VISA RENEWAL
PART I. NOTES & COMMITMENT TO LEGAL COMPLIANCE
1. Legal basis
International students must comply with the following legal documents:
- Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13);
- Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA dated January 5, 2015, issued by the Ministry of Public Security, regulating forms related to entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam;
- Circular No. 53/2016/TT-BCA dated December 28, 2016, issued by the Ministry of Public Security, regulating the declaration and receipt of temporary residence information for foreigners in Vietnam.
2. Document preparation timeline
- International students must prepare visa extension documents 01–02 months prior to visa expiration;
- Late preparation may result in processing delays and potential legal violations.
3. Obligation to register temporary residence
- Immediately after being granted a visa or entering Vietnam, students must register temporary residence within 24 hours as required;
- In the case of any issues related to residence, students must promptly notify the managing study-abroad company so that the company may coordinate and contact CTUMP for resolution.
4. Legal responsibility
- Students are responsible for full compliance with Vietnamese laws on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners;
- Students shall bear full legal responsibility for any violations, including but not limited to:
+ Failure to register temporary residence on time;
+ Submission of false or improper documents;
+ Violations related to visa extension procedures.
Possible penalties may include:
+ Administrative fines of up to VND 10,000,000;
+ Mandatory departure or deportation from Vietnam, subject to decisions by the competent immigration authorities.
5. Student commitment
Continued study at CTUMP implies that the student:
- Has been fully informed of legal obligations related to visa and residence;
- Commits to strict compliance with all regulations stated above;
- Fully accepts all legal consequences arising from any violations.
PART II. VISA EXTENSION PROCEDURE
1. Applicable subjects
International students currently studying at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy (CTUMP) who wish to extend their visa and period of temporary residence in Vietnam.
2. General principles
The procedure is carried out in two (02) steps: (1) Submission of scanned-file documents → (2) Submission of hard-copy documents.
Note:
- Only students whose scanned-file documents are confirmed as valid are eligible to submit hard-copy documents.
- Students shall bear full responsibility for the accuracy and validity of their submitted documents.
3. Submission of scanned-file documents (mandatory)
3.1. Submission method
- Students shall submit the complete set of scanned-file documents through the study-abroad company responsible for student management, in accordance with CTUMP’s instructions.
- Students are not allowed to submit scanned files directly to the CTUMP.
3.2. Components of the scanned-file document
- Application form for visa issuance/amendment and temporary residence extension (Form NA5), Word format;
- Temporary residence registration form (Form NA17), certified and bearing the official stamp of the ward police (required for each entry);
- One (01) 4x6 cm ID photo, white background (JPG format);
- Scanned file of the passport information page (photo and personal details), JPG format;
- Scanned file of the entire passport (all pages containing visas and entry/exit stamps), PDF format.
3.3. Technical requirements for scanned files
- File size must not exceed 3MB per file;
- Files must be clear, complete, uncropped, not blurred, and without missing pages.
3.4. Review and feedback
- Documents will be reviewed for content and technical compliance;
- Results:
→ Valid: Students will be notified to submit hard-copy documents;
→ Invalid: Students will be required to revise and supplement the document.
3.5. Regulations on document revisions
Students who revise their documents improperly, carelessly, or not in accordance with requirements more than three (03) times shall be subject to:
→ Warnings or disciplinary actions (specific measures to be determined by the Student Affairs Office in accordance with regulations).
4. Submission of hard-copy documents
4.1. Eligibility
Applicable only to students whose scanned-file documents have been confirmed as valid.
4.2. Components of the hard-copy document
- A complete and accurate hard-copy document consistent with the approved scanned files;
- Original valid passport;
- One (01) printed 4x6 cm ID photo, white background.
4.3. Receipt of documents
- Documents shall be submitted at the time and location announced by CTUMP;
- The responsible officer shall verify the document, provide instructions for fee payment, and confirm receipt.
PART III. GUIDELINES FOR TAKING PHOTOS/SCANNING DOCUMENTS
(Please review carefully in the Appendix)
1. Equipment
- Scanner or smartphone with the use of specialized scanning app is required.
2. Mandatory requirements
- File size: ≤ 3MB per file;
- Clear image, all four corners visible, properly aligned;
- No blurring, no missing pages, no information obscured;
- Signatures and official stamps must be clear, with no erasures or alterations.
3. Common mistakes to avoid
- Blurred images due to hand movement;
- Missing pages;
- Files exceeding size limits or not complying with required formats;
- Cropped corners or missing document borders.
4. Responsibility
- Students bear full responsibility for the quality of the submitted scanned files;
- Documents that fail to meet requirements will be returned for revision.
