Hanoi is a cheap city to live in compared to the other major cities in Southeast Asia. So it does not come as a surprise why many foreigners have chosen to live here. Some tourists who are only visiting for a holiday have ended up extending their stay.
If you are thinking of extending your stay in Hanoi but you donāt want to go through the hassles of applying for a new visa, then the visa renewal is a great option. The visa renewal is also applicable to those who do not have any visa since they entered the country as part of the visa-free policy.
What is Visa Renewal?
Visa renewal refers to the process of renewing your Vietnamese visa. If your visa renewal is approved, the Vietnam Immigration Department will give you a new visa. The best thing about applying for a visa renewal is that you would be able to choose the type of visa that you wanted. You can apply for a 30-day or 60-day visa, with a choice between single entry and multiple entries.
The visa renewal is a suitable option for those who entered Vietnam under the visa-free policy of Vietnam but would like to extend their stay. Under the visa-free policy, travelers of certain nationalities can enter Vietnam with no need to apply for a new visa. However, their stay is only limited. If they need to stay longer, they can opt for the visa renewal. That way, they will be given a new visa that will allow them to stay longer.
Requirements to Apply for a Vietnam Visa Renewal in Hanoi City
The requirements for the application for a Vietnamese visa in Hanoi City would vary, depending on your nationality and immigration status. But the most basic requirements are the following:
š Passport ā the most important requirement to submit when applying for a visa renewal in Hanoi is your passport. But check to make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date you applied for the visa renewal. Also, the passport should have extra blank pages for the new visa sticker to be attached.
š Application form ā applying for a visa renewal is just like applying for a new visa to Vietnam, where you will be asked to fill out an application form. Fill out the form completely and provide all the details being asked. If you need assistance, you can always ask the staff of the Vietnam Immigration in Hanoi.
š Visa copy ā if youāre holding a Vietnam visa and youāre trying to get it renewed, then you need to submit a copy of that visa. But if youāre not holding any visa since youāre eligible for visa-free entry, then you can skip this requirement.
You may need to submit additional requirements aside from the requirements mentioned above. To be sure, it is best to call the Vietnam Immigration Office in Hanoi to inquire what requirements you needed to submit.
How to Apply for a Visa Renewal in Hanoi City
If you already have all the requirements needed for your Vietnamese visa renewal, you can start the application process. Hereās how:
š First of all, call the Vietnam Immigration Office in Hanoi. Inform them that you needed to apply for a visa renewal. Ask what requirements you needed to submit. Take note of the requirements and make sure you have them with you when you go to the Immigration office. Find out how much you need to pay for the processing fee so you can bring the cash with you.
š When you arrive at the Immigration Office, submit all the required documents. If you havenāt filled out the application form yet, then ask the staff for the form so you can complete it.
š After you have accomplished the application form, hand it to the staff. The staff will check the documents you have submitted and will collect the money for the processing fee. Then they will advise you to wait for their call once your visa is already available.
It should take about a week for the Vietnam Immigration in Hanoi to process your visa renewal application. Once itās approved, you can collect your passport from them. You will find your visa attached to your passport.
Hire a Local Agency for Assistance
If you need help in the processing of your Vietnamese visa, you can hire a local agency for assistance. With the help of the agency, your visa will be renewed fast with no hassles on your part. All you will do is send them the requirements and fill out the application form. It is the agency that will coordinate with the Vietnam Immigration Office in Hanoi for the approval of your visa renewal application. And if you need the process to be expedited, you can also inform the agency about this.
