A temporary residence card is a document issued by Vietnam’s immigration authorities that allows foreigners to legally reside in Vietnam for a specified period, serving as a visa substitute with validity from 2-10 years depending on the card type. This is the optimal solution for foreigners seeking long-term residence, work, or investment in Vietnam without frequent visa renewals.

According to Law No. 47/2014/QH13, the temporary residence card provides superior benefits: visa exemption for entry and exit, property purchase rights, family sponsorship privileges, and convenient business and marriage procedures in Vietnam. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step to understand regulations and complete procedures accurately.

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Temporary Residence Card Eligibility for Foreigners – Do You Qualify?

You qualify for a temporary residence card if you belong to one of 6 eligible categories and meet 4 basic conditions. The most critical requirement is that your passport must have at least 13 months of validity remaining, and you must have legally entered Vietnam.

Mandatory Requirements for Temporary Residence Card Eligibility

To apply for a temporary residence card, you must satisfy all 4 conditions:

Passport validity of at least 13 months remaining – shorter validity will result in visa issuance instead of a temporary residence card, with maximum 12-month validity
Legal entry and current temporary residence in Vietnam
Completed temporary residence registration with local police authorities as required
Belonging to an eligible category with sufficient supporting documentation

Eligible Categories for Temporary Residence Cards

According to Article 36 of Law 47/2014, the Vietnamese government has established six main categories of foreigners eligible for temporary residence cards. These categories are designed to accommodate various purposes of long-term stay in Vietnam, from employment and investment to family reunification and diplomatic missions.

The eligible categories include:

Foreign workers in Vietnam with work permits or work permit exemption certificates
Foreign investors establishing companies, contributing capital, or purchasing shares in Vietnamese enterprises
Family members of Vietnamese citizens including spouses, parents, and children
Foreigners of Vietnamese origin or relatives of Vietnamese nationals
Members of diplomatic missions, consulates and international organizations in Vietnam
Journalists and permanent correspondents in Vietnam

Disqualifying Circumstances

You will not be eligible for a temporary residence card if you are:

Under criminal prosecution or defendant in civil, economic, or labor disputes
Subject to criminal, civil, or economic court judgments
Required to pay taxes or serve administrative violation penalties

Types of Temporary Residence Cards and Validity Periods for Foreigners in Vietnam

You will receive a temporary residence card with 2-10 year validity depending on the card type, with investor cards (DT1) having the longest validity of 10 years and labor cards (LD1/LD2) having 2-year validity. The actual validity period will be at least 30 days shorter than your passport’s remaining validity.

Temporary Residence Card Classification by Validity Period

Validity	Card Code	Category	Detailed Description
10 years	DT1	Major investors	Large-scale investment as per regulations
5 years	NG3	Vietnamese origin	Persons of Vietnamese heritage
	LV1, LV2	Employment	Senior management, high-level experts
	LS	Legal practice	Foreign lawyers practicing in Vietnam
	DT2	Medium investment	Medium-scale investors
	DH	Enterprise/Education	Enterprise representatives, students
3 years	NN1, NN2	International organizations	Representative office heads
	DT3	Small investment	Small-scale investors
	TT	Family visit	Spouses, children of Vietnamese citizens
2 years	LD1	Labor (exempt)	Work permit exemption confirmed
	LD2	Labor (permit required)	Work permit required
	PV1	Journalists	Permanent correspondents

Special Validity Regulations

Understanding the specific validity regulations is crucial for successful temporary residence card applications. Vietnamese immigration law includes several important provisions that directly affect the duration and conditions of temporary residence cards.

Important validity regulations to note:

30-Day Rule: Temporary residence card validity must be at least 30 days shorter than passport validity. For example: if your passport has 18 months remaining, the card will be issued for maximum 17 months.

Special Cases:

Passports with less than 13 months validity: Will receive visa instead of temporary residence card
Chinese citizens with electronic chip passports: Converted to visa with maximum 1-year validity
Workers: Card validity cannot exceed work permit validity

Card Renewal: Expired temporary residence cards can be considered for new issuance (not extension) if conditions are still met. Procedures must be completed at least 30 days before expiration.

Required Documents for Vietnam Temporary Residence Card Application

You need to prepare 5 basic document types: Request letter (forms NA6/NA7), Application form (NA8), passport with minimum 13-month validity, 02 photos (3x4cm), and documents proving eligibility. Additional documents vary by applicant category.

Basic Required Documents for All Cases

All foreign temporary residence card applicants must prepare:

Request letter for temporary residence card: Form NA6 (for organization sponsors) or Form NA7 (for individual sponsors)
Temporary residence card application form with photo: Form NA8
Original passport: Minimum 13-month validity with valid entry visa
02 color photos (3x4cm): 01 photo attached to application, 01 separate photo
Documents proving eligibility: Varies by specific case

Important Note: All foreign documents must be translated and notarized into Vietnamese and have consular authentication or Apostille as required.

Additional Documents by Category

Foreign Workers

Work permit or work permit exemption certificate with minimum 12-month validity
Enterprise operation certificate (Business license, Investment license, Representative office license)
Labor contract signed with Vietnamese enterprise
Resignation decision (if changing companies) and explanation letter for job transfer

Foreign Investors

Investment license or Company establishment license
Business registration certificate
Investment capital proof documents appropriate for card types DT1, DT2, DT3

Family Visit (Spouse/Children of Vietnamese Citizens)

Family reunification is one of the most common reasons for temporary residence card applications. Vietnamese law recognizes the importance of keeping families together and provides specific provisions for foreign family members of Vietnamese citizens.

Required documents for family visit applications include:

Marriage certificate (for spouses) with notarized Vietnamese translation
Birth certificate (for children) with notarized Vietnamese translation
Family relationship certificate or equivalent documents
Sponsorship commitment letter from Vietnamese citizen with ID card copy
Birth certificate (for children) with notarized Vietnamese translation
Family relationship certificate or equivalent documents
Sponsorship commitment letter from Vietnamese citizen with ID card copy

Enterprise/Organization Sponsors

First-time sponsors must submit legal entity documentation:

Organization establishment license (notarized)
Operation registration document from competent authorities (notarized)
Introduction letter, seal, signature of legal representative
Seal and signature registration form (Form NA16)

Temporary Residence Card Application Procedures – Where to Apply and Processing Time

You can apply at the Department of Immigration (Ministry of Public Security) or Provincial Immigration Offices, with 5 working days processing time and cash payment upon result collection. Two application methods available: in-person or online through the National Public Service Portal.

Application Offices and Working Hours

Central Level: Department of Immigration – Ministry of Public Security

Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District (for provinces from Quang Nam northward)
Ho Chi Minh City: 333 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1 (for southern provinces)

Provincial Level: Immigration Offices of provincial police departments where foreigners reside

Working Hours: Monday to Saturday morning (except Sundays and holidays)

Processing Time and Fees

Processing Time: 5 working days from receipt of complete and valid documents (confirmed by official regulations)

Fee Payment Method:

Cash payment upon result collection (not when submitting application)
Payment accepted in VND or USD as regulated
Official receipts issued according to Ministry of Finance regulations
Online payment or bank transfer not currently supported

Two Application Methods

In-Person Application

Procedure:

Submit documents at immigration office during business hours
Document verification by officers: If complete → documents accepted, receipt issued with result collection date
If incomplete: Guidance provided for document completion
Result collection: Present receipt and ID/passport on scheduled date

Advantages: Direct interaction, immediate assistance for questions

Online Application

Procedure:

Register account on National Public Service Portal or Ministry of Public Security Service Portal
Upload electronic documents: Submit all required documents in specified digital format
Submit original documents: After successful online submission, still must present passport and original documents at immigration office for verification
Track progress: Monitor processing status through system
Collect temporary residence card: Visit office in person to receive card and pay fees

Advantages: Time-saving, progress tracking available

Official Processing Procedure

After receiving complete and valid documents, immigration authorities will:

Verify eligibility for temporary residence card according to legal regulations
Authenticate information and verify document accuracy
Issue decision to grant or deny temporary residence card
Notify results to applicants on scheduled date

In cases of ineligibility, authorities will provide written response stating reasons for applicant awareness and correction.

Obligations and Rights with Temporary Residence Card – Important Considerations

You must fulfill 3 main obligations: register temporary residence with local police, renew card on time (30 days before expiration), and comply with Vietnamese law. When changing residence or personal information, timely notification to authorities is required.

Mandatory Obligations

Temporary Residence Registration: Must register with commune/ward police immediately after receiving card. This mandatory procedure helps authorities manage residence information.
Timely Card Renewal: Must apply for new card before current card expires by at least 30 days. Note: expired temporary residence cards cannot be “extended” but must have “new issuance.”
Legal Compliance: Must not violate Vietnamese law, as violations may result in card revocation and deportation.
Information Change Notification: Must notify immigration authorities of changes in residence, passport information, or marital status as required.

Rights and Benefits with Temporary Residence Card

Visa-free entry/exit: Only need to present valid temporary residence card
Long-term residence: Stay in Vietnam throughout card validity without visa renewals
Property purchase: Can buy apartments in Vietnam according to current regulations
Family sponsorship: Can sponsor grandparents, parents, spouses, children to visit Vietnam
Transaction convenience: Easy business and marriage procedures in Vietnam

Card Revocation Circumstances

Temporary residence cards will be revoked in cases of:

Serious violations of Vietnamese law
No longer meeting eligibility conditions (e.g., contract expiration, divorce from Vietnamese citizen)
Providing false information during application
Failure to comply with temporary residence registration obligations

Handling Common Situations

Lost or Damaged Card: Submit explanation letter and apply for replacement according to regulations. Procedure similar to new application but includes explanation letter.
Card Type Conversion: When changing residence purpose (from study to work), can apply for conversion to appropriate card type.
New Passport: When issued new passport, must update information on temporary residence card or apply for new card.

The temporary residence card is the optimal solution for foreigners seeking long-term residence in Vietnam with 2-10 year validity, clear procedures requiring only 5 working days processing. The most important factor is ensuring eligibility (especially passport validity of minimum 13 months) and preparing accurate documents according to each category.

Vietnam’s temporary residence card application process has been significantly improved with 2 submission methods (in-person and online), rapid processing time, and practical benefits including visa-free entry/exit, property purchase rights, and family sponsorship.

For success, follow the proper sequence: check eligibility → determine appropriate card type → prepare complete documents → submit to correct authority → fulfill obligations after receiving card. Foreigners should consult legal experts for optimal assistance, especially in complex cases or when regulations change.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners convert from visa to temporary residence card?

Yes, conversion from visa to temporary residence card is possible if conditions under Clause 4, Article 7 of Law No. 51/2019/QH14 are met. Foreigners need valid visas and documents proving eligibility for temporary residence cards such as work permits, investment licenses, or family relationship documents.

Conversion procedures are similar to new applications but require additional explanation documents for conversion reasons and other appropriate conditions as regulated. This conversion is particularly useful for those initially entering with short-term purposes who later need long-term residence.

How many times can temporary residence cards be renewed?

Temporary residence cards can be reissued multiple times without limit, provided foreigners still meet regulatory requirements. Important note: expired temporary residence cards cannot be “extended” but must undergo “new issuance” procedures. Procedures must be completed at least 30 days before card expiration.

Reissuance conditions include maintaining legal status (no law violations), continued eligibility (e.g., valid employment contracts, remaining family member of Vietnamese citizen), and sufficient passport validity. New issuance documents are similar to initial applications but simpler due to legal residence history.

Can temporary residence card holders work at multiple companies?

It depends on the specific temporary residence card type. Labor category (LD) temporary residence cards typically only permit work at the sponsoring company during card application. Changing companies requires temporary residence card conversion procedures with resignation decisions from previous companies and new work permits from new companies.

For investment category (DT) or family visit (TT) temporary residence cards, holders have more flexibility in employment but must still comply with work permit regulations if required. In special cases, some experts and senior managers may be permitted to work for multiple organizations according to specific regulations.

Vietnam Expat Guide

Vietnam Temporary Residence Card for Foreigners – Complete Guide and Procedures 2025