New Immigration Laws

bluenz wrote:

Ok, maybe I will ask about the registration in another way and you may know, every time I get a new visa I have to make a copy and I give it to the guy who owns the land I built my properties on, he then takes it away and registers me, where is he taking it? is it immigration or some local police or what, have you any idea. Obviously you wont know the exact office I was just wondering the procedure.

This new law was approved in Jun/Jul 2014, implemented on Jan 1, 2015, so they have already had 6 months to get their shit together?????  It may not actually even apply to the VEC, maybe they stuffed up there, there is always that possibly ???? ( We can hope ).

The landowner, ( ???? )  will take it to your local Cong An, in your Ward, ( Landlords in VN are now required by law to be have an internet connection so they can ( inform ) tell the Cong An that you live in their house/flat , etc, who knows what else they also tell them??? ), They sign and stamp it, ( you have to sign this as well ), then it is presented to the Immigration office, ( along with your Passport of course . All the Foreigners I now up here do this part themselves.), 3 days later pick it up and pay the 215K .

Yes landowner, strange term to use here I suppose but that’s what he is to me, not really come across anyone in my situation before where I own the buildings [for a 25 year period] and he owns the land. The documentation was all completed 8 years ago and done under something called the Economic Aid Program, can’t remember exactly but it’s a situation that’s worked very well and I am happy with.

Maybe its worked a bit different in Nha Trang, I never sign nothing for the Cong An same as my tenants [I rent out a house], we hand over copies of our visa’s and passports and that’s the last I hear of it, the local police guy pops in about every 2 years and I have to buy 3 new fire extinguishers, no doubt they make a few dollars on them.

Yes landowner, strange term to use here I suppose but that’s what he is to me, not really come across anyone in my situation before where I own the buildings [for a 25 year period] and he owns the land. The documentation was all completed 8 years ago and done under something called the Economic Aid Program, can’t remember exactly but it’s a situation that’s worked very well and I am happy with.

Maybe its worked a bit different in Nha Trang, I never sign nothing for the Cong An same as my tenants [I rent out a house], we hand over copies of our visa’s and passports and that’s the last I hear of it, the local police guy pops in about every 2 years and I have to buy 3 new fire extinguishers, no doubt they make a few dollars on them.

They have some strange rules here, when I bought my first land, my wife had a big argument with the seller when he went to take the big Mango tree. ( it died after he transplanted it, hahaha ).
So basically you have a 25 year lease,  how did it work, did you pay him rental for the land for 25 years, lump sum or annually?
  Only Foreigners have to have a fire extinguisher in their rented properties, apparently we are fire hazards??? I'm renting  a house here for a short time, the cops came to see if I had the extinguisher, but because of the language " barrier " they left without seeing any, when I spoke to the landlady, she said I should go and buy one , not bloody likely, I'd just spent 3 mil making this place a bit more livable, then found out she has it on the market?????

bluenz wrote:

Yes landowner, strange term to use here I suppose but that’s what he is to me, not really come across anyone in my situation before where I own the buildings [for a 25 year period] and he owns the land. The documentation was all completed 8 years ago and done under something called the Economic Aid Program, can’t remember exactly but it’s a situation that’s worked very well and I am happy with.

Maybe its worked a bit different in Nha Trang, I never sign nothing for the Cong An same as my tenants [I rent out a house], we hand over copies of our visa’s and passports and that’s the last I hear of it, the local police guy pops in about every 2 years and I have to buy 3 new fire extinguishers, no doubt they make a few dollars on them.

They have some strange rules here, when I bought my first land, my wife had a big argument with the seller when he went to take the big Mango tree. ( it died after he transplanted it, hahaha ).
So basically you have a 25 year lease,  how did it work, did you pay him rental for the land for 25 years, lump sum or annually?
  Only Foreigners have to have a fire extinguisher in their rented properties, apparently we are fire hazards??? I'm renting  a house here for a short time, the cops came to see if I had the extinguisher, but because of the language " barrier " they left without seeing any, when I spoke to the landlady, she said I should go and buy one , not bloody likely, I'd just spent 3 mil making this place a bit more livable, then found out she has it on the market?????

For the land for 25years I paid nothing [other than layers fees at the time], to the landowner zero.

But I did agree and did do it build 2 apartments and 1 house on that land, the house was to be for rental use and I receive the income, I also built 2 apartments over 4 floors, the bottom apartment the landowner lives in at no charge, the top apartment is for my own use, the design of it was done specifically so I could open my lounge doors on the 4th floor to walk out on the flat roof of the house where I have spent years creating a tropical garden.

So I ended up with probably the finest apartment in Vietnam [it covers an area of 700 sq ft] paying no rental and a house which pays me a nice monthly income.
Thing is of course I will never see out the 25 years, I will be long gone and they will keep all, but I am happy for that, in fact because I have made back all the money invested I give them a few mill each month and am happy to do it.

Will say knowing what I know now and the horror stories that I have seen happen I would advise no other foreigner to do the same as I did, I know I have been very lucky and so many things could have gone wrong, but there has been a huge gain for both sides and all has gone well.

Anyway back on topic, as you know they have created 20 new visa types and now there is a visa that covers married expats, when they do start issuing those visas’s what’s wrong with them, I am not sure what your fear is, you get a 12 month visa, register it with the Cong An and that’s it for a year, none of this 90 day malarkey and probably works out cheaper.
I don’t quite get why you think it’s a problem.

Anyway back on topic, as you know they have created 20 new visa types and now there is a visa that covers married expats, when they do start issuing those visas’s what’s wrong with them, I am not sure what your fear is, you get a 12 month visa, register it with the Cong An and that’s it for a year, none of this 90 day malarkey and probably works out cheaper.
I don’t quite get why you think it’s a problem.

If there is no 90 day crap , yes it is better, but if it sounds too good to be true , well, we know the rest of that.
They are losing money here , so I can't really see it happening exactly like you say, a VEC was only $20 application fee, ( but for some reason I only paid $10 ), and $10 a 1/4, total, $60 pa, very cheap, a PR application was about $100, ( 3 yrs ago ). I think this 12 month Visa will be at least $100, and is a Multi?  A lot of gray area's here, typical to bring in a law, ( passed 7- 8 months ago ), and STILL no ones knows SFA about it???
None of this will be bothering me as soon as my business is registered, I just like to keep abreast of these things.

I would like to know if i can get a 3 months extension if i enter vietnam by bus from PP?  i have invitation but ive hear that i should get a stamp in ha noi bcoz if i enter by bus they will only give me 21 days extension, i am now in ho chi min.. 😢

bluenz wrote:

Anyway back on topic, as you know they have created 20 new visa types and now there is a visa that covers married expats, when they do start issuing those visas’s what’s wrong with them, I am not sure what your fear is, you get a 12 month visa, register it with the Cong An and that’s it for a year, none of this 90 day malarkey and probably works out cheaper.
I don’t quite get why you think it’s a problem.

If there is no 90 day crap , yes it is better, but if it sounds too good to be true , well, we know the rest of that.
They are losing money here , so I can't really see it happening exactly like you say, a VEC was only $20 application fee, ( but for some reason I only paid $10 ), and $10 a 1/4, total, $60 pa, very cheap, a PR application was about $100, ( 3 yrs ago ). I think this 12 month Visa will be at least $100, and is a Multi?  A lot of gray area's here, typical to bring in a law, ( passed 7- 8 months ago ), and STILL no ones knows SFA about it???
None of this will be bothering me as soon as my business is registered, I just like to keep abreast of these things.

I think the grey area's may be a problem as you say as we just dont know, like in is it Multi can you renew and apply here etc, price wise I have seen the price its actually on this Forum somewhere but cant find it, and I am sure it was either $20 or $30, like I say not sure on that but will have a search.

" I think the grey area's may be a problem as you say as we just dont know, like in is it Multi can you renew and apply here etc, price wise I have seen the price its actually on this Forum somewhere but cant find it, and I am sure it was either $20 or $30, like I say not sure on that but will have a search."

Multi, as the VEC, you can come and go as you pls, Multi's are always more expensive, that's more or less why we are paying every 90 days now. ( I was on the old C2 for 2 years, never left VN, same 90 day crap, but it cost 735k each time ).
That price quoted on here was for the current VEC which Snake re applied for last month, it definitely won't be that anymore.( or maybe they think they will make up for the money they will be losing by not having it as a Multi??? ).

ash78 wrote:

I would like to know if i can get a 3 months extension if i enter vietnam by bus from PP?  i have invitation but ive hear that i should get a stamp in ha noi bcoz if i enter by bus they will only give me 21 days extension, i am now in ho chi min.. 😢

Good question for another Filipino.   Maybe you should apply for the 3 months BEFORE you come here? ( online , MyVietnamVisa.com, etc )

the new laws says if you enter VN on a tourist visa you cannot change it to a work visa.  You have to leave and enter with a work visa.

Yes, it's what i did. So the speculation of u cant get 3moths extension if u use moc bai border even with approved letter is not true.. i took the risk even if manyw says approved letter can be use at the airport. now i got 3 months ext.. thanks

ash78 wrote:

Yes, it's what i did. So the speculation of u cant get 3moths extension if u use moc bai border even with approved letter is not true.. i took the risk even if manyw says approved letter can be use at the airport. now i got 3 months ext.. thanks

Sorry can I ask is that the border you cross on the HCMC PP route by bus, if it is did you just cross then come back in getting your visa extended as you did so.

Yes,  by bus i just did. I had approved letter with me stating that my entry is moc bai.. then u exit virtname enter  cambodia, u-turn, exit cambodia and then go to the office of moc bai st the side to fill up some form and pay 1M VND, get a visa then pass immigrstion for a stamp...

One more thing bring a form with u the entry and exit form for foregieners, i can provide if u like and the approved letter must state that ur entry is moc bai bcoz they wont accept if its somewhere else.. and 2 pictures...

ash78 wrote:

Yes,  by bus i just did. I had approved letter with me stating that my entry is moc bai.. then u exit virtname enter  cambodia, u-turn, exit cambodia and then go to the office of moc bai st the side to fill up some form and pay 1M VND, get a visa then pass immigrstion for a stamp...

Was it fairly simple to get a bus back and can I ask why did you need to enter Cambodia to just leave again, could you have not just walked around the building to re-enter going to the same office.

ash78 wrote:

One more thing bring a form with u the entry and exit form for foregieners, i can provide if u like and the approved letter must state that ur entry is moc bai bcoz they wont accept if its somewhere else.. and 2 pictures...

Its interesting this because I was sat in the travel shop the other day and 2 Russians came in and asked for the approval letter for the border, she told them to come back in 2 hours and it was $30 each, at the time I could not work out what was going on, but now listening to you it makes sense.

Well u need to get a stamp to enter cambodia immigration, u dont need to ride the bus again to go to phom phen just st the border and yes u r right u just walk. about getting a bus im not sure bcoz i went to phom phen bcoz the paper i am holding has wrong entry its mong cai not moc bai and they wont accept it so i stayed over night in phom phen.. but the english guy i met he just did a u-turn at the buildings, well there are many buses passing surely u can get 1..

I joined this site bcoz i am also confused with the new law, many says approved letter can only be use at international airport and not at the border but i took the risk since i cant afford to fly bcoz of tet the price becomes triple.
Luckily they approved :-)

Well they have this new law that u cant e extend your visa unless u get out in this country and moc bai border is the nearest and cheapest so far hehehethe..

ash78 wrote:

Yes, it's what i did. So the speculation of u cant get 3moths extension if u use moc bai border even with approved letter is not true.. i took the risk even if manyw says approved letter can be use at the airport. now i got 3 months ext.. thanks

Thing is you didn’t actually do it did you as you went to Phnom Penh but you have met an English guy who says he did.
For sure it may be possible but it would be nice to hear from someone who actually did do it at the border crossing, because if what you say is correct I see no reason why you would need to enter Cambodia which saves you paying the $25 visa.

If what you say is right once you have gone through exit Vietnam instead of getting back on the bus you could walk round the same building call in at the office do the necessary paperwork then enter Vietnam getting a new visa or an extension, be it 30 day 90 day etc.

What did you actually get when you re-entered, a visa or an extension and for how long and was it issued in PP or at the border, are you saying that when you went to PP you got another invitation letter but this time for the right border crossing.

Ok here it is, i took a bus from HCHM to PP which cost me usd10, sitting beside me was an english guy who's purpose was to exit to be able to get an extension visa (90 days). When we arrived at moc bai border we asked the immigration officer the process so we showed them the approved letter, so they told us to exit vietnam walk through the other buildig to enter bevit ( cambodia border) and exit at bevit, after that walk go back to the first bldng ( moc bai border) and then on the left side there's another building where u submit your approved letter, picture, entry and exit form and 1M vnd. After all the process u proceed to imjgration for a stamp and get 90 days extension. In my case, i wasnt able to go back right away bcoz my apporved letter it states there ( bcoz the travel agency mistype it or whatever reason) mong cai border and they will not accept it so i dont know where to stay at the border bcoz the travel agency i called told me he will send to me the revised via email on the next day so i have to go back to the bus to stay over night at PP and wait the email. Next day when i got my revised approved letter, bought a ticket PP TO HCHM and do the process...  pooohhh not sure if it is still clear.. hajhahaha ( i just felt bad didnt get the # of that english guy he is cute though.m just kidding haha

How to enter pictures here?

ash78 wrote:

Ok here it is, i took a bus from HCHM to PP which cost me usd10, sitting beside me was an english guy who's purpose was to exit to be able to get an extension visa (90 days). When we arrived at moc bai border we asked the immigration officer the process so we showed them the approved letter, so they told us to exit vietnam walk through the other buildig to enter bevit ( cambodia border) and exit at bevit, after that walk go back to the first bldng ( moc bai border) and then on the left side there's another building where u submit your approved letter, picture, entry and exit form and 1M vnd. After all the process u proceed to imjgration for a stamp and get 90 days extension. In my case, i wasnt able to go back right away bcoz my apporved letter it states there ( bcoz the travel agency mistype it or whatever reason) mong cai border and they will not accept it so i dont know where to stay at the border bcoz the travel agency i called told me he will send to me the revised via email on the next day so i have to go back to the bus to stay over night at PP and wait the email. Next day when i got my revised approved letter, bought a ticket PP TO HCHM and do the process...  pooohhh not sure if it is still clear.. hajhahaha ( i just felt bad didnt get the # of that english guy he is cute though.m just kidding haha

Haha getting clearer, can I ask did the English guy have to buy a Cambodian visa cos I not  understanding your word 'bevit'[do you mean before].

Did you mange to get back on the same bus to go PP or had it gone and you needed to find another, they only stop for a short while so it must have been touch and go while you sorted it all out.

in vietnam the border called "moc bai" in cambodia the border called "bevit" , no u dont need to buy a cambodian visa, the expenses ur going to pay is the extension visa which is 1M Dong, pls note make sure in your approved letter u have the moc bai entry, how many months u want to extend like for example in my case its 2/13/2015 - 5/13/2015. And brig some entry/exit form bcoz i guess they dont have there.. yes i managed to get back the same bus but sad coz no more english guy bwahahahah. Well there were many people to exit that time and it didnt take me that long bcoz before we get the exit stamp we asked right away to the officee there on what to do and when i find out i cant u turn so i gave my passport to the bus assistant and he was the 1 doing doing everything for he exit..

ash78 wrote:

in vietnam the border called "moc bai" in cambodia the border called "bevit" , no u dont need to buy a cambodian visa, the expenses ur going to pay is the extension visa which is 1M Dong, pls note make sure in your approved letter u have the moc bai entry, how many months u want to extend like for example in my case its 2/13/2015 - 5/13/2015. And brig some entry/exit form bcoz i guess they dont have there.. yes i managed to get back the same bus but sad coz no more english guy bwahahahah. Well there were many people to exit that time and it didnt take me that long bcoz before we get the exit stamp we asked right away to the officee there on what to do and when i find out i cant u turn so i gave my passport to the bus assistant and he was the 1 doing doing everything for he exit..

Not sure I would be brave enough to try all that until at least there is a process where they appear used to doing it, I mean like you say make sure you take these entry and exit forms as they dont have them, well not sure where I would even get such things
I have had a hellish experience with immigration once already in Vietnam, I ought to write about is a warning to others as I was left in a position where I could not extend or get a visa or leave the country, left me here living illegally for 2 years till I sorted it out, did sort it out though but only by my own wits and beating the sods at there own game.

I can send u the form if u like if u over stayed u just need to pay i guess bwahaha i over stayed 2 todays and the guy asked me usd10 so i gave 500vnd but no change so maybe usd10 each day hahahaha.. but in your case not sure heheheh

ash78 wrote:

I can send u the form if u like if u over stayed u just need to pay i guess bwahaha i over stayed 2 todays and the guy asked me usd10 so i gave 500vnd but no change so maybe usd10 each day hahahaha.. but in your case not sure heheheh

Thank you thats kind of you, if I ever need it I will write. I will write below a warning to others as it may save someone some trouble in the future.

Not sure if everybody is aware of this but if they are not it can lead to many problems.

If you have a multi entry visa and you extend it that extension ‘stamp’ is not multi entry, it becomes single entry, now weather that is factually true I do not know but for sure at HCMC airport that’s how they treat an extension as it happened to me.

I had 2 months left on my multi extension stamp but was refused entry, they claimed the stamp is single entry so once you leave you have no valid visa to return.

What happened then was after missing my connecting domestic flight I was taken to a hotel where being a Saturday I had to stay 2 nights [First Hotel 4 start at about $60 a night at the time and supposedly under house arrest but I actually went out], on Monday my passport was returned with a 1 month visa in it at a $100 cost and I was allowed to go.

It was then that my real problems started, well not then but a few weeks later when I went to extend that visa, I was refused an extension and later refused exit out the country because although they had given me a new visa they had forgotten to stamp me as entering Vietnam, so with no entry stamp they wont let you leave or extend.

I did sort it in the end and I best not say how on here but moral is we all need to take care.

Yes, bcoz i have the form but it was in my bag so to less the hassle i asked some form and the guy shoke his head so luckily i brought 2 so i have get it from my bag..

Maybe u can share to me of how did u sort it Out?  Heheeh im just curiouz as iy may happen to me ( hope not)