Lessons · Level 3
3-7. Visas and Paperwork — Extensions, Residence Cards and the Immigration Counter
Visa & thủ tục hành chính
🎯 Goal Ask what documents you need for a visa extension or temporary residence card (TRC) and submit them at the immigration counter · about 40 min
Documents you need to know about for a long stay
There are three main documents for staying in Vietnam.
- E-visa — open to all nationalities, up to 90 days, single entry (US$25) or multiple entry (US$50). It can't be extended inside Vietnam, so when it runs out you have to leave and apply again.
- Work permit (giấy phép lao động) — needed to work in Vietnam. Usually your employer applies for it.
- Temporary residence card (thẻ tạm trú, TRC) — a long-stay card you can get if you have a work permit or similar. With it you can enter and leave without a visa for its validity period.
In Ho Chi Minh City, immigration matters are handled at two places: the Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh, 333–337 Nguyễn Trãi, former District 1) and the HCMC Police Immigration Division (Phòng Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh, 196 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, former District 3). Check with your company or agency first which office handles your case.
Visa and paperwork words
| Vietnamese | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| thị thực | visa (official term) In everyday speech people just say 'visa' (in the South it sounds like 'yee-sa') | tee tewk |
| gia hạn | to extend | ya hang |
| thẻ tạm trú | temporary residence card | teh tam choo |
| giấy phép lao động | work permit | yuhy fep lao dohng |
| hộ chiếu | passport | hoh chee-oo |
| tờ khai | application form | tuh khai |
| hình thẻ | ID photo North: ảnh thẻ | hin teh |
| bản sao | copy | bang sao |
| dịch thuật công chứng | notarized translation | yit twuhk kohng chewng |
| người bảo lãnh | sponsor | ngew-ee bao lan |
| xuất nhập cảnh | immigration | swuhk nyuhp kan |
| quá hạn | overdue, overstayed | wa hang |
| lệ phí | fee | lay fee |
| giấy hẹn | appointment slip | yuhy heng |
Sentences at the counter
| Vietnamese | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Tôi muốn gia hạn visa. | I want to extend my visa. | toy moo-uhng ya hang visa. |
| Visa của tôi sắp hết hạn. | My visa is about to expire. | Visa koo-uh toy sap het hang. |
| Tôi muốn làm thẻ tạm trú. | I want to apply for a temporary residence card. | toy moo-uhng lam teh tam choo. |
| Tôi cần những giấy tờ gì? | What documents do I need? | toy kuhng nyewng yuhy tuh yee? |
| Giấy này có cần dịch thuật công chứng không? | Does this document need a notarized translation? | yuhy nai kaw kuhng yit twuhk kohng chewng khohng? |
| Tôi nộp hồ sơ ở quầy nào? | Which counter do I submit my documents to? | toy nohp hoh suh uh wuhy nao? |
| Lệ phí bao nhiêu? | How much is the fee? | lay fee bao nyee-oo? |
| Khi nào tôi nhận kết quả? | When will I get the result? | khee nao toy nyuhng ket wa? |
| Công ty tôi là người bảo lãnh. | My company is my sponsor. | kohng tee toy la ngew-ee bao lan. |
| Đây là giấy hẹn của tôi. | This is my appointment slip. | duhy la yuhy heng koo-uh toy. |
| Chị nói chậm hơn được không? | Could you speak more slowly? | chee noy chuhm huhng dew-uhk khohng? |
| Tôi có cần quay lại không? | Do I need to come back? | toy kaw kuhng wai lai khohng? |
Real conversation — Submitting a residence card application at the immigration counter
Minsu goes to submit his temporary residence card application, sponsored by his company, in person. The processing time and counter number are examples. At government offices, 'tôi' (I) is the safe choice.
| Staff | Anh làm thủ tục gì? | What procedure are you here for? |
| Minsu | Dạ, tôi muốn làm thẻ tạm trú. Công ty tôi bảo lãnh. | I'd like to apply for a residence card. My company is sponsoring me. |
| Staff | Anh có hộ chiếu, tờ khai và giấy phép lao động chưa? | Do you have your passport, the form and your work permit? |
| Minsu | Dạ có. Đây là hồ sơ với hai tấm hình. | Yes. Here are my documents and two photos. |
| Staff | Hình này nền xanh rồi. Anh phải chụp lại hình nền trắng. | This photo has a blue background. You need a new one with a white background. |
| Minsu | Dạ, gần đây có chỗ chụp hình không chị? | Is there a photo place nearby? |
| Staff | Có, ngay ngoài cổng đó anh. | Yes, right outside the gate. |
| Minsu | Dạ, tôi chụp lại rồi đây. | I've retaken the photo. |
| Staff | Được rồi. Anh đóng lệ phí ở quầy bên kia nha. | Okay. Please pay the fee at that counter over there. |
| Minsu | Khi nào tôi nhận kết quả? | When will I get the result? |
| Staff | Năm ngày làm việc. Anh giữ giấy hẹn này, tới ngày thì mang theo hộ chiếu nha. | Five working days. Keep this slip and bring your passport on that day. |
| Minsu | Dạ, cảm ơn chị. | Thank you. |
Tips for easier paperwork
- Work permits and residence cards are usually handled by your company's HR team. Ask your company first how much they'll do for you.
- Bring originals + copies of your documents, and check in advance whether documents from your home country need a certified translation (dịch thuật công chứng).
- ID photos normally need a white background. Sizes differ by document, so check the application instructions.
- A residence card application often requires your temporary residence registration (khai báo tạm trú) to be done (see Lesson 3-4).
- Counter hours can change. Avoid lunchtime and go early in the morning.
Visa warnings
- Overstay fines went up from December 15, 2025 (Nghị định 282/2025): under 16 days, 500k–2M VND; 16 to under 30 days, 5M–10M VND; 1 year or more, 30M–40M VND — and you may be deported. Mark your expiry date on your calendar.
- E-visas can't be extended inside the country. Plan a 'visa run' (leave and re-enter), and if an agency says it can 'extend' one, find out exactly how.
- Working on a tourist visa or e-visa is illegal. Get a work permit before you start working.
- When you hand your passport to an agency, get a receipt and check that the agency is licensed. Keep a copy of your passport separately.
- The rules change often. The amounts and documents in this lesson are for reference as of 2026, so check again before you apply.