If you’re traveling to Vietnam and realize you’ve forgotten your visa, don’t panic! It is possible to apply for a temporary residence card that will allow you to stay in the country for a certain period without having to extend your visa. To learn more about the conditions and procedures for obtaining a temporary residence card for foreigners, read on.
1 What is a Temporary Residence Card?
Temporary Residence Card
The term “temporary residence card” is clearly defined in Article 3 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13, which pertains to the entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, enacted in 2014:
“A temporary residence card is a document issued by the immigration authority or a competent authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to foreigners who are permitted to reside in Vietnam for a definite period, and it serves as a substitute for a visa.”
2 Who is Eligible for a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam and for How Long?
Foreigners Eligible for Temporary Residence Cards in Vietnam
Since July 1, 2020, the amended Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (2019) has been in effect. According to Article 36, the following cases are eligible for temporary residence cards with corresponding codes:
- Foreigners who are members of diplomatic representative agencies, consular agencies, representative offices of international organizations belonging to the United Nations, or intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam, as well as their spouses, children under 18, and domestic workers accompanying them during their term. The temporary residence card code for this category is NG3.
- Foreigners who enter Vietnam with visas bearing the codes LV1, LV2, LS, DT1, DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD1, LD2, or TT. The code on their temporary residence card will match the code on their visa.
Regarding the validity period of temporary residence cards, Article 38 of the amended Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (2019) stipulates the following:
- The validity period of a temporary residence card shall be shorter than the remaining validity of the passport by at least 30 days.
- Temporary residence cards with the code DT1 are valid for up to 10 years.
- Temporary residence cards with the codes NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, DT2, and DH are valid for up to 5 years.
- Temporary residence cards with the codes NN1, NN2, DT3, and TT are valid for up to 3 years.
- Temporary residence cards with the codes LD1, LD2, and PV1 are valid for up to 2 years.
- Upon expiration, a new temporary residence card may be considered for issuance.
3 What are the Requirements for Obtaining a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam?
Passport Valid for at Least 13 Months
Foreigners belonging to the aforementioned eligible groups must meet certain requirements to obtain a temporary residence card in Vietnam. Firstly, they must possess a passport with a remaining validity of at least 13 months because the validity period of the temporary residence card will be shorter than that of the passport by at least 30 days.
Consequently, if your passport is valid for 13 months, your temporary residence card will have a maximum validity of 12 months. If you wish to obtain a longer-term temporary residence card, you may consider applying for a passport renewal before initiating the card application process.
Secondly, foreigners intending to obtain a temporary residence card must complete the necessary temporary residence registration procedures at the local police station in the ward or commune where they reside, in accordance with regulations.
It is important to note that certain categories of foreigners are not eligible for temporary residence cards in Vietnam. These include individuals who:
Foreigners Ineligible for Temporary Residence Cards in Vietnam
- Are subject to criminal investigation or are defendants in civil, economic, or labor disputes.
- Are serving criminal sentences.
- Are subject to the enforcement of civil or economic judgments.
- Have outstanding administrative fines, taxes, or other financial obligations.
4 Which Authority Issues Temporary Residence Cards?
The authority responsible for administering the procedures for issuing temporary residence cards to foreigners in Vietnam is the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security, or the immigration management office of the provincial or municipal public security department.
Currently, the Immigration Department has offices in Vietnam’s three largest cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang. The specific addresses are as follows:
Headquarters of the Immigration Department in Hanoi
Headquarters of the Immigration Department in Hanoi:
- Address: 44 – 46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
- Telephone: 02438257941
Representative Office of the Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Address: 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Telephone: 0839202300
Immigration Management Office in Danang:
- Address: 78 Le Loi Street, Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District, Danang City.
- Telephone: 02363860191
5 What is the Fee for Obtaining a Temporary Residence Card?
Fees for Temporary Residence Cards for Foreigners
According to the Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC dated November 10, 2016, issued by the Ministry of Finance, the fees for obtaining a temporary residence card for foreigners are as follows:
- 145 USD/card (approximately 3,336,812 VND) for cards valid for 1 to 2 years
- 155 USD/card (approximately 3,566,937 VND) for cards valid for 2 to 5 years
- 5 USD/card (approximately 115,062 VND) for cards issued to foreigners who have been granted multiple-entry visas with codes LD or DT for more than 1 year by Vietnamese diplomatic representative agencies abroad.
6 What Documents are Required to Apply for a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam?
The required documents for obtaining a temporary residence card vary depending on the specific category of the foreigner:
For Foreigners with Work Permits or Work Permit Exemptions in Vietnam
Foreigners with Work Permits or Work Permit Exemptions in Vietnam
The required documents for this category include:
- Certified copy of the Business Registration Certificate or Investment Certificate, or Certificate of Operation of a representative office, branch, etc., depending on the type of enterprise
- Certificate of Seal Registration or Notification of Seal Information Publication on the National Business Registration Portal
- Certified copy of the Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption Certificate, valid for at least 12 months
- Initial Seal and Signature Registration at the Immigration Authority (form NA16)
- Cover letter and application for a temporary residence card for foreigners (form NA6)
- Application form for a temporary residence card for foreigners (form NA8)
- Letter of introduction for the Vietnamese employee who will handle the temporary residence card application procedures at the Immigration Authority
- Original passport (valid for at least 1 year, or 2 years if applying for a 2-year temporary residence card. The passport must have a visa that matches the purpose of the application and bears the codes LD or DN, issued by the sponsoring company)
- Certificate of Temporary Residence Registration or Temporary Residence Booklet, verified by the local police in the ward or commune where the foreigner resides in Vietnam (if available)
- 2 photos with dimensions of 2cm x 3cm
For Foreigners who are Spouses of Vietnamese Citizens
Foreigners who are Spouses of Vietnamese Citizens
The required documents for this category include:
- Certified copy of the Marriage Registration Certificate issued in Vietnam or a legalized copy of the Marriage Certificate issued abroad, if the marriage was registered outside of Vietnam
- Application for sponsorship and issuance of a temporary residence card for foreigners (form NA7)
- Application form for a temporary residence card for foreigners (form NA8)
- Original passport and visa (passport must be valid for at least 13 months, and the visa must match the purpose of entry into Vietnam)
- 2 photos with dimensions of 2cm x 3cm
- Certified copy of the Household Registration Book of the Vietnamese spouse
- Certified copy of the Vietnamese spouse’s ID card
For Foreigners with Vietnamese Parents
Foreigners with Vietnamese Parents
The required documents for this category include:
- Birth certificate or other documents proving that one or both parents are currently Vietnamese citizens
- Application for sponsorship and issuance of a temporary residence card for foreigners (form NA7)
- Application form for a temporary residence card for foreigners (form NA8)
- Original passport and visa (passport must be valid for at least 13 months, and the visa must match the purpose of entry into Vietnam)
- 2 photos with dimensions of 2cm x 3cm
- Certified copy of the Household Registration Book of the Vietnamese parent(s)
- Certified copy of the Vietnamese parent(s)’ ID card(s)
For Relatives of Foreigners Working in Vietnam
Relatives of Foreigners Working in Vietnam
The required documents for this category include:
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