COVID-19 Related Frequently Asked Questions
- Effective March 15, 2022, the Vietnamese government has resumed pre-pandemic visa issuance policies. All previous visa restrictions have been lifted. All questions on Vietnamese visas, residence applications, customs matters, entry and exit, and other immigration issues should be directed to the appropriate Vietnamese immigration office. These issues are at the sole discretion of the Vietnamese government. If you are in the United States, you may contact the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate for official instructions. If you are in Vietnam, please contact the nearest Vietnamese Immigration Office.
- Please also check the Vietnamese Immigration Department’s FAQ page about Vietnamese entry and exit requirements here. If you have further questions, please contact the nearest Vietnamese Immigration Office directly.
- U.S. citizens are advised to follow visa and heath regulations imposed by Vietnamese authorities during their time in Vietnam.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I heard the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City no longer issue Visa Extension Letters and Exit Letters. Is this information correct? A: Yes, the information is correct. Our offices no longer issue visa extension letters and exit letters. Please contact the nearest Vietnamese immigration visa office to resolve any issues related to your Vietnamese visa extensions.
Q: I am a U.S. citizen in Vietnam. My visa has expired or is about to expire. What should I do? A: The Vietnamese government has told the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General that foreigners who have work visas or other sponsored, non-tourist visas must work with their sponsors to extend their work permit and request visa extensions. U.S. citizens on tourist visas who have overstayed and/or need extensions should work with Vietnamese immigration authorities and follow the proper procedures to resolve immigration-related issues.
Q: I’ve heard immigration offices are closed and I cannot extend my visa until these offices re-open. What happens to my visa during the closure of immigration offices? A: At this time, Vietnamese immigration authorities have not announced any current closures. U.S. citizens who remain in Vietnam and require a visa extension should work with their sponsors and/or proceed to the nearest immigration office. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate cannot issue letters in support of visa extensions. Contact information for Vietnamese immigration offices is available on the side-bar of this page.
Q: I entered Vietnam on a tourist visa that has expired, or will soon expire, and I am interested in staying in Vietnam. Can the U.S. Embassy or Consulate sponsor my visa extension? A: The U.S. Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City cannot sponsor U.S. citizens in visa matters. U.S. citizens are responsible for directly addressing immigration-related problems with Vietnamese immigration authorities, such as overstaying a visa, visa extensions, visa renewals, and new visa applications. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General cannot ask local authorities to give individual U.S. citizens special treatment or exempt them from local laws.
Q: My visa expired as a direct result of the COVID-19 situation and was beyond my control. What can the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General do to support my visa extension request? A: The U.S. Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City no longer provide any letters or certificates in support of visa extensions. Please work with Vietnamese immigration authorities and follow the proper procedures to resolve immigration-related issues.
Q: What are some suggested travel and visa agencies that can assist me with my visa extension request? A: The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General cannot recommend specific travel and visa agents; we are also not in the position to vouch for any information about the integrity or the quality of services of any travel and visa agency in Vietnam. We recommend U.S. citizens contact the Vietnam Tourism Administration (VTA) directly for more information. The VTA also has a website here where you can look for an agency’s name and check if they are accredited to operate in Vietnam. Please note that the information on this website is available in Vietnamese language only.
Q: Where can I find information on Vietnamese immigration and visa regulations? A: U.S. citizens may consult the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security’s national web portal on immigration for information. The English version of the website can be accessed here. The website of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the United States also offers information on visa applications for Vietnam (available in Vietnamese and English).
Q: How can I remain informed of other important updates related to regulations implemented by the Government of Vietnam during the COVID-19 situation that might impact U.S. citizens? A: We recommend U.S. citizens check the Embassy’s website for information, and register or update their information in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
For Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Hanoi From outside Vietnam: +84-24-3850-5000 From the U.S.: 011-84-24-3850-5000 From landline within Hanoi: 3850-5000 From mobile or landline within Vietnam: 024-3850-5000 Submit an Inquiry Form
U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City From outside Vietnam: +84-28-3520-4200 From the U.S.: 011-84-28-3520-4200 From landline within Ho Chi Minh City: 3520-4200 From mobile or landline within Vietnam: 028-3520-4200 Submit an Inquiry Form
Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs: +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
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