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Long term visas

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outofba
  5/18/2016 11:07 EST

I am a retired U.S. citizen living in South America. I'd like to live in HCMC. I am financially secure and have no thoughts of marrying, working or owning business.
Am I correct in thinking that I can enter Vietnam on a 30 day visa and have it extended for 90 more days, without leaving the country?
At what point will I be able to buy an apartment?
Are there any expat groups that are frequented by North Americans?
I' appreciate any advise.

mgstone2020
  5/18/2016 13:25 EST

Here's my experience. I'm from the US and I live in Hanoi. I entered vietnam 3 months ago with a 3 month visa. Last week i left the coubtry and returned in order to obtain a new vise. This time the new one-year visa was available. So i got that.

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Itsjeeplady
  5/18/2016 20:05 EST

Ive been doing a lot of reading on visa's lately and had found all extensions to be unavailable now so I fully expected to have to leave and re-enter but I'm curious what kind of 1 year visa was available and how much it was? Thanks :)

nemrut
  5/19/2016 08:51 EST

I didnt realize they had formally announced the 1yr visa for US citizens is now available.

Did you apply through a service or do it on your own at immigration and how much did it cost?

mgstone2020
  5/19/2016 20:42 EST

The letter cost usd550 through my travel agent. The visa itself was usd125. I also paid usd25 for a VIP service that expedited the process at the airport.
Business visa. I left the employer name blank in the form.

nemrut
  5/20/2016 01:25 EST

So you obtained a business visa not the new 1yr tourist visa recently approved for US citizens.

You say you didnt put down a business name which would seem to be big red flag to the immigration department. Did the agent instruct you to do that?

Can you share info for the travel agent you used?

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vietnamvisainfo
  5/23/2016 03:34 EST

Dear All,

In order to get long staying in Vietnam now (still not have work permit, no married with Vietnamese..), you should take visa 01 year business multiples entries - stamp at airport or Moc Bai border. Fee will be usd 470 per person (not included usd 135 for stamping fee). please drop us some words if you need any further information.
[email protected]

mgstone2020
  5/23/2016 09:47 EST

My travel agent told me the business visa was all there was. She did not mention a tourist visa. It was she who advised me to leave the employer blank empty. I don't know if the business visa is supposed to be limited to people with a job or not. I never saw an agent at the visa office because the VIP service fellow took all my documents to the visa office for me while i waited.

mgstone2020
  5/23/2016 09:48 EST

My travel agent told me the business visa was all there was. She did not mention a tourist visa. It was she who advised me to leave the employer blank empty. I don't know if the business visa is supposed to be limited to people with a job or not. I never saw an agent at the visa office because the VIP service fellow took all my documents to the visa office for me while i waited.

skiffer
  5/24/2016 12:11 EST

Yes Please, if possible inform us of 'your travel agency' as it sounds like you have a valuable one for assistance...6

outofba
  6/12/2016 08:38 EST

Am I correct in thinking that there are 2 options for an American to live in Vietnam long term?
1. Obtaining a 90 day visa with the requirement of leaving within every 90 day period. This is how I've been living in Argentina.
2. Paying a travel agent about US$600.00 to get a 1 year visa.. Does this visa allow mutiple entries withn the year?

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snorkelmom
  6/13/2016 18:18 EST

I am not sure how you were able to get the one year tourist visa? I spoke on facebook with someone who is in Saigon and she said that it is not available yet. May I ask who you went to in the US for the one year non business visa.
Thank you

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