Vietnam Visa Expiration Question

[Lucas 0]

Hello all, I have a question that maybe someone here can answer from experience. I am travelling to Vietnam on February 28 and I land before March 1st. My Vietnamese re-entry Visa expires on March 1st. Will I be able to enter Vietnam on this Visa and extend it when I am there? Or do I need to apply for a new visa. (I just hate applying for a new visa this close to the trip, in case my passport gets lost or delayed.)

[b_weeks 6]

You will probably have to apply for another visa.

[Teacher Mark 53]

Hello all, I have a question that maybe someone here can answer from experience. I am travelling to Vietnam on February 28 and I land before March 1st. My Vietnamese re-entry Visa expires on March 1st. Will I be able to enter Vietnam on this Visa and extend it when I am there? Or do I need to apply for a new visa. (I just hate applying for a new visa this close to the trip, in case my passport gets lost or delayed.)

I agree with B Weeks. I sent my to the Consulate in San Francisco via Fed Ex Overnight on Tuesday and had it back on Friday. I had similar concerns:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=105060

[Haonie 0]

Hello all, I have a question that maybe someone here can answer from experience. I am travelling to Vietnam on February 28 and I land before March 1st. My Vietnamese re-entry Visa expires on March 1st. Will I be able to enter Vietnam on this Visa and extend it when I am there? Or do I need to apply for a new visa. (I just hate applying for a new visa this close to the trip, in case my passport gets lost or delayed.)

In this case, if I was you, I will extend it at Tan Son Nhat Airport. I’m very sure there is a small desk for issue a Visa “ppl have an Emergency, can’t get visa right away.”

1. Get off the Airplane, Don’t enter to the Custom line yet, look around, or ask ppl, where to apply a Visa. I mean you will see it. I am familiar with this problem before, but it will take you 2 hours late before you get out the Airport. It’s up to you. Enjoy your trip while in Vietnam.

In Vietnam, there are no rules. So, acts like a Vietnamese ppl. They don’t get in line, you just jump up there and talk to a Custom guy/girl. I’m sorry I have to say, there is NO EXCUSE in Vietnam.

[duyen&sean 0]

Hello all, I have a question that maybe someone here can answer from experience. I am travelling to Vietnam on February 28 and I land before March 1st. My Vietnamese re-entry Visa expires on March 1st. Will I be able to enter Vietnam on this Visa and extend it when I am there? Or do I need to apply for a new visa. (I just hate applying for a new visa this close to the trip, in case my passport gets lost or delayed.)

You do not need to send in your passport to get a visa, actually. The last time I went to VN, I had a paper visa that was not attached to my passport, and I did not have to send in my passport to get it. Another cool thing to mention is that my mother once actually traveled to Vietnam without having received any paper documentation from the Embassy for her visa, but they had already "issued" it in principle and it was therefore in their computer system, so she was issued the visa on arrival after paying the $25 fee. You should know that you cannot get a visa upon arrival without actually "receiving it" from the Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco. Of course, if you walk in there with a pocket full of cash, and ask to speak to the Director of the Immigration Authority, usually he'll reconsider, which was my experience...

Good luck! My advise is to call the Consulate General in SF and tell them your situation ASAP before you start wasting unnecessary time and money on bribes...

[ridejewel 0]

As long as your visa isnt expired, you're okay. Just make sure you get to a tour company that offers extensions, or better yet, get to the American Services at the US (or whatever consulate you belong to) and just apply for a new one. It's much cheaper to do it here in VM. You can also do as duyen&sean said, have an invitation sent for you. Have fun on your trip!! PS: it's bloody hot in Saigon right now.