Job Discussion Forums

[H5N1]

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[TRH]

[mark_in_saigon]

Certainly anything (chaotic) is possible with these guys, but for the last couple of years, visas have been very easy in the south, and now with a 1 year option readily available just for plunking down the cash. Extensions have seemed to be unlimited. I also get the feeling that this can also depend on what country you are from.

[EFL4Life]

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[mark_in_saigon]

Yeah, it has been more lax in the south for a long time. Some guys in the north actually mail their passports to the south in order to get it done.

This organization lists some of their options online. I do not see the pure 1 year visa (without the sponsor from friend thing, whatever that is), but in the ad they send out to subscribers they mention it.

http://www.expat.vn/translations-paper-work/vietnam-visa

Individual agents also talk about having it as an option. I prefer not to list them online unless they have a website stating what they do, but I do know a good one whose number I could share with you. He has always been quite efficient. Of course, for folks who are worried about their last dime, this is not what you are seeking, as this visa thing seems to just be about money, and you do have to be prepared to spend some bucks to stay in the country. I think the backpackers feel they can shave a bit off the cost by crossing the border, maybe they can if they enjoy the ride and time means very little to them.

I am thinking extensions are about 175 or so if you have been in the country for years, once you are past a certain number, they get up to that range. I think the one year is about 800 or so. Not sure of the exact figures, but in that ballpark. Everything I have been seeing down here is that if you are from a country that is in favor and if you are willing to spend the money, you get the extensions, no questions asked. But that is just up til now, it could change this afternoon of course.

[EFL4Life]

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[mark_in_saigon]

Will send you his number now. I just found out that extensions through him are about $125 here, this is for single entry, for folks that have had many previous extensions. Multi entry visas are the higher number, about $175. I will get some updated info directly from him on what he is hearing about this topic of no extensions later down the road. If it were to really happen, a one year might be good to get now. However, we have heard this so many times, hard to believe it any more. Still, I think a one year is great regardless, for folks who are sure they are sticking around and do not have some other magical way of getting legal status. I am just really getting the feeling that we are fine now, as long as we do not do anything too crazy, we pay our way and we are from the promised land. Of course, it could all change at any time.

[calidan]

MIS, are you hearing anything about the 20 or so new visa classifications that are coming in January? Some of them seem to be applicable to English teachers and may allow longer stays without border runs, but I haven't read anything that goes into any detail about them -- just the somewhat vague descriptions.

[mark_in_saigon]

Will be having someone speak to this source today or tomorrow. I will post whatever I find out. Thanks for that update, I will try to get that covered. I don't know how in the loop these guys are, they really are just connected middlemen, seems to me, but anyway, will post whatever I find out. Crazy thing is that even the guys making the rules can say "so shall it be written, so shall it be done", and then reality comes along and whatever they said "is no longer operable". Ya know? We see that all the time. Anyway, will let you know what I hear, for whatever it is worth.

[calidan]

Thanks, MIS. Just for posterity, here are the new visa definitions that are set to take effect in January, 2015: