Vietnamese visa rules changes warnings for expats

An unnamed British expat in Vietnam was recently left dumfounded when he was advised by a local agent that his application for a one year visa extension had been rejected by the government. The man, who is married to a Vietnamese national and has been working in Vietnam for over a decade has previously made similar applications as a routine measure and had never experienced any difficulties. Fortunately, for now, the man was able to obtain a three month extension but what happens after that is still a mystery.

The reason for the unexpected confusion was what authorities have called an abrupt change in Vietnamese visa renewal applications which has caught many expats unaware to the extent that some have expressed anger at not being notified of any rule changes.

According to Vietnamese immigration authorities any expats that hold a labour contract with a validity or more than one year are now required to renew their visa at least every six months but in some cases every three months. The changes represent huge hurdles for foreign employers and employees with significant loss of working hours caused by the new requirements along with associated costs. A local solicitor representing expats said that while official legislation had not been altered, officials were now becoming more rigorous in their application of previously lenient laws.

Visa issuances have also seen duration reduced without any official explanation.

The new regulations mean that work permit holding foreigners will be able to renew their visa twice at a length of three months each time. They will be required to leave Vietnam every six months. According to the government the move is part of a wider crackdown on illegal foreign workers throughout the country.