Vietnam’s VND 40 Million Overstay Fine Stings Hard

What the rules look like now

Vietnam’s immigration penalties are already in force and they’re a lot tougher than the old setup. Decree 282/2025 caps visa-overstay fines at VND 40 million, about $1,520, with penalties rising by how long someone stays past their visa and Decree 59/2026/ND-CP, effective April 1, adds clearer deportation steps for serious violations, including prolonged overstays.

Short stays still get punished. But longer ones get ugly, honestly, with 16 to 30 days already bringing VND 5-10 million and stays beyond one year hitting the top bracket.

Who feels the heat

This hits tourists, expats, digital nomads, workers and investors, basically anyone on a visa or temporary residence card who misses a deadline. Overstays past 16 days can trigger deportation review and that’s the part that makes this more than a fee chart, because a fine can turn into a removal case and a mark on your record.

It’s especially bad news for nomads using tourist status to stretch a stay. Weirdly, even a short overstay can follow you later, with airport notes, future-entry issues and in some cases blacklisting or permit problems down the line.

What to do before it gets expensive

If you’ve already overstayed, move fast and go to immigration with your passport, explanation letter, photos and cash, then pay the fine at the office or airport. In some cases, you’ll need an exit permit first, which can take 5 to 10 days, so don’t leave this until the last minute, because that’s how a fix becomes a bigger problem.

If you’re hosting someone or registering a stay, don’t skip the paperwork either, since temporary residence registration is still required within 24 hours. And if you want the broader picture, check our visa updates and read our full Vietnam guide for the complete picture.