U.S. Embassy Hanoi and U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (May 19, 2020)
Location: Vietnam
This is an update from the U.S. Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City to assist U.S. citizens in remaining informed during the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Vietnam.
Important Information for U.S. Citizens:
On May 18, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced a new policy that provides an automatic extension of temporary stay for foreigners in certain qualifying groups with plans to depart Vietnam:
- U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals who entered Vietnam with a visa exemption certificate, e-visa, or tourist visa on or after March 1, 2020, will be granted an automatic extension of stay through June 30, 2020, and may exit Vietnam during this period without having to apply for an extension of stay.
- U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals who entered Vietnam before March 1, 2020,may be considered for an automatic extension through June 30, 2020, provided that they can provide proof that they have been stranded in Vietnam due to COVID-19 mandatory quarantine, treatment, or other reasons beyond their control by presenting an exit letter from their Embassy or Consulate about their situation. They must present these documents upon exiting Vietnam.
U.S. citizens are reminded that they must declare their temporary stay with Vietnamese local authorities and complete a health declaration form during the extension period in accordance with local regulations. The U.S. Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City cannot ask local authorities to give individual U.S. citizens special treatment or exemptions from local laws. U.S. citizens are responsible for directly addressing immigration-related problems with Vietnamese immigration authorities, such as overstaying a visa, visa extensions, visa renewals, and new visa applications. Questions should be referred to the Vietnamese Immigration Department at (024) 39387320 for further guidance. The U.S. Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City will continue providing letters in support of visa extensions until Friday, May 22. After May 22, we will no longer provide letters in support of visa extensions, but will issue exit letters in support of U.S. citizens who entered Vietnam before March 1, 2020, and have plans to exit Vietnam by June 30. U.S. citizens may request an exit letter here.
We recommend U.S. citizens check the Embassy’s COVID-19 page daily for information, and register or update their information in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
