Vietnam Visa Run: Everything Travelers Need to Know

What is Vietnam Visa Run? Visa Run is a temporary solution, but it can help foreign tourists extend their stay in Vietnam. However, tourists need to be aware of the relevant regulations and carry out Visa Runs legally. In this article, Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert will help you to know more about Visa Run Vietnam and the information related to Visa Run.

What is a Vietnam Visa Run?

The term “Visa Run” originated from the community of foreigners living in Thailand. When their Thai visa is about to expire, instead of renewing it directly in the country, they often choose to leave Thailand and temporarily travel to another country for a short period, which can be a few days, or even just a few hours, to then return with a new visa and new residence permit.

Similarly, the situation with Vietnam Visa Run is no different. When the residence period of foreign tourists in Vietnam is about to end, they often leave Vietnam and temporarily stay in a neighboring country or region, before returning to Vietnam and registering for entry with a new residence period.

The choice of Visa Run often becomes a choice for foreigners when they cannot renew their visa in Vietnam or when the cost of renewal here is much higher than the cost of carrying out a Visa Run. Currently, those who typically perform a Visa Run in Vietnam include:

• Tourists who enter Vietnam under the visa-free category,
• Tourists who enter Vietnam under a 5-year visa waiver,
• Tourists who enter Vietnam under the 30-day electronic visa category,
• Tourists who enter Vietnam to work under a business visa.

Various Forms of Visa Run in Vietnam

After learning about the meaning of “Vietnam Visa Run”, we will move to the question “How many Visa Runs in Vietnam?”. Currently, foreigners in Vietnam can choose between two different Visa Run methods, including:

• Air Visa Run: Foreigners will leave Vietnam through air and then return by entering also through air. This method is particularly popular with many foreigners in Hanoi.

• Land Visa Run: This method involves foreigners leaving Vietnam and re-entering through a neighboring country with a land border crossing, such as Laos or Cambodia. This is often popular with many foreigners in the Central and Southern provinces, especially because it is a cost-effective option for carrying out a Visa Run.

Below is a list of 24 land and air border crossings that are allowed to carry out Vietnam Visa Run:

Generally, there are some affordable Visa Run options available, including:

• Air Visa Run from Noi Bai International Airport to Thailand, Malaysia, or Singapore for tourists in Hanoi.
• Moc Bai Visa Run for tourists in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces.
• Lao Bao Visa Run for tourists in the central provinces.

Required Documents for Conducting a Visa Run in Vietnam

To facilitate the Vietnam Visa Run process, foreigners must prepare the following documents:

• Original passport: The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of re-entry into Vietnam and must have at least 2 blank pages.
• Vietnamese entry documents (unless visa-free): Choose between a 5-year visa waiver, a Vietnamese e-visa, or an entry permit to get a visa at the border (applicable to business visa applicants).
• Airplane/bus ticket: An airplane or bus ticket is required to prove the means of transportation when performing a Visa Run.
• Old visa and third-country entry documents: For a Visa Run, the old visa and the required documents to enter the third country are necessary.
• Covid-19 negative test certificate: The test must be conducted within 72 hours before departing from the third country, with 24 hours if it is a rapid test (RT-PCR).
• Black or blue ink pen: Use to fill out the required forms.

Additional documents required if the customer gets a visa at the border:

• 2 passport-sized photos: Two passport-sized photos are required.
• Vietnam visa application form: Complete the information on the Vietnam visa application form.
• Visa stamping fee: The cost is $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa.

Procedures for Carrying Out a Vietnam Visa Run

Here are the following steps to perform a Visa Run in Vietnam:

Step 1: Prepare Documents

Before starting a Vietnam Visa Run, foreigners must prepare all the required documents, as listed above.

Note:

• Visa for the third country can be obtained at the border or at the corresponding embassy in Vietnam.
• For a day Visa Run, foreigners can take a COVID-19 test in Vietnam to save time instead of taking a test in a third country or at a land border crossing.

Step 2: Depart from Vietnam

Depending on the type of Visa Run, foreigners will complete the exit procedures from Vietnam and transfer to the third country by air or land.

Step 3: Enter the third country

When arriving at the border of the third country (airport or land border crossing), foreigners must present their documents to complete the entry procedures.

Step 4: Depart from the third country

Foreigners can return to Vietnam immediately after entering the third country or choose to travel further and then return to Vietnam. After arriving at the international border of the third country, the foreigners can complete the exit procedures to travel back to Vietnam.

Step 5: Enter Vietnam and complete the Visa Run procedure

After arrived to Vietnam, the foreigners must present the necessary documents at the Vietnam border, including:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of re-entry to Vietnam and at least 02 blank pages)
• Entry Documents (unless the foreigner is in the visa exemption category) 
• COVID-19 negative test certificate (performed within 72 hours before leaving the third country if it is an RT-PCR test, and 24 hours if it is a rapid test)

If obtaining a visa at the border, the following are required:

• Two passport-sized photos (4×6 cm) and a Vietnam visa application form.
• Visa stamping fee (25 USD for a single-entry visa and 50 USD for a multiple-entry visa).

With the above steps, the Visa Run procedure in Vietnam will be completed, and travelers can return to their place of residence to continue their legal stay in Vietnam.

Important Considerations When Conducting a Vietnam Visa Run

When performing a Vietnam Visa Run, it is important to do your research beforehand. Not all border crossings have the same procedures, and the process also depends on how you enter the third country. Here are some things to keep in mind when performing a Visa Run:

• Prepare your documents: Make sure you have all the required documents in order to avoid any problems during the process.

• Research the entry and exit regulations: Understand the entry and exit regulations of the third country you plan to enter to avoid any unexpected problems.

• Prepare the necessary fees: Be prepared to pay the necessary fees for the Visa Run process to avoid any financial inconvenience.

• Research cost-saving methods: Find out about the most cost-effective methods to perform a Visa Run, such as taking a cheap flight or using public transportation like buses.

This will help you feel more confident and avoid unnecessary difficulties during the Visa Run process in Vietnam.

Hopefully the information about the Vietnam Visa Run in the above article will help you. Please note that the above information in this article is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult official immigration sources for accurate and up-to-date visa information. Please refer to new articles from Vietnam Travel Tips and Recommendations for more important new information.