Visa overstays in Vietnam often happen unintentionally. In most cases, travelers do not realize they have exceeded their permitted stay until it is too late. Understanding the most common causes can help you avoid unnecessary fines, stress, and travel complications.
Below are the main reasons we see foreigners overstay their visa in Vietnam.
1. Misunderstanding Visa Validity
a) E-Visa duration confusion
Vietnam e-visas are issued for 1 to 90 days, depending on what the applicant selects during the online application process.
Many travelers mistakenly assume that all e-visas are automatically valid for 90 days, which is not always true.
b) Entering late on a long-term visa
Some travelers receive a 90-day visa but enter Vietnam well after the visa’s start date. They then assume they still have a full 90 days from their entry date, when in fact the visa validity began earlier.
c) Visa exemption issued instead of e-visa
Certain nationalities are eligible for visa-free entry. In some cases, travelers enter Vietnam holding a valid 90-day e-visa, but immigration grants them visa-exempt entry instead, which is often for a shorter period.
If travelers do not notice this at the airport, they may unintentionally overstay.
2. Date Format Confusion (DD/MM/YY)
Vietnam uses the DD/MM/YY date format on passport stamps.
This differs from the format used in many other countries and can easily lead to misreading the expiry date, especially for first-time visitors.
3. Misreading or Not Checking the Entry Stamp
Some travelers do not carefully check their passport entry stamp after immigration, or they misunderstand handwritten dates.
This is one of the most common causes of accidental overstays.
4. Health Issues or Medical Emergencies
Unexpected illness, hospitalization, or medical emergencies can prevent travelers from leaving Vietnam on time or completing visa extensions as planned.
5. Passport Renewal or Replacement Delays
In some cases, passport renewal or replacement does not arrive on time. Without a valid passport, travelers may be unable to extend their visa or exit Vietnam before their permitted stay expires.
Final Note – The Passport Stamp Is What Matters
Always check the stamp in your passport immediately after passing through immigration. The entry stamp determines your legal stay in Vietnam.
At Lynn Visa, when we provide visa services for our clients, we ensure your visa is delivered on time. After your entry or visa process, we also ask you to send us a photo of your new passport stamp so our team can verify the dates for you and make sure everything is correct.
👉 Remember: only the stamp in your passport matters — not assumptions, approval letters, or previous visas.
