Temporary Residence Permits In Vietnam
Embarking on a journey to Vietnam, whether for work, adventure, or love, often comes with a swirl of excitement and a dash of bureaucracy. Looking to reside in Vietnam? Worry Not! We’ve got you covered!
Navigating the labyrinth of legal requirements can be as challenging as learning to cross the bustling streets of Hanoi. This guide untangles the complexities of obtaining a temporary residence permit in Vietnam, ensuring your stay is not just memorable but also legally sound.
Let’s dive in!
What Is Residency In Vietnam?
Immigrating to Vietnam as a foreign citizen is not complicated as long as the necessary procedures are completed.
Most foreigners decide to come here for temporary stays and later choose to remain here indefinitely.
There are several ways to obtain residency in Vietnam, and they depend on the reason for immigration.
What Are the Types Of Residence Permits In Vietnam?
Residence permits in Vietnam can simply be divided into temporary residence cards (TRC) and permanent residence cards.
However, if we are to consider the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners, these can be categorized because of application.
Things are simple when it comes to immigration to Vietnam for permanent residence purposes.
At the respective time, the foreign citizen must have already lived here for a minimum period that enables/him or her to obtain the status of a permanent resident.
Temporary residency in Vietnam is available for the following:
- Employees of Vietnamese companies (specific requirements must be met in this sense).
- Investors (who have several types of visas, if not, the largest number of visas they can apply for).
- Foreign relatives of Vietnamese residents (certain conditions must be respected to bring family members to Vietnam).
What Is Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (Trc)?
According to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, a temporary residence card is a document issued by an immigration authority or a competent authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This is granted to foreigners who are allowed to reside for a certain period in Vietnam.
The law does not require foreign individuals to obtain a TRC, however, foreign individuals often choose to do so, considering the substantial benefits and convenience a TRC brings.
Not all foreign individuals who intend to stay in Vietnam can apply for a TRC, as it depends on their visa type.
Only foreign individuals who are issued LV1, LV2, ĐT, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ, and TT visas can be issued the TRC with the same symbols.
Why Should You Apply For A Temporary Residence Card In Vietnam?
There are many benefits that holders of a Vietnam temporary residence card may have:
- Foreigners who are granted temporary residence cards can buy apartments and shortly may buy houses. At present, the Ministry of Construction is proposing that foreigners buy houses in Vietnam to resolve real estate issues.
- Foreigners can stay in Vietnam for some time while their temporary residence card is still valid without having to leave Vietnam.
- Foreigners save money due to not having to apply for visa extensions many times and save travel costs
- Foreigners can carry out business procedures, and get married very conveniently.
Who Can Apply For A Temporary Residence Card In Vietnam?
The following people can apply for a temporary residence card in Vietnam:
- A foreigner who has a Vietnam work permit which is valid for at least 12 months at the time of applying for the temporary residence card.
- Foreigners who are members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, and representative offices of international organizations affiliated with the United Nations.
- Moreover, intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam and their spouses, children under 18 years of age, and housemaids who are accompanied by the term of office are granted temporary residence cards with the symbol NG3.
- Foreigners who are granted LV1, LV2, ĐT, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD, and TT visas are granted temporary residence cards with symbols similar to the visa symbols.
The Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 has defined new types of symbols and the duration of each type of visa symbol for foreigners in Vietnam.
Requirements And Conditions For Temporary Residence Card
- Foreigners must temporarily stay for 1 year or more in Vietnam.
- The passport is valid for at least 13 months.
What Are The Required Documents For Applying For Vietnam Temporary Residence Card?
- A written request for issuance of a temporary residence card for the foreigner by the guarantor (Form NA6 for agencies, and organizations; Form NA7 for individuals)
- Information form for temporary residence card attached with photo 3cm x 4cm (Form NA8)
- Copy of passport and a valid visa (bring an original for comparison);
- 2x3x4cm photos (1 to attach to the Information form, 1 is kept separately)
- Depending on the circumstances, one of the following is required:
- 1 copy of the Business Registration Certificate of the legal entity of the guaranteeing agency, organisation, or enterprise.
- Work permit or work permit exemption certificate;
- If applying for a temporary residence card in Vietnam without a work permit:
- Investment certificate.
- License for establishment of representative office, a branch of the company.
- Certificate of a member of the Board of Directors.
- Birth certificate, marriage certificate, and family register if applying for temporary residence card for husband, wife, and child who are foreigners.
- Proof of temporary residence declaration or Certification of temporary residence in the locality with the seal of the Commune Police.
How To Get A Temporary Residence Card For Foreigners In Vietnam?
Here are the steps to get a Vietnam temporary residence card for foreigners:
Step 1: Prepare Documents As Prescribed By Law
Step 2: Submit The Documents
- The agencies, organisations and individuals submit the application documents at one of the three working offices of the Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security:
- 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.
- 254 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- 7 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang City
- Time for submission: Mornings, Monday to Saturday (except public holidays).
- Officials receiving dossiers will then examine the legality and content of the documents:
- If the documents are complete and valid, the official will print and give a receipt of an appointment to get the
- If the documents are not yet enough, the official will instruct the applicant to complete the application.
Step 3: Get The Results
- The person who receives the results gives the receipt, identity card or passport to the officials who return the results for examination and comparison. If there are results of the temporary residence card, the official requests the applicant to pay fees and hand over the temporary residence card.
- Time to get results: From Monday to Friday (except for public holidays).
What Is The Vietnam Temporary Residence Card Processing Time & Fees?
The processing time for a request for a temporary residence card for foreigners in Vietnam is five working days from the date of receiving the full documents.
According to Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC dated November 10, 2016, of the Minister of Health, the cost of a Vietnam temporary residence card at the Vietnam Immigration Department is:
- 3,530,025 VND/card valid for up to 2 years.
- 3,773,475 VND/card valid for over 2 years to up to 5 years.
What Is The Validity Of A Temporary Residence Card In Vietnam?
The validity of the temporary residence card in Vietnam is at least 30 days shorter than the remaining duration of the passport.
The temporary residence cards with the symbol ĐT1 are valid for no more than 10 years. The temporary residence cards with the symbols NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT2 and DH are valid for no more than 5 years.
The temporary residence cards with symbols NN1, NN2, ĐT3 and TT are valid for not more than 3 years.
The temporary residence cards with symbols LĐ1, LĐ2 and PV1 are valid for no more than 2 years. Expired temporary resident cards are considered for issuing new ones.
How Can You Change Your Vietnam Temporary Residence Card?
Cases For Change Of Temporary Residence Card
- The temporary residence card is lost.
- The temporary residence card is torn or with a fuzzy number.
- Foreigners are granted a new passport in which the new passport number is different from the passport number indicated on the temporary residence card.
Agencies Responsible For Changing Temporary Residence Cards For Foreigners
Depending on each case, the foreigners may apply for a temporary residence card replacement at one of the following agencies in Vietnam:
- Administration of Immigration.
- Department of Immigration Management of Police Departments of provinces and cities.
The Validity Of The Renewed Temporary Residence Card
Duration will be equal to the period written on the previously issued temporary residence card.
Documents To Change Vietnam Temporary Residence Card
- Passport of foreigners must be valid for at least 6 months.
- Work permits (Investors, project managers, non-governmental organisations, and foreign lawyers licensed to practise in Vietnam are not required to apply for a work permit)
- The application form for a Vietnam temporary residence card.
- Information form for foreigners (with photo and stamp);
- 1 Photo 3cmx4cm
- Official dispatch explaining the reason for changing temporary residence card
- Other documents required by the Immigration Department
How To Extend A Vietnam Temporary Residence Card?
Foreigners can extend their temporary residence card in Vietnam upon its expiry by:
Preparing the following documents:
- Application form for visa issuance, and stay extension (Form NA5)
- Passport
The Vietnam temporary residence card extension fee is 243,450 VND and the processing time is 5 working days after receiving the full documents.
What To Do If You Lost Your Vietnam Temporary Residence Card?
The first thing foreigners should do is go to the local police to report the loss of that residence card. Local police will then confirm this notice to foreigners.
After this confirmation, foreigners can renew a new residence card in Vietnam.
Why do you have to do it again? Foreigners who want to exit Vietnam must have a visa or a valid residence card, otherwise will be denied and not allowed to exit.
The procedure for the re-issue of a lost temporary resident card is as follows:
- Written requests of inviting or guaranteeing agencies, organisations and individuals;
- One declaration of information about the foreigner applying for temporary residence, with a photo and stamp of the agency or organisation;
- Two photos sized 3 x 4 cm;
- One copy of passport, valid visa, entry and exit certificate (with the original for comparison);
- One copy (with the original for comparison) of documents proving the purpose of staying in Vietnam (depending on specific cases, submitting appropriate papers:
- Investment licence
- Enterprise establishment permit
- Work permit
- Certificate of Board Member
- Licence to establish a representative office
- Certificate of marriage or birth.
- In case of loss of a temporary residence card, an application must be submitted together with a written description of the reason for the loss or a written loss notice from the guaranteeing agency.
- This should be in addition to the provisions of the new application dossier,
Processing time: Within 15 working days from the date of receiving full documents.
Can You Get TRC Without A Sponsorship Company In Vietnam?
It will be quite expensive for the cost of TRC without sponsorship from a certain company in Vietnam.
But it’s feasible. You can be provided with a full package of a 2-year TRC + work permit for those who only have an original passport but not any other documents.
The total charge ranges around 41,386,500 VND– 46,255,500 VND/pax for this package based on your nationality and period.
The processing time is 3-4 weeks. All you need is your original passport and some photos. However, to be eligible to apply for this TRC package, you must have a business visa already.
Then once you are in the country, we can start to proceed with your TRC procedure.
How Is It For Expats Living In Vietnam?
Vietnam is one of the countries with the fastest-growing economies in the world, and it is home to 100 million people, including 100,000 expats.
Many Vietnamese industries are in critical need of highly skilled foreign personnel and investors to assist in leading their small- and medium-sized firms as the nation enters the global arena.
Vietnam may potentially rank among the top 20 economies in the world by 2050, according to PWC. Relocating somewhere new often presents its own set of difficulties, and Vietnam is no different.
From securing the greatest employment to making the most of your lifestyle in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is one of the best countries to relocate to in this part of the world.
In 2019, Vietnam was considered the 2nd most appealing expat destination, according to InterNations.org.
Moreover:
- The country also ranked 1st in the Working Abroad Index of 2019;
- In the same year, there were around 83,500 foreign citizens living in Vietnam;
- Most of them resided in large cities, such as Ho Chi Min, Hanoi, and Da Nang;
- Living costs in Vietnam range between 17,041,500 VND and 34,083,000 VND per month per person.
Conclusion
As our journey through the intricate maze of Vietnam’s temporary residence permits comes to a close, remember that the process, much like a Vietnamese market, is bustling and full of surprises.
With the right information and a bit of patience, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your extended stay amidst the breathtaking landscapes and rich culture of Vietnam. So, pack your bags, gather your documents, and prepare for an adventure that goes beyond the tourist trail – your Vietnamese home awaits!
Vietnam Beckons!
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