Immigration and emigration procedures

1. Conditions for foreigners to exit Vietnam

Exit for foreigners is when a foreigner leaves the territory of Vietnam. According to Article 27 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 (abbreviated as the Law on Entry and Exit for Foreigners), to exit Vietnam, a foreigner must meet the following conditions:

• A valid passport (or international travel document);
• A valid temporary residence certificate or temporary residence card, or a permanent residence card;
• Not subject to temporary exit suspension under the provisions of Vietnamese law.

Note:

• In case a foreigner is using an electronic visa, at the time of exit, the electronic visa must fully meet the above 3 conditions.
• When meeting the above conditions, foreigners can book flight tickets and complete exit procedures at international border gates to return home or go to a third country without any problems.

2. Visa validity period

The validity of visas is stipulated in Article 9 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (2014, amended in 2019 and 2023), as follows:

• Visa code SQ: valid for no more than 30 days.
  
• Visa codes HN, DL, EV: valid for no more than 90 days.
  
• Visa code VR: valid for no more than 180 days.
  
• Visa codes NG1, NG2, NG3, NG4, LV1, LV2, ĐT4, DN1, DN2, NN1, NN2, NN3, DH, PV1, PV2, TT: valid for no more than 1 year.
  
• Visa codes LĐ1, LĐ2: valid for no more than 2 years.
  
• Visa code ĐT3: valid for no more than 3 years.
  
• Visa codes LS, ĐT1, ĐT2: valid for no more than 5 years.
  
• When a visa expires, applicants may apply for a new one.
  
• The visa validity must be at least 30 days shorter than the passport or international travel document’s validity.
  
• If an international treaty to which Vietnam is a party stipulates otherwise, the visa validity shall follow the provisions of that treaty.

3. Cases of temporary suspension of exit and exit time

Temporary suspension of exit for foreigners is the suspension and prohibition of exit for a period of time for foreign citizens in Vietnam.

According to Clause 1, Article 28 of the Law on Entry and Exit for Foreigners, foreigners will be temporarily suspended from exit in the following cases.

• Foreigners who are currently suspects, defendants, defendants, persons with related obligations in criminal cases or civil, commercial, labor, administrative, marriage and family cases;
• Foreigners who are performing the obligation to comply with the judgment, decision of the Court, decision of the Competition Handling Council. During the execution phase, foreigners must perform their obligations according to the judgment as well as the decision of the competent authority, ensuring that the law is enforced according to the will of the State;
• Foreigners who are obliged to comply with decisions on administrative sanctions, have not yet fulfilled their tax and financial obligations to the Vietnamese state;
• Temporary suspension of exit for national defense and security reasons to ensure social order and security.

The period of temporary suspension of exit for foreigners is stipulated by law to not exceed 3 years and can be extended.

4. About our services

At EVISA SAIGON, we provide immigration consulting and support services:

• Clearly explain the legal regulations related to entry and exit in Vietnam.
• Guide customers to prepare necessary documents and papers (visa, temporary residence card, work permit, invitation letter...).
• Advise on special cases such as emergency entry, change of visa purpose, or handling when problems arise at the border gate.
• Accompany customers throughout the process to ensure smooth, fast and legal entry and exit.

With support from EVISA SAIGON, customers will feel more secure in every journey in and out of Vietnam, saving time and minimizing risks.