Over the past few years, the global trade war has come under intense scrutiny, revealing significant consequences for economies worldwide. Within this context, Vietnam has become a key destination for countries looking to relocate their production facilities.
Therefore, understanding the role of the Temporary Residence Card Vietnam is crucial for anyone interested in business opportunities or exploring new markets. The government recently modified this essential permit for foreigners looking to stay long-term to enhance tourism and attract foreign investment. It is necessary for both long stays and as a fundamental part of applications for personal and business extensions in Vietnam.
Need help with a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam? Check out InCorp Vietnam’s Immigration Services
What is a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam?
Article 3 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13 on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam in 2014 clearly defines the Vietnam temporary residence card. A temporary residence card is a document issued by an immigration management agency or a competent agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a foreigner who is allowed to reside for some time in Vietnam.
A temporary residence card (TRC) allows foreigners to stay, work, conduct business, study, or research for extended periods without the risk of deportation. It also serves as an identity document and an entry visa for traveling to and from Vietnam and within the country. This eliminates the need for visa renewals or extensions each time they travel.
Additionally, the TRC is necessary for various administrative processes, such as
- Opening bank accounts
- Securing long-term telecommunications services
- Obtaining insurance.
A TRC differs from a permanent residence card (PRC), which has much stricter and more limited eligibility criteria. It is important to note that non-compliance with Immigration laws, such as not having a TRC or overstaying the allowed period, can result in imprisonment.
Eligibility for Foreigners to Get a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card
In Vietnam, a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) allows foreign nationals to live and work for an extended period. Eligible individuals include
- Those who own a single-member limited liability company or are members of a multi-member limited liability company.
- Licensed lawyers who are authorized to practice in Vietnam by the Ministry of Justice can obtain a TRC.
- Foreign nationals who possess valid work permits, regardless of the business type or if they are associated with representative offices of foreign companies, are also eligible.
- Furthermore, professionals, trainees, and students participating in programs sanctioned by the Vietnamese government can apply for a TRC.
Read More: Work Permit in Vietnam: Requirements, Procedures, and Agency Services for Your Vietnam Work Visa
Eligibility extends to foreigners involved in corporate governance, such as members of the board of directors of stock corporations and those who hold ownership in single-member limited liability companies (excluding authorized representatives). TRCs are also available to immediate family members – including parents, spouses, and children – who are already holding temporary residences in Vietnam.
This comprehensive framework ensures that a diverse group of foreign nationals can integrate into and contribute to Vietnamese society and its economy, bolstering the country’s international ties and cultural exchange.
Foreign nationals seeking a temporary residence card in Vietnam must adhere to specific prerequisites:
- They should possess a passport that is valid for at least 13 months.
- The duration of the temporary residence card is set to be 30 days shorter than the passport’s validity. Therefore, a passport with 13 months of validity will result in a temporary residence card that lasts for a maximum of 12 months.
- Those wishing for a longer validity of their residence card should renew their passport before applying.
- Foreigners must complete temporary residence registration at the local commune or ward police as per the regulations.
Certain foreigners are ineligible for a temporary residence card in Vietnam. These include individuals currently under criminal prosecution or those involved as defendants in civil, economic, or labor disputes. Moreover, individuals required to serve a criminal sentence, enforce civil or economic judgments, or adhere to administrative sanctions, including tax liabilities and other financial responsibilities, will not qualify for this card.
Read More: Vietnam’s Work Permit and Temporary Residence Card for Foreigners
Vietnam Temporary Residence Card: Requirements & Procedure
Under the 2015 Immigration Law, foreigners seeking a temporary residence card (TRC) must apply through the Ministry of Affairs.
To obtain a TRC, applicants must submit several key documents, and it is essential to note that any documents not in Vietnamese must be translated and notarised following Vietnamese Immigration Law. These documents include the following:
- A written request for a TRC
- A personal declaration form from the applicant
- The applicant’s passport, which must contain a valid visa
- Additional documents, specific to the applicant’s situation in Vietnam, such as
- Business sponsor records
- Investment certificates
- Residence registration
- Work permits
- Business registration certificates
- Licenses for representative offices
- Company seal registration certificates
- Company branch documentation
- Proof of familial relationships (e.g., marriage and birth certificates).
Read Related: What to Know about Business Registration Certificates in Vietnam
Procedures for Issuing Temporary Residence Cards to Foreigners in Vietnam
Below, we have discussed the step-by-step process to get TRC in Vietnam
Step 1: Prepare the application dossier as per legal requirements.
Step 2: Dossier Submission
1. Agencies, organizations, and individuals must submit their documents at the following locations of the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security:
- 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
- 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Str., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
2. Officers who receive the documents will verify their legality and completeness:
- If the documents are complete, the officers will accept them, print them, and provide a receipt that includes the date the results will be available.
- If the documents are incomplete, the officers will instruct the applicant on how to complete them.
Office Hours:
- Monday to Saturday morning (excluding New Year’s days, public holidays, and Sundays).
Step 3: Receiving the Result
The individual collecting the result must show the receipt and an identity card or passport to the officers for verification. If a temporary residence card is issued, the officers will request payment of the fees and have the individual sign the receipt. Then, they will distribute the temporary residence card and inform the individual if it still needs to be issued.
- Contents Dossier
- A completed application for a temporary residence card (form NA6 for agencies and organizations, NA7 for individuals);
- An information form for a temporary resident card for foreigners (NA8);
- Documentation verifying eligibility for a temporary residence card, which may include work permits, certificates for heads of representative offices, membership on a Board of Directors, or other relevant documents;
- Two photographs measuring 2×3 cm (one photo attached to the information form and one separate photo).
- Number of Dossiers
- Processing time: within 5 working days from receiving the dossier
- Eligible applicants: Vietnamese agencies, organizations, and citizens
- Responsible authority: Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security
- Outcome of administrative process: issuance of temporary residence cards
- Fees (where applicable):
- Temporary residence cards valid for 1 to 2 years: US$145 per card.
- Temporary residence cards with 2 to 5 years validity: US$155 per card.
- Application documents (if required):
- A written application for temporary residence cards (form NA6 for agencies and organizations, NA7 for individuals);
- An information form for a temporary resident card for foreigners (form NA8).
Requirements and Conditions for Administrative Procedures
1. When applying for a temporary residence card for a foreigner, agencies or organizations must provide documentation verifying their legal status to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security. This set of application documents needs to be submitted only once.
a) A certified copy of the organization’s establishment license or decision from a relevant authority.
b) A certified copy of the organization’s operation registration issued by a competent authority of the People’s Committee of provinces or centrally administered cities.
c) A document confirming the seal and signature of the authorized representative.
2. Foreign nationals who enter the country for operational purposes as per Vietnamese law and who are not under an “exit suspension” may be eligible for a temporary residence card valid for 1 to 3 years. However, temporary residence cards will not be issued in the following situations:
- If the individual is under investigation for criminal liability or is a defendant in civil, economic, or labor disputes;
- If the individual is required to fulfill criminal judgments;
- If the individual is required to fulfill civil and economic judgments;
- If the individual must comply with administrative sanctions, tax liabilities, or other financial obligations.
Legal Basis of Administrative Procedures
- Law No. 47/2014/QH13 on foreigner’s entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in Vietnam, dated June 16, 2014.
- Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA, issued on January 5, 2015, by the Ministry of Public Security, outlines the forms required for the entry, exit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
- Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC, issued on November 10, 2016, by the Ministry of Finance, regulates the collection, payment, management, and utilization of fees related to the exit, entry, transit, and residence in Vietnam.
Duration and Validity of Vietnam’s Temporary Residence Card
The processing time for a temporary residence card (TRC) in Vietnam is 5 to 7 working days after receiving all necessary documents. A TRC is valid for 1 to 3 years, but its duration cannot exceed the validity of the applicant’s passport.
Additionally, foreigners with valid passports for less than one year are ineligible to receive a TRC. This card allows for extended stays and can be extended beyond its initial period.
Fees for Granting Temporary Residence Cards to Foreigners
According to the Fee and Fee Schedule issued together with Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC dated November 10, 2016, of the Ministry of Finance, the fee for making temporary residence cards for foreigners is:
- US$145/ card for a temporary residence card valid for 1 to 2 years;
- US$155/ card for a temporary residence card valid for 2 to 5 years;
- The cost for a two-year temporary residence card is US$550.
How can InCorp Vietnam help?
InCorp Vietnam is a cross-border advisory firm specializing in visa applications in Vietnam, particularly the Vietnam Temporary Residence Card.
Applying for a residency card in Vietnam can be complex and exhausting. To alleviate this, InCorp Vietnam employs a dedicated team of experts and uses an efficient system to ensure your application process is quick and seamless.
Beyond visa services, it possesses deep expertise and provides a broad range of services to assist foreign investors in establishing their businesses in Vietnam.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is indispensable for foreigners aiming to reside and work in Vietnam long-term. This card grants numerous advantages, including the ability to stay, work, conduct business, and access essential services such as banking and telecommunications without the need for frequent visa renewals. Eligible applicants include company owners, licensed lawyers, foreign nationals with valid work permits, and their immediate family members. The application process requires specific documentation and strict adherence to Vietnamese immigration regulations. For those seeking assistance, InCorp Vietnam offers expert services to simplify and expedite the TRC application process.
About Us
InCorp Vietnam is a leading market entry and corporate services firm in Vietnam. We are part of InCorp Group, a regional leader in corporate solutions that encompasses 9 countries in Asia-Pacific, headquartered in Singapore. With over 1,500 legal experts serving over 20,000 Corporate Clients across the region, our expertise speaks for itself. We provide transparent legal consulting, setup, and advice based on local requirements to make your business fit into the market perfectly with healthy growth.
Don’t take our word for it. Read some reviews from some of our clients.
