is unable to provide letters to Australians who entered Vietnam before 1 March 2020 asserting they are stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19. Neither can the Australian Government sponsor visa applications or extension for Australian citizens. This is a longstanding policy that is applied globally and one that is in step with the approach of a number of other countries.
The Australian Embassy has facilitated four non-scheduled commercial flights to Australia to date. In addition, commercial airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, continue to operate flights from Vietnam to Australia. These flights have provided any Australians wishing to return home with a viable means of doing so.
If you are an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident who is looking to return to Australia, we encourage you to register with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam here: https://covid19.dfat.gov.au/citizeninformation/s/ You will then receive updates on flights and other information.
Question 5: What are my options to stay in the country legally?
Many Australians have worked with their employer or other kind of sponsor to extend their residency visas. Others have sought assistance from commercial providers. We are aware that fees charged by visa agents have risen as a result of COVID-19. Unfortunately, the Australian Government has no control over the fees charged by commercial service providers in foreign countries. If you are unable to fund the extension of your visa via a commercial agent or to financially support yourself in Vietnam, you should consider returning to Australia where there are more support options available.
Question 6: What if I can’t afford to return to Australia?
If you want to return home to Australia and cost is a barrier, we may be able to offer financial support. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
Question 7: Why is the Australian Embassy not helping Australians in Vietnam?
We are doing our very best to help as many Australians as we can during a crisis that is unprecedented in size and scale and that is throwing up challenges none of us could have foreseen. Since the start of March 2020, the Australian Embassy in Hanoi and Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City have provided assistance to a large number of Australians. We also worked closely with Vietnamese immigration authorities to agree an extension of the moratorium on penalties for people who have overstayed their visas.
We are here to help but we can’t solve every problem for every person. Unfortunately, for a range of legal, operational and financial reasons, the Australian Government cannot support visa applications or extensions for Australian citizens overseas.
We will continue sharing regular updates via our social media pages to assist Australians who remain in Vietnam to be informed and prepared.
Question 8. How can I find out about flights back to Australia?
If you are an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident who is looking to return to Australia, we encourage you to register with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam here: https://covid19.dfat.gov.au/citizeninformation/s/
Question 9. Where can I find more information?
If you need consular assistance, or have questions related to your personal circumstances, please contact our Consular team in Hanoi (+84 (0)24 3774 0100 or [email protected]) or Ho Chi Minh City (+84 (0)28 3521 8100 or [email protected]).
The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security’s National Web Portal on Immigration offers information on Vietnam visas (in Vietnamese and English): https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en. The Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra also provides information on Vietnamese Visas: https://vietnamembassy.org.au.