Visa Extension Port of Entry Issues?

mtgmike · 2014-03-10T09:08:47+01:00

Struggling with visa extension costs in Ho Chi Minh City after entering via Hanoi? Share your experiences or find affordable options in this thread.

mtgmike Contributor

Member since 23 February 2013

mtgmikeContributor10 March 2014 07:08:47

147

Hello,

Last year I extended my 3 month single entry visa with 3 month single entry extensions 3 times, at about $45 per extension.聽 My original 3 month single entry was issued at HCMC airport.

This year I left Vietnam and came back in via the airport in Hanoi.聽 I went to extend my visa with the same company in HCMC and first they told me it would cost $60 because the visa laws changed in October.聽 As I'm leaving they notice I entered via Hanoi airport rather than HCMC airport and the price jumped to $110 for the same 3 month extension.

I asked them if I got a new visa at the Cambodia border rather than flying in and out of HCMC airport would the price for extensions do down, they told me no, the price would be higher unless I got my visa at HCMC airport.

I'm looking to end up paying closer to $45 every three months again rather than $110+ every three months.聽 I'm wondering if other companies can do it cheaper or if I will have to fly in and out of the airport for the sole purpose of cutting my quarterly extension costs by 60%.

Does anyone have experience with this?

l3ully Banned

Member since 11 December 2011

l3ullyBanned10 March 2014 07:18:20

830

There should not be . Many tourists doing the North/south tour along the cost line. Could not remember having heard about that.

Guest2023 Guest

Guest2023Guest10 March 2014 08:23:53

Its basically just another money grab by officials. Not until the tourist numbers decrease will anything be done.Good luck finding someone to do extensions at 45 usd, those days are gone.

mtgmike Contributor

Member since 23 February 2013

mtgmikeContributor10 March 2014 08:47:40

147

The price quoted was $60 if I had come in via HCMC airport.聽 The issue I'm having with this agent is increased prices because of the Hanoi port of entry this time around.聽 I don't mind a $15 increase, but the 200% markup is pushing it.

Guest2023 Guest

Guest2023Guest10 March 2014 08:58:41

Yes, its what they are doing now, it came in about two years ago and agents are quoting those prices.

NicoM Active member

Member since 20 July 2013

NicoMActive member10 March 2014 09:00:57

Had the same situation although the difference was smaller. They called me the day after dropping off my passport to say instead of聽 $45 to extend if it had been via HCM Port of Entry it was going to be $70 because it was via Hanoi.

Finally I only ended up paying only $45 as that was what had been written on the receipt when I left the shop the first time and it was a different girl when I went back to pick it up who didn't know about the extra "Hanoi Price" I had been quoted on the followup phone call They did eventually call me and try to get me to come back in to give them the extra $25...lol

This was in Dec 2013, so not sure if any changes since then but $110 seems a lot, maybe shop around and see what you can get.

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travelot New member

Member since 10 March 2014

travelotNew member11 March 2014 04:09:19

Cannot get Vietnam Visa at Cambodia border. Must go to NP聽 port Shianoukville.my last 3month Visa fitter the year jumped from$35 to $125 I think. Cambodia was cheap for Visa. Have a few day holiday.