Some Visa Extensions Discontinued

Ciambella wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

At SGN they insisted on putting the stamp on the opposite page to the actual visa even although there were pages only half filled with stamps.

I reminds me of when I used to do visa runs to Moc Bai. I saw the vietnamese who were going through regularly to gamble in Cambodia all had the visa stamps nicely lined up on either side of the page in an orderly fashion. Mine were stamp wherever in no order, sometimes 3-4 stamps taking up the whole page due to their placement.

colinoscapee wrote:

I thought the PCR test takes time, the antigen test is quick but not suitable for flying purposes as far as I know.

I believe so too, but for some reason, the MoH provides both prices and time, that's why I posted both.

The RT-PCR takes 4 - 5 hours only, but at testing centers, they make you return the next day for the result.  As Tam Anh Hospital the designated testing hospital for travellers, the procedure is streamlined, the result is returned to the airport immediately.  English translation of the result is not available until 24 hours later, however, and will be sent to your email.

BTW, the testing area is at Gate D1 of the domestic wing.

Ciambella wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

I thought the PCR test takes time, the antigen test is quick but not suitable for flying purposes as far as I know.

I believe so too, but for some reason, the MoH provides both prices and time, that's why I posted both.

The RT-PCR takes 4 - 5 hours only, but at testing centers, they make you return the next day for the result.

Yes.

Looking at my official test results from the institute of public health in Saigon on May 31st, my test was taken at 9:00 a.m. it was received in the lab at 10:00 a.m. the real time rt- PCR test was done at 11:00 a.m. and they finally released and certified the results at 5:00 p.m.

I had to come back the next morning at 9:30 a.m. to pick up my results/official certificate for the airline/US Government

colinoscapee wrote:

I thought the PCR test takes time, the antigen test is quick but not suitable for flying purposes as far as I know.

Flights from HCMC and Hanoi will require a negative quick test moving forward. A PCR is for international. Both needs to be within 3 days of travel.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Yes.

Looking at my official test results from the institute of public health in Saigon on May 31st, my test was taken at 9:00 a.m. it was received in the lab at 10:00 a.m. the real time rt- PCR test was done at 11:00 a.m. and they finally released and certified the results at 5:00 p.m.

I had to come back the next morning at 9:30 a.m. to pick up my results/official certificate for the airline/US Government

That's exactly how I understand the article (which was badly written in Vietnamese and the reason I cannot translate to English with certainty, I also don't feel good about the English version provided by Tuoi Tre either).  The way I read it, the part that takes time is the translation of the official certificate.  That's why in this scheme, travellers get the result to fly in 5 hours, but they don't get access to the English certificate until 24 hours later.

Ciambella wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

oh thats a bonus then & get the results right away & how early do you need to get there before the flight do you know?

Depends on the type of test.  With Abbott quick test, the result takes 30 minutes.  With RT-PCR, it's 4-5 hours  (same amount of time as at testing centers).  The cost of Abbott is 540k while RT-PCR is 1.69M.  If you're part of a group of 5 people who all take the RT-PCR, the cost for the whole group is 3.9M, bringing the cost per person down to 780k (53% off, if my calculation is correct.)

The cost includes transporting sample to Tam Anh General Hospital (2km away) and returning the result to you at the airport.

Suppose you will be held in a quarantine room until the test comes back then, but still sounds like a plan if ever I need to do a runner

goodolboy wrote:

Suppose you will be held in a quarantine room until the test comes back then, but still sounds like a plan if ever I need to do a runner

Here's a 3 minute video:

Covid test in TSN

It does take some time, but not very long. I had to get 3 this year so far, and every time I had the results within a few hours. The fastest one took just two hours.

colinoscapee wrote:

I thought the PCR test takes time, the antigen test is quick but not suitable for flying purposes as far as I know.

My agent says they are still doing extensions in HCMC.  She will arrange for a Grab courier to pick up my passport on Monday.  The previous extension expires on Thursday the 29th.  So if I get this one, I only need one more.

Surprised.. wouldn't have thought visa was essential service.. good to know some places still open although I'm guessing a premium fee might be payable

Jlgarbutt wrote:

Surprised.. wouldn't have thought visa was essential service.. good to know some places still open although I'm guessing a premium fee might be payable

They are doing everything online -- the office is not open.  I guess someone will have to go to Immigration with my passport.  No, they aren't charging any more money -- well, I'll have to pay for the courier.

Yet another twist to my visa extension saga.  My agent just informed me that they cannot process a visa extension because of the addition restrictions the government just imposed. 

She writes, "Hello, Following the guidance of directive 16 reinforcement in Ho Chi Minh City, people are restricted from going out unless it's necessary. Therefore the HCM Immigration office considers not giving the overstay fine to foreigners whose visas expire from July 26th until August 1st; you can apply for the extension after this social distance over.
It means you can postpone your visa extension even your visa expires soon, you can contact us on the 2nd of August, we will check for you then.
Thank you!"

So I have to wait until the directive 16 period expires, if it does, to apply for another extension.

And after August 1st? Doesn't affect me but wonder what happens after that date? If restrictions still in place which it looks likely then they will fine ?

Jlgarbutt wrote:

And after August 1st? Doesn't affect me but wonder what happens after that date? If restrictions still in place which it looks likely then they will fine ?

If the restrictions are still in place I imagine they will extend the fine-free period.  After all, they have been granting those who entered Vietnam after 01 March, 2020 free extensions since that time.  I was just unlucky enough to have entered the day before.

My agent said she can now process a visa extension.  A courier will come pick it up tomorrow, but that creates a quandary -- I was put on the list for a vaccination and I have no idea when that will happen. They will want an ID and I won't have it.  The agent says it now takes two weeks to process or more.  I can't even ask anyone, because I don't know who is handling vaccinations.

paulmsn wrote:

My agent said she can now process a visa extension.  A courier will come pick it up tomorrow, but that creates a quandary -- I was put on the list for a vaccination and I have no idea when that will happen. They will want an ID and I won't have it.  The agent says it now takes two weeks to process or more.  I can't even ask anyone, because I don't know who is handling vaccinations.

Do you have a notarized copy? That should be ok for hospital if you explain your passport is with immigration getting restamped?
Take your VN drivers licence if have along paperwork from police when you registeted in your accom.
Should be enough to show where you live etc.

paulmsn wrote:

I can't even ask anyone, because I don't know who is handling vaccinations.

Check with the Medical Office of your ward or your district.  The vaccinations are given out by the local medical authority at a site nearest to you.

The address can be found on Google or ask anyone in your building.

Andybris2020 wrote:

paulmsn wrote:

My agent said she can now process a visa extension.  A courier will come pick it up tomorrow, but that creates a quandary -- I was put on the list for a vaccination and I have no idea when that will happen. They will want an ID and I won't have it.  The agent says it now takes two weeks to process or more.  I can't even ask anyone, because I don't know who is handling vaccinations.

Do you have a notarized copy? That should be ok for hospital if you explain your passport is with immigration getting restamped?
Take your VN drivers licence if have along paperwork from police when you registeted in your accom.
Should be enough to show where you live etc.

I have a copy, but it's not notarized.  No way to notarize it now.  I don't have a Vietnam drivers license either.  I'm asking my landlord for help, but he is usually not much use.  I will try to contact the Medical Office to see if a copy of the passport is OK. 

My timing is bad here -- first Immigration stopped processing because of the tightened shutdown just on the day I was to send the agent my passport, then when they started again it was just after I found out I was getting a vaccination.  Everything is complicated.  But I'm glad I will get a vaccination, and that I will finally get another extension.

My landlord came through -- he knew the woman who is the representative for our building and gave the number to my friend, who will call her tomorrow.  She told him she can tell me about the vaccination process.  Maybe she can verify my passport before I send it to Immigration.

Long time lurker here.

paulmsn wrote:

My agent said she can now process a visa extension.  A courier will come pick it up tomorrow, but that creates a quandary -- I was put on the list for a vaccination and I have no idea when that will happen. They will want an ID and I won't have it.  The agent says it now takes two weeks to process or more.  I can't even ask anyone, because I don't know who is handling vaccinations.

Hi Paul. Not sure what that's about because my own agent has assured me that the visa/extension process is still locked down, which is a relief to me as I have only two days left so your post rather concerned me.

Obviously things can be a bit unclear around this part of the world but I figured I should post my experience as well in case it is helpful for anyone.

paulmsn wrote:

My landlord came through -- he knew the woman who is the representative for our building and gave the number to my friend, who will call her tomorrow.  She told him she can tell me about the vaccination process.  Maybe she can verify my passport before I send it to Immigration.

Get her to take it to the local ward police where you have been registered and get a copy for you and get them to stamp it, she should have free access to get around the ward if she is the rep for the building, they normally get easy access to get notices and info to spread around for the people in the building.

Our street rep goes in and out on her bicycle daily coming back with info and paperwork about whats going on, covid testing info, vaccine info etc.

Another idea is what I had done to me when trying to get new password access to bank in Australia, do a selfie with your passport next to your face so they can see the passport info and your, face they accepted that as valid.

Andybris2020 wrote:

Get her to take it to the local ward police where you have been registered and get a copy for you and get them to stamp it, she should have free access to get around the ward if she is the rep for the building, they normally get easy access to get notices and info to spread around for the people in the building.

Our street rep goes in and out on her bicycle daily coming back with info and paperwork about whats going on, covid testing info, vaccine info etc.

Another idea is what I had done to me when trying to get new password access to bank in Australia, do a selfie with your passport next to your face so they can see the passport info and your, face they accepted that as valid.

All that seems to be unnecessary -- the rep assured me that a copy of the passport will be fine and volunteered to accompany me to the hospital whenever they set an appointment for me, which was really nice.  That will make the process easier, because I don't know what hospital I will get or whether anyone there speaks English. 

My passport has been sent to the agent, so in about two weeks I will find out if I am legal again.

Clip wrote:

Long time lurker here.

Hi Paul. Not sure what that's about because my own agent has assured me that the visa/extension process is still locked down, which is a relief to me as I have only two days left so your post rather concerned me.

Obviously things can be a bit unclear around this part of the world but I figured I should post my experience as well in case it is helpful for anyone.

My agent is Jane Snvi, which was recommended to me by someone on this site, and I've been pleased with their efforts.  They have a page on facebook -- maybe you should send them a message

paulmsn wrote:

Clip wrote:

Long time lurker here.

Hi Paul. Not sure what that's about because my own agent has assured me that the visa/extension process is still locked down, which is a relief to me as I have only two days left so your post rather concerned me.

Obviously things can be a bit unclear around this part of the world but I figured I should post my experience as well in case it is helpful for anyone.

My agent is Jane Snvi, which was recommended to me by someone on this site, and I've been pleased with their efforts.  They have a page on facebook -- maybe you should send them a message

Its complicated & not easy to understand but depending on where you entered the country or where you got your last visa or extension matters. My understanding from last time I talked to SNVI was that if you came in or got your visa through Ha Noi office you wont get an extension if at Saigon you will.

I'm in Saigon. We're the epicentre so it makes sense to me.

Clip wrote:

I'm in Saigon. We're the epicentre so it makes sense to me.

Talk to SNVI, If anyone knows or can do it for you its them.................in my opinion that is!!

Clip wrote:

I'm in Saigon. We're the epicentre so it makes sense to me.

Actually, I think the difference is that Saigon Immigration either processes the extensions or they don't, while Hanoi actually examines each application and determines whether or not to grant them.  Recently they seem to be deciding not to.

Ah, you're in Hanoi.

Thanks for the SNVI tips by the way, chaps. I checked them out (not Facebook, I don't use it) and they look pretty good.

I'll stick with my own agent for now. Been with her off and on for 6 years.

-

Just another point, in case it's helpful for anyone. I'm subbed to the UK Gov emails and I recently got this notice:

Due to local Government lockdown restrictions, Visa Application Centres in Vietnam will be closed until the following dates, which may be extended:

Ho Chi Minh City, until further notice
Da Nang City, until 14 August
Hanoi, until 22 August

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advic … quirements

No, I'm in Saigon, but my agent explained the Hanoi situation to me when HCMC Immigration temporarily chose not to process applications at the end of June and we were considering sending my application to Hanoi Immigration.  She wanted me to know the risk involved, but then HCMC changed its mind and we got the extension here. 

SNVI is working online with their office closed, and was able to send my passport and extension application to Immigration in HCMC earlier this month.  I was told it would take at least 2 weeks, but since I was already technically illegal after 29 July, I am happy they were able to manage it.  It wasn't easy, since the neighborhoods in HCMC are locked in.  I had to defy the guards at one of the blocked-off entrances to my neighborhood in order to hand my passport to the courier on the other side of the fence.  SNVI had similar difficulties at their end.  Now I am waiting for my passport to return from Immigration.

My agent told me today that my passport has returned from Immigration, with a visa extension until 12 September.  Since that is close to the end of the lockdown, barring another extension, she proposed that they keep the passport and apply for the next extension before the 12th.  That way we don't have to attempt two courier exchanges through the barricades.  I agreed, and I really hope they don't extend the lockdown again.

To anyone who is interested, my temporary resident stamp will be expired on 1st September, which will fall outside the 31st August 2021 auto visa extension period, I called the visa department at Nguyen Thi MInh Khai in HCMC today to inquire about this matter, the answer was there won't be any penalty apply while HCMC is in lockdown, infact, the officer told me there won't be any penalty since the first lockdown two months ago.

Wolfyau,are you referring to the VEC?

colinoscapee wrote:

Wolfyau,are you referring to the VEC?

I don't know what is VEC, I am refering to "gia hạn tạm trú", my temporary stay stamp, normally applied extension with the NA 5 form.

wolfyau wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

Wolfyau,are you referring to the VEC?

I don't know what is VEC, I am refering to "gia hạn tạm trú", my temporary stay stamp, normally applied extension with the NA 5 form.

So, your visa is a temporary residents card. Like the one in this link.

TRC

colinoscapee wrote:

wolfyau wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

Wolfyau,are you referring to the VEC?

I don't know what is VEC, I am refering to "gia hạn tạm trú", my temporary stay stamp, normally applied extension with the NA 5 form.

So, your visa is a temporary residents card. Like the one in this link.

TRC

No. I am a stucked tourist

wolfyau wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

wolfyau wrote:

I don't know what is VEC, I am refering to "gia hạn tạm trú", my temporary stay stamp, normally applied extension with the NA 5 form.

So, your visa is a temporary residents card. Like the one in this link.

TRC

No. I am a stucked tourist

Ok, a visa extension. Cant get your visa extened if the office is closed during lockdown.

colinoscapee wrote:

Wolfyau,are you referring to the VEC?

wolfyau wrote:

I don't know what is VEC, I am refering to "gia hạn tạm trú", my temporary stay stamp, normally applied extension with the NA 5 form.

The NA5 is used for many visa extensions.  Colin was asking what type of visa you have.

VEC is Visa Exemption Certificate, issued to foreigners who are related to a Vietnamese national by either marriage or parentage, or a person who was born in Vietnam but no longer has Vietnamese citizenship.

My current visa expires on the 4th of November.

Quoting Jane Snvi:

we just got the update that the immigration may stop extending tourist visa from tomorrow, there's no official updates yet so I'm not sure how it works and what are the options, we can't make sure we can help u to get visa extension but If you want, you can send us passport and we will keep you updated then

I will update tomorrow when I got confirmation.

Let's see. I was expecting this to happen someday of course but still makes me sad.
We started our marriage process in April and have made essentially zero progress so far because my fiancé's local police ward was shut down during the lockdowns and never reopened. Additionally I'm from Berlin so the German part of this process might take just as long...

This is not good news for me. Hoping to visit Vietnam. However I wish you luck with your marriage papers and everything turns out positive for you.

batstonec wrote:

This is not good news for me. Hoping to visit Vietnam. However I wish you luck with your marriage papers and everything turns out positive for you.

They are speaking of visa extension. This applies to people who were stranded in VN due to covid. For sure when the current covid situation passes VN will once again welcome visitors and issue visas to those wanting to visit. Indeed, they all are very eager to reopen the country.