Residence Duration for Foreigners in Vietnam: 2025 – 2026 Regulations

Foreigners can reside in Vietnam from 45 days to 10 years depending on the type of documentation. Visa exemption: 45 days (12 countries). E-visa: maximum 90 days. Temporary residence cards: 2 years (labor LĐ1, LĐ2, journalist PV1), 3 years (family visit TT, investment ĐT3), 5 years (study DH, investment ĐT2), 10 years (investment ĐT1 ≥100 billion VND). Passport must have a minimum validity of 13 months to apply for a temporary residence card. Penalties for overstaying: 500,000-20,000,000 VND depending on the number of days violated, may result in deportation (Decree 144/2021/ND-CP).

How Long Is the Residence Duration for Visa Exemption?

Citizens of 12 countries are granted visa exemption by Vietnam for 45 days from the date of entry. According to Resolution 44/NQ-CP dated March 7, 2025, the list of 12 countries includes: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. This policy is valid from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028.

The 45-day period has been increased from the previous 15 days, giving tourists and investors more time to explore opportunities or negotiate contracts. Additionally, citizens of 12 other EU countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland) are also granted 45-day visa exemption for tourism purposes, valid from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028 according to Resolution 154/NQ-CP.

Conditions for Visa Exemption

To benefit from the visa exemption policy, foreigners must:

• Hold a valid ordinary passport
• Meet entry requirements according to Vietnamese law
• Not be subject to “entry denial” or “temporary exit suspension”

Foreign language teachers can use the 45-day visa exemption period to explore job opportunities, attend interviews, or negotiate contracts before converting to a work permit or temporary residence card for labor.

How Long Is the E-Visa Valid?

The electronic visa allows foreigners to stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 90 days, valid for single or multiple entries. According to Resolution 127/NQ-CP dated August 14, 2023, the e-visa duration has been increased from 30 days to 90 days, effective from August 15, 2023. This policy applies to citizens of all countries and territories worldwide.

E-visas are issued entirely online through xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn with a processing time of 3 working days. Foreigners do not need to go through a sponsoring agency and can complete the procedures themselves and receive the e-visa via email.

E-visas are suitable for foreign language teachers working short-term in Vietnam (under 3 months), attending training courses, or on probation. However, for long-term work, teachers should apply for a temporary residence card for labor instead of continuously renewing visas.

How Long Is the Temporary Residence Card Valid?

Temporary residence cards issued by the Immigration Department are valid from 2 years to 10 years depending on the card type and residence purpose. The card validity must always be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining passport validity according to Article 38 of Law 47/2014/QH13 (amended 2019). The processing time for a temporary residence card is 5 working days from the date of receiving complete valid documents.

Comparison Table of Temporary Residence Card Duration

How Long Is the Labor Temporary Residence Card Valid?

The labor temporary residence card has a maximum validity of 2 years and is divided into 2 types:

• Temporary residence card LĐ1: Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam with confirmation of not requiring a work permit, except in cases where international treaties to which Vietnam is a party provide otherwise. Maximum duration is 2 years.
• Temporary residence card LĐ2: Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam who are required to have a work permit. Maximum duration is 2 years, but the work permit must have at least 12 months remaining validity from the time of card application.

For foreign language teachers working at schools or language centers in Vietnam, the labor temporary residence card is the most suitable document. Teachers need a valid work permit (or confirmation of work permit exemption) and a labor contract with a sponsoring organization. The 2-year duration helps teachers stabilize their work without frequent visa renewals.

How Long Is the Family Visit Temporary Residence Card Valid?

The family visit temporary residence card (symbol TT) has a maximum validity of 3 years and is issued to foreigners who are the spouse, children, parents of:

• Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in Vietnam
• Foreigners currently holding temporary residence cards or permanent residence cards in Vietnam

To apply for a family visit temporary residence card, foreigners need documents proving blood relationship or marriage (birth certificate, marriage certificate) translated into Vietnamese and notarized. The family visit temporary residence card is suitable for spouses of foreign language teachers working in Vietnam, allowing families to live together for extended periods.

How Long Is the Investment Temporary Residence Card Valid?

The investment temporary residence card has a validity from 3 years to 10 years depending on the capital contribution value, as stipulated in Law 51/2019/QH14. Specifically:

• Temporary residence card ĐT1 (10-year validity): Issued to foreign investors with capital contributions of 100 billion VND or more or investments in priority investment sectors or areas designated by the Government. This is the longest-validity temporary residence card in Vietnam.
• Temporary residence card ĐT2 (5-year validity): Issued to investors with capital contributions from 50 billion to under 100 billion VND or investments in encouraged development sectors.
• Temporary residence card ĐT3 (3-year validity): Issued to investors with capital contributions from 3 billion to under 50 billion VND.

Foreign investors in the education sector (opening international schools, language centers) may be granted investment temporary residence cards depending on their capital contribution level. Investment temporary residence cards allow investors to freely enter and exit and manage their businesses for extended periods.

Foreigners with valid temporary residence cards must participate in mandatory health insurance according to regulations to understand insurance obligations and benefits while working in Vietnam.

How Long Is the Study Temporary Residence Card Valid?

The study temporary residence card (symbol DH) has a validity of not exceeding 5 years according to Article 38 of Law 47/2014/QH13 (amended 2019). The card is issued to foreigners coming to study or intern at schools or educational institutions in Vietnam. The specific duration depends on the school’s acceptance letter but does not exceed 5 years per issuance.

International students studying pedagogy, education, or foreign languages at Vietnamese universities are granted study temporary residence cards for the duration of their studies. Upon graduation and finding teaching jobs in Vietnam, students can convert their study temporary residence cards to labor temporary residence cards if they meet the qualifications and work permit requirements.

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Important Notes About Residence Duration

How Much Shorter Must the Temporary Residence Card Be Than the Passport?

According to Article 38 of Law 47/2014/QH13, the temporary residence card issued must have a validity at least 30 days shorter than the remaining passport validity. This means if the passport has 13 months remaining, the Immigration Department will only issue a temporary residence card with a maximum validity of 12 months.

If the passport has less than 13 months remaining, the immigration authority will convert the temporary residence card application into a visa application with a validity of not exceeding 12 months. Therefore, foreigners need to carefully check their passport validity before applying for temporary residence cards.

Foreign language teachers planning to work long-term in Vietnam should ensure their passports have at least 2-3 years remaining validity before applying for labor temporary residence cards to avoid early card renewal due to passport expiration.

When Should You Renew Your Temporary Residence Card?

Foreigners need to renew or reissue their temporary residence cards before the card expires. The Immigration Law does not specify exactly how many days in advance documents must be submitted, but it is recommended to prepare documents at least 30 days in advance to avoid interruption of legal residence status.

The processing time for temporary residence card renewal is 5 working days. If documents are submitted too early (when the card still has significant validity), officials may not accept them. Conversely, if the card expires without renewal, foreigners may be subject to administrative penalties for residence violations.

Penalties for Residence Duration Violations

According to Article 18 of Decree 144/2021/ND-CP (effective from January 1, 2022, replacing Decree 167/2013/ND-CP), penalties for foreigners using expired temporary residence cards are as follows:

• Overstay under 16 days: Fine from 500,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND
• Overstay from 16 days to under 30 days: Fine from 3,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND
• Overstay from 30 days to under 60 days: Fine from 5,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND
• Overstay from 60 days to under 90 days: Fine from 10,000,000 VND to 15,000,000 VND
• Overstay from 90 days or more: Fine from 15,000,000 VND to 20,000,000 VND

Additionally, depending on the severity of the violation, foreigners may be subject to deportation from Vietnam and entry ban for a certain period. Therefore, foreign language teachers and foreigners working in Vietnam need to strictly comply with residence duration to avoid serious legal consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions About Residence Duration

1. Can you convert the purpose of a temporary residence card?

Yes, you can convert the purpose of a temporary residence card if the foreigner meets the conditions for the new card type. For example, teachers with study temporary residence cards can convert to labor temporary residence cards after graduation with valid work permits.

2. Does residence duration include holidays and Tet?

Yes, residence duration is calculated continuously including holidays, Tet, and rest days. Foreigners need to note this to avoid card expiration on holidays when immigration offices are closed.

3. What if the passport expires while holding a temporary residence card?

Foreigners need to reissue the temporary residence card when changing passports. Documents include: new passport, old passport, old temporary residence card, temporary residence registration, and documents proving continued eligibility. Processing time is 5 working days, with reissuance fees similar to new issuance fees.

4. Can you work immediately upon receiving a temporary residence card?

No, foreigners need a work permit (or confirmation of work permit exemption) to work legally in Vietnam. Temporary residence cards only prove legal residence rights and do not automatically permit work.

5. Does a temporary residence card have entry-exit validity?

Yes, temporary residence cards have visa replacement value throughout their validity period. Foreigners with temporary residence cards can freely exit and re-enter Vietnam without applying for new visas, as long as the card remains valid.

6. What should foreigners do if they lose their temporary residence card?

When losing a temporary residence card, foreigners need to report to the police for confirmation, then apply for card reissuance at the Immigration Department or provincial Immigration Management Office. Documents and procedures for lost card reissuance are similar to renewal documents but require additional police confirmation of the loss.

7. Can you apply for a temporary residence card online?

Currently, foreigners can submit temporary residence card applications online through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security’s Public Service Portal. However, result collection still requires in-person completion at immigration offices. Online processing time is 5 working days from receiving complete valid documents.

Residence duration for foreigners in Vietnam is clearly regulated by document type: 45 days for visa exemption, 90 days for e-visa, 2 years for labor temporary residence cards, 3 years for family visit temporary residence cards, 5 years for study and investment ĐT2 temporary residence cards, and up to 10 years for investment ĐT1 temporary residence cards. Foreign language teachers and foreigners working in Vietnam need to choose appropriate documents for their long-term plans while strictly complying with residence duration to avoid legal violations.

Understanding residence duration regulations helps foreigners proactively prepare documents, choose suitable document types, and avoid risks of overstaying. For organizations recruiting foreign teachers, mastering these regulations helps support international personnel in completing legal procedures and stabilizing work in Vietnam.