visa

Panda,
I just sent you a private message.
Good luck.

You can find some agencies doing this for you in De Tham street or Pham Ngu Lao street.

Even asking for a visa extension, you'll often get an other new visa instead (a sticker, not a stamp).

For 3 month multiple entry, it's from 85$ to 95$ (depend on the agency, and apparently, on the number of times you asked for a visa before)

For 3 month single entry, it's about 65$.

Last time I got a 3 month single entry visa extention (just a stamp), they just charged me 37$. And I don't know why they didn't do so 3 month ago when I asked for the same thing... Not sure, but maybe this time was cheaper because I was just coming back from abroad. Some members here may tell us.

It's usually done in 1 week, but I presume you can have it quicker if you pay more.


EDIT : I just share my experience. If some people here know how to do it for cheaper and/or faster, I'm also interested.

Flo-vn wrote:

Last time I got a 3 month single entry visa extention (just a stamp), they just charged me 37$. And I don't know why they didn't do so 3 month ago when I asked for the same thing...

The fees that Flow-vn received sound reasonable.  The official fee should be a little over $20 already, for every 3 month extension (can't remember the exact amount because it has been a long time since I last dealt with this).

But generally, these services must provide you with a Vietnamse sponsor and write you an affidavit.  Then, they must get the Vietnamese immigration officials to OK them, before your extension is issued.  So, a few bucks for them are justified, in my opinion.

I tried to do that myself one time, and I speak fluent Vietnamese and know quite a few people in my area.  But, without the right person, the agency disqualified my sponsor and, subsequently, disapproved my application. 

So, unless you know someone in your area, don't just go down there by yourself.  As a matter of fact, you can't go by yourself anyway because you will need a Vietnamese individual or institution to sponsor you.  It will just be a waste of time.

But, once you are granted an extension, the second one would be relatively easy because it will just be a repeat of the first application.  That is why the service that Flow-vn used charged him $65 for the first extension, but only $37 for the second.

I hope this helps and others can fill in the blanks on this critical issue.

Edit:  I had my conversion rate mixed up.  320+ VNDs should not be more than $20 USDs.  I hope you guys get the ballpark idea, yeah?   

Best wishes,
Howie

Man, this topic pops again and again. Use search and you easily find the answer!!!

You need a week (5 working days for VK. For other foreigners, I think it is 7 working days but not sure, no more than 10 days including weekend for sure), if you are doing it the official way. The timeframe is regulated by law. No express service here.

I don't know whether those travel agencies have express service. I know they do have for regular visa, but not sure about visa extension.

Note: You can only use the Immigration office in HCMC if you live in HCMC. They don't process applications from out-of-town applicants.

The following is what I wrote earlier.

if you want to do it the cheapest way: do it yourself. Timewise, it is easy: 10 min queuing at the 161 Nguyễn Du, D1, phòng quản lý xuất nhập cảnh, office of immigration. You come back after 1 week to pay, which takes another 10 min queuing.

Fee: 35 usd the first time you do it. 10 usd the next time since they (the immigration office) already have you on file.

You do need to have a Vietnamese to sponsor you. He/she only needs to go to his/her ward police office to obtain a stamp certifying that he/she lives there.

Go to the Nguyen Du office to have them explain/get the form or download it from here

http://csdl.thutuchanhchinh.vn/content/ … -%2006.doc

---
you don't go to the police of your own ward to get the stamp. You need to the police ward of your sponsor.
If you have problem with the police saying that they don't know you, or they demand to see all sorts of papers to issue the stamp, just saying that you need them only to validate that your sponsor lives at the stated address. It normally solves the problem.

---
>Because I would like to extend it another 3 months, I know that I can go to the Immigration office in HCMC and pay $10 to do it,

No, first time it will cost you 35 USD.

>but don't know how much time they'll give me.  Will they extend it 3 months more?? 

Yes. Depending how much time you ask for, but not more than 3 months.

>Will they extend it as a B3? 

No, it will be a C2

>Will they say anything once they see that it's a business, not tourist visa?

No

>What's the difference between a renewal and extension?

No difference.

>And finally, what other docs besides the passport and N14 form will I need?  Is there a link to this N14 form online?
See above

> who can be the sponsor?

Anyone who is willing to vouch for you is OK with the immigration office.
The important thing is to get the local police where the sponsor stays to sign.

That is why many are paying to use agents since the agents sponsor them!!

One more thing:
If you enter Vietnam using the visa exemption rule

http://www.vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/useful/useful.asp

and later on want to extend your stay, you fill the same paperwork as described above and go to the office Cục Quản lý Xuất Nhập Cảnh - Bộ Công An, 254 NGUYỄN TRÃI D1, instead of the one in Nguyen Du.

Timeframe and cost is the same as above.

thanks Anatta that was the info I was after, what is the difference between a B3 and a C2 ?

Cheers

For practical purposes, you don't have to worry about those categories.

Essentially, Vietnamese visa is categorized from A to D (A1-A3, B1-B4, C1-C2 and D).

B3: is business visa.
C2: is visa granted for diverse reasons. If you are sponsored by private persons, your extension is categorized as C2.


Note: visa extension is for single entry only. It means that you are allowed to stay on. No need to get out. If you do get out of Vietnam during the three months, the visa is nulled.

One important qualification:

What I have described above is how it is practiced in Saigon. As a rule, the law is practiced/interpreted more correct here than other places.

As always, practices vary widely from town to town, so I am not saying that it will work in your town, or even by your case officer!!!.

Call Phatman.  He can get it done within 2 or 3 days.