Starting July 4, 2025, Vietnam issues temporary residence cards for Chinese citizens under updated rules. In this guide, Tân Văn Lang provides a step-by-step breakdown of the required documentation and procedure. Let’s dive in!
Who Is Eligible for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC)?
Under current regulations, Chinese citizens may obtain a TRC if they fall into one of the following categories:
Foreign employees legally working in Vietnam with a valid work permit (commonly via visa LĐ).
Investors, shareholders, or legal representatives of companies in Vietnam – usually eligible for longer-term cards under the investment (ĐT) category.
Family members of Vietnamese citizens or of foreigners legally residing in Vietnam (spouse, children, parents) – typically under the family visit (TT) category.
Experts, managers, or technicians assigned to government-approved projects.
Students, researchers, or participants in academic exchange programs – in certain special cases.
A Temporary Residence Card helps Chinese nationals avoid visa extensions and enjoy easier entry and exit from Vietnam
To meet eligibility for a TRC, Chinese citizens must satisfy these baseline conditions:
Passport valid for at least 13 months. If shorter, renew the passport before applying.
Entry visa matching the intended purpose (work, investment, family visit, etc.), still valid and suited to the TRC type.
A legitimate sponsor in Vietnam (company, organization, or individual) to guarantee the applicant.
Not in any immigration ban list, expelled, or prohibited from entering Vietnam.
Documents that clearly substantiate the purpose of residence (e.g. work permit, investment certificate, marriage certificate, child’s birth certificate, etc.).
A temporary residence card allows Chinese nationals to legally reside long term in Vietnam.
Here is a more granular breakdown of the documents needed depending on which TRC category you apply for:
Category
Required Documents
Notes / Tips
General documents (all categories)
• Original passport (≥ 13 months validity)
• 2 photos (2×3 cm) and 2 photos (3×4 cm), white background, taken within last 6 months
• Application form NA8 (with photo attached)
• Temporary residence confirmation from local ward/commune police
• Valid entry visa matching the purpose
• Legalization & translation of Chinese documents into Vietnamese
Any China-issued document must be legalized via consular channels and translated and notarized in Vietnamese.
Labor (LĐ) category
• Valid work permit (or exemption certificate)
• Company guarantee form (NA6)
• Business registration certificate (certified copy)
The work permit should be valid for at least 12 months.
Investment (ĐT) category
• Investment certificate / capital contribution confirmation
• Bank remittance proof or bank statements
• Latest quarterly tax report of the company
For high investment categories, TRC validity may be extended further.
Family visit (TT) category
• Documents proving relationship: marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. (legalized as necessary)
• Guarantee form NA7 • Sponsor’s ID (certified copy)
• Temporary residence confirmation (Form CT07)
• Sponsor’s phone number, identification, etc.
If the marriage or birth registration occurred in China, legalization and translation is needed.
Note: For any document issued in China (marriage, birth, corporate), you must go through consular legalization or apostille (if applicable), then translate and notarize into Vietnamese.
If you have difficulty preparing the dossier, feel free to leave your contact – a Tân Văn Lang specialist will assist you directly.
The procedure to apply for a TRC in Vietnam generally includes these 3 main steps:
► Prepare and submit online dossier
Gather all required documents per your TRC category, then submit via the National Public Service Portal.
► Submit original documents & pay fees
Once the online dossier is accepted, you’ll be notified to bring originals to the local Immigration Office (in your province or city). They will review, ask for supplements if needed, then you pay the application fee.
► Receive the TRC
You may collect it in person at the immigration office (present appointment slip, ID, payment receipt), or opt to get it by postal service to your registered address.
Temporary residence card service for Chinese citizens at Tan Van Lang – fast, reliable, and on-site support.
Some Chinese citizens opt for a 1-year visa if their stay does not require long-term residence. Conditions for a 1-year visa:
Valid passport
Clear purpose of stay (work, family, investment, tourism)
Sponsor in Vietnam (company, relative, organization)
Additional documents depending on visa type
However, a TRC offers more convenience: no need to renew visa often, freer movement in/out of Vietnam during validity, and greater stability for long-term residents.
What’s the maximum validity of a TRC for Chinese citizens?
It depends on the category. The investment (ĐT1) card can be valid up to 10 years in some cases. Other types (ĐT2, ĐT3, TT, work categories) vary from 3 to 5 years.
Can TRC holders buy real estate in Vietnam?
Foreigners (including Chinese) may own condominiums or commercial houses in approved projects, but cannot own residential land plots.
Where do you submit the TRC application in HCMC & Hanoi?
In Ho Chi Minh City: Immigration Department, 196 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, District 3.
In Hanoi: Immigration Division, 44-46 Trần Phú, Ba Đình.
Depending on your case, some applications might go through the central Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security.
Difference between visa and TRC?
Visa = entry permit, short term, often with limits on how long you can stay.
TRC = residence permit for longer duration, allows multiple entries/exits during its validity, and offers more stability.
What if the TRC is lost or damaged?
You must apply for a replacement at the Immigration Department. The dossier normally includes:
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