How to registered temporary residence for foreigners online 2026

Temporary residence registration for foreigners in Vietnam is mandatory and should be declared within 12 hours of arrival at the accommodation (up to 24 hours in remote areas).

You can do the declaration online via the official immigration portal or in person using form NA17, usually through the accommodation provider/host. Required details typically include the foreigner’s passport information and stay period, plus documents proving the lodging relationship (lease/ownership, business license if applicable).

If you don’t declare on time, you may face administrative fines and extra complications during immigration procedures. If you need help doing it correctly, Tân Văn Lang can support you quickly via 08.666.000.63 (WhatsApp) .

Main content

What “Temporary Residence Registration” means in Vietnam

In Vietnam, temporary residence registration for foreigners (also called a temporary residence declaration) is a mandatory legal procedure that records where a foreign national is staying. This requirement applies to all foreigners who enter and stay in Vietnam, regardless of visa type or length of stay.

In practice, the responsibility usually falls on the accommodation provider (hotel, serviced apartment, landlord, homestay, or homeowner). If you are staying at a private home, the homeowner/host still needs to declare your stay.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Temporary Residence Card benefits 2026: A practical legal guide for long-term foreign residents

When do foreigners need to declare temporary residence?

Vietnam’s law on entry/exit and residence of foreigners sets a clear expectation: Foreigners staying in Vietnam must have their temporary residence declared in accordance with Article 33 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13 https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/?pageid=27160&docid=175355.

Deadline: 12 hours (or 24 hours in remote areas)

A temporary residence declaration is generally required within 12 hours from the time the foreigner arrives at the accommodation. In remote areas, this timeframe may be extended to 24 hours.

Documents needed for temporary residence declaration in Vietnam

Core documents (most cases)

Form NA17 (temporary residence declaration form for foreigners)

Passport of the foreign national (passport number is required in the declaration)

Proof of the relationship between the declarant and the foreigner (depending on the case), such as rental/lease contract, house purchase/lease documentation, or other relevant supporting papers

If declaring at a private house

Proof of lawful accommodation (e.g., ownership documents or a valid lease/house rental contract)

If declaring at a hotel/guesthouse/serviced apartment

The accommodation provider’s business/operation documents may be requested by local authorities in some cases

How to do temporary residence registration for foreigners in Vietnam

You can declare temporary residence either in person or online. Many provinces encourage online declaration because it is faster and easier to track.

Option 1: Declare in person (paper form NA17)

Step 1: Fill in form NA17

Complete NA17 with the required information about the foreign guest and the accommodation provider.

Step 2: Submit to the local police authority

Bring the completed NA17 to the local police office responsible for the accommodation area (commonly at commune/ward level, depending on local implementation). The officer will review the details and request corrections if anything is missing.

Step 3: Receive confirmation

Once accepted, the declaration information is recorded/confirmed according to local procedure (some places confirm directly on the form; others confirm via their log/system).

Option 2: Declare online (recommended)

Vietnam supports online temporary residence declaration through official immigration portals. There are two common ways:

Province/city immigration subdomain portals (format often used in practice, e.g., hochiminh.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn)

The national immigration portal page for online temporary residence declaration

Step 1: Access the online declaration portal

If you are in Ho Chi Minh City, for example, the immigration office has used the portal at hochiminh.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn for online declarations.
In many provinces, the portal follows a similar structure (province name + domain).

Step 2: Create an account (for accommodation providers/hosts)

If you don’t have an account yet, register a declaration account. After approval, log in using the provided credentials.

Step 3: Enter guest information (or upload the template)

On the portal, you typically go to a “guest management” function and add a new staying record. The information commonly required includes:

Full name

Gender

Date of birth

Nationality

Passport number (or equivalent travel document)

Expected temporary stay period in Vietnam

Step 4: Submit and keep a record

After saving/submitting, the local immigration/police authority receives the declaration via the system. Keep a screenshot/PDF confirmation or your portal record for reference.

Penalties for not declaring temporary residence in Vietnam

Failure to declare temporary residence can lead to administrative fines. Common penalty ranges that are frequently applied in practice include:

VND 500,000 to VND 2,000,000 (often used for late/short overdue cases, such as up to 15 days in certain situations)

VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 (often applied for more serious/longer overdue situations, such as 16+ days in certain situations)

Because enforcement can vary by locality and case facts, it’s best to complete the temporary residence declaration as soon as the foreigner arrives.

Practical notes to avoid delays (especially for online declarations)

The account holder (host/accommodation provider) must protect login credentials and is responsible for the accuracy of submitted information.

If a declaration account is inactive for a long period or if false declarations are detected, the account may be restricted/invalidated under local management rules (this is commonly stated in portal instructions in multiple provinces).

One accommodation facility typically maintains one primary management account, with additional user accounts created if multiple staff need access.

Need help with temporary residence registration for foreigners?

If you are unsure which portal applies to your province, how to prepare NA17, or how to handle a complicated case (private home stays, frequent address changes, visa/TRC issues), Tân Văn Lang can guide you step by step.

Contact Tân Văn Lang via 08.666.000.63 (WhatsApp) to get quick support with temporary residence declaration and related immigration procedures in Vietnam.