How to leave Vietnam for a visa run and return on the same day?

Vietnam visa run is a quick trip that travelers make out of Vietnam to obtain a new visa and re-enter Vietnam legally.
According to the Vietnam Immigration Department’s regulations, foreigners cannot apply for a new visa while staying inside Vietnam. Therefore, applicants often need to spend 3–5 days in a third country waiting for visa approval before returning to Vietnam.

Who need a Vietnam visa run?

If your current visa is about to expire and you wish to stay longer in Vietnam, you may need to complete a visa run. You will need to exit Vietnam through a nearby border checkpoint – most travelers choose routes to Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand. After leaving Vietnam, you can apply for a new visa and return on the same day if your new visa is processed and approved in time.

Check your visa validity

It is important to keep your eyes on visa validity and set a reminder about one week before it expires. Once you are notified that your visa is nearing expiration, plan your trip to leave Vietnam – typically to Laos, Cambodia, or Thailand – and choose the most convenient mode of transportation for your trip.

Apply for a new visa

As soon as you leave the country, submit a new Vietnam visa application from outside Vietnam. Normally it will take 3 – 5 working day to complete your visa, but you may choose to expedite the process to have it completed on the same day, allowing you to return to Vietnam in the afternoon.

Speed up your visa application

Once you have completed your visa application, please use the Vietnam visa speed up service and provide with your new visa application code, email address and the copy of exit stamp in your passport. Depending on when you leave Vietnam and submit a new application, you may select the 4 working hours, 2 working hour or even 1 working hour service to receive your visa approval in time for your return.

Please note that the expedited visa service is available on working days only (Monday to Friday). You must provide a copy of your exit stamp before 12:00 noon (Vietnam time) on Friday to ensure that your visa is processed by 18:00 PM on the same day and ready for your return later in the evening or on the following days.