Overstay Fines in Ho Chi Minh City: Costs and What to Do
Overstaying is a violation from the first day. An individual's fine runs from 500,000-2,000,000 VND for under 16 days to 30,000,000-40,000,000 VND for a year or more. Deportation may be added from 16 days, case by case. Report to the immigration office where you are staying.
On this page
The fine depends on how many days you stayed past your term. The lowest band is under 16 days, and the top band is one year or more.
Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP replaced the earlier overstay rules in Decree 144/2021/NĐ-CP. Older guides still list the old figures.
Fine bands by days overstayed
These ranges apply to an individual’s violation. They cover a foreigner who uses a temporary-residence certificate, extension or card beyond its term without permission.
| Days past your term | Fine for an individual |
|---|---|
| Under 16 days | 500,000-2,000,000 VND |
| 16 to under 30 days | 5,000,000-10,000,000 VND |
| 30 to under 60 days | 10,000,000-15,000,000 VND |
| 60 to under 90 days | 15,000,000-20,000,000 VND |
| 90 to under 180 days | 20,000,000-25,000,000 VND |
| 180 days to under 1 year | 25,000,000-30,000,000 VND |
| 1 year or more | 30,000,000-40,000,000 VND |
One day or a few days
The shortest overstay is already in the first band: under 16 days is a fine of 500,000-2,000,000 VND. The warning option in the same article is for foreigners who travel without their passport or residence papers.
How the exact amount is set
The specific fine is the midpoint of the band set for the violation. Mitigating circumstances can lower it, but not below the band minimum. Aggravating circumstances can raise it, but not above the band maximum.
Fines for sponsors and hotels
An organisation that sponsored you and is found responsible is fined at double the individual rate. An accommodation provider that fails to register foreign guests faces its own fines, from 3,000,000-5,000,000 VND for 1 to 3 foreigners.
Deportation, payment and leaving the country
Deportation
Deportation may be added as a penalty for the violations in the bands from 16 days upward. The authority decides case by case, on the nature, severity and consequences of the violation and on mitigating and aggravating circumstances.
If the violator has no assets or means to pay a fine, and public order requires it, deportation can be carried out at once and the fine enforcement ends.
A foreigner deported from Vietnam is refused entry for 3 years from the day the decision took effect. One who was forced to leave is refused entry for 6 months.
Getting the decision and paying
The person who issued the penalty decision must send it to you within 3 working days. It can be handed over in person, or sent by registered post or electronically.
Pay within 10 days of receiving the decision, unless the decision gives a longer deadline. Payment goes to the State Treasury, or into the State Treasury account named in the decision.
If you miss the deadline, the decision is enforced and 0,05% of the unpaid amount is added for each day of delay. Paying in instalments needs every condition met, including a fine of at least 15,000,000 VND for an individual and special economic hardship with a written request.
An unpaid fine and the exit hold
A foreigner who still has a penalty decision to fulfil can be temporarily barred from exiting Vietnam. The bar cannot exceed 3 years, though it can be extended.
If you have already overstayed
Go promptly to the police immigration management office where you are staying, to report and get guidance. In Ho Chi Minh City that office is at 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Xuan Hoa Ward. The city police say they keep working on Saturday mornings for immigration management.
196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Xuan Hoa, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
The office handled nearly 200 foreigner cases for visas, extensions or residence cards on 1 July 2025 alone. Xuan Hoa Ward was created from the whole of Vo Thi Sau Ward and the rest of Ward 4 (District 3), so older pages use other names.
Avoid it: extend before the term ends
A stay extension costs US$10 each time, and your sponsor files it, not you. A decision takes no more than 5 working days from a complete file. The extension guide has the steps.
For a country Vietnam exempts unilaterally, the border stamp gives 45 days. The visa exemption guide lists the countries. Entry fees and other charges are in the immigration fees guide.
Related guides
- Extend your visa in Ho Chi Minh City
- Vietnam visa exemption: who gets visa-free entry
- Vietnam immigration fees
- Vietnam visa types
- Vietnam visa changes in 2026
Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (HCMC immigration office on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Brian Loh, Google Maps contributor.
Step by step
- Count the days past your termThe fine band depends on the number of days past your term.
- Report to the immigration officeGo promptly to the police immigration management office where you are staying, to report and get guidance.
- Receive the penalty decisionThe decision is sent to you within 3 working days of being issued. It sets your fine within the band.
- Pay within the deadlinePay at the State Treasury or into its account named in the decision, within 10 days of receiving it unless the decision gives longer.
Not confirmed: Whether the decision is issued on the day you report. The law allows 3 working days to send it. Do not book a flight before you hold the decision.
Common questions
How much is the fine for overstaying a visa in Vietnam?
It rises with the days: 500,000-2,000,000 VND for under 16 days, up to 30,000,000-40,000,000 VND for one year or more.
Do I get a warning for one day of overstay?
No warning is listed for overstay. Under 16 days is fined 500,000-2,000,000 VND. A warning appears only for travelling without your passport or residence papers.
Can I be deported for overstaying?
Deportation may be added in the bands from 16 days upward. It is decided case by case.
How long do I have to pay the fine?
Within 10 days of receiving the penalty decision, unless the decision gives a longer deadline.
Where do I pay the fine?
At the State Treasury, or into the State Treasury account named in the decision.
What if I pay late?
The decision is enforced, and 0,05% of the unpaid amount is added for each day of delay.
Can an unpaid fine stop me leaving Vietnam?
A foreigner who still has a penalty decision to fulfil can be temporarily barred from exiting. A bar cannot exceed 3 years, though it can be extended.
Where do I report an overstay in Ho Chi Minh City?
To the police immigration management office where you are staying. A city press-centre report places it at 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Xuan Hoa Ward.
Read next
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
Spotted an error? Report it.