In this article, we will walk you through the intricacies of the passport renewal process, providing you with valuable insights and step-by-step instructions on how to renew passport seamlessly. Whether you're a first-time renewer or looking for tips to streamline the process, our expert advice covers everything you need to know. Let's delve into the world of passport renewal and unlock the key to a swift and successful renewal process.
Before learning about how to renew passport, we have to find out the basic definition of this document. Although we know that it is an important document, many people are still quite confused about the concept as well as the documents and procedures for making a passport.
According to the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens in 2019, a passport is a document owned by the State. It is issued by a competent Vietnamese agency to Vietnamese citizens for use in exiting, entering, and exiting the country to prove nationality and identity.
A passport is now often used instead of a citizen identification card to carry out bank procedures, check in at the airport, and register for administrative procedures. Besides, it is an indispensable document when carrying out other legal documents and Immigration procedures.
First, let's learn about the latest regulations on passport validity so you can have a more general view before going into each specific case. This is also an important step in the process of understanding how to renew passport in Vietnam.
There are currently 3 types of Vietnamese passports:
Popular passport: blue and purple cover page (HCPT form)
Diplomatic passport: red-brown cover page (HCNG form)
Official passport: dark green cover page (HCCV form)
Each type of passport will have a different expiration date. Specifically, according to the latest regulations:
The validity period of a popular passport is specified as follows:
Popular passports issued to people 14 years of age or older will be valid for a maximum of 10 years from the date of issue.
Popular passports issued to people under 14 years old are valid for 5 years.
Popular passports issued under simplified procedures are valid for no more than 12 months.
Popular passports issued jointly by parents to children under 9 years old are valid for no more than 5 years.
All popular passports cannot be renewed. Unexpired popular passports will undergo a reissuance process. Once they expire, new procedures will be implemented. Each passport will be issued separately to each person to create favorable conditions for citizens' entry and exit.
Popular passports cannot be renewed, instead they must be issued or exchanged
Diplomatic and official passports are valid for 1 - 5 years. These 2 types of passports can be renewed once, for a maximum of 3 years. Renewal must be done at least 30 days before the passport expires.
Diplomatic passports are issued to children under 18 years old of individuals specified in Clause 10, Article 6 of Decree 94/2015/ND-CP. Official passports are issued to children under 18 years old of representatives of Vietnamese agencies abroad, news reporters, and State press permanently residing abroad.
The passports in both cases will have a validity period of 01 - 05 years from the date of issuance until the child reaches 18 years old.
With a popular passport, you cannot renew your passport. If your passport is expired, lost, damaged, or still valid but has no pages, you will be issued a new one.
With diplomatic and official passports, you are issued and renewed when:
People whose diplomatic or official passports are lost, damaged, out of pages, or expired while working abroad.
People who are members of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad or Vietnamese state-owned news and press agencies residing abroad have a change in position.
People who are abroad and are appointed as members of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad or Vietnamese state news and press agencies permanently residing abroad.
Spouses, children under 18 years old who are visiting, accompanying, and newly born children abroad of members of representative agencies or state news agencies of Vietnam permanently residing abroad.
The first step in your journey to learn how to renew passport is to know what documents you need to prepare.
You cannot extend a popular passport. The only option for an extension is to have your passport re-issued or modified.
For people over 14 years old, with normal civil behavior and cognitive ability, the following documents need to be prepared:
01 declaration form (form TK01)
The declaration, if sent by post, must be certified by the Chief of Police of the ward, commune, or town where you permanently reside.
The certified declaration should be stamped with a photo.
If the application is submitted by entrustment, the declaration must be certified by the Head of the entrusted agency, organization, or enterprise.
The certified declaration should be affixed with a photo.
An accompanying document must be sent by the agency, organization, or enterprise entrusting the application.
The Immigration Management agency requests to issue passports to the entrusting person, and if the request is made for many people, a list with confirmation from the entrusted agency, organization, or enterprise should be provided.
Submission by post:
Submission by entrustment:
02 recent photos, size 4cm x 6cm, straight face, bare head, no colored glasses, white background.
Most recently issued ordinary passport for the person who has been issued a passport. In case the passport is lost, it must be accompanied by a lost notice form TK05 or a notice of receipt of the application from the competent authority.
Photocopy of ID card or Citizen ID card in case there is a change in personal information compared to the information in the most recently issued passport.
For individuals who have lost civil capacity, face cognitive or behavioral challenges per the Civil Code, or are under 14 years old, and lack sufficient awareness and capacity to act independently, someone else must act on their behalf.
The required documents in such cases include:
The passport application form must be completed and signed by the father, mother, or legal representative. Additionally, it should be certified and stamped by the police of the commune, ward, or town where the person permanently or temporarily resides.
01 copy of birth certificate extract for people under 14 years old.
A certified copy of documents issued by a competent Vietnamese agency is required to prove the legal representative status of an individual who has lost civil act capacity or is facing difficulty in cognition and behavior control according to the regulations of the Civil Code. This provision applies to individuals under 14 years old.
In situations where the photocopy is not authenticated, the original documents must be presented for checking and comparison.
The applicant's ID card or ID card must be presented when checking in at the Immigration Department.
Remember to prepare complete documents to renew your expired passport in case something unexpected happens
Unlike popular passports, foreign and official passports can be renewed without any restrictions. You need to prepare these required documents in the process of how to renew passport:
Declaration for renewal of diplomatic official passport (form 01/2020/NG-XNC)
Appointment decision or document (original) permitting a person to go abroad from a competent agency or person clearly stating the subject subject to the request, including:
Clearly state the full name, position, type, rank, and rank of civil servant and public employee of the person sent abroad, destination country, duration of stay abroad, purpose, and source of funding for the trip.
Documents sent abroad with two or more pages must be numbered and stamped between pages. For documents with two pages in one sheet, the first page needs to be stamped with a hanging stamp or overlapping stamp.
Diplomatic passports and official passports are valid for less than 12 months.
Not all types of passports can be renewed but must be reissued, let us show you the process of how to renew passport as well as reissue or change one.
Popular passports are non-renewable, so you can only carry out procedures to reissue or exchange expired, lost, or damaged ones.
Step 1: Document preparation
Gather all the necessary documents for the passport re-issue or change process.
Step 2: Application submission
Take the prepared documents to the appropriate authority for passport re-issue or change. This may involve submitting your application to:
The Immigration Management Department of Provincial and Central City Police.
The Immigration Department in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Step 3: Result retrieval
If you are required to collect the results in person, schedule an appointment to visit the agency where you submitted your passport re-issue application on the designated date. This is the final step in the process to obtain your renewed or updated passport.
Below are steps for how to renew passport for diplomatic and official ones:
Step 1: Document preparation
Initiate the process by meticulously preparing all the required documents for your passport application.
Step 2: Application submission
Proceed with submitting your application by following these steps:
Hanoi Consular Department: Head to 40 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs: Visit 184 bis Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Provinces' Public Administration Service Center: If applicable, submit your application at the Receiving and Returning Results Department of the local Public Administration Service Center in your province.
Step 3: Result retrieval
Upon completion of the processing period, collect the results directly at the application site, following the details specified in your receipt. This final step ensures a smooth conclusion to the passport application process.
If you are wondering whether the fee for renewing, reissuing, and exchanging your passport is expensive or not. You can refer to the detailed costs in the following table:
|
No. |
Types |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Passport reissued due to damage or loss |
320.000 VND (13,9 USD) |
|
2 |
Passport renewal |
100.000 VND (4,34 USD) |
|
3 |
Submit documents by post (if registered) |
275.000 VND (11,95 USD) |
According to "Clause 2, Article 5, Circular 25", several cases will be exempt from passport issuance fees according to regulations including:
Overseas Vietnamese have received a written deportation decision from the competent authority in the host country but do not currently have a Vietnamese passport.
Vietnamese people abroad are forced to return to their country according to international treaties or international agreements on the return of citizens but they do not have Vietnamese passports.
In other cases for humanitarian reasons.
In case the passport issuance fee is refunded, it is stipulated as follows: People who have paid the fee, but do not meet the requirements to be issued a passport, will be refunded the passport issuance fee (based on Clause 3, Article 6 of the Circular 25).
There are many cases where passport renewal will be free
To enhance your understanding of how to renew passport, it is essential to address several frequently asked questions:
According to Decree 94/2015/ND-CP, those under 18 years old who own diplomatic or official passports (accompanying their parents) are not allowed to renew.
The travel document is valid for no more than 12 months and cannot be extended.
Diplomatic and official passports with a remaining validity of less than one year can undergo a single renewal, extending their validity for up to three years. Subsequently, upon expiration, a new application must be submitted.
For popular passports with remaining validity, the reissue process will be initiated. Upon expiration, a new passport will be issued.
In case your passport is torn, you can apply for a replacement passport.
If your passport is still valid but has no blank pages, you can apply for a new passport. Don't throw away your old passport because it will most likely be a document that will help your application stronger when applying for a visa to enter difficult countries such as the US, Canada, Schengen countries, and so on.
Remember to preview a few FAQs to get your questions about passport renewal answered
Renewing a passport in Vietnam can be a smooth process if you follow these tips:
Check eligibility and requirements: Verify that you meet the eligibility criteria for passport renewal in Vietnam. Understand the specific requirements, including necessary documents and fees.
Prepare the required documents: Gather all required documents, including your current passport, passport photos, and any additional documents specified by the Vietnamese immigration authorities.
Use online services (if available): Check if Vietnam's immigration department offers online passport renewal services. This can save time and streamline the application process.
Visit the appropriate office: Depending on your location, visit the nearest immigration office or public administration service center that handles passport renewals.
Ensure accuracy in the application form: Complete the passport renewal application form with accurate and up-to-date information. Double-check for any errors before submission.
Verify photo requirements: Adhere to the specified photo requirements, including size, background, and other criteria. Ensure that your passport photos meet the official standards.
Renewal timing: Submit your renewal application well in advance of your passport's expiration date. Some countries allow renewals up to six months before the expiration date.
Consider expedited services (if needed): If you require an expedited renewal, inquire about expedited processing options. Be aware of any additional fees associated with faster processing.
Stay informed on updates: Regularly check the official website of the Vietnamese immigration department for any changes or updates in the passport renewal process.
Renewing a passport is a straightforward process that ensures you can continue to explore the world with a valid travel document. By following the steps outlined in this guide on how to renew passport, you can navigate the application procedure smoothly. Remember to check the expiration date of your passport well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.
If you have any additional inquiries or need guidance, don't hesitate to contact us by sending an email to [email protected]. Our team is available and ready to assist you at any time!
