According to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, temporary residence card is a document issued by an immigration authority or a competent authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, granted to foreigners who are allowed to reside for a certain period of time in Vietnam.
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Benefits of Holding a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card
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 in the near future may buy houses. At present, the Ministry of Construction is proposing that foreigners buy houses in Vietnam to resolve real estate issues.
- stay in Vietnam for a period of time while their temporary residence card is still valid without having to leave Vietnam.
- save money due to not have to apply for visa extension many times and save the travel costs
- carry out business procedures, get married…
Who can apply for temporary residence card in Vietnam
The following people can apply for a temporary residence card in Vietnam:
- Foreigner who is a member of the two member limited liability company or more;
- Foreigner who is owner of the one member limited liability company( except as authorized representatives);
- Foreigner who is a member of the board director of the stock corporation;
- Foreign lawyer who is licensed to practice following Vietnam law by the Vietnam Ministry of Justice;
- Foreigner who granted working permit in all kinds of businesses or representatives offices of foreign companies;
- Professionals, students, trainees who are in the national working or studying programs which is signed between the ministries was approved by the Government;
- Relatives of the temporary resident card holder include: parents, spouse and children.
Application dossier for temporary residence cards include:
Dossier for the foreign employee who has been granted a work permit:
- 01 duly copy of Business License (the remain effective date at least 06 months)
- 01 duly copy of Certificate of legal seal (the remain effective date at least 06 months)
- 01 duly copy of tax registration certificate;
- 01 copy of work permit with a period of 1 year or more
- Photos of size 3×4, not wearing glasses, looking straight, white background (Photos are took not over 6 months)
- Original of Passport and business visa (Valid Visa should be sponsored by current company client working for) – Passport longer minimum period equal to the duration is expected to apply for TRC
- 01 duly copy of Temporary residence letter/ book in Viet Nam with the stamp of the local police officers.
Dossier for the foreign employee without a work permit:
- 01 duly copy of Business License (the remain effective date at least 06 months)
- 01 duly copy of Certificate of legal seal (the remain effective date at least 06 months)
- 01 duly copy of tax registration certificate;
- 01 duly copies of papers evidencing no work permit;
- Original of Passport and business visa (Valid Visa should be sponsored by current company client working for) – Passport longer minimum period equal to the duration is expected to apply for TRC
- Photos of size 3×4, not wearing glasses, looking straight, white background (Photos are taken not over 6 months)
- 01 duly copy of Temporary residence letter/ book in Viet Nam with the stamp of the local police officers.
Dossier for family members of foreign employee:
- Photos of size 3×4, not wearing glasses, looking straight, white background (Photos are taken not over 6 months ago)
- Original of Passport and business visa (Valid Visa should be sponsored by current company client working for) – Passport longer minimum period equal to the duration is expected to apply for TRC
- 01 duly copy of Temporary residence letter/ book in Viet Nam with the stamp of the local police officers.
- Copies of proof of purpose for temporary residence confirmation
- Documents showing proof of relationships- such as birth certificates, marriage registration, and family book.
Note: Consular legalization and notarized translation into Vietnamese are necessary for all documents in foreign language.
How to Get a Temporary Residence Card for Foreigners in Vietnam 2020
Steps to get a temporary residence card:
- Prepare and submit the required documents
- Authorities will review the documents upon the receipt to make sure the documents are valid and complete
- If the documents are incomplete, applicants will have to submit the supplementary documents
- Authorities will inform the applicants of the results
- If the application is approved, applicants pay the visa fee
- Authorities issue the temporary residence card
The validity of the temporary residence card varies between 1 and 3 years. The entire process takes about five business days.
As a residence card holder, you have the following responsibilities:
- Return temporary residence card to the relevant authority once it has expired
- Comply with all Vietnamese laws and regulations set out for temporary residence card
- Report any changes
Note: You can extend your temporary residence card upon its expiry. 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 06 months;
- Work permits (Investors, project managers, non-governmental organizations, foreign lawyers licensed to practice in Vietnam are not required to apply for a work permit)
- The application form for a Vietnam temporary residence card.
- Information form for foreigner (with photo and stamp);
- 01 Photo 3cmx4cm;
- Official dispatch explaining the reason for changing temporary residence card
- Other documents required by the Immigration Department
How to Extend 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, stay extension (Form NA5)
- Passport
- Following the same procedure to get a new temporary residence card as mentioned above.
What to Do in case of loss of 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? Because 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 re-issue of a lost the temporary resident card is as follows:
- Written requests of inviting or guaranteeing agencies, organizations and individuals;
- 01 declaration of information about the foreigner applying for temporary residence, with photo and stamp of the agency or organization;
- 02 photos sized 3 x 4 cm;
- 01 copy of passport, valid visa, entry and exit certificate (with the original for comparison);
- 01 copy (with the original for comparison) of documents proving the purpose of staying in Vietnam (depending on specific cases, submitting appropriate papers: investment license, enterprise establishment permit, work permit, certificate of board member, license to establish representative office, certificate of marriage or birth …).
- In case of loss of temporary residence card, in addition to the provisions of the new application dossier, an application must be submitted together with a written description of the reason for the loss or a written loss notice of the guaranteeing agency.
Processing time: Within 15 working days from the date of receiving the complete file.
We hope that the above information about how to get a temporary residence card in Vietnam will be helpful for you.
