Passengers check in at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo by Read/Ngoc Thanh
Vietnam has sharply increased fines for foreigners who overstay their permitted period of residence, with penalties now reaching up to VND40 million (US$1,520) under new government regulations taking effect on Dec. 15.
The tougher measures are outlined in a new decree which replaces a 2021 regulation on administrative penalties related to public order and security, Viet Nam News reported. Authorities say the changes are aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and deterring long-term illegal residence.
Under the new rules, foreigners who remain in Vietnam beyond the validity of their temporary residence certificates, residence cards or approved extensions, without authorization from immigration authorities, will face fines that escalate based on the length of the overstay.
Short overstays of fewer than 16 days will continue to be fined between VND500,000 and VND2 million. Penalties rise significantly for longer violations, with fines of VND5 million to VND10 million for overstays of 16 to under 30 days, and up to VND15 million for overstays exceeding 30 days.
More serious cases carry heavier sanctions. Overstays of 60 to under 90 days may be fined up to VND20 million, increasing to VND25 million for overstays of up to six months. Foreigners who remain illegally for six months to under a year face fines of up to VND30 million, while those overstaying for a year or more may be fined as much as VND40 million, double the previous maximum.
The decree also allows authorities to impose deportation on foreigners who overstay by 16 days or more, depending on the severity of the violation.
Foreign visitors to Vietnam are required to present their passport or travel documents to their hotels or hosts, who use that information to declare their stay to the local police.
The foreigners are not required to reported directly to the police. But if they fail to provide information or deliberately provide false information to their hotel/host for making the declaration, they may be fined VND3-5 million (US$113-192).
Depending on entry type, foreigners are allowed to stay in Vietnam for up to 90 days per entry. Vietnam recorded about 19.2 million international visitor arrivals in the first 11 months of 2025, according to the General Statistics Office.
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