Passport renewal in Vietnam
Renewing a Vietnamese passport typically involves submitting an application and required documents to the immigration authority in Vietnam or a Vietnamese diplomatic mission abroad. The process generally requires appearing in person for biometric data collection.
It is advisable to begin the passport renewal process several months before the current passport's expiry date. This allows sufficient time to gather necessary documents, secure an appointment if required, and account for processing times, which can vary depending on the application location and current workload.
Start 90 days ahead
This lead time accounts for potential appointment scheduling, document preparation, and variable processing times, especially for applications submitted from abroad.
The process
- 1Determine the appropriate application location: either the Immigration Department in Vietnam or a Vietnamese embassy/consulate in the country of residence.
- 2Obtain and complete the passport application form (Tờ khai đề nghị cấp, đổi hộ chiếu phổ thông).
- 3Prepare all required supporting documents, including the current passport, national ID card, and relevant photographs.
- 4Schedule an appointment if necessary, or submit the application in person at the chosen authority.
- 5Attend the appointment to submit documents, provide biometric data (fingerprints, photograph), and pay the applicable fee.
- 6Receive a receipt with an estimated collection date for the new passport.
- 7Collect the new passport in person or via postal service if offered by the specific mission.
What to bring
- Completed application form (Tờ khai đề nghị cấp, đổi hộ chiếu phổ thông)
- Current passport
- Original Vietnamese National ID Card (Căn cước công dân) or Citizen Identity Card (Chứng minh nhân dân) for verification (if applying in Vietnam)
- Appropriate passport-sized photographs (specifications should be confirmed with the authority)
- Proof of permanent or temporary residence (Sổ hộ khẩu, Sổ tạm trú) if applying in Vietnam and it's the first time applying in that location or for specific cases.
- Any other documents required by the specific embassy/consulate for overseas applicants (e.g., proof of legal residence in the foreign country).
Who handles it
Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh (Immigration Department of Vietnam), or Vietnamese diplomatic missions (embassy/consulate) abroad.
The fee for passport renewal should be confirmed directly with the Immigration Department in Vietnam or the specific Vietnamese embassy/consulate where the application will be submitted, as fees can vary and are subject to change. Payment methods also vary by location.
What commonly goes wrong
- Confirm photograph specifications beforehand, as incorrect photos are a common reason for application delays.
- Verify the specific requirements and forms with the relevant authority (Immigration Department or specific embassy/consulate) as these can vary.
- Be aware that processing times can fluctuate; always allow extra time beyond the stated estimates.
- For overseas applications, additional documents proving legal residence in the host country might be required by the embassy or consulate.
Sources
This guide is based on one official source.
- Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh - Cổng Thông tin điện tử Bộ Công an xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
Other documents in Vietnam
Passport renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
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