Extending a visa in Vietnam and a visa run from Nha Trang: what the law says (as of 26 October 2026)
How long you can stay in Vietnam without a visa, which visa to get for a winter stay, whether you can extend in Nha Trang and what an overstay costs. From official texts, as of 26 October 2026.
Citizens of 12 countries, including Russia, Germany, France, the UK, Japan and Korea, can stay in Vietnam 45 days without a visa from the date of entry, from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028 (Resolution 44/NQ-CP). For longer stays use an e-visa of up to 90 days or apply for an extension; help with paperwork in Nha Trang is listed in Visa agencies.
Updated 26 October 2026. Rules change, so check evisa.gov.vn before you travel.
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How long can I stay in Vietnam without a visa?
45 days counted from the date of entry, if you hold a passport of one of the 12 countries in Resolution 44/NQ-CP of 7 March 2025, whatever the passport type or purpose of the trip. You must meet Vietnam's entry conditions (Government portal). The 45-day figure also appears in Law 23/2023/QH15, in force since 15 August 2023 (law text). Other nationalities: check the exemption list of Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or apply for an e-visa.
Which visa should I get for a winter stay: e-visa up to 90 days?
For more than 45 days an e-visa is the straightforward option. Under Law 23/2023/QH15 an EV visa is valid for no more than 90 days (law) and can be single or multiple entry (Government portal). Resolution 127/NQ-CP opened e-visas to citizens of all countries from 15 August 2023 (summary). Apply on the state system evisa.gov.vn. Cam Ranh airport, which serves Nha Trang, is on the list of international gates for e-visa holders; check the current list before you fly.
Can I extend my stay while in Vietnam?
The law provides for it. For citizens of countries with a visa exemption, the law sets a 45-day stay and allows a visa or an extension of stay under the prescribed procedure (Law 23/2023/QH15). In Nha Trang this is handled by the Immigration Management Division of Khanh Hoa provincial police, whose procedure list includes extension of temporary residence for foreigners in Vietnam (list).
Official address: 47 Lý Tự Trọng, Lộc Thọ, Nha Trang. Applications are received Monday to Saturday morning, not on Sundays or holidays (police page). You can file online on the National Public Service Portal and then bring the originals to the office for comparison (guide). The document list, timing and fees are published on the portal; use it rather than second-hand summaries. Apply before your permitted stay ends.
What is a visa run and where do people go from Nha Trang?
A visa run means leaving Vietnam and entering again to start a new stay. Vietnamese law does not use the term. Under Resolution 44/NQ-CP the 45 days run from the date of entry, and at each crossing border control decides whether to admit you against the entry conditions (text). Nobody can guarantee a new exemption in advance.
From Nha Trang the border is crossed through Cam Ranh airport, which is on the international gate list (summary). Where to fly is the traveller's own choice. If you live in Vietnam for months, an e-visa or an extension is more reliable than a series of exits: those are what the law provides.
What happens if I overstay?
A fine and possibly deportation. Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP was issued on 30 October 2025 and applies from 15 December 2025 (Dong Nai provincial police). Overstay fines under Article 21 (Phu Tho provincial police):
| Overstay | Fine, million dong |
|---|---|
| 16 to under 30 days | 5–10 |
| 30 to under 60 days | 10–15 |
| 60 to under 90 days | 15–20 |
| 90 to under 180 days | 20–25 |
| 180 days to under a year | 25–30 |
| a year or more | 30–40 |
For an overstay under 16 days, read the amount in the decree text. Deportation is decided by the seriousness and circumstances, and is possible for overstays from 16 days (Phu Tho police). The simplest way to avoid a fine is to apply for an extension early, not on the last day.
How does a visa agency help and how do I check one?
An agency handles paperwork, queues and communication in Vietnamese. Nha Trang agencies and their sources are in Visa agencies. For an extension in Khanh Hoa, a sponsoring organisation needs an account on the Ministry of Public Security portal (police guide). Ask which procedure they use and compare their document list with the official one. Hand over your passport only against a receipt. An e-visa does not require an agency: you can apply yourself on evisa.gov.vn. For airport rides see Transfers.
Also on the topic: Notarised translation of a passport and documents in Nha Trang: where to certify and what Russia needs, How to send a parcel from Nha Trang abroad, including Russia: Vietnam Post EMS, documents and limits (26 October 2026).
FAQ
Can I extend my visa in Vietnam while in Nha Trang? The law allows extension of temporary residence. In Nha Trang applications go to the Immigration Management Division, 47 Lý Tự Trọng. Check the procedure on the public service portal and apply before your stay ends.
How long can I stay in Vietnam without a visa? 45 days from entry for citizens of the 12 countries in Resolution 44/NQ-CP, from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028.
Which visa for a winter stay in Vietnam? An e-visa valid up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, applied for on evisa.gov.vn.
What is a visa run from Nha Trang? Leaving and re-entering. From Nha Trang the border is crossed via Cam Ranh airport. The 45 days run from each entry, but border control decides on each entry.
What is the fine for overstaying in Vietnam? From 5 to 10 million dong for 16 to under 30 days, rising to 30 to 40 million dong for a year or more. Deportation is possible.
Where is the immigration office in Nha Trang? Immigration Management Division of Khanh Hoa police, 47 Lý Tự Trọng, Lộc Thọ, Nha Trang. Monday to Saturday morning.
Do I need an agency for an e-visa? No, you can apply directly on evisa.gov.vn.
Sources and checks
Resolution 44/NQ-CP and Law 23/2023/QH15: Government portal of Vietnam. Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP: summaries on the Phu Tho and Dong Nai police sites, opened 26 October 2026. Address and filing: Khanh Hoa police site. Agency prices are not published. Rules and fees change: check evisa.gov.vn and the public service portal before applying. Text updated 26 October 2026.