Vietnam 90-Day Visa: Options for Longer Stays

Ninety days is a lot of Vietnam

Vietnam’s 90-day e-visa is what most travelers use — it covers the vast majority of tourism trips and even extended stays. But there are situations where you might want to extend further or understand your options for longer residence.

The e-visa (most travelers)

The standard 90-day e-visa costs $25 and handles most situations. Multiple entry means you can leave and come back within those 90 days. Good for anything up to a three-month trip or a Southeast Asia circuit that includes Vietnam multiple times.

Extending beyond 90 days

Vietnam doesn’t have a simple “extend your tourist visa” process the way Thailand does. Technically, you need to apply for a new visa — either by leaving the country and re-entering, or by applying for a longer-term visa type through an immigration office or visa agent in Vietnam. Visa agents in major tourist cities (Hanoi, HCMC, Hoi An) handle these extensions; expect to pay $30–60 in agent fees plus the official visa cost.

For longer stays

Business visa (DN): requires a business sponsor, allows 1–3 year stays. Student visa (DH): enrolled at a Vietnamese institution. Investor visa: significant investment required. There’s no official “digital nomad visa” in Vietnam as of 2025, though this is discussed periodically. Most long-term foreign residents use a combination of the e-visa system with periodic exits, or arrange business visas through local contacts.

The practical reality

For tourism up to 90 days: the e-visa is perfect. For longer periods: the situation is genuinely uncertain and regulations change. Consult a current Vietnam visa agent or expat forum for the most current practical advice.