What is a temporary residence card in Vietnam (TRC)?

According to the entry, exit, transit and residence of aliens in Vietnam Act of 2014, a temporary residence card is a document issued by an immigration authority or the Competent Authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is granted to aliens who are allowed to reside for a certain period of time in Vietnam. 

Who can apply for a temporary residence permit in Vietnam?

• A foreigner who has a work permit in Vietnam is valid for at least 12 months at the time of applying for a temporary residence card.
• Temporarily provided to foreigners who are members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international organizations affiliated to the UN, intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam and their spouses, children under 18 years of age, maids who are accompanied by a term of office (residence card with the symbol NG3).
• Foreigners who have been granted LV1, LV2, ĐT, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD, TT visas are granted a temporary residence permit 

You can see the meaning of these visa symbols here.

Requirements and conditions for issuing a temporary residence card

- Foreigners must temporarily stay in Vietnam for 1 year or more.

- The passport is valid for at least 13 months.

Required documents for applying for a temporary residence card in Vietnam:

1. A written application for issuing a residence permit for a foreigner (form HA6  for institutions, organizations; form HA7  for individuals)
2. The Information Form for the temporary residence card is attached with a photo with size 3 cm x 4 cm ( form HA8 )
3. Copy of your passport and valid visa (take the original for comparison);
4. 2 photos with the size 3x4 cm (1 is attached to the Information Form, 1 is stored separately).
5. Depending on the circumstances, one of the following is required:

- 1 Copy of the business registration certificate of a legal entity, guaranteeing body, organization, or enterprise.

- Work permit or work permit exemption certificate ;

- If you are applying for a temporary residence permit in Vietnam without a work permit, the following documents are required:

• Investment certificate
• License to establish a representative office or branch of the company
• Certificate of a board member
• Birth certificate, marriage certificate, family status, if you are applying for a temporary residence permit for a husband, wife, or child who are foreigners.

6. Certificate of absence of criminal record.

Note: consular legalization in Vietnam and notarized translation into Vietnamese are required for all documents in a foreign language.

Validity period of the temporary residence card 

• The validity period of a temporary residence card in Vietnam is at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity period of the passport.
• Temporary residence certificates with the ĐT1 symbol are valid for no more than 10 years.
• Temporary residence cards with the symbols NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT2 and DH are valid for no more than 5 years.
• Temporary residence cards with the symbols NN1, NN2, ĐT3 and TT are valid for no more than 3 years.
• Temporary residence certificates with the symbols LĐ1, LĐ2 and PV1 are valid for no more than 2 years.
• Temporary resident cards with an expired validity period are taken into account when issuing new ones.

How do I renew my temporary residence card in Vietnam?

Foreigners can renew their temporary residence card in Vietnam after it expires:

• Prepare the following documents:
• Visa application form, extension of stay ( form NA5 )
• Passport.
• Follow the same procedure to get a new temporary residence card as described above.

What should I do if I lost my temporary residence card in Vietnam?

The first thing foreigners should do is contact the local police to report the loss of this residence card. The local police will then confirm this message to foreigners.

After this confirmation, foreigners can renew their new Vietnam residence card.

The procedure for reissuing a lost Temporary Resident Card is as follows:

• Written requests from inviting or guaranteeing institutions, organizations and individuals;
• 1 declaration of information about a foreigner applying for temporary residence, with a photo and seal of the institution or organization;
• 2 photos with the size 3 x 4 cm;
• 1 Copy of passport, valid visa, entry and exit certificate (with the original for comparison);
• 1 Copy (with the original for comparison) of documents confirming the purpose of your stay in Vietnam (depending on the specific cases, submission of relevant documents: investment license, business establishment permit, work permit, board member's certificate, Representative Office license, marriage or birth certificate).
• If the temporary residence card is lost, you must submit an application along with a written description of the reason for the loss.

Registration period: within 15 business days from the date of receipt of full documents.