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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 a special travel document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department that allows foreign nationals to legally depart the country. Unlike a regular eVisa which is used for entry, an exit visa is only required under specific, unusual circumstances. As of 2026, most travelers simply exit Vietnam using the same passport and visa they entered with. However, if your status changes during your stay, you must formalize your departure.
Do not attempt to leave Vietnam at the airport if you have lost your passport or overstayed significantly without obtaining an exit visa first. You will be denied boarding.
When Do You Need an Exit Visa in 2026?
There are three primary situations where foreign nationals must obtain an exit visa before leaving Vietnam:
**1. Lost or Stolen Passports** If your passport is lost or stolen while in Vietnam, you cannot leave simply by getting a new passport from your embassy. Your new passport will not have the Vietnam entry stamp or visa attached to it. You need an exit visa to transfer your immigration status to the new passport.
**2. Newborn Babies in Vietnam** If foreign parents have a baby in Vietnam, the newborn does not automatically get a visa. Before the baby can leave the country, parents must obtain a passport for the newborn from their embassy and then apply for a Vietnam exit visa.
**3. Overstaying Your Visa** If you overstay your visa, your legal status in Vietnam expires. Before leaving, you must report to the Immigration Office, pay the overstay fines, and obtain an exit visa to clear your immigration record.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for an Exit Visa
The application process depends on your situation, but generally follows these steps:
**Step 1: Get a Police Report (If applicable)** For lost passports, you must report the loss to the local ward police station where it happened. You need a certified, stamped police report.
**Step 2: Contact Your Embassy** Apply for a replacement passport, emergency travel document, or a passport for your newborn. Your embassy must also provide a diplomatic note addressed to the Vietnam Immigration Department requesting an exit visa.
**Step 3: Submit Form NA5 at the Immigration Office** Go to the Vietnam Immigration Department (in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City). You will need to submit Form NA5 (Application for visa issuance, stay extension), your new passport, the police report, and your flight tickets.
**Step 4: Pay Fees and Wait** If you overstayed, you must pay the administrative fines first. The exit visa processing time usually takes 3 to 5 working days.
For newborns, you must also provide the legalized, translated, and notarized birth certificate.
Where to Apply for an Exit Visa?
You cannot get an exit visa at the airport. You must apply at the provincial or central Vietnam Immigration Department offices. The main headquarters are located at:
* **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
Before re-entering Vietnam in the future, check the Vietnam visa requirements and ensure you have a valid eVisa.