Temporary Residence Card

Posted date 09/04/2025
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A Temporary Residence Card is an official document that allows foreign nationals to temporarily reside and work in Vietnam for an extended period. It is issued by the Immigration Management Authority (Immigration Department/Division) or a competent authority under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With a temporary residence card, foreigners are permitted to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times during the validity period of the card without the need to renew their Vietnamese visa.

Benefits of the Temporary Residence Card for Foreign Nationals in Vietnam

A temporary residence card offers numerous benefits to foreign nationals living and working in Vietnam, including:

  • Protection of Rights: Foreign nationals are assured of their legitimate and legal rights within Vietnam, providing peace of mind throughout their stay.
  • Visa Exemption: With a valid temporary residence card, foreign nationals are exempt from a visa when entering or exiting Vietnam, making travel more convenient.
  • Long-Term Stay: Holders of the temporary residence card can stay in Vietnam for the entire duration of the card without worrying about repeatedly renewing their visa.
  • Bank Account Opening: The temporary residence card allows foreign nationals to open a bank account in Vietnam, facilitating easy financial transactions.
  • Driver’s License: Foreign nationals can apply for a driver’s license in Vietnam, providing convenience for travel.
  • Property Purchase: The card also permits foreign nationals to purchase apartments within projects like Vinhomes, Landmark, and many other projects.
  • Administrative Procedures: Foreign nationals can complete various administrative tasks, such as business registration, marriage, and family sponsorship for spouse and children, helping them integrate and stabilize their life in Vietnam.

Types of Temporary Residence Cards issued to foreign

Foreign nationals eligible for a temporary residence card must hold one of the following visa types:

NG3, LV1, LV2, ĐT, ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, ĐT4, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ, TT, DL, VR.

Validity period of Temporary Residence Cards issued to foreign nationals

The validity period of each type of temporary residence card, depending on its designation, varies as follows:

  • ĐT1: Maximum validity of 10 years;
  • ĐT2, LV1, LV2, LS, DH, NG3: Maximum validity of 5 years;
  • ĐT3, TT, NN1, NN2: Maximum validity of 3 years;
  • PV1, LĐ1, LĐ2: Maximum validity of 2 years;
  • Expired Temporary Residence Cards: Expired cards may be considered for renewal.

Note: Foreign investors with an investment capital of less than 3 billion VND are not eligible for a temporary residence card and are not exempt from the work permit requirement. They will only be issued an investment visa with the designation (ĐT4).

Conditions for issuing Temporary Residence Cards to foreign nationals

Foreign nationals who have legally entered Vietnam and meet the following conditions are eligible to apply for a temporary residence card:

  • Their passport must be valid for at least 13 months from the time of application.
  • The foreign national must have entered Vietnam with a visa of the following types: ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, LV1, LV2, LĐ1, LĐ2, NN1, NN2, LS, DH, PV1, TT, NG3.
  • They must have registered for temporary residence with the local police (ward/commune) as required by law.
  • They must have an individual or organization in Vietnam to act as a sponsor or guarantor.
  • They must provide documents proving the purpose of their temporary residence card application, such as a work permit, investment certificate, or work permit exemption confirmation…

What is the process for applying for a Temporary Residence Card?

Procedure for applying for a Temporary Residence Card for foreign nationals in Vietnam

To apply for a temporary residence card in Vietnam, you need to follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Prepare the Documents
Prepare the required documents as listed. An important note is that you must pay attention to the validity period of the documents. If the validity requirements are not met, the foreign national will not be granted a temporary residence card in Vietnam.

Step 2: Submit the Application
Once the application is complete, submit it to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security or to the immigration office at the police department of the province or city where the foreign national resides. Below are the addresses of the three main offices of the Immigration Department:Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh City: 333 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
Da Nang: 7 Tran Quy Cap Street, Da Nang City.

When submitting your application, the staff at the Immigration Department will review your documents and issue a receipt (Form NB7). If the application is incomplete or incorrect, the officer will guide you on how to supplement the necessary information, and you will need to return to the office to resubmit the documents.

Application Submission Hours: From Monday to Saturday mornings (excluding public holidays, New Year’s holidays, and Sundays).

Step 3: Receive the Result

On the appointment date specified on the receipt, bring the receipt along with your ID card or passport for verification by the officer.

If the temporary residence card has been issued, you will pay the fee and sign to acknowledge the result (whether the card is granted or not).

Result pickup hours: Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays, New Year’s holidays, and Saturdays and Sundays).

For convenience, contact Expat Service Solutions and we will handle all steps on your behalf and deliver the temporary residence card directly to your office or home.

We offer services for applying and renewing your Temporary Residence Cards.

Required documents for applying for a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam

  • A request letter for the issuance of a temporary residence card for the foreign employee from the sponsor (Form NA6 for organizations or Form NA7 for individuals).
  • An Application form for the temporary residence card with a 2cm x 3cm photo (Form NA8).
  • A copy of a valid passport and visa.
  • 02 photos (2cm x 3cm).
  • Depending on the case, one of the following documents may be required: 
    • A copy of the business registration certificate of the sponsoring organization, enterprise, or institution. 
    • A work permit or official letter confirming work permit exemption, documents proving family relationships (eg. marriage certificate, birth certificate.

Applying for a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam without a Work Permit

The following documents are required:

  • Investment certificate.
  • Representative office or branch office establishment license.
  • Board of Directors membership certificate.
  • Birth certificate, marriage certificate, household registration book, etc, if applying for a temporary residence card for a spouse, child, or other family member who is a foreign national.
  • Temporary residence registration form or confirmation of temporary residence from the local police with the official stamp of the commune/ward police.

Note: Consular legalization and notarized translation into Vietnamese are required for all documents issued in foreign languages.

Why do companies choose not to handle Temporary Residence Card applications by themselves?

As we have presented above, the application process for a Temporary Residence Card is quite complicated due to the following reasons:

  • Many types of documents are required;
  • Legal regulations related to TRC frequently change, requiring continuous updates and a thorough understanding of the law;
  • Foreigners’ applications for TRC are often rejected due to incomplete, inaccurate, or non-compliant documents and information that do not meet the requirements of relevant authorities;
  • It requires significant time and effort to prepare all necessary documents for submission, re-submission to the relevant authorities as required.

Advantages of choosing Expat Service Solutions for Temporary Residence Card services for foreign nationals

  • Nearly 20 years of experience in TRC applications;
  • Optimized process to save clients’ time and effort;
  • Ensuring client information confidentiality;
  • Competitive pricing to minimize costs;
  • On-time result delivery;
  • Notifications before TRC expiration.

Scope of services by Expat Service Solutions

  • Advising on the necessary documents and paperwork required under current legal regulations;
  • Assisting in drafting and completing necessary forms and documents;
  • Reviewing and ensuring the application dossier is complete and ready for submission;
  • Working with relevant government authorities and submitting applications on behalf of clients;
  • Resolving any arising issues during the process and providing the best suitable solutions;
  • Informing clients of the expected date for receiving the results;
  • Delivering the Temporary Residence Card to the clients’ office or residence.

By using the services of Expat Service Solutions, you will obtain a legally compliant Temporary Residence Card quickly and efficiently, ensuring your satisfaction while saving time and effort.

Contact us directly for tailored support:

Tel: 0903 232 581 (Ms. Thao)

Email: Ms. Thao, thao.le@expatss.com Web: https://expatss.com

Thank you very much!
It is an honor to serve you.

Other Information

The images used on this page are for illustrative purposes only.

Expat Service Solutions Co., Ltd. is a company specializing in providing comprehensive administrative office services, specifically: processing Work Permit, Visa, and Temporary Residence Card applications for foreign nationals on a fee or contract basis. Our company has no affiliation or partnership with any government agencies responsible for issuing Work Permits, Visas, or Temporary Residence Cards.

You have the option to apply for Work Permits, Visas, and Temporary Residence Cards directly at the relevant government authorities at a lower cost, in accordance with the current laws of Vietnam.

References

Resolution No. 127/NQ-CP.

Decree No. 07/2017/NĐ-CP.

Law No. 47/2014/QH2013 on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Law No. 51/2019/QH14 on Amendments and Supplements to Certain Provisions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Refer to bistax.vn, ketoananpha.vn, vietnamteachingjobs.com, cmtcvietnam.com

 

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