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> which explains in Vietnamese that all tourist visa are automatically extended for free Just to avoid the proliferation of misinformation about this: the gove

> which explains in Vietnamese that all tourist visa are automatically extended for free Just to avoid the proliferation of misinformation about this: the government is not punishing overstayers upon exit if they entered the country after a certain date (March iirc). Visas are not being automatically extended.

yakshaving_jgt 6y ago
According to every news outlet I have read which has reported on this topic, you are wrong. Here is one source in English: https://vietnamnews.vn/society/748936/free-visa-waivers-extended-until-july-31.html https://vietnamnews.vn/society/748936/free-visa-waivers-exte... Another source in English: https://vn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/ https://vn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-infor... Another source in English, this time from the official Vietnamese government website: https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en/tin-tuc/notice-“automatic-stay-extension”-0 https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en/tin-tuc/notice-“automatic-sta...
- _-___________-_ 6y ago
  Note the careful use of language. All of the sources you quote refer to your “stay permit” or your “stay” being automatically extended. Your permission to stay is indeed extended, since they are promising not to fine you for overstaying (which is what the law that was passed to enable this actually says). This is not the same thing as your visa being automatically extended. To understand why the distinction matters, see the reply I’m about to write to your sibling comment.
tsjq 6y ago
Effectively aren't both the same?
- _-___________-_ 6y ago
  If you plan to leave Vietnam as soon as you are able to, then it’s the same. If you don’t, it can be problematic to incorrectly believe that your visa has been extended. The law that was passed to enable the “automatic stay extension” refers to overstay fines being waived when the tourist subsequently leaves VN. If you instead don’t leave, you may face difficulties or costs to legalise your status. In the meantime, you can’t do many things like open a bank account or get a drivers license, since those things require valid visas and you don’t have one. (I’m currently in VN, working closely with an immigration lawyer, and have seen first-hand the issues caused by people not understanding their status while they are on this “automatic stay extension”.)
  - tsjq 6y ago
    Oh. Thanks

yakshaving_jgt 6y ago

According to every news outlet I have read which has reported on this topic, you are wrong. Here is one source in English: https://vietnamnews.vn/society/748936/free-visa-waivers-extended-until-july-31.html https://vietnamnews.vn/society/748936/free-visa-waivers-exte... Another source in English: https://vn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/ https://vn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-infor... Another source in English, this time from the official Vietnamese government website: https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en/tin-tuc/notice-“automatic-stay-extension”-0 https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en/tin-tuc/notice-“automatic-sta...

_-___________-_ 6y ago
Note the careful use of language. All of the sources you quote refer to your “stay permit” or your “stay” being automatically extended. Your permission to stay is indeed extended, since they are promising not to fine you for overstaying (which is what the law that was passed to enable this actually says). This is not the same thing as your visa being automatically extended. To understand why the distinction matters, see the reply I’m about to write to your sibling comment.

tsjq 6y ago

Effectively aren't both the same?

_-___________-_ 6y ago
If you plan to leave Vietnam as soon as you are able to, then it’s the same. If you don’t, it can be problematic to incorrectly believe that your visa has been extended. The law that was passed to enable the “automatic stay extension” refers to overstay fines being waived when the tourist subsequently leaves VN. If you instead don’t leave, you may face difficulties or costs to legalise your status. In the meantime, you can’t do many things like open a bank account or get a drivers license, since those things require valid visas and you don’t have one. (I’m currently in VN, working closely with an immigration lawyer, and have seen first-hand the issues caused by people not understanding their status while they are on this “automatic stay extension”.)
- tsjq 6y ago
  Oh. Thanks