Vietnam Visa You look at your passport and the date has passed. Or it ends in two days and your plans changed. I know the feeling in your stomach. Let me be calm and honest with you: overstaying is serious, but the worst thing is to wait and hope nobody notices. Here is what the official sources say and what I would do.
What happens if you overstay
- A fine, and a delay. The UK government says that if you overstay your visa or work illegally, the authorities can prevent you from leaving until you pay a fine (gov.uk). The Government of Canada says authorities may delay you from onward travel until a fine is paid (travel.gc.ca).
- Deportation and a ban. The UK government says you could be deported and prevented from visiting Vietnam in the future (gov.uk).
- A serious matter. Canada calls overstaying your Vietnamese visa, or having the wrong type of visa, a serious matter (travel.gc.ca).
How much is the fine? I looked for the official amounts and I could not confirm them on a government page I could read. I will not guess a number. Ask the Immigration Department, which you can contact through its official contact page.
Check your date today
Many overstays are accidents. The UK government tells travellers to check that the visa expiry date written in the passport is correct before leaving border control, because if it is wrong you could be accused of overstaying (gov.uk). Look at three things now:
- The end date on your e-visa PDF.
- The date on your entry stamp.
- The number of days your visa exemption gives you. Under the Government's resolutions, the 45-day exemption counts from the date you enter (Resolution 44/NQ-CP).
If your visa is about to end
- Find the exact end date and count the days left.
- Decide: leave or stay. If you leave, book the flight before the end date. If you want to stay longer, do not wait for the last day.
- Message me before day 45 if you are in Vietnam on the visa exemption and want to stay longer. What is possible depends on your nationality and your situation, so I cannot promise an option before I check your case.
- Consider a short trip out and coming back on a new e-visa, if the dates work. Read my visa run guide. Border officers decide at the border.
- Contact the Immigration Department through the official contact page above for stays beyond what your visa allows. The UK government points travellers who want to stay beyond 90 days to the Vietnamese Immigration Department (gov.uk).
Your visa ends soon and you need a new e-visa to travel or re-enter? Message me before the date passes. From 1 hour on weekdays, weekends too, all-in from US$64. I confirm the time before you pay.
On the application form, enter the code PAUL03 in “Add Your Coupon”. On time or your money back. Refused new application: 100% refund.
If you have already overstayed
- Do not hide it. It does not go away at the airport. Officers see the dates when you leave.
- Go to the Immigration Department, or ask at your exit airport how to settle it. The authorities can prevent you from leaving until a fine is paid.
- Keep your documents: passport, entry stamp, e-visa and flight booking.
- Do not rely on a stranger who promises to make it disappear. Use official channels.
I cannot cancel or reduce an overstay, and I do not handle extensions inside Vietnam. What I can do is tell you honestly whether a new e-visa for a later trip makes sense. A new e-visa does not remove an overstay from your record, so do not count on it to fix a past problem.
How to avoid an overstay next time
- The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days (Government of Vietnam). Choose the validity that matches your plans.
- If you plan to leave and come back, a multiple-entry e-visa costs US$25 more. See the price list.
- Put the end date in your phone calendar the day you land.
- Read my page on staying longer than 45 days.
Planning your next trip in a hurry? For the exact deadlines of each urgent option see the cut-off times and the urgent visa page.
FAQ
What is the fine for overstaying a Vietnam visa?
I could not confirm the fine amounts on an official page I could read, so I do not give a number. The UK and Canadian governments say the authorities can prevent you from leaving until a fine is paid. Ask the Immigration Department for the current amount.
Can I be banned from Vietnam for overstaying?
The UK government says you could be deported and prevented from visiting Vietnam in the future.
My e-visa ends in two days. What should I do?
Find the exact end date, then decide whether to leave or stay. If you are on the visa exemption and want to stay longer, message me before day 45. What is possible depends on your case.
Does a new e-visa fix an overstay?
No. A new e-visa is for a new stay. It does not remove an overstay from your record.
Official sources: UK FCDO: Vietnam entry requirements (overstay, fines, deportation, checking dates) · Government of Canada: Vietnam travel advice (overstay, fines) · Government of Vietnam: Resolution 44/NQ-CP (45 days from entry) · Government of Vietnam: e-visa valid up to 90 days. Sources checked: 13 Nov 2026.
Related: Staying longer than 45 days · Visa run · Cut-off times · Urgent Vietnam visa
