GUIDELINES ON EXTENSION OF FOREIGNERS’ TEMPORARY RESIDENCE DUE TO COVID-19

The Viet Nam Immigration Department has issued guidelines on extension of temporary residence for foreigners in Viet Nam who are unable to exit Viet Nam to return home due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

1. Foreigners who entered Viet Nam on visa waiver or tourist visas (including electronic visas) and who have their permission to stay expired but do not have any sponsoring entity and cannot exit Viet Nam due to objective reasons (quarantine or airlines stopping flights, destination or transit countries closing borders…), may have the Embassy or Consulate General sponsor their extension of temporary residence for maximum 30 days while awaiting departure, and submit their application at the Viet Nam Immigration Department. Specifically:

The application for extending temporary residence must include:

- Passport/ Other travel documents equivalent to a passport;

- Application form (form NA5 according to the Ministry of Public Security’s Circular number 04/2015/TT-BCA dated January 05, 2015, stamped with the Embassy’s or Consulate General’s Seal);

- Documents proving temporary residence declaration and health declaration;

The Immigration Department will make determination within 05 working days from the day of receiving a valid and complete application as per the instructions above (in addition, a Diplomatic Note is required in case there is any additional request for special support).

Fees are paid in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

The Embassy or Consulate General has the responsibility for overseeing its nationals who are under the Embassy’s sponsorship during their time in Viet Nam and, upon request, coordinating with competent Vietnamese authorities to resolve matters regarding the citizen.

Implementation timeframe from March 30, 2020 to April 30, 2020.

2. Regarding individuals who entered Viet Nam for business, work, labor, visiting relatives or other purposes, the Immigration Department respectfully requests that the Embassy or Consulate General direct the citizen to their sponsors (agencies, organizations or individuals) according to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Viet Nam.

3. Individuals who overstayed their temporary residence validity period for less than 10 days because of objective reasons and force majeure situations (with documentation evidence) can be considered for administrative penalty waivers.

Source: VGP

Related News

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

BANKS LAUNCH CROSS-BORDER QR PAYMENTS TO TAP GROWING DIGITAL ECONOMY

Banks are rolling out cross-border QR payment services enabling consumers to make international transactions directly through domestic banking apps to tap into the country’s fast-growing digital economy. The expansion of QR-based payments is gradually reshaping spending habits, reducing reliance on cash and international cards while offering faster and more transparent transactions at points of sale.

Apr 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

VIETNAM’S SMALL BUSINESSES TOP ASIA‑PACIFIC GROWTH RANKINGS

Vietnamese small businesses posted the strongest performance among 11 Asia Pacific markets in 2025, with 84% reporting growth, up from 82% a year earlier, according to CPA Australia’s small business survey. This momentum is forecast to continue in 2026 with 89% of small businesses expecting to grow on the back of a strong focus on technology, e-commerce, and improved business management.

Apr 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

VIETNAM’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA TOP US$50 BILLION IN Q1

Vietnam’s imports from China in the first quarter of 2026 surged a staggering 31.6% year-on-year to more than US$50 billion, accounting for around 40% of the country’s total imports, customs data showed. The increase was driven largely by technology goods and industrial equipment. Imports of computers, electronics and components jumped 62.2% to US$16.77 billion, while machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts rose 25% to US$9.72 billion.

Apr 23, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

VIETNAM TARGETS OVER 30 AIRPORTS, 25 RAILWAY LINES BY 2050

Vietnam plans to expand its nationwide civil aviation network to more than 30 airports by 2050, with total capacity reaching 533 million passengers per year. Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh told the National Assembly on April 20, as the country accelerates decentralization and diversifies funding sources for transport infrastructure.

Apr 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

FIRST-QUARTER GROWTH HITS RECORD HIGH DESPITE GLOBAL VOLATILITY

According to Dragon Capital, Vietnam’s growth momentum strengthened in March following Lunar New Year normalisation, reinforcing confidence that the expansion remained firmly intact through the first quarter of 2026. GDP grew 7.8 per cent on-year in the first quarter, with industry and construction rising 8.9 per cent and services 8.2 per cent, highlighting that growth is not solely reliant on exports and manufacturing, but is increasingly supported by services and domestic demand.

Apr 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE EXPORTS SURGE ON GLOBAL DEMAND

Việt Nam’s fruit and vegetable exports have made a strong start to the year, with rising shipments and tighter compliance with international standards helping producers tap robust global demand, according to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association. The association reported export earnings of nearly US$532 million in April, bringing total export value to $2.06 billion in the first four months of the year, up 22 per cent year-on-year.

Apr 23, 2026