Vietnam Strengthens Penalties for Foreign Overstays Under New Immigration Regulations

December 14, 2025

Vietnam has introduced stricter penalties for foreigners who remain in the country beyond their permitted stay period under Decree No. 282, which takes effect on December 15, 2025.

The new regulations increase administrative fines for immigration violations and reinforce the importance of monitoring visa validity, temporary residence cards and extension requirements for foreign nationals living and working in Vietnam.

Updated Penalties for Visa and Residence Overstays

Under the new framework, penalties are determined based on the length of the overstay period:

• Less than 16 days: VND 500,000 – 2 million
• 16 to 30 days: VND 5 – 10 million
• More than 30 days: Up to VND 15 million
• 60 to 90 days: Up to VND 20 million
• Up to 6 months: Up to VND 25 million
• 6 months to 1 year: Up to VND 30 million
• More than 1 year: Up to VND 40 million

The maximum penalty has increased significantly compared with previous regulations.

Potential Impact on Foreign Residents

In addition to financial penalties, authorities may apply deportation measures for certain overstay cases, including violations exceeding 16 days depending on the circumstances.

Foreign nationals in Vietnam are encouraged to regularly review:

• Visa expiration dates
• Temporary residence card validity
• Work permit-related requirements
• Extension and renewal procedures

Failure to maintain valid immigration documents may affect future entry into Vietnam and create additional challenges for personal or professional plans.

Responsibilities of Employers and Organizations

Companies employing foreign nationals and organizations supporting international employees should also ensure proper compliance with immigration requirements.

Employers are expected to:

• Verify the validity of foreign employees' documents
• Monitor immigration timelines
• Support timely renewal and extension procedures
• Maintain compliance with Vietnamese regulations

Proper immigration management helps businesses reduce operational risks and support a smoother experience for international employees.

Supporting International Mobility in Vietnam

As Vietnam continues to attract global talent, businesses and individuals need to stay updated on immigration regulations that may affect their ability to live, work and operate in the country.

Jardeon Group continues to monitor developments related to Global Mobility, immigration compliance and foreign employee support in Vietnam.

Need support with visa, work permit, temporary residence card or immigration compliance in Vietnam? Contact Jardeon Group for professional guidance