Everything You Need to Know About Vietnam Exit Visa

Suppose you’re in Vietnam and need to leave the country, but you are facing complications with your visa or passport. In that case, you’ll likely need a Vietnam exit visa. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining an exit visa, including when it’s required, how to apply, the documents needed, and special considerations for various situations.

What Is a Vietnam Exit Visa?

A Vietnam exit visa is a special permit issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department that allows foreigners to leave the country legally. This visa is typically required in situations where a foreigner’s visa has expired, they have lost their passport, or they are dealing with other visa-related issues that prevent them from exiting Vietnam. An exit visa for Vietnam is normally valid for 15 days only from its issue date.

When Do You Need an Exit Visa?

There are several scenarios where you might need a Vietnam exit visa:

1. Overstaying Your Visa: If your visa has expired and you haven’t extended or renewed it, you must contact the Immigration Department, be subject to a proper fine, and apply for an exit visa to leave the country.
2. Lost or Damaged Passport: If your passport has been lost or damaged, you’ll need to get a new passport from your embassy or consulate and then apply for an exit visa to leave Vietnam legally.
3. Visa Revocation or Cancellation: In rare cases, if your visa is revoked or canceled, an exit visa will be required to exit Vietnam.
4. Change of Visa Status: If you’re transitioning between different visa types and need to leave the country temporarily, an exit visa may be necessary.
5. Foreign babies born in Vietnam: In this situation, parents must obtain the child’s birth certificate, passport, and exit visa before leaving Vietnam to ensure legal departure.
6. Other emergency cases.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Exit Visa

The process of obtaining a Vietnam exit visa involves several steps:

1. Prepare the Necessary Documents:

   – For General Cases: You need to prepare your current passport, the visa you entered Vietnam with, a completed exit visa application form, and passport-sized photos.

   – For Lost or Damaged Passports: A police report confirming the loss or damage of your passport, a temporary passport issued by your embassy or consulate, and additional documents as required by the Vietnamese authorities.

   – For foreign babies born in Vietnam: 

• Get your baby’s Birth Certificate legalized by the embassy, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized as regulated. 
• Complete the NA5 form (application form for Vietnam visa issuance and stay extension). 
• Pack this form together with the child’s original Delivery Verification (issued by the hospital), legalized, translated, and notarized Birth certificate, mother/father’s original passport and valid visa.

2. Visit the Vietnam Immigration Office:

   You’ll need to visit the Immigration Office in the area where you’re staying. Major offices are located in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

3. Submit Your Application:

   Once you have all the necessary documents, you can submit your application to the Vietnam Immigration Department. If you are dealing with a visa overstay, you may also need to pay any fines before your application is processed.

4. Wait for Processing:

   The processing time for an exit visa is usually 5 to 7 working days. However, it can take longer depending on the complexity of your case.

5. Receive Your Exit Visa:

   After processing, your exit visa will be stamped into your passport or temporary passport, allowing you to exit Vietnam legally.

Consequences of Leaving Without an Exit Visa

Attempting to leave Vietnam without an exit visa if your current visa has expired or your passport is lost can lead to serious consequences, including fines, detention, deportation, and bans on future entry to Vietnam. It is essential to follow the proper legal procedures to avoid these issues.

Conclusion

Obtaining a Vietnam exit visa is a crucial step for foreigners who find themselves in specific circumstances, such as overstaying their visa, losing their passport, or having their visa revoked. By understanding the process and preparing the necessary documents, you can ensure a smooth and legal exit from Vietnam. If you don’t understand clearly about this process, you can seek assistance from trusted visa services like Vietnam Visa Link to guide you through the process.

If you need help with your Vietnam exit visa or any other visa-related issues, Vietnam Visa Link is here to assist you. Contact us today for expert advice and personalized support.