Temporary residence card renewal for foreigners in Vietnam is completed by submitting Form NA5 along with original passport and related documents to the Immigration Department or online through the National Public Service Portal, with a fee of 10 USD and processing time of 5 working days.
The temporary residence card is a crucial document allowing foreigners to legally reside in Vietnam for periods ranging from 1-10 years depending on the type. When the card approaches expiration, timely renewal helps avoid legal violations and ensures continuous living and working activities.
This article provides detailed guidance on temporary residence card renewal procedures, including conditions, required documents, fees, processing time, and the most effective online submission methods for 2025.
How to Renew Temporary Residence Card for Foreigners in Vietnam?
The temporary residence card renewal procedure for foreigners includes 3 main steps: preparing required documents according to regulations, submitting documents to competent authorities or online, and receiving results after 5 working days.
Detailed Implementation Process
Step 1: Prepare complete documents
- Application form for temporary residence renewal (Click to download Form NA5)
- Original passport valid for at least 1 year
- Current temporary residence card
- Documents proving purpose of residence (work permit, contract, etc.)
Step 2: Submit documents
- In person: At the Immigration Department or Provincial Immigration Office
- Online: Through National Public Service Portal or Ministry of Public Security Service Portal
Step 3: Payment and result collection
- Pay the fee of 10 USD (approximately 250,000 VND)
- Receive new temporary residence card after 5 working days
Optimal Submission Timing
According to recommendations from the Immigration Department, foreigners should submit renewal applications 5 days before their current temporary residence card expires. Submitting too early may result in rejection, while late submission leads to legal violation risks.
Is Online Temporary Residence Renewal for Foreigners Feasible?
Online temporary residence renewal for foreigners is completely feasible through the National Public Service Portal, helping save time and travel costs compared to direct document submission.
Online Implementation Guide
Prerequisites:
- Enterprises/organizations must have Public Service Portal accounts with digital signatures
- Individuals need VNeID electronic identity accounts
- Documents must be scanned in clear PDF format
Detailed online process:
- System login
- Access dichvucong.gov.vn
- Login with enterprise account or VNeID
- Procedure search
- Enter keyword “temporary residence renewal”
- Select “Temporary residence renewal for foreigners in Vietnam”
- Information entry and document attachment
- Declare complete information of the renewal applicant
- Upload required document files
- Review and confirm information
- Payment and tracking
- Make online fee payment
- Track processing progress through account
- Receive result notifications
Advantages of Online Procedures
- Time-saving: No need to visit offices directly
- Transparency: Ability to track processing progress
- Convenience: Available 24/7
- Safety: Reduces contact and document loss risks
What Are the Fees for Temporary Residence Card Renewal for Foreigners?
The temporary residence card renewal fee for foreigners is uniformly regulated at 10 USD according to Circular No. 25/2021/TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance, applicable to both direct and online submission methods.
Detailed Fee Schedule
Procedure Type | Fee | Regulation |
---|---|---|
Temporary residence renewal | 10 USD | Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC |
New temporary residence card (1-2 years) | 145 USD | Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC |
New temporary residence card (2-5 years) | 155 USD | Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC |
New temporary residence card (5-10 years) | 165 USD | Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC |
Additional Costs
Notarization and translation costs:
- Document notarization: 20,000-50,000 VND/page
- Notarized translation: 80,000-150,000 VND/page
- Agent service fees (if used): 2-5 million VND
Payment notes:
- Fees can be paid in USD or VND according to bank exchange rates
- Online submissions allow electronic gateway payments
- Fee receipts must be issued according to Ministry of Finance templates
Important: Besides temporary residence card renewal fees, foreigners need to be aware of other costs such as local temporary residence registration. To understand all related costs, you should prepare a complete financial plan.
What Does the Temporary Residence Renewal Form for Foreigners Include?
The temporary residence renewal form for foreigners is primarily Form NA5 (application for visa issuance, supplement, modification and temporary residence renewal) along with supporting documents proving conditions according to each specific category.
Basic Documents for All Categories
Mandatory documents:
- Form NA5 – Download from Immigration Department website
- Original passport – Valid for at least 12 months
- Current temporary residence card – As basis for renewal
- Temporary residence registration certificate – Issued by commune/ward police
Documents by Specific Categories
For workers with work permits:
- Notarized copy of valid work permit
- Labor contract or recruitment decision
- Business registration certificate of sponsoring company
- Enterprise application letter (Form NA6)
For family members of temporary residence card holders:
- Family relationship certificates (marriage, birth certificates, etc.)
- Notarized copy of sponsor’s temporary residence card
- Individual sponsorship agreement (Form NA7)
For investors:
- Investment certificate or business license
- Investment and business situation reports
- Enterprise seal registration certificate
Document Preparation Notes
Document requirements:
- Originals for verification (will be returned)
- Notarized copies or copies with originals
- Foreign documents must be consularly legalized and translated into Vietnamese
Photo and document format:
- 3x4cm photos with white background, taken within 6 months
- Scan resolution minimum 300 DPI (for online submission)
- Documents arranged in prescribed order
How Long Can Temporary Residence Be Renewed for Foreigners?
The renewal period for temporary residence cards for foreigners depends on the card type and residence purpose, ranging from 1 to 10 years, but must always be at least 30 days shorter than the passport validity period.
Duration by Temporary Residence Card Type
Card Type | Code | Maximum Duration | Target Group |
---|---|---|---|
Labor | LĐ1, LĐ2 | 2 years | Workers with permits |
Investment | ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3 | 5-10 years | Investors, experts |
Family visit | TT | 1-3 years | Spouses, children of Vietnamese |
Diplomatic | NG1, NG2, NG3 | According to term | Diplomatic staff |
Factors Determining Renewal Duration
Passport conditions:
- Temporary residence cards can only be issued for periods at least 30 days shorter than passport validity
- Passport must be valid for at least 12 months when submitting application
Work permit conditions:
- For labor temporary residence cards, duration cannot exceed work permit validity
- Work permit must be valid for at least 1 year
Sponsoring organization requirements:
- Enterprises can request specific durations suitable for their needs
- Expected duration of project or contract activities
Special Cases
When passport is expiring:
- If passport has less than 2 years validity, only 1-year temporary residence card issued
- Recommend renewing passport before applying for temporary residence card renewal
Card type conversion:
- Can convert from short-term to long-term cards if conditions are met
- New duration calculated from new card issuance date
Important suggestion: If you are planning long-term residence in Vietnam (5 years or more), considering conversion to a permanent residence card will bring more benefits than continuous temporary residence card renewals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Temporary Residence Card Renewal
Can temporary residence cards be renewed after expiration?
Temporary residence cards cannot be renewed after expiration. Foreigners who violate temporary residence periods will face administrative fines of 3-5 million VND and may be forced to leave the country.
When temporary residence cards have expired, foreigners must:
- Accept administrative violation penalties according to regulations
- Apply for new temporary residence cards (not renewal), here’s how to do it Vietnam Temporary Residence Card for Foreigners – Complete Guide and Procedures 2025
- May be placed on special monitoring lists
Can lost or damaged temporary residence cards be renewed normally?
When temporary residence cards are lost or damaged, replacement procedures must be completed first, then normal renewal can be performed with complete required documents.
Procedures for replacing lost temporary residence cards:
- Report card loss to local police
- Submit replacement application to immigration authorities
- Pay replacement fees according to regulations
Detailed guidance: Replacing lost temporary residence cards involves separate procedures and documents, different from normal renewal procedures. To understand the complete process and avoid errors, you should refer to comprehensive guidelines before proceeding.
Can others be authorized to handle renewal procedures?
Others can be authorized to handle temporary residence card renewal procedures through notarized power of attorney, and authorized persons must present complete personal documents.
Authorization conditions:
- Notarized power of attorney
- Copies of ID cards of both authorizer and authorized person
- Authorized person must understand document information clearly
Is domestic travel allowed while waiting for renewal?
While waiting for temporary residence card renewal results, foreigners can still travel normally within Vietnamese territory with the document receipt issued by immigration authorities.
Important notes:
- Always carry the receipt when traveling
- Exit from the country is not permitted during waiting period
- Contact immigration authorities if issues arise
Do renewal costs vary between provinces and cities?
Temporary residence card renewal fees are uniformly regulated at 10 USD nationwide, regardless of which locality processes the procedure.
Costs that may vary:
- Notarization service fees (depending on province)
- Travel and accommodation costs (if going to other provinces)
- Document assistance service fees (if used)
Temporary residence card renewal for foreigners is an important procedure ensuring legal residence in Vietnam. With a fee of 10 USD and processing time of 5 working days, foreigners can choose to submit documents directly or online through the Public Service Portal.
For successful completion, complete documents must be prepared according to regulations, with special attention to passport and work permit validity periods. Submitting documents 5 days before card expiration helps avoid legal violation risks.
For complex cases or those requiring professional assistance, consulting with lawyers or professional services is recommended to ensure procedures are carried out accurately and most effectively.