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Edited July 27, 20241 yr by Mang Gon
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On 7/20/2024 at 7:16 PM, save the frogs said:

as far as I know, vietnam has no retirement visa.

long term retirees are doing 90 day visa runs .

 

 

That's gonna get tired real fast.

On 7/15/2024 at 12:30 AM, KhunHeineken said:

If the day ever comes when Vietnam offers a similar retirement visa to Thailand, there will be a mass exodus from Thailand. 

 

 

 

Yes Nostradamus, right Nostradamus...

I would go and spend all my bread in VN if they offered a retirement viza.

 

Vn food is just as good - if not better - than Thai food. Plus there are decent baguettes. And the iced coffees. And no carrying coins around either.

 

C'mon Vietnam! A retirement viza!

On 7/12/2024 at 2:06 AM, GypsyT said:

Can you get married;

 

"5-year visa exemption for Vietnam is granted to Vietnamese overseas, foreigners who are spouses, children of Vietnamese overseas, or Vietnamese citizens. The visa exemption certificate acts as a long-term visa for its holders to visit Vietnam at any time within 5 years."

 

Cost is $ 155 for 5yrs. I consider this if/when I find her.

I already had one offer but she wasn't my type. Lovely lady otherwise. The family had a large coffee and tea plantation up in the mountain next to Cambodia. I learned to process coffee in Kealakekua, HI.

So there are genuine opportunities.

 

 

I have always gotten mine for free.

 

It only allows a 6 month stay in the country.

Edited October 15, 20241 yr by PattayaParent

On 7/27/2024 at 10:34 PM, Jingthing said:

That's gonna get tired real fast.

 

It's what the old hands of Thailand were used to before Thaksin's enforcement of the immigration laws.

Just booked DMK to CXR (Nha Trang) for Christmas 😉

 

Last Christmas I was in Dalat. Very beautiful decorations, music etc but too cold and crowded for me. It has become too popular and roads are for horse buggy. Pre Covid was good.

 

 

Any updates for long term visas in Vietnam? Am I correct in understanding that long-term visitors do border runs repeatedly for years without a problems?

On 8/2/2024 at 1:58 AM, NanLaew said:

 

Yes Nostradamus, right Nostradamus...

Turns out Vietnam may not have to offer any retirement visa to get retirees for 6 months on the year. 

 

Thailand's tax policy is doing it for them. 

4 hours ago, Dmitry2222 said:

Any updates for long term visas in Vietnam? Am I correct in understanding that long-term visitors do border runs repeatedly for years without a problems?

Vietnam visa is for 90 days, my Mate has been doing it back to back for 2 years with no problem. Only other option he says is to get married 

13 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

Vietnam visa is for 90 days, my Mate has been doing it back to back for 2 years with no problem. Only other option he says is to get married 

Clarification of last sentence - must get married to a Vietnamese citizen.

3 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Clarification of last sentence - must get married to a Vietnamese citizen.

Even that doesn't always work, I knew a guy in Hoi Ann, married to Vietnames gal, they had 2 kids together, and he still had to exit evry now and then and re-enter.

22 hours ago, Dmitry2222 said:

Any updates for long term visas in Vietnam? Am I correct in understanding that long-term visitors do border runs repeatedly for years without a problems?

Every so often, I look into this, but nothing much seems to change.  They say the bureaucracy doesn't move too fast in Vietnam.  One thing I have seen lately, is that the real estate market has "crashed." Maybe that will create enough of a problem for them that they'll seriously consider offering retirement visa options. 

 

I think Malaysia had a similar problem at one point, and in response they made it easy for people to retire there.  That has since changed, but at one time, that's what they did to sell some of the condos.   

On 1/16/2025 at 2:29 PM, Dmitry2222 said:

Any updates for long term visas in Vietnam? Am I correct in understanding that long-term visitors do border runs repeatedly for years without a problems?

 

On 1/17/2025 at 12:55 PM, jas007 said:

Every so often, I look into this, but nothing much seems to change.  They say the bureaucracy doesn't move too fast in Vietnam.  One thing I have seen lately, is that the real estate market has "crashed." Maybe that will create enough of a problem for them that they'll seriously consider offering retirement visa options. 

 

I think Malaysia had a similar problem at one point, and in response they made it easy for people to retire there.  That has since changed, but at one time, that's what they did to sell some of the condos.   

Agents appear to be able to handle “long term” visas.  Probably not much different than the agents in Thailand.

 

Here’s one that explains it in the FAQ section.

 

https://www.getvisavietnam.com/vietnam-business-visa/

11 minutes ago, Airalee said:

 

Agents appear to be able to handle “long term” visas.  Probably not much different than the agents in Thailand.

 

Here’s one that explains it in the FAQ section.

 

https://www.getvisavietnam.com/vietnam-business-visa/

So a fake business scheme. Vietnam has done major crackdowns on those before.

Retirement in Vietnam is NOT feasible if you're just retired.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

So a fake business scheme. Vietnam has done major crackdowns on those before.

Retirement in Vietnam is NOT feasible if you're just retired.

Some people seem to get by with tourist visas and a border run or visa run every 90 days.  Fir example, fly to Bangkok for a long weekend.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

So a fake business scheme. Vietnam has done major crackdowns on those before.

Retirement in Vietnam is NOT feasible if you're just retired.

Yes….that’s why I put “handle” in italics.  Once in country, there also seems to be people who can “handle” 90 day extensions without leaving the country.  It was offered to me from my real estate agent.

 

Even with the border bounce, the cost of living here is significantly cheaper than Thailand so 90 days at a time seems like an acceptable option.

10 minutes ago, jas007 said:

Some people seem to get by with tourist visas and a border run or visa run every 90 days.  Fir example, fly to Bangkok for a long weekend.

Sure but as an aging retiree moving someplace at least planning for the rest of your life, to think that is some kind of retirement visa solution is totally INSANE.
Thailand is bad enough with one year extensions with no path towards permanent residence status.

3 months in Vietnam would work then 3+ months Cambodia or other. Philippines sounds like a toilet.

 

I don't understand this?

 

"

Below is the full list of 25 countries +Kazakhstan that are exempted from visa requirement:

Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama.

 

https://vietnam.travel/plan-your-trip/visa-requirements

25 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I don't understand this?

"

Below is the full list of 25 countries +Kazakhstan that are exempted from visa requirement:

Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama.

 

https://vietnam.travel/plan-your-trip/visa-requirements

People from those countries don't need a visa for Vietnam as they can get visa exempt for 45 days. They do of course need an e-Visa if they want to stay 90 days

45 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

People from those countries don't need a visa for Vietnam as they can get visa exempt for 45 days. They do of course need an e-Visa if they want to stay 90 days

but they already included UK in this statement 

 

"Vietnam's new visa policy effective from 15th August 2023 extends stay duration for 13 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days, regardless of passport type and entry purpose. The 13 coutries include: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus"

 

so first statement says 13 countries, second statement 25 countries, UK in both

32 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

but they already included UK in this statement 

 

"Vietnam's new visa policy effective from 15th August 2023 extends stay duration for 13 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days, regardless of passport type and entry purpose. The 13 coutries include: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus"

 

so first statement says 13 countries, second statement 25 countries, UK in both

There was originally 13 countries, including UK, getting 15 days visa exempt. In August 2023 they added another 12 countries and increased the visa exempt period to 45 days. So now it's 25 countries allowed 45 days visa exempt

On 1/16/2025 at 11:53 AM, Pattaya57 said:

Only other option he says is to get married 

I've been told there are a lot of fake marriages between foreigners and Vietnamese Nationals for this very purpose. 

Without a true retirement visa, even one that needs extending every year, it would be hard to put down any roots, as ability to stay would always be in question.

 

If older with no desire to buy in, then fine, keep the go bag handy, and enjoy the single life.   But if retiring early, renting for 20-30 years is a lot of wasted finances.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

it would be hard to put down any roots, as ability to stay would always be in question.

The Thai government can revoke, or change the goal posts at any time for their retirement visa.  The Thailand retirement visa is nothing more than a 12 month tourist visas.  It gives you no more rights here than a tourist on a 30 day visa exemption stamp. 

 

For example, it's been 800k for decades.  Surely, that amount will increase in the future.  It can't stay at 800k forever. 

4 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

The Thai government can revoke, or change the goal posts at any time for their retirement visa.  The Thailand retirement visa is nothing more than a 12 month tourist visas.  It gives you no more rights here than a tourist on a 30 day visa exemption stamp. 

 

For example, it's been 800k for decades.  Surely, that amount will increase in the future.  It can't stay at 800k forever. 

Leaver was always banging on about that, remember him?

On 1/12/2024 at 6:12 PM, BE88 said:

Vietnam retirement visa, does anyone have any reliable information about this visa?

 

https://internationalliving.com/countries/vietnam/retire-in-vietnam/

 

Where did you read about a 'retirement visa'? 🤔 

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Leaver was always banging on about that, remember him?

No, but what I said is true, isn't it? 

 

After some debate about it in the Australia Forum a while ago, the only thing a retirement visa holder gets that a 30 visa exemption holder can't get is a 5 year driving or riding license.  They can only get a 2 year license.  Other than that, they can do anything a retirement visa holder can do.  Some "assistance" may be needed from an agent, but all is doable, including buying a property. 

23 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

The Thai government can revoke, or change the goal posts at any time for their retirement visa.  The Thailand retirement visa is nothing more than a 12 month tourist visas.  It gives you no more rights here than a tourist on a 30 day visa exemption stamp. 

 

For example, it's been 800k for decades.  Surely, that amount will increase in the future.  It can't stay at 800k forever. 

Yea, been hearing that for 25 yrs now, and not a damn thing has changed, with exception of insurance required for O-A.  Actually more visa options were added.  That's actually better than when I arrived.

 

They have enforced the rules that have always been there, do to the scammers, but nothing new added.

 

Nam on the other hand, if enforcing the rules, ending the corruption at Imm  offices, (assistance no longer available) then folks wouldn't be getting the back to back visas.   Hope they were renting in their 15 mins city.   Only a matter of time when that happens, but by then, they'll probably have some type of retirement visa, maybe.

 

As stated, if older, not a problem, as probably not 'buying in' anyway.   Just rent & have fun.

 

If TH would ban the corruption, and no more agents (except for hand holding), then I guess Nam would get an influx of new expats.

 

Aside from visa issues, their infrastructure is a bit lacking.  And at TH's level 25+ yrs ago.  Or the impression I get watching YT'er opinions that I respect, not the OMG idiots who say you can live on $5 USD a day.

 

Along with all the AN members, still in TH, saying Nam is better, or worse, the ones not in TH or Nam, but Nam is so much better 

4 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Where did you read about a 'retirement visa'? 🤔 

 

Yes of course I read the latest news , If you want to know more, watch this video . To get to know a country and better visit it personally, I will go there soon for two months.

 

 

 🙂