Overstaying in Vietnam: Step to Take If You’ve Exceeded Your Stay

It is mandatory for foreigners to possess a Vietnam Visa when staying legally in the country (except for those eligible for Vietnam Visa exemption), irrespective of their visit purposes.  Nevertheless, some visitors underestimate the importance of this requirement and end up overstaying in Vietnam without extending or renewing their visa, which results in a hefty fine based on the number of days they have overstayed. 

Now, let’s explore the meaning of overstaying a Vietnam visa, the associated fines, and how to cope with it.

• What is Vietnam visa overstay? 

Fundamentally, overstaying in Vietnam refers to staying in the country beyond the duration allowed by your visa’s validity, which can have serious repercussions. Therefore, before entering Vietnam, foreigners need to be fully aware of the penalties for overstaying, how to avoid it, and the steps to take if they have overstayed their Vietnam visa. 

• Consequences of Overstaying Your Visa in Vietnam

According to the Immigration Law of Vietnam, penalties for overstaying vary based on the type of visa and the particular circumstances involved.

Under Vietnam’s law on administrative fines, foreigners face fines in the bracket from VND 500.000 to VND 40.000.000, depending on the exceeded days. Moreover, those who overstay a visa in Vietnam may be blacklisted by the Vietnam Immigration Department and face compulsory deportation. In worse cases, they may be permanently banned from re-entering Vietnam in the future.

• Vietnam Visa Overstay Fines

In Vietnam, he fine is charged equivalent to the number of days overstayed among foreigners according to Decree No.144/2021/NĐ-CP (31/12/2021), as demonstrated below:

• Less than 16 days overstayed: VND 500.000 to VND 2.000.000 (~US $22 to US $88)
• 16 to less than 30 days: VND 3.000.000 to VND 5.000.000 (~US $133 to US $221)
• 30 to less than 60 days: VND 5.000.000 to VND 10.000.000 (~US $221 to US $441)
• 60 to less than 90 days: VND 10.000.000 to VND 15.000.000 (~US $441 to US $661)
• At least 90 days: VND 15.000.000 to VND 20.000.000 (~US $661 to US $885)
• Foreigners who ignore orders from competent authorities to leave Vietnam and continue residing in the country will be fined from VND 30.000.000 to VND 40.000.000 (~ US $1.320 – US $1.760)

• What Should You Do If You Overstay Your Visa?

If you overstay your visa by just 1 or 2 days, it is recommended to resolve the situation by paying a fine to the immigration officer at the airport upon departure, which typically amounts to approximately VND 500.000 or US $25. However, this method is not ideal because your passport will be marked by the officers, which could impact future visits to the country. Instead, we strongly recommend extending your expired visa to legally remain in the country for a longer period, even though it may take a few extra days to process.

• How to Avoid Overstaying a Vietnam Visa In Advance?

Prevention is better than cure, a principle that holds true not only for health but also for visa overstays. To avoid such issues in the first place, consider these helpful tips:

• Check the expiration date on your visa stamp as soon as you arrive at Vietnam airports. There have been instances where officers incorrectly date the visa stamp, leading to significant problems when travelers are unable to provide detailed explanations if found violating Vietnamese laws. Therefore, ensure that your visa displays the correct information, especially the valid dates.
• Remember to keep track of the final date of your visa’s validity, as it can often be overshadowed during special events such as weddings, hospital treatments, extended trips, or when documents are lost. It is essential for foreigners to be aware of this date to avoid fines and other repercussions.
• If you wish to remain in Vietnam beyond your visa’s expiration date, you must apply for a Visa Extension.

• How to Leave Vietnam with an Expired Visa

To exit Vietnam legally with an expired visa, you must pay all penalty fees and comply with any procedures required by local authorities, such as submitting a letter of explanation or applying for an exit visa. If your overstaying period is only a few days, you can pay the penalty directly to the Immigration Officer at a Vietnam international airport when departing.