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Foreign nationals who intend to live, work, invest, or study in Vietnam for an extended period should clearly understand the role and benefits of a Temporary Residence Card (TRC). This is one of the most important documents that allows foreigners to reside legally in Vietnam without having to repeatedly renew their visas during the validity period of the card.
In this article, Green NRJ provides a comprehensive guide to Temporary Residence Cards in Vietnam, including the concept, common card categories, eligibility requirements for different applicants, and key considerations under the latest regulations applicable in 2026.
What Is a Temporary Residence Card?
A Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is an official document issued by Vietnam’s immigration authorities to foreign nationals who meet the requirements for long-term residence in Vietnam. The card is granted by the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security in accordance with Vietnamese law.
During the validity period of the card, foreign nationals may legally reside in Vietnam without having to apply for multiple visas or periodically extend their visas as required for ordinary visa holders.
A Temporary Residence Card simultaneously serves as:
- A substitute for a long-term visa;
- Proof of a foreign national’s lawful residence status in Vietnam; and
- A basis for multiple entries and exits from Vietnam during the card’s validity period without the need to obtain a new visa.
For many foreign investors, experts, employees, and their accompanying family members, a Temporary Residence Card offers a significantly more convenient and stable solution than continuously extending visas.
Common Types of Temporary Residence Cards in Vietnam
Vietnamese law provides various categories of Temporary Residence Cards depending on the foreign national’s purpose of residence. Below are the most common types currently available.
| Card Type | Eligible Applicants | Maximum Validity | Basic Documents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD1 | Foreign employees exempt from work permit requirements under Vietnamese law or international treaties to which Vietnam is a party. | 2 years | Valid passport; work permit exemption confirmation; employment contract (if applicable); legal documents of the sponsoring organization; proof of lawful residence in Vietnam. | Commonly issued to experts, managers, executive directors, and other individuals eligible for work permit exemption. |
| LD2 | Foreign employees holding a valid work permit in Vietnam. | 2 years | Valid passport; valid work permit; employment contract; Enterprise Registration Certificate of the sponsoring organization; proof of lawful residence in Vietnam. | The most common Temporary Residence Card category for foreign employees working in Vietnam. |
| DT1 | Foreign investors contributing VND 100 billion or more, or investing in sectors entitled to special investment incentives. | 10 years | Valid passport; IRC or ERC; documents evidencing capital contribution; proof of lawful residence in Vietnam. | Investors in this category enjoy the longest validity period under current regulations. |
| DT2 | Foreign investors contributing from VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion, or investing in State-encouraged sectors. | 5 years | Valid passport; IRC or ERC; documents evidencing capital contribution; proof of lawful residence in Vietnam. | Applicable to large-scale investment projects or projects in incentivized sectors. |
| DT3 | Foreign investors contributing from VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion. | 3 years | Valid passport; IRC or ERC; documents evidencing capital contribution; proof of lawful residence in Vietnam. | The most common TRC category for foreign investors contributing capital to Vietnamese companies. |
| DT4 | Foreign investors contributing less than VND 3 billion. | 1 year | Investment visa application dossier in accordance with current regulations. | Generally not eligible for a Temporary Residence Card and may instead be granted an investment visa. |
| TT | Spouses of LD1/LD2 holders; spouses of DT1/DT2/DT3 investors; children under 18 of foreign residents; spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens. | Up to 3 years (not exceeding the sponsor’s validity period) | Marriage certificate or birth certificate; sponsor’s TRC/visa; applicant’s passport; proof of lawful residence in Vietnam. | Issued for family reunification purposes. |
| NG3 | Members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, and recognized international organizations in Vietnam. | Subject to specific circumstances | Diplomatic note or official introduction letter; valid passport; approval from competent Vietnamese authorities. | Applicable to diplomatic and international organization personnel. |
| NG4 | Foreign nationals working for diplomatic missions or international organizations without diplomatic privileges and immunities, and related support personnel. | Subject to specific circumstances | Diplomatic note or official introduction letter; valid passport; approval from competent Vietnamese authorities. | Applicable to personnel associated with diplomatic organizations but not entitled to diplomatic status. |
| DH | Foreign students enrolled at universities, colleges, or licensed educational institutions in Vietnam. | Corresponding to the duration of the study program | Admission letter or enrollment confirmation; valid passport; proof of lawful residence in Vietnam; other documents as required. | Allows international students to legally reside in Vietnam throughout their studies. |
Additional Notes
For investors contributing capital to Vietnamese enterprises, immigration authorities may require supplementary documents demonstrating the investor’s ownership percentage or actual capital contribution status at the time of application.
In certain cases, investors may also be asked to provide evidence of genuine investment activities, such as capital contribution confirmations, bank statements, financial reports, company operational records, or other supporting documents.
In addition to the categories listed above, Vietnamese law also provides Temporary Residence Cards for certain special groups, including heads of representative offices of foreign traders, representatives of foreign non-governmental organizations, and individuals working with Vietnamese agencies or organizations under visa symbols NN1, NN2, LV1, and LV2. These cases are assessed according to the relevant conditions and documentation requirements under current immigration regulations.
Eligibility Requirements for a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam
To qualify for a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam, foreign nationals must satisfy the immigration and residency requirements prescribed by current regulations. These requirements ensure that applicants have a lawful purpose of residence and a legal basis for long-term stay in Vietnam.
First, applicants must hold a passport valid for at least six months in accordance with current regulations. However, to obtain a card with a longer validity period, applicants should ensure their passport remains valid for a sufficiently extended period at the time of application. If a passport is close to expiration, immigration authorities may refuse the application or issue a card with a shorter validity period.
Applicants must not fall into any category prohibited from entering Vietnam, subject to deportation, or involved in serious violations of Vietnam’s immigration regulations.
In addition, applicants must have a lawful purpose of residence corresponding to the category of Temporary Residence Card requested, such as employment, investment, study, or family reunification.
Applicants must also have a lawful place of residence in Vietnam and comply fully with temporary residence registration requirements. Temporary residence registration is currently mandatory for all foreign nationals residing in Vietnam.
During the review process, immigration authorities may request proof of temporary residence registration or confirmation of accommodation information duly reported in accordance with regulations. Failure to comply fully with temporary residence registration requirements may negatively affect the application process.
It should also be noted that current laws do not require a foreign national to reside in Vietnam for one full year before becoming eligible for a Temporary Residence Card. Eligibility is assessed based on lawful residency status, purpose of entry, and supporting documentation applicable to each category.
Documents Required for a Temporary Residence Card Application
Depending on the type of Temporary Residence Card being requested, documentation requirements may vary. However, most applications require the following:
- Original passport meeting validity requirements;
- Visa or documentation proving lawful residence status in Vietnam;
- Application form for a Temporary Residence Card issued by immigration authorities;
- Temporary residence registration confirmation;
- Documents supporting the relevant purpose of residence, such as a work permit, work permit exemption document, Investment Registration Certificate, marriage certificate, or birth certificate;
- Enterprise Registration Certificate or legal documents of the sponsoring organization (if applicable);
- Passport-sized photographs meeting official requirements.
In certain situations, immigration authorities may request additional documents to verify the legality of the application or clarify the applicant’s residence status.
Procedure for Obtaining a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam
Foreign nationals seeking long-term residence in Vietnam for employment, investment, study, or family reunification purposes must follow the Temporary Residence Card application procedure prescribed by immigration law.
Step 1: Prepare the Application Dossier
Applicants or sponsoring organizations should carefully review and prepare all required documents according to the relevant Temporary Residence Card category.
Accurate preparation is particularly important because errors relating to work permits, investment documentation, capital contribution status, or residence information are among the most common reasons applications are delayed or require amendment.
Step 2: Submit the Application
Applications may be submitted to the provincial Immigration Division or the Immigration Department, depending on the specific case and jurisdiction under current regulations.
Although Temporary Residence Card procedures have been implemented through electronic systems, applicants may still be required to provide original passports and certain supporting documents during the processing stage. For online submissions, electronic documents may need certification or subsequent submission of hard copies depending on the requirements of the competent authority.
Depending on the circumstances, applicants or sponsoring organizations may also need to complete additional electronic verification procedures or provide supplementary information required by public service platforms and electronic identification regulations currently in force in Vietnam.
For foreign employees, sponsoring companies must ensure that work permit or work permit exemption procedures have been completed before applying for a Temporary Residence Card.
Step 3: Application Processing
After receiving a valid application, immigration authorities will review and process the dossier in accordance with applicable regulations.
For complete and valid applications, processing typically takes between five and seven working days from the date of submission.
If additional information or verification is required, processing times may be extended.
Step 4: Issuance of the Temporary Residence Card
Once approved, the applicant will receive a Temporary Residence Card corresponding to the applicable category.
The card allows the holder to reside legally in Vietnam throughout its validity period and to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times without obtaining a new visa.
Important Considerations When Applying for a Temporary Residence Card
One of the most common reasons for rejection or delays is inconsistency between the information provided in the application and the actual legal status of the foreign national or sponsoring organization.
For investors, competent authorities may verify the investor’s actual capital contribution status before issuing a Temporary Residence Card.
For foreign employees, the work permit or work permit exemption document must remain valid at the time of application.
Foreign nationals should also ensure that temporary residence declarations are properly maintained throughout their stay in Vietnam, as this is one of the issues frequently reviewed during the application process.
Engaging professional advisory services from the outset can help minimize risks, reduce processing time, and improve the likelihood of obtaining a Temporary Residence Card within the expected timeframe.
Validity Period of Temporary Residence Cards in Vietnam
The validity period depends on the applicant category and purpose of residence.
| Temporary Residence Card Category | Maximum Validity |
|---|---|
| LD1, LD2 (Foreign Employees) | 2 years |
| DT1 (Investors contributing VND 100 billion or more or qualifying for special incentives) | 10 years |
| DT2 (Investors contributing from VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion) | 5 years |
| DT3 (Investors contributing from VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion) | 3 years |
| TT (Dependents) | 3 years, not exceeding sponsor’s validity period |
| DH (Students) | Corresponding to the duration of the study program |
An important point to remember is that the validity period of a Temporary Residence Card must always be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport. Therefore, applicants should carefully check their passport validity before submission to avoid affecting the card’s validity period.
Government Fees for Temporary Residence Card Issuance
Under current regulations, government fees are charged based on the validity period of the card:
| Temporary Residence Card Validity | Government Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 years | USD 145 |
| More than 2 years to 5 years | USD 155 |
| More than 5 years to 10 years | USD 165 |
These fees are government charges applicable to the issuance of Temporary Residence Cards and do not include professional service fees charged by consultants or authorized representatives.
Government fees may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to new regulations issued by competent authorities. Applicants are therefore advised to verify the latest fee schedule before proceeding with the application.
Conclusion
A Temporary Residence Card is one of the most important documents for foreign nationals who intend to live, work, invest, or study in Vietnam on a long-term basis. Selecting the correct category, preparing a complete application, and following the proper procedures can save time, reduce risks, and ensure lawful residence throughout one’s stay in Vietnam.
With extensive experience assisting foreign-invested enterprises, investors, experts, and foreign employees in Vietnam, Green NRJ provides comprehensive Temporary Residence Card consultation and application services. We support clients throughout the entire process, from assessing eligibility and reviewing documentation to preparing application materials, submitting dossiers to the relevant authorities, and obtaining the final result.
Contact Green NRJ today for fast, accurate, and effective assistance with your Temporary Residence Card application in Vietnam.
