A Vietnam visa allows foreigners to enter Vietnam legally for a short, clearly defined period based on purposes such as tourism, business, or visiting family. In contrast, a temporary residence card (TRC) is designed for long-term stay and can replace a visa for entry and exit during its validity. Visas are suitable for short visits, while TRCs are issued to eligible foreigners who plan to live, work, invest, or reunite with family in Vietnam.
Visa in Vietnam: What it is and what it’s used for
A Vietnam visa (thị thực) is a legal entry document issued by Vietnam’s competent authorities (through the Immigration Department / Ministry of Public Security, or Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad, depending on the type). It allows a foreigner to enter Vietnam and stay for the time and purpose granted.
Common visa routes foreigners use
Vietnam e-visa (online): up to 90 days, single-entry or multiple-entry.
Embassy/consulate visa: applied through a Vietnamese mission abroad (varies by nationality and visa type).
Visa on arrival (VOA): typically requires a pre-approval/approval letter arranged in advance, then you get the visa stamp at the airport (not the same as e-visa).
Temporary residence card (TRC) in Vietnam: What it is and why it matters
A temporary residence card (TRC) is issued by Vietnam’s immigration authority to eligible foreigners who need to reside in Vietnam long-term (work, investment, family-based stay, etc.).
Key benefit: A valid TRC can function like a “long-stay permission” and is generally accepted as a document that replaces a visa for entry/exit during the TRC validity period.
Temporary residence card vs visa Vietnam: The real differences
Item
Visa
TRC (Temporary Residence Card)
Who can get it
Most foreigners can apply if they meet the requirements for that visa purpose.
Only foreigners who fall into eligible categories (commonly: workers with proper status, investors, spouses/children of Vietnamese citizens, and certain sponsored cases).
Purpose
Short to mid-term entry for tourism, business trips, visiting family, etc.
Longer-term stay for work, investment, family reunion, and similar long-term residence needs.
Validity / length of stay
E-visa: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.
Typically longer than a visa. Common practice is 1–3 years for many categories, and it must be shorter than passport validity. Many providers note a practical requirement that your passport should have enough remaining validity (often around 13 months+) to issue a meaningful TRC term.
Issuing authority
Vietnam Immigration Department / national e-visa portal, or Vietnamese embassies/consulates abroad depending on route.
Vietnam immigration authority (Immigration Department or authorized immigration offices).
How to apply for a Vietnam temporary residence card (TRC)
TRC applications are usually handled through the immigration office, with a sponsor (company/organization or eligible individual) and supporting documents proving your eligibility category.
Core documents (common baseline)
While the exact list depends on your TRC category (work/investment/family), a typical TRC dossier includes:
Passport (original)
TRC request forms (commonly used sets include sponsor request forms and the foreigner’s TRC request form)
Photos (size requirements can vary by form submission practice)
Proof you qualify for TRC (examples below)
Practical references for sponsor forms and the TRC request set are commonly cited as:
Sponsor request form for organizations (often NA6)
Do I need a visa or a TRC to marry a Vietnamese citizen?
If you are outside Vietnam and need to enter Vietnam to complete marriage procedures, you generally need an entry status (often a visa/e-visa depending on eligibility and your plan). If you intend to live in Vietnam long-term after marriage, a spouse-based TRC is often the next step once you meet eligibility and documentation requirements.
What documents are usually required for a TRC application?
Most TRC applications include:
Passport
Sponsor request documentation (organization or individual sponsor forms)
TRC request declaration with photo
Proof of eligibility (work/investment/family relationship documents)
Can I have both a Vietnam visa and a TRC at the same time?
Yes—this happens in practice. Many foreigners enter Vietnam on a visa, then later apply for a TRC once their long-term eligibility documents are ready.
Which one is “better”?
Neither is universally better:
Choose a visa if your stay is short or your long-term documents aren’t ready.
Choose a TRC if you qualify and plan to stay long-term—especially for work, investment, or family residence.
Tốt nghiệp chuyên ngành Hệ quản trị cơ sở dữ liệu năm 2016, cùng chứng chỉ Content Marketing. Đã có 5 năm kinh nghiệm Content trong lĩnh vực du lịch như Xuất cảnh - Nhập cảnh - Vé máy bay và các dịch vụ liên quan khác.
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