3 month extension - Anyone know the latest on this shameful farce???

khanh44 wrote:

I'm in the process of applying for a Vietnamese passport for my daughter.

I think one of the questions they ask is if the applicant holds any other passport.

Vietnam only recognizes one passport despite being a Vietnamese citizen hence why I haven't applied for her Canadian passport yet.

Perhaps because your daughter has a VN birth certificate, she will need a VN passport before any other???

I'm sorry but your totally correct eight yrs I been here dealing with this nightmare n constant disrespect for teachers n professional as myself a Dr..n cert English teacher.  I feel I need ky  every time n always treat us  with so much lack of appreciation our   help n care for students n this beautiful country...

+1 bluenz (I had my own comment written before I remembered that the thought police banned me for two days the last time I attempted humor)

This one will probably get me a mark on my Permanent Record and Forever Banned 

Hmmm... still under consideration 

bluenz wrote:

I copied and pasted this from a 2013 --14 Govt website, but this ; "are considering issuing Vietnam Temporary Residence Card "

charmavietnam wrote:

Hmmm... still under consideration 

bluenz wrote:

I copied and pasted this from a 2013 --14 Govt website, but this ; "are considering issuing Vietnam Temporary Residence Card "

I was actually dropping a hint to someone in Saigon or Hanoi,
I copied and pasted this from a 2013 --14 Govt website, but this " are considering issuing Vietnam Temporary Residence Card ", could be a worry??????  It would be nice to find out for sure, which will probably only be able to be done by someone in HCMC or Hanoi? ( and by asking 3 different officers at 3 different offices? ).

bluenz wrote:

cossmo wrote:

why don't you apply for a citizenship?

Hahaha, hilarious
.

he he he he he he he and when the chinnese invade?

khanh44 wrote:

Vietnam only recognizes one passport despite being a Vietnamese citizen hence why I haven't applied for her Canadian passport yet.

That is not quite true. The law - as far as I remember - is not really clear, in the Vietnamese original version, as well as in the English translation. It reads something like "Vietnamese having only one nationality", which can be also understood that all the minorities are of the same nationality like the Kinh. Specifically, VietKieu can get their Vietnamese nationality (back), independent whether they (still) hold a foreign nationality.

However, the law might specify that if you decide to get (or have) a foreign nationality for your child, then you would loose the Vietnamese one. Not sure. Those laws changed a few times.

Applying for a passport is not the same as applying for nationality. For example, when I registered my daughter's birth (she has German nationality by birth - no need to apply for it), they asked me, whether I had to apply for her Vietnamese nationality. If we had applied for another nationality, she would have _lost_ her German nationality, which she had by birth. But since she _had_ (at that time) her Vietnamese nationality also _by_birth_, she could keep her German one.

Cheating, i.e. not telling the truth, might help in the short run, but with uncertain results later: When we had to renew my daughter's Vietnamese passport, they told us that she can't have it. Since she has German nationality (not that difficult for them to find out), she couldn't have Vietnamese one, according to the law. I needed to tell them, that my daughter was born under the old law where it was possible. And the new law says that nationality can be revoked only in certain severe cases, which obviously weren't applicable. In the end she got her Vietnamese passport.

Remember also that you have to look at the nationality laws of both sides.

HTH,
Stefan

In country extension of the "permit to stay" based on Visa Exemption is quite easy and cheap. 10 USD. And a minimum of 4 trips to some offices: Local Police (to get the application for extension approved), Immigration (to submit the application for extension with passport), Immigration (to get the passport back), Local Police (to register the residency for another 3 months). I don't need an agent for that. Do it all by myself, not even my wife needed (except for one signature).

tomrwebster wrote:

Being married to a VN, you are entitled to the 12 month TT visa, ( $95 ), then a 3 yr TRC, ( which you can do yourself instead of paying a rip off agent ), no more 90 day bullshit.( which should have been only a matter of filing an NA5 form and paying $10, no need to leave the VN ).

Which law says that one is "entitled" to a 12 months TT? and a subsequent TRC?

The last time when I tried that (middle of June, in Hanoi), they told me that they would create "favourable conditions (i.e. 12 months)" only for people who cannot work (either retirement age, or medical proof that unfit for work).

stefanhanoi wrote:

tomrwebster wrote:

Being married to a VN, you are entitled to the 12 month TT visa, ( $95 ), then a 3 yr TRC, ( which you can do yourself instead of paying a rip off agent ), no more 90 day bullshit.( which should have been only a matter of filing an NA5 form and paying $10, no need to leave the VN ).

Which law says that one is "entitled" to a 12 months TT? and a subsequent TRC?

The last time when I tried that (middle of June, in Hanoi), they told me that they would create "favourable conditions (i.e. 12 months)" only for people who cannot work (either retirement age, or medical proof that unfit for work).

These employment questions, what are they all about? My friends VEC expired, and they put him straight on a 6 month VR visa, ( he's 46 , and doesn't work ), and the only reason he didn't get a TT visa is because his passport was due to expire in less than 12 months. You probably got some dickhead that doesn't know how these new rules work, and as I've posted before, talk to 2 - 3 different officers, ( at different times ), and see what answers you get.

bluenz wrote:

the only reason he didn't get a TT visa is because his passport was due to expire in less than 12 months. You probably got some dickhead that doesn't know how these new rules work, and as I've posted before, talk to 2 - 3 different officers, ( at different times ), and see what answers you get.

You are dealing with the immigration department of Quang Nai Police?
As far as I know (and I am quite confident on this), there is also a 3 months TT visa.
To change from TT to VEC and vice versa seems to be possible in country. Will be interesting to see whether this works with VR.

stefanhanoi wrote:

bluenz wrote:

the only reason he didn't get a TT visa is because his passport was due to expire in less than 12 months. You probably got some dickhead that doesn't know how these new rules work, and as I've posted before, talk to 2 - 3 different officers, ( at different times ), and see what answers you get.

You are dealing with the immigration department of Quang Nai Police?
As far as I know (and I am quite confident on this), there is also a 3 months TT visa.
To change from TT to VEC and vice versa seems to be possible in country. Will be interesting to see whether this works with VR.

Yes, QN, and they probably know less than HCMC or Hanoi, ( ??? ),  I didn't see any mention of being able to change from VR to TT, or TRC,  and no mention of a 3 month TT, ( why would anyone want one? the TT is only $95, and VR $50 ), you can only go from VEC to TT, ( VEC is no more since May 2015 ), and now , ( in QN anyway ) it appears I need to give them a copy of my marriage Cert EVERYTIME  I extend my VEC, I just wish I had more time left on my Passport, and I'd be trying for a TT, or who knows, maybe apply for the TRC directly, we never seem to find out these things until we try?

bluenz wrote:

Yes, QN, and they probably know less than HCMC or Hanoi, ( ??? ),

Many laws are not really 100% clear and allow some room for interpretation. That might be different from province to province or even from officer to officer.

bluenz wrote:

I didn't see any mention of being able to change from VR to TT, or TRC,  and no mention of a 3 month TT, ( why would anyone want one? the TT is only $95, and VR $50 ),

If your passport is going to expire in less than one year, a 3 months TT might make sense.
The fees are, as far as I understand, stipulated by the Finance Ministry, not by Immigration. And the Finance Ministry doesn't care about the different classes of visa, but only about duration and whether single or multiple entry. I therefore think that the different prices that you give don't depend on TT or VR, but whether single or multiple entry and the duration. There might be also some other fees when the visa is issued by an embassy as opposed to being issued in country.

bluenz wrote:

you can only go from VEC to TT,

I had a VEC that was expired and got a C2 (for family visit). That C2 was then changed to a 3 months TT (the passport was valid only for a few months more) and that then to a VEC (in the new passport)

bluenz wrote:

(VEC is no more since May 2015),

Again something hard to believe. The law says very clearly that foreign spouses of Vietnamese don't need a visa to come to Vietnam. How do they want to handle that without a VEC? Would it be enough to show the marriage certificate when entering Vietnam???

bluenz wrote:

and now, (in QN anyway) it appears I need to give them a copy of my marriage Cert EVERYTIME  I extend my VEC

I think you misunderstand. The VEC is valid for 5 years (assuming that your passport is valid long enough). And the VEC cannot be extended, but you would get a new one. What you need to extend is your "temporary residency permit" as confirmed by the "permit to stay stamp". I needed to include a certified copy of the marriage certificate (a normal copy would do, if I bring the original along) with the application for extension since many years already. Nothing new.

For a start we are In VN so we quote VN prices????

I'll say it AGAIN, ask 2 or 3 different officers at different times, and see what you get.

A TT is multiple entry. VR probably is as well. The TT is a replacement for the VEC, ( although i have heard of someone who received one in Australia just recently, maybe they haven't caught up yet??? ). The 3 month TT is probably the replacement for the C2, none of those old classes are used anymore.

" Again something hard to believe. The law says very clearly that foreign spouses of Vietnamese don't need a visa to come to Vietnam. How do they want to handle that without a VEC? Would it be enough to show the marriage certificate when entering Vietnam???"
  EVERYONE needs a visa to come to VN ???? ( where are you getting your info from????? ), same as any country, I was on a C1 and C2 Visa before and after I was married. Then they told us about the VEC, ( months after we applied for PR ).

" I think you misunderstand. The VEC is valid for 5 years (assuming that your passport is valid long enough). And the VEC cannot be extended, but you would get a new one. What you need to extend is your "temporary residency permit" as confirmed by the "permit to stay stamp". I needed to include a certified copy of the marriage certificate (a normal copy would do, if I bring the original along) with the application for extension since many years already. Nothing new."
When you get a VEC , they always make sure you still have 6 months of validity left on your passport, ( so with a 5yr passport, you only get 4 1/2 months VEC ). That was my argument for why would you want a 3 month TT? ( which is probably just a Tourist Visa ).
This is where people get confused when they talk about the VEC, we EXTEND/RENEW the VEC by extending it every 90 days, ( a TRC is something completely different ), they have only asked me for the Marriage Cert since May, 2015,  when all these new Visa rules and CODES came into force. I thought it was going to be a one off thing in May, but they asked me again last week, ( but then you can get divorced in VN in less than 90 days ).
And like anywhere, they need to see the original, or a certified and translated copy.

" I had a VEC that was expired and got a C2 (for family visit). That C2 was then changed to a 3 months TT (the passport was valid only for a few months more) and that then to a VEC (in the new passport) "
As I'd previously posted, my friends VEC expired, so they issued him with a VR, ( about Mar/April? ), and TOLD him , no more VEC's, ( same as the Govt website  ), but he didn't have 18 months left on his passport, so they couldn't issue him with the TT.
When did you get your new passport? You must have had at least 6 months left on your passport when your VEC expired. This 3 month visa was only a bridging visa, if it was after May 2015, you must have just snuck in with a new VEC, as the person in Aus did?????

I got a 3 months single entry TT on 29.01.15 into my old passport, for 45 + 10 USD by PA18 in Hanoi.
Sorry, Visa fees are officially in USD, by the Finance Ministry.
I got a 5 years VEC on 11.06.2015 into my new passport, for 0 + 10 USD by A18 in Hanoi.

Besides that I suggest that you read the relevant law that is in force since 1.1.2015. It is available online, in Vietnamese, as well as an inofficial English translation.
Then we talk again. It is useless to argue with somebody who frankly doesn't have much clue about the real regulations (and definitions) and relies on understandings or misunderstandings and half understandings of what others tell him.

Have a great week!

Stefan

stefanhanoi wrote:

I got a 3 months single entry TT on 29.01.15 into my old passport, for 45 + 10 USD by PA18 in Hanoi.
Sorry, Visa fees are officially in USD, by the Finance Ministry.
I got a 5 years VEC on 11.06.2015 into my new passport, for 0 + 10 USD by A18 in Hanoi.

Besides that I suggest that you read the relevant law that is in force since 1.1.2015. It is available online, in Vietnamese, as well as an inofficial English translation.
Then we talk again. It is useless to argue with somebody who frankly doesn't have much clue about the real regulations (and definitions) and relies on understandings or misunderstandings and half understandings of what others tell him.

Have a great week!

Stefan

Quoted in $US , but PAID in VND.  ( in my province ).
None of the new rules were effective until May 01  2015, ( in my province ), and as YOU have stated , might be different from Province to Province, ( believe me, my French colleague wasn't happy about not being able to RENEW his EXPIRED VEC, and he is fluent in Viet , I'd like to know WHY did they give him a VR, and tell him there are no more VEC's,  when they could have given him a bridging visa as they did for you???, but they're aren't known for their friendliness/helpfulness or English ability, in my immigration office ). ).

Pls supply a link to your info for ALL of us to read. ( or copy and paste it as others try to do ).

Also as I've previously posted, we sometimes don't really know what is going on UNTIL someone goes in and actually tries to do it. ( as I've suggested going from VEC directly to a 3yr TRC, bypassing the 12 TT, is it possible??? still too many gray areas ). Or are the VEC to TRC's still being CONSIDERED, as stated in the VN GOVT website? ( 2013- 14 ), I can't supply that link as I copied and pasted the info, but I'll try and find it.
What does YOUR website say about that???

I thought Vietnam was suppose to be illogical anyway. each to their own really.

bluenz wrote:

Pls supply a link to your info for ALL of us to read. ( or copy and paste it as others try to do ).

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=vietnam+immigration+law+2014

Fourth entry is the text in English.

Obvious differences - for practical reasons, not legally - between TT visa and VEC:

1) The VEC is always multiple entry, but there are also single entry TT visa.

2) The VEC can only be issued by Central Immigration (A18) in Hanoi or HCMC (and possibly DNG).
A TT visa can also be issued by Provincial Immigration (PA18).
That MIGHT mean that a VN embassy can issue a TT by themselves, but MIGHT need to contact A18 for VEC. The latter one regarding abroad issuing is purely speculative.

3) The initial permit to stay based on a VEC is always 90 days. The one based on a TT visa is same long as the validity of the visa. IF one has a 12 months TT visa then he will get also a one year permit to stay. And an extension of the permit to stay is usually same long as the initial one.

3) The VEC is free of charge. The TT visa is not.

4) The law stipulates (in §36.2) a TRC based on a TT visa. It doesn't specify one based on a VEC.
(it also doesn't exclude it - means: would need a regulation by the Government or relevant Ministry - or leaves wiggle room for officers).

stefanhanoi wrote:

Obvious differences - for practical reasons, not legally - between TT visa and VEC:

1) The VEC is always multiple entry, but there are also single entry TT visa.

2) The VEC can only be issued by Central Immigration (A18) in Hanoi or HCMC (and possibly DNG).
A TT visa can also be issued by Provincial Immigration (PA18).
That MIGHT mean that a VN embassy can issue a TT by themselves, but MIGHT need to contact A18 for VEC. The latter one regarding abroad issuing is purely speculative.

3) The initial permit to stay based on a VEC is always 90 days. The one based on a TT visa is same long as the validity of the visa. IF one has a 12 months TT visa then he will get also a one year permit to stay. And an extension of the permit to stay is usually same long as the initial one.

3) The VEC is free of charge. The TT visa is not.

4) The law stipulates (in §36.2) a TRC based on a TT visa. It doesn't specify one based on a VEC.
(it also doesn't exclude it - means: would need a regulation by the Government or relevant Ministry - or leaves wiggle room for officers).

Thanks or the link, haven't had a chance to look at it yet.
I could never find out anything more about the TT except it was for 12 months, VR 6 months, and apparently you don't even need to be married to a VN for a VR, a member on here received one to visit his fiancee. I assumed the 12 month TT would be a multi as it was quoted as being the VEC replacement.
I know someone who recently received a VEC from Sydney??? That surprised me, not just because it was after May 2015, but the fact that they could even issue one from Sydney, enough headaches here doing it. I can't remember what it cost him, but of course it was a lot more expensive than doing it here
VEC is free?, ( which part is free, maybe when it is renewed, after it expires? ). I think I paid a $10 or $20 application fee 3 years ago. ( Da Nang ), or has that changed, not likely.
There are 20 new codes for Visa's now, but I couldn't find any mention of VEC, your website says different , I hope.
I also hope you're right about the Provincial Govt being able to issue a 12 month TT visa, I think I might do that next time, $36 is much better than the $95 I've seen posted on other web pages. ( why would anyone bother getting a VR at that price? ).
I'm looking forward to reviewing your link, it's so difficult to get a decent website on VN Govt sites, the Bo Cong An one I WAS using stops as soon as you leave the main page, probably something to do with the translation process.

stefanhanoi wrote:

bluenz wrote:

Pls supply a link to your info for ALL of us to read. ( or copy and paste it as others try to do ).

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=vietnam+immigration+law+2014

Fourth entry is the text in English.

Did you look at any others or just this one in English?  that isn't a Govt website,  has terrible translations, and only mentions VEC once, and that is about entry/exit . Which one did you get your fee's, etc , from?

Cheeze.

(the law ...)

bluenz wrote:

only mentions VEC once, and that is about entry/exit

Feel free to complain to the Vietnamese National Assembly that the law that they issued is not to your liking, and that you wanted to have the VEC mentioned more often.

In fact, what you write is wrong. The VEC is not mentioned there at all. The law only stipulates that foreign spouses don't need a visa to enter Vietnam. How this is handled in practice is not stipulated in that law.
My guess would be that the VEC and the procedures around it are issued by the Ministry for Public Security, just using the same form and procedures that were used under the old regulation. Would have to look it up, but for what?

bluenz wrote:

Did you look at any others or just this one in English?

Feel free to read the Vietnamese original. Now that you know the number of the law it is very easy to google.

bluenz wrote:

that isn't a Govt website

That is correct. But why should it? The law is issued by the National Assembly, and mainly executed by the Immigration under the Ministry for Public Security. Nothing to do with the Vietnamese Government.
The Government should publish its Decrees that provide guidance on the execution of the law - if there are already any.

On a side note: this inofficial translation is hosted on the website of Binh Duong's Customs Office, as easily to be seen from the URL.

bluenz wrote:

has terrible translations

Feel free to provide a better translation - or pay for one.
Those inofficial translations are often done by law firms and then published free of charge, as a service to the public.

bluenz wrote:

Which one did you get your fee's, etc , from?

I said already, that the fees are under the responsibility of the Finance Ministry.
With a bit of googling it shouldn't be that hard to find them.

Alternatively get them from the Immigration Department's Website: vnimm.gov.vn. From where else?
Yes, Vietnamese only, but if you cannot read some basic Vietnamese, you can always ask your wife to help you. It is difficult to copy links from within that site, but it is not that difficult to find.

stefanhanoi]Cheeze.
This isn't a contest with you to see who is wrong or right, so no need for the sarcasm, and nitpicking arguments , I,( and others on here ), just want to know the correct facts, that's why I don't trust ADVICE from non government agencies, ( from previous experience ), that can't even translate things properly,  I had my well educated wife look at the proper Govt website,  Cơ quan nhập cư, vnimm.gov.vn, ( for some reason Google's translation of the " Ministry for Public Security ", made her laugh ), she lost her patience after a short time with this useless website, ( her soapies are much more important ), the English translation only works on the original page, I found the fee link, but it didn't even work in Viet, it doesn't matter who sets the fee's or makes the rules, we need to use the correct facts, and as you seem to think it is so easy to find them, ( on your page of links, although it would be much preferable to see ALL the rules/laws on the one page, however this is VN, so that's hardly likely? ). perhaps you could do US the honour of copying and pasting the relevant laws.
BTW, the VEC 90 day extension form has changed, so we can't rely on using previous forms, ( as I found out ).and later I found out another new requirement, ( for my province ),  to give them a photocopy of my marriage cert EVERYTIME now.

This was the only thing I read about the VEC on your English link,

“Any Foreign Citizens that enters Vietnam and are unilaterally GRANTED Visa-Free Entry must have a passport still valid for at least 06 months, and the entry date must be at least 30 days from the previous exit;”

It means that when you enter Vietnam WITH the exemption visa, you can re-enter Vietnam with the previous Vietnam visa exemption after exiting Vietnam for 30 days. You no need to apply the Visa Exemption again.

However in case you want to come back Vietnam sooner than 30 days, you have to apply visa for entering Vietnam.

This change will take effect from January 1, 2015."   

This new rule is is supposed to help????? I don't think this is even about a VEC, 6 months validity on your passport, for a 5 yr Visa????? It has to be 6 months validity FROM the expiry date of the VEC, ( like mine is ). This is the type of translation I'm " complaining " about.

When I go into Immigration today or tomorrow, I'm going to ask them for a 12 month TT application form, anything more than that on the same day would be too difficult for them, so at least I'll be able to verify that for my province. ( hopefully ).

Sorry,  but I simply don't have the time to pre-chew here everything.

I gave you the link to an English translation of the law, not of any "advice" site.
Yet, you still don't grasp the difference between a visa and a residency permit, although it is clearly defined there. What should I do?
I gave you the URL of the Immigration. Others could find the required infos there. You can't. Well.
All the current forms are there to download. You complain that they have changed. Wow.
And if your province choose not to follow the official requirements in the past, but does now (maybe they have been made more clear), then you complain again. What's the problem with a simple copy of the marriage certificate??? I get myself a set of certified copies done every few years or so, and that's it for a while then.

If neither you, nor your wife knows the official name of the "Bo Cong An" in English, although it is around for 15 years or so, how much does this say about you?

Just one thing: The "unilaterally granted Visa-Free Entry" is a completely different story. This is e.g. about the recent decision that citizens of certain countries don't need a visa for a short visit to Vietnam. Nothing to do with VEC, TT, etc.

And now: Good night!

stefanhanoi wrote:

Sorry,  but I simply don't have the time to pre-chew here everything.

I gave you the link to an English translation of the law, not of any "advice" site.
Yet, you still don't grasp the difference between a visa and a residency permit, although it is clearly defined there. What should I do?
I gave you the URL of the Immigration. Others could find the required infos there. You can't. Well.
All the current forms are there to download. You complain that they have changed. Wow.
And if your province choose not to follow the official requirements in the past, but does now (maybe they have been made more clear), then you complain again. What's the problem with a simple copy of the marriage certificate??? I get myself a set of certified copies done every few years or so, and that's it for a while then.

If neither you, nor your wife knows the official name of the "Bo Cong An" in English, although it is around for 15 years or so, how much does this say about you?

Just one thing: The "unilaterally granted Visa-Free Entry" is a completely different story. This is e.g. about the recent decision that citizens of certain countries don't need a visa for a short visit to Vietnam. Nothing to do with VEC, TT, etc.

And now: Good night!

I been told by several people that you consider yourself to be an " expert " on VN vsa's, but I told them that can't be right, as an " expert '' when have the verifiable FACTS , ( at their fingertips ),  from reliable sources, not some practically unintelligible definitions from " advisors " who can't even translate something properly.
(They also reminded me of a  member of a certain FB page, I should have recognised the snide remarks and sarcasm ).
Not sure who is the one having the trouble here, a resident permit or a Temporary Resident Permit??? You need a VISA FIRST to get one. ( Unless you receive a VEC first, and that would be rare )
As I told you , the OFFICIAL ;Bo Cong An site isn't working properly, you can't even get the fee's in English OR Viet, so obviously you haven't been on it???? What others???? Or is it only mine and my wife's internets connections/computer???
That English link is almost as bad as the FB  Visa online page. that's where I got my fees from, no wonder they were wrong, ( as you say ). But I do know for a fact a VR is $50, ( in my province ).

" I gave you the link to an English translation of the law, not of any "advice" site ". so why does it say at the top of the page, YOUR VIETNAM VISA ADVISOR???? and then Jenny pops up in a window and wants to talk to you? Not an advice site????  I ask her questions and she doesn't reply, so you are right, it isn't an advice site.

That $36 you quoted for the 3 month TT visa, is also what I USED to pay for a C2 , 3 years ago.

Most people usually copy and paste information or supply DIRECT inks, as you say, how hard is that, if the Bo Cong An website worked for me I would have done it.The idea of these groups is to help each other? All of my facts are from copied and pasted websites. Just goes to show how wrong they can be , ( according to you ).
You must have missed the one where they are " considering " a TT holder can get a TRC, ( 2013 --14 ).
⦁    Accordingly, foreigners issued TT visa (including: foreigners are parents, spouse, and children under 18 years of age of the foreigners issued with LV1, LV2, ĐT, NN1, NN2, UNIVERSITY, PV1, LĐ visas, or foreigners that are parents, spouse, and children of Vietnamese citizens) are considering issuing Vietnam Temporary Residence Card. This article is expanded for foreigners that are parents, spouse, and children of Vietnamese citizens "

The problem with the copies of the marriage Cert is that they DON"T tell you until you go in, I don't live in the city, so it is a 40 km return trip for me every time they stuff me around. ( 4 trips the time before last ), My wife get 2 - 3 copies of the NA5 signed by the local Cong An, but that didn't work last time as they changed the form, AGAIN didn't find out until I presented my application, same as last time they changed the form. A NORMAL person would probably find this frustrating???
They speak next to no English and yesterday didn't even understand my written request, in English AND Viet, couldn't even tell me the fee for a TT Visa..

"If neither you, nor your wife knows the official name of the "Bo Cong An" in English, although it is around for 15 years or so, how much does this say about you?"
Vietnamese, ( in my province ), call it the immigration office in English, not "Public Security ", ( that's why my wife laughed ), and I've got info for Immigration, ( Visa applications ),  from the Foreign Affairs dept as well, so how many names is it called by???


Better get back to your " cooking ", and watch out for the Cong An, but then you would know you are not allowed to work on a VEC, but no doubt that is also different in Hanoi?
BTW no use arguing with me, my Grandfather was an arrogant German as well, so it could be in my blood as well?
But why not, if it makes others laugh as well.
Have a nice day..

http://www.vietnam-evisa.org/visa-fee.h … vQodbKwAEQ   prices current as of 12 Aug 2015

MarkinNam wrote:

http://www.vietnam-evisa.org/visa-fee.html?gclid=CNutkKf01sMCFYSVvQodbKwAEQ   prices current as of 12 Aug 2015

Thanks Mark, but Entry Visa's fee's can be found anywhere, it's the  fee's for the longer term and new types of Visa's that are not as easy to find,  ( one useless FB page has photo's of several visa's of different lengths, but they're all the same price???? ).
I'll try and get my wife to find some time to " pre chew " some information from VN Govt websites for us, with reliable, understandable quotes and links.

Just two things:
1) I never claimed to be an expert on all VN visa. I have very little actual experience on all the working and tourist visa and the extention of the related temporary residency permits. I am doing since years the extension of a "temporary residency permit" for family visit by myself. I did a VEC by myself, and a TT. Means: I claim to know something about VEC and the temporary residency permit based on it. Nothing more nothing less. I got my infos mainly from the translation of the law (see below) and from the official website. Others did the same - partly with my advice - and could do it also. They all agree that no service agent is needed for that.

2) I showed you how to google and told you that there is a link to the translation of the law.
haiquanbinhduong.gov.vn/EN/vanban/47.QH13.doc
I don't care about other websites. Or are you talking about that one???

You claim things that I never said.

Finally, here is the step-by-step guide to get the fees, since the immigration site works a bit funny and doesn't allow the copying of internal links:
1) Open http://vnimm.gov.vn
2) Copy the left menu block (starting with "thong bao") and paste it into Google Translate.
3) Read that the sixth entry is "Immigration Fees"
4) Click the sixth link in that menu block ("Lệ phí Xuất nhập cảnh)
5) The links and explanations to three documents appear.
6) The first link description says something about APEC, so it most probably doesn't concern us much here.
7) Copy the description of the second link and paste it into Google Translate.
8) Google Translate says "Amending and supplementing Circular 66/2009 / TT-BTC providing the regime of collection, management and use of fees for issuing passports, visas and papers on entry, exit, transit and residence in Viet Nam. Circular effective from 01.01.2013." So, we want that one, but we will need later also the underlying document: 66/2009/TT-BC.
9) Click the link to that document (i.e. the second one in the list) and - voila - you get the full text of the Vietnamese original of that document.
10) Copy the content of that document and paste it into Google Translate.
11) Click the link to the other document (i.e. the third on in the list).
12) Repeat step 10.

Alternatively, since you know the number of the documents from the list, you can google them also directly.

Wasn't that difficult, was it?

Ah, one more thing, for general education:
The Department for Immigration ("Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh") is a department of the "Ministry of Public Security" ("Bộ Công An"). The banner of that website therefore says "Bộ Công An - Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh". The footer of that webiste says the same. That text there can be copied and pasted into Google Translate. Not that difficult to understand, no?

But relax, I will not annoy you anymore.
Cheers

stefanhanoi wrote:

Just two things:
1) I never claimed to be an expert on all VN visa. I have very little actual experience on all the working and tourist visa and the extention of the related temporary residency permits. I am doing since years the extension of a "temporary residency permit" for family visit by myself. I did a VEC by myself, and a TT. Means: I claim to know something about VEC and the temporary residency permit based on it. Nothing more nothing less. I got my infos mainly from the translation of the law (see below) and from the official website. Others did the same - partly with my advice - and could do it also. They all agree that no service agent is needed for that.

2) I showed you how to google and told you that there is a link to the translation of the law.
haiquanbinhduong.gov.vn/EN/vanban/47.QH13.doc
I don't care about other websites. Or are you talking about that one???

You claim things that I never said.


Finally, here is the step-by-step guide to get the fees, since the immigration site works a bit funny and doesn't allow the copying of internal links:
1) Open http://vnimm.gov.vn
2) Copy the left menu block (starting with "thong bao") and paste it into Google Translate.
3) Read that the sixth entry is "Immigration Fees"
4) Click the sixth link in that menu block ("Lệ phí Xuất nhập cảnh)
5) The links and explanations to three documents appear.
6) The first link description says something about APEC, so it most probably doesn't concern us much here.
7) Copy the description of the second link and paste it into Google Translate.
8) Google Translate says "Amending and supplementing Circular 66/2009 / TT-BTC providing the regime of collection, management and use of fees for issuing passports, visas and papers on entry, exit, transit and residence in Viet Nam. Circular effective from 01.01.2013." So, we want that one, but we will need later also the underlying document: 66/2009/TT-BC.
9) Click the link to that document (i.e. the second one in the list) and - voila - you get the full text of the Vietnamese original of that document.
10) Copy the content of that document and paste it into Google Translate.
11) Click the link to the other document (i.e. the third on in the list).
12) Repeat step 10.


Alternatively, since you know the number of the documents from the list, you can google them also directly.

Wasn't that difficult, was it?

Ah, one more thing, for general education:
The Department for Immigration ("Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh") is a department of the "Ministry of Public Security" ("Bộ Công An"). The banner of that website therefore says "Bộ Công An - Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh". The footer of that webiste says the same. That text there can be copied and pasted into Google Translate. Not that difficult to understand, no?

But relax, I will not annoy you anymore.
Cheers

Surely you've been here long enough to know Google Translate is practically useless with Viet, ( unless it's only 2 or 3 words ). and Bing is even worse.
Or maybe if English isn't your first language it might be easier for that person to understand? but not with most VN's, I gave up showing them anything that had been Google Translated a long time again, and yesterday was just another example, they couldn't even give me the price for a TT visa. ( my request for a 12 month TT application form and the fee,  written in English, and unfortunately translated by Google to Viet ), and they probably gave me the wrong form??

Now I'm having trouble understanding your English, your first paragraph
"  tourist visa and the extension of the related temporary residency permits ",  Permits????

""temporary residency permit" for family visit by myself. I did a VEC by myself,"    so you had a TRC once?, why didn't you just renew your TRC, no need for a VEC, unless your circumstances changed, i.e , stopped working, or closed a LLC.

I think there could be some confusion between a Residence CARD and a Temporary Resident Card??? ( the Card isn't temporary and is probably the Permit? ). Residence Cards are something VN's also have , but we can get, somehow, enables us to have cheaper hospital visits , etc..

Thanks for the instructions for the fee's,  couldn't do it the exact way you said, skipped step 2 and opened Lệ phí Xuất nhập cảnh, then copied to Google Translate, who made it's usual hash of it.
I should have just Googled Vietnam 66/2009/TT-BC first.  this one is already in English,
But they don't have the Visa codes, and no 12 month Visa, or VEC type, I don't think this site has been updated since pre 2014??? I have plenty of info on codes, but without fee's. ( Except the VEC, it doesn't get mentioned much, for some reason???  ).
There are usually application fee's as well, it would be great if we could find ALL of this info on the one page. ( or even the same website ). Next mission is to find the names of the application and renewal forms for these new Visa codes.

I'm getting tired of wasting time on hopeless websites, might need a few more trips to the " Ministry of Public Security and Immigration ". Lol. Not sure if having different staff manning the counter nearly everyday is a good thing or not?

This may be useful, but I've never seen them quoted this low before??? Makes you wonder just old is this page??
6
Temporary residence card: 
Asian)        ( ??   What's that all about?)
Valid until 1 year        60 USD

b) Worth over 1 year to 2 years     80 USD

  c) Worth over 2 years to 3 years       100 USD   


This one was very interesting, 
13
Immigration permit for foreigners residing in Vietnam without passports

  VND 200,000

In old times, the standard answer to your post would have been RTFM!
In this case I would replace the "M" with an "L" for "Law".

Especially e.g. §31 in Chapter IV, titled "Temporary Residence Permit", and then also §36 to 38, dealing with "Temprary Residence Cards" as well as §39 to §43 about the "Permanent Residence" Status and the "Permanent Residence Cards".

You continue to be too .... to read the law, continue to claim things that are simply not true (as would be obvious if you had read the law - English translation is more than enough) and then complain that we don't give you everything spoon-fed.

I also said that the fees are regulated by the Finance Ministry (as is obvious from the header of that document), and that they don't care about the class of visa (TT, VR, DL, ....). See at their table (hosted on the official Immigration website) and you will see what I said all along. Yet, you still ask for specific fees for a TT visa and complain that the officers don't give you.

And then you complain about me. Sure. It is all my fault.

PS: - editing -
1) The VEC is free of charge, as I said already, at least when done inside of VN.
The temporary residence permit that you will need and get together with it (the square "permit to stay stamp") is - like always when done in country: 10 USD. As given on the tables of the Finance Ministry. At least a few weeks ago.
2) All the required forms for VEC, TT etc. (but not the one to register with the local police) are also available on the Immigration's website to download. I used a downloaded form to get my VEC.
The form for the extension of the temporary residence permit (NA5) states in the foot notes: "Enclose supporting documents to prove the family relationship". So, the requirement to submit a copy of the Marriage Registration is clearly given.

Yes, the form changed on 01.01.15 very slightly. I still used the old one (had it already as template in my PC), and got the stamp of the local police. When I came to immigration they told me that I had used the old form instead of the new one. They gave me the new one that I filled immediately at their place (the entries are just a 1:1 copy of the old one). They accepted the police confirmation on the old one - no need to go back again. Just said that the next time I should do everything on the new form. That's Hanoi PA18. Nice English.

I see the government is starting to relax on their issuing of visas,it took a huge decline in tourism to get them to actually figure out something that was told to them 10 years ago.

something wrong with the edit.

bluenz wrote:

Stefan Cheeze,
Nice of you to drag yourself away from your pots and pan long enough to contribute some more of your " facts " , but you do have a reputation to live up to.
I'm looking forward to going into the Dept of Public Security and Immigration next time, probably have to be in DN though, I'll be asking for a refund for my VEC application fee.

Yes, I didn't read those chapters , for 2 reasons, I was sick of trying to find things on that website, and 2, I'm well aware of what a TRC is,  AND what is needed to get one,  I've also had experience in changing from a VEC to a TRC, but still can't find any reference to a Temporary Resident " Permit " on any other website. It just sounded like another Google translate cockup.

Yes, I continue to be to.....................and claim things that ARE true, as read, experienced by me, or relayed to me by people with that experience.

Not everything is correct on these websites.( or it is stuffed up by Google Translate )

Your VEC info is one example. ( free to renew? once expired maybe? ). since May 2015, I haven't heard of anyone receiving  a VEC who has never had one before, and that has only been you, ( apart from out of country, and who knows, maybe they made a mistake in Sydney, I hope not for my friend's sake, he's not in VN yet. ), and my friend here was told he couldn't renew his expired VEC, because the officer told him they have stopped issuing them, ( better go and kick his ass??, the officers,  not my friends )

What's the point of having codes if they don't use them, and as I said there is NOT even a 12 month Visa on your fee list, ( or a 5 yr Visa Exemption ), that may have been WHY I asked about it ????

" The temporary residence permit that you will need and get together with it (the square "permit to stay stamp") is - like always when done in country: 10 USD. As given on the tables of the Finance Ministry. At least a few weeks ago."

First time I've ever heard that stamp called that, in over 5 years of speaking with many VEC holders. but it was probably lost in translation? Again, Resident Permit doesn't come up in a Google search.

They use the codes for the forms, but not for the fee's, must be confusing for them???? Especially when there are no fee's on your tables for any 12 month Visa , or VEC,  but as you said , VEC is free , maybe the TT is s well??? lol..

" Yes, the form changed on 01.01.15 very slightly. I still used the old one (had it already as template in my PC), and got the stamp of the local police. When I came to immigration they told me that I had used the old form instead of the new one. They gave me the new one that I filled immediately at their place (the entries are just a 1:1 copy of the old one). They accepted the police confirmation on the old one - no need to go back again. Just said that the next time I should do everything on the new form "

They confirmed it, I'm amazed, ( wish we had officers like that here )
But I'd love to see someone try that here, one day the female officer changed the date for me , ( the day, not month or year ), said it would be ok, but came running out as I was about to leave saying " sorry, no can do", same with the old form, they flatly refused to accept it. ( but that's in my province ).
Sometimes that " slight " change can make all the difference to a VN official, ( and so it should ).

colinoscapee wrote:

I see the government is starting to relax on their issuing of visas,it took a huge decline in tourism to get them to actually figure out something that was told to them 10 years ago.

Not sure what you are referring to. The latest news, about the 1 years tourist visa for USAmericans, does very little for tourism, but much for English teachers who are here on a tourist visa.
Anyway, I believe it when it is in force. The current law says that a DL is max. 3 months. I had to look whether there are exeptions. If not, then it would need the National Assembly to ammend that law to allow also 12 months. And that takes time.....

Ok, Stefan, after a long think, I feel I MAY owe you an apology, I've always wondered why I only paid $10 for my VEC, when my friend, who's VEC expired this year, paid $20, ( 5 1/2 years ago ), either he was ripped off, which I doubt very much in DN, or the fee for the actual VEC was dropped sometime within the following 2 years.

But as I've said, NOWHERE or by anyone,  have I ever heard/read about that " stamp " we get every 90 days, referred to as a Temporary Resident Permit. ( Permits are usually pieces of paper, and we all know how much VN's love pieces of paper.). Even Mr Google doesn't know about it. ( so that proves one thing about what you can , or can't read on the internet? ).
So the VEC isn't really " free ", as it's a combination apparently, of 2 things, how many other Visa's are like that?

Still doesn't make sense though, why is this Visa " free ", when no others are, probably a good reason why they MAY have ceased ???? ( for new applicants, have to wait and see about that one ), but if it is still available, WHY would that officer here say it wasn't, they knew of the form change for extending it, and now all of a sudden they want a copy of the Marriage Cert???

Stefan,by law you cant work on a tourist visa,you may enter the country on a tourist visa but having one for a year doesnt allow you to work legally.You need a work permit so what you said makes no sense. Have you noticed all the extra countries being added to the free 30 and 15 day visa,its not that the guys and gals in Hanoi are being nice,its because the tourism industry is going down the drain.

Bluenz, no apologies needed. I am tough in distributing and taking. You got your punishment already in form of my nasty comments. Just promise to get better .... says the headteacher LOL

First, agreed that nearly all of the inofficial "Service Sites" are next to useless, since they have only the goal to make things look complicated, so that they can charge exorbitant fees.

Also, since most people don't understand really much, getting their "infos" only from such websites, or from anectodal infos, without understanding the details, and without care about how old it is, such infos from others are to be taken with big pinches of salt.

If you want to get real facts you have no choice to check the text of the law and other official regulations, and then compare it with how it is applied in reality, e.g. what the stamps and stickers in your passport really say.

When talking about the law it is important to use the same language, and the new law says very clearly, that the visa is to enter Vietnam (only) and one then needs one of the three different residence permits to stay here. The date until which the visa is valid states the last date one can enter Vietnam. Nothing more. An "extension of a visa" therefore makes only sense if one has a visa, is abroad, and wants to come to Vietnam later than is stated on his visa.
The differentiation between validity duration of the visa and the permit to stay/residence permit might be confusing, but is nothing special. The European Schengen Visa are similar: My wife e.g. has a multiple entry Schengen visa that is valid for 5 years, but she can stay there only for a max. of 3 months at a time. And in Europe, and extension of those 3 months is not possible!

Regarding the fees:
In Hanoi, I get since years the fees for the square stamp (10 USD) as well as any visa sticker directly stamped into the passport. I just need to add both and I know how much I have to pay. Since what I pay is obviously two amounts, it was clear to me since a long time, that those are two issues: The fee for the visa (as given by the sticker) and the "stay permit" (this is what the stamp reads)(as given by the stamp). When I only extend, then I get a new square stamp and pay 10 USD for the extension, and that since many years. When you enter the country on a visa from abroad, you get also a "stay permit stamp". But that is the first one - not an extension - and that first one, when you enter, is free of charge.

I don't know whether one has to pay for the VEC when done abroad (except some shipping and handling fees maybe). Would also be interesting, when getting a VEC inside the country while still being covered by another long-term residence permit, so that no residence permit based on the VEC is necessary.

Also, it is quite easy to see possible reasons why the VEC is free:
The fees are determined by the Finance Ministry ("MOF"), not the Immigration.
There only needs to be in some law or regulation a sentence saying that the MOF is responsible to determine fees for the visa and residence permits, and they cannot charge anything for the VEC, because the VEC is neitehr a visa nor a residence permit.
Or the VEC just slipped under the MOF's radar, or there are political reasons not to charge anything.

Regarding the copy of the Marriage Certificate:
I had to submit it since years in Hanoi, not only in PA18 (which might work under local rules), but also at A18, which would mean that it has been an official requirement since quite some time already. Maybe your province simply didn't enforce it. Now that requirement is clearly stated in the new form.

Finally, I find it hard to believe that there is no VEC anymore. I got mine on 11.06.15, as I wrote. My suspicion is, that your friend overstayed his "temporary residence permit", which legally means that he has none anymore. Something that you don't have - that actually legally doesn't exist anymore - cannot be extended. A new "temporary residence permit" based on a VEC can only be given when entering VN, which in your friends is not the case. Your friend was illegally in VN. In such a case - at least in the past - they usually issued a new visa (and you have to pay the fees for it), which gives you the basis for a legal stay, together with "temporary residence permit" stamp. Don't ask me why the new visa, as well as the "temporary residency permit" was an extension of the previous 3 months period, and not 3 months from the issuing date of the visa.

Nevertheless, if he goes out of the country, he should be able to come in again with his VEC, and from then on renew the temporary residence permit that he got when entering VN.

So far for now. I am very willing to discuss things that are not clear in the law etc., but I guess you understand now, that I get pissed if I have to correct something repeatedly, only because somebody isn't willing to spend the time to find quite easy infos (like this law) and/or doesn't read it then.
Have fun!
Stefan

I'll ask my Aussie friend who recently received his VEC in Sydney, how much and for what he paid for, ( for a while he wasn't even sure what he was going to end up receiving with all the rumours and lack of information  ).

My friend here with the expired VEC is VERY careful not to overrun his 90 day expiry date, it must have been something to do with his passport, I know it was due to expire in a few month as well, and for a VEC you need to have 6 months of validity left, AFTER the VEC expiry date, so by the time I was issued my VEC I received LESS than 4  1/2 years.
  He was made to leave VN several years ago, and it was all over him going ABOVE the DN office, they refused his application for renewal for some reason, ( then he had a Tourist Visa, about 7 -8 yrs ago ), so he thought he'd be smart and went to HCMC and they issued him a new Visa, but when he presented it to his local police back in DN,, they didn't like him doing that, and still made him leave VN for a few days ).
They tried to get us to apply 1 week before the expiry date, but I go 2 days before it, he's the same. And he also knows I was fined 1 mil VND for being 3 -4 days past the expiry date once.

It was probably the same idiot officer who wouldn't admit he didn't know how to change a VEC to a TRC here, I found out later it can only be done where it was issued, ( or maybe HCMC or Hanoi as well? ), the school ended up getting so frustrated, ( but also lazy ), they gave up.

I am usually also quite careful about the 90 days, but things happen....
Over the many years, the "Tet slowdown" got less and less. My permit was expiring in 2014 just shortly before Tet. I thought that I could do all the procedures before. I was out of country for nearly two years and wasn't really aware that things had changed meanwhile: There were meanwhile government decided long holidays, instead of the previous sequences of single free days. As a result I was too late to start the procedures and wasn't finished by the time the visa expired. Over the long holidays I was staying illegally .... and had to take a new and expensive visa then, instead of a cheap extension....

So, with your friend, I assume that there was a reason (like expiring passport maybe), that a normal extension wasn't possible. Check with him!