Vietnam Exit Visa Guide: Requirements & Process (2026) 

What is a Vietnam Exit Visa?

It is an official emergency document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department. This visa grants foreigners permission to legally leave the country when their current stay is no longer valid or cannot be extended through standard procedures.

Once issued, an exit visa is strictly valid for maximum 15 days, giving the holder a tight window to settle any pending legal matters, pay administrative fines, and board a flight out of Vietnam.

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When do you need a vietnam exit visa?

An exit visa is not a standard travel document, it is an emergency clearance required under three specific circumstances:

• Overstayed visa: Your permitted stay has expired and cannot be extended through standard procedures.
• Lost or damaged passport: Your travel document is no longer valid for departure, and you need a legal bridge between your new emergency passport and Vietnamese immigration records.
• Foreign baby born in Vietnam: A child born in Vietnam to foreign parents needs an exit visa (or their own passport with a valid visa) to legally leave the country.

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Overstay fines

Before an exit visa can be issued in overstay cases, the applicable administrative fine must be paid. Fines are determined by the exact duration of the overstay:

⚠️ Crucial Warning: Always settle the fine directly at the Immigration Department before your departure date. Attempting to pay at the airport exit counter carries an extremely high risk of flight cancellation, immediate detention, and being permanently blacklisted from re-entering Vietnam.

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Required documents

To ensure a smooth approval process, make sure you gather all the paperwork required for your specific situation:

1. An overstayed visa

• Original passport (must be valid for at least 6 months).
• Completed Form NA5 (Application for visa issuance, stay extension).
• A written explanation letter detailing the exact reason for the overstay.
• Proof of a confirmed onward flight ticket.
• Sponsorship letter and business documents from a guaranteeing enterprise (if applicable).

2. Lost or damaged passport

• Official police report confirming the loss or damage (obtained from the local police station where the incident occurred).
• New temporary passport or emergency travel document issued by your home country’s Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam.
• Completed visa application form and recent passport-sized photos.

3. Foreign baby born in Vietnam

• Original birth certificate (must be legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized).
• The baby’s new passport or emergency travel document issued by the parents’ Embassy.
• Completed Form NA5.
• Parents’ original passports containing valid visas, Temporary Residence Cards (TRC), or Work Permits.

Sample NA5 application form used for Vietnam immigration procedures

The application process: step-by-step

Overstayed visa

1. Visit Immigration: Report your status at the Immigration Department to have the official overstay duration identified and the fine calculated.
2. Pay the Fine: Settle the fine at the cashier and obtain an official payment receipt.
3. Submit Paperwork: Submit the required documents (Form NA5, explanation letter, flight ticket) at the submission counter.
4. Collect & Depart: Pick up your exit visa after approximately 5 working days and depart Vietnam within its 15-day validity.

Lost or damaged passport

1. Police Report: Immediately report the loss or damage to the nearest local police station to secure an official report.
2. Embassy Visit: Visit your home country’s Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam to obtain a temporary emergency passport.
3. Immigration Submission: Bring the new passport, police report, and supporting paperwork to the Vietnam Immigration Department.
4. Collect Visa: Receive your exit visa after 5–7 working days and complete your departure.

Foreign baby born in vietnam

1. Birth Certificate: Obtain the official birth certificate from the hospital, then have it legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized.
2. Get Baby’s Passport: Apply for and collect the baby’s new passport from your home country’s Embassy or Consulate.
3. Immigration Submission: Submit the baby’s new passport, legalized birth certificate, Form NA5, and parents’ residency documents to the Immigration Department.
4. Collect Visa: Collect the baby’s exit visa after 5–7 working days.

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Processing time, fees, and where to apply

Under standard conditions, the processing time takes approximately 5 working days (excluding weekends and public holidays). However, complex cases involving a combination of a lost passport and a long-term overstay can easily drag on for 2 to 3 weeks. Once issued, the exit visa is strictly valid for 15 days, meaning your departure must be completed within this window. Total costs vary depending on the case complexity, but service packages typically start from USD 100, inclusive of government fees and agency charges.

Applications must be submitted in person at the nearest Vietnam Immigration Department office:

• Hanoi: No. 44–46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District.
• Ho Chi Minh City: 333–335–337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1.
• Da Nang: Immigration Division, Da Nang City Police Department (78 Le Loi, Thach Thang, Hai Chau).

*Note: For other provinces, please visit your local provincial or city immigration office.

Whether you are applying for the first time, dealing with an urgent situation, or unsure which visa type suits your trip. Our team is available 24/7 to assist with any visa-related query, from standard applications to emergency processing.

• Phone/WhatsApp: (+84) 856 598 868
• Email: info@simplevietnamvisa.com

*Visa requirements and regulations are referenced based on the official guidelines from the Immigration Department of Vietnam

Frequently Asked Questions