Vietnam temporary residence card | Fees & requirements

The Vietnam temporary residence card stands as a special document that offers foreigners not just legality but also grants to stay and work in the country. In this article, our team will help you to highlight some basic information about this card and the process to get it. 

1. Who is eligible for a Vietnam temporary residence card?

Under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (2014), a temporary residence card is an official document issued by either an immigration authority or a competent Ministry of Foreign Affairs entity. This card is specifically designated for foreigners permitted to reside within Vietnam for a defined period.

The temporary resident card’s validity is typically 30 days less than the remaining duration of foreigners’ passports and can be categorized into three primary periods:

• For foreign employees and their relatives, ranging from 1 to 2 years (represented by LD1, LD2, TT).
• For investors, diplomats, students studying abroad, etc., lasting from 2 to 5 years (represented by DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, DH).
• Less than 10 years for investors (represented by DT1).

To qualify for Vietnam temporary residence card, foreigners must be one of the following cases:

• Foreigners holding a work permit which is valid for at least 12 months or professional certification in Vietnam.
• Foreign investors engaged in establishing, contributing capital, or purchasing shares in Vietnamese or foreign enterprises/organizations within Vietnam.
• Foreigners who are family members (spouses, parents, children, grandparents, etc.) of individuals already holding a temporary residence card in Vietnam.
• Overseas Vietnamese or foreigners with Vietnamese relatives (spouses, parents, children, grandparents, etc.).
• Foreigners entering Vietnam under diplomatic or press-related regulations as specified by Vietnam
• Foreigners holding LV1, LV2, ĐT, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD, TT visas are eligible for temporary residence cards.

2. How to get a Vietnam temporary residence card?

Apart from meeting the eligibility criteria for a resident card mentioned earlier, foreigners are required to fulfill additional conditions:

• Enter Vietnam for purposes permitted by Vietnamese law.
• Not under force or suspension from exiting the country.
• Free from administrative penalties, tax liabilities, and other financial obligations.

Foreigners applying for a temporary residence card need sponsorship from a company, agency, or organization within Vietnam. Both the foreigners and their sponsors (if submitting their applications to the Immigration Department for the first time) must provide specific documents as part of the application process.

Step 1: Gather the required documents as stipulated by regulations.

Step 2: Submit the documentation. 

• Agencies, organizations, and individuals can submit their application materials to one of the three operational offices of the Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security:
  • 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.
  • 254 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
  • 7 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang City

Submission Schedule: Mornings, Monday through Saturday (excluding public holidays). 

• When receiving the application, officials will review the legality and content of the documents. If the documents are complete and valid, the official will issue an appointment receipt. If the documentation remains incomplete, the official will guide the applicant on the necessary steps to fulfill the application requirements.

Step 3: Receive the results.

The recipient hands over the receipt, ID card, or passport to officials for result verification. If there are results of the temporary residence card, applicants are guided to complete the fee payment and collect their card.

Result Collection Timing: Monday through Friday (excluding public holidays).

3. Requirements of a temporary residence card

The request for a temporary residence card for a foreigner must include:

• A written application for the issuance of the temporary residence card by the guarantor using Form NA6 (for agencies, organizations) or Form NA7 (for individuals).
• An information form for the temporary residence card (Form NA8) with a 3cm x 4cm photo is attached.
• Copies of the passport and a valid visa (originals required for verification).
• Two 3cm x 4cm photos (one to attach to the Information form, the other kept separately).
• Confirmation of temporary residence via a temporary residence declaration or certification issued by the Commune Police with their official seal.
• Depending on the situation, one of the following documents may be needed:
  • 1 copy of the Business Registration Certificate for the guaranteeing agency, organization, or enterprise.
  • Work permit or work permit exemption certificate.

For applicants without a work permit in Vietnam:

• Investment certificate.
• License for establishing a representative office or branch of the company.
• Certificate as a member of the Board of Directors.
• Birth certificate, marriage certificate, family register, etc., for spouses, children, or other family members who are foreigners applying for a temporary residence card.

4. Processing time and fee

A request for a Vietnam temporary residence card for foreigners takes 5 working days to process. According to Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC dated November 10, 2016, by the Minister of Health, the fees for this card at the Vietnam Immigration Department are as follows:

• From 1 to 2 years: $145 per card
• From 2 to 5 years: $155 per card

5. How to extend temporary residence card in Vietnam?

Foreigners in Vietnam can extend their Vietnam temporary residence card upon its expiration by: 

• Gathering the required documents:
  • Application form for visa issuance, stay extension (Form NA5)
  • Passport
• Proceeding with the same application process outlined earlier to obtain a new temporary residence card.

The extension fee for the Vietnam temporary residence card is $10. And the processing time is 5 working days after receiving all necessary documents.

The article has shown you information about the Vietnam temporary residence card, which is a document that allows foreigners to legally reside in Vietnam for a period of up to three years. We also provide key steps for the application process, the required documents, and the fees associated with obtaining this card. Let’s contact us if you need support.