Dak Nong is located in the Southwest area of Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Sharing a border with Cambodia, this is where some foreigners would pass by when going for visa runs. It’s home to 40 different ethnic groups that have a unique culture and tradition. Just like with the other provinces in the Central Highlands, Dak Nong has majestic natural scenery that consists of mountains and lush forests.
If you are a foreigner based in Dak Nong and wanted to extend your stay in the country longer, but your visa is already about to expire soon, you can visit the Vietnam Immigration Office in Dak Nong to request a visa extension or renewal. If this is the first time you have heard about the Vietnam visa extension and renewal, then here’s everything you need to know.
The first thing you need to do to apply for a visa extension is to go to the Vietnam Immigration Office in Dak Nong located in Group 3, Nghia Tan Ward, in Gia Nghia town. You can call in advance to inquire about the requirements but the most important requirement is your passport. There is also a form that you need to fill out, known as the NA5 form. It’s possible to download this form online. If you want, you can print the form so you can fill it out in advance before going to the Immigration Office.
You will be charged a processing fee for getting a visa extension and the cost will vary. If you will request a longer period of extension, then that will cost you more. However, you cannot request for an extended period that’s more than the validity of your existing visa. For instance, if your current visa is only good for 30 days or one month, then you can only get your visa extended for 30 days or less.
The processing of the Vietnam visa extension will only take 3 to 5 business days. Sometimes, it will take longer. To be sure, it is best to ask the Vietnam Immigration Office in advance especially if your visa is due to expire soon.
The visa renewal is another option for extending the validity of your Vietnam visa. But the good thing about visa renewal is that there’s no need for you to go out of Vietnam. If your visa renewal is approved, they will give you a new visa. The new visa will be attached as a sticker to the pages of your passport.
The visa renewal is highly recommended to those who entered Vietnam without a visa, under the visa exemption scheme. Under this scheme, certain nationalities can enter Vietnam visa-free but their stay is only limited to a certain number of days. Those who wanted to stay longer can opt for visa renewal. That way, they will get a new visa that will allow them to stay in Vietnam for a much longer time.
To apply for the visa renewal in the Vietnam Immigration Office in Dak Nong, you’ll be required to submit your passport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the validity date of the new visa. Since the visa will be attached to your passport, make sure that your passport has extra blank pages.
The processing time for visa renewal will take around 3 to 5 business days. Again, this will depend on the number of applications that the Vietnam Immigration will receive. Since you will be given a new visa, the cost of a visa renewal is usually more expensive than the visa extension. Nevertheless, it’s a more convenient option since it eliminates the need for you to travel outside the country.
It can get confusing to apply for a visa renewal or extension. So if you’re not sure what to do, it may be best to hire a local agency to assist you. They are experts in the Vietnam Immigration Policies, so they can help you with anything related to your visa.
When you apply for a visa extension or renewal through an agency, all you need to do is submit the requirements to them. They will forward your application to the Vietnam Immigration Office in Dak Nong and all you need to do is wait for them to call you for the status of your application.
If you are not sure whether to choose a visa extension or renewal, the agency can provide you with the best advice. They will explain the differences between these two and will tell you which option you should go for.
