Vietnam to stop automatic visa extension for stranded foreigners

By Hoang Phong January 9, 2022 | 06:56 pm PT

Foreigners walk on Bui Vien backpacker street in downtown HCMC, March 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyet Nhi

The automatic extension of visas for foreign nationals stranded in Vietnam due to Covid-19 will end this Saturday, the Immigration Department has said.

Vietnam has begun to gradually resume regular commercial flights, it explained in a statement.

Foreigners who entered Vietnam with a visa exemption certificate, e-visa, or tourist visa have been getting their stay extended automatically since March 1, 2020, as they were unable to leave the country after it shut its borders.

In recent days foreign embassies in Vietnam have also been urging their citizens to review their visa status and leave Vietnam if necessary to avoid overstaying.

Vietnam grounded all regular international flights in March 2020.

On January 1 this year regular flights resumed to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, San Francisco, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, and Vientiane.

Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Paris, and Sydney will be added to the list on January 16.