1. What is a visa extension for foreigners?
A visa extension for foreigners is an administrative procedure intended to prolong the legal stay of a foreign national in Vietnam without requiring them to exit the country and apply for a new visa from scratch.
According to current legal regulations, this extension is essentially the act of a competent authority (the Immigration Department or the Immigration Office of the Provincial/City Police) granting a new temporary residence period into the foreigner’s passport. A visa extension for foreigners allows individuals to continue their work, investment, or family visit goals without interrupting their progress.
2. When is a visa extension for foreigners required?
Foreign nationals must perform the procedure for a visa extension for foreigners when their current visa is nearing expiration but the need for residency remains. Common cases include:
- Labor purposes (LD1, LD2): Foreign employees who hold a valid Work Permit but whose visa is about to expire.
- Investment purposes (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4): Foreign investors who are implementing business projects in Vietnam.
- Family visit purposes (TT): Foreigners who are spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens or of foreigners working legally in Vietnam.
- Commercial purposes (DN1, DN2): Foreigners entering to work with businesses or organizations who require additional time to complete business transactions.
Important Note: An application for a visa extension for foreigners must be submitted at least 05 to 07 working days before the current visa expires to avoid administrative penalties for overstaying.
3. Procedure for visa extension for foreigners at DHH Law Firm
The process and documentation for a visa extension for foreigners at DHH Law Firm are executed professionally through the following steps:
Step 1: Legal Document Preparation
Depending on the current visa type, the dossier includes:
- Original Passport: Must be valid for at least 06 months and have blank pages.
- Form NA5: Application for visa issuance and stay extension for foreigners.
- Supporting Documents: Work Permit, Investment Certificate, Marriage Certificate, or Birth Certificate (for family visit categories).
- Residence Confirmation: Confirmation of temporary residence from the local police of the commune/ward where the foreigner is staying.
Step 2: Submission and Fee Payment
We represent clients in submitting the dossier to the Immigration Department or the Immigration Office of the Provincial/City Police (e.g., 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City). Fees are paid in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Finance.
Step 3: Monitoring and Receiving Results
The processing time is typically 05 working days from the date of receipt of a valid dossier. DHH Law Firm will monitor the progress, receive the results directly, and deliver them via express courier to the client.
CONTACT DHH LAW FIRM
🏢 Head Office: 2nd Floor, No. 829 Huynh Tan Phat Street, Phu Thuan Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
📞 Hotline:
+84 89 9352 777 (VN)
+84 89 9351 777 (EN)
🌐 Website: www.dhhlawfirm.vn
📧 Email: contact@dhhlawfirm.vn
