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Find out how to apply for a Vietnam exit visa if you lose your passport, have a baby in Vietnam, or overstay your visa in 2026.
What is a Vietnam Exit Visa?
A Vietnam exit visa is an official travel document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department authorizing foreign nationals to legally depart the country. Unlike a standard eVisa intended for entry, an exit visa is mandated solely under specific administrative circumstances. As of 2026, standard travelers exit Vietnam utilizing the passport and visa presented upon entry. However, if a traveler's immigration status alters during their stay, formalization of departure is required.
Do not attempt to exit Vietnam at an airport checkpoint with a missing passport or a significant visa overstay without prior issuance of an exit visa. Boarding will be denied.
Mandatory Exit Visa Scenarios in 2026
Foreign nationals are required to obtain an exit visa prior to departure in three primary scenarios:
1. Lost or Stolen Passports Foreign nationals whose passports are lost or stolen cannot exit the country relying solely on a replacement passport issued by their diplomatic mission. The replacement passport lacks the original Vietnam entry stamp or visa. An exit visa is necessary to transfer the existing immigration status to the newly issued document.
2. Newborns in Vietnam Children born to foreign nationals in Vietnam do not automatically acquire a visa. Prior to the child's departure from Vietnam, parents or legal guardians must secure a passport from their respective embassy and subsequently apply for a Vietnam exit visa.
3. Visa Overstays Individuals who overstay a visa invalidate their legal status in Vietnam. Prior to departure, violators must report to the Immigration Department, settle administrative fines, and secure an exit visa to formalize their exit record.
Application Procedure
The application procedure varies by circumstance but generally mandates the following steps:
Step 1: Obtain a Police Report (If applicable) For lost or stolen passports, individuals must report the incident to the ward police station with jurisdiction over the location of the loss. A certified, stamped police report is required.
Step 2: Contact the Relevant Diplomatic Mission Applicants must secure a replacement passport, emergency travel document, or a newborn passport. The respective embassy or consulate must issue a diplomatic note addressed to the Vietnam Immigration Department formally requesting an exit visa.
Step 3: Submit Form NA5 Applicants must appear at a central Vietnam Immigration Department office (Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City). Required documentation includes Form NA5 (Application for visa issuance, stay extension), the newly issued passport, the police report (if applicable), and confirmed outbound flight itineraries.
Step 4: Remit Fees and Processing Individuals with overstays must clear all administrative fines prior to processing. Standard exit visa processing requires 3 to 5 working days.
Applications for newborns must include a legalized, translated, and notarized birth certificate.
Application Locations
Exit visas are not issued at airport checkpoints. Applications must be submitted to provincial or central Vietnam Immigration Department offices. The primary headquarters are:
- Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District
- Ho Chi Minh City: 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai, District 1
- Da Nang: 78 Le Loi, Hai Chau District
Travelers intending to return to Vietnam must verify current visa requirements and secure a new eVisa prior to departure.