Temporary residence card requirements in Vietnam are governed by Law No. 23/2023/QH15 and apply to foreigners who wish to stay long term for work, investment, or family purposes.
To qualify, applicants must hold a valid passport (minimum 13 months validity), an appropriate visa or legal status, and a lawful sponsor in Vietnam such as an employer, investor entity, or family member. When the dossier is complete and compliant, the Vietnam Immigration Department processes the TRC within 5 working days, allowing foreigners to reside legally in Vietnam without repeated visa extensions.
A Vietnam Temporary Residence Card, also known as Thẻ Tạm Trú Vietnam, is a residence permit issued by a competent immigration authority allowing foreigners to legally reside in Vietnam for a fixed long-term period without repeated visa extensions.
According to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (as amended by Law No. 23/2023/QH15 [1] ), a TRC serves as a multiple-entry residence document, replacing the need for short-term visas during its validity.
A critical detail most applicants overlook is that a TRC is not a visa. It is a higher-value immigration status tied to employment, investment, family relations, or official assignments in Vietnam.
According to the latest 2025 regulations in Law No. 23/2023/QH15, TRCs are issued based on the purpose of stay, with symbols matching the underlying visa or legal status.
Regardless of category, all TRC for foreigners must satisfy a common legal baseline.
Core eligibility requirements
A valid passport with at least 13 months remaining validity.
A lawful visa or entry status aligned with the intended TRC category.
A Vietnamese sponsor, such as:
An employer.
An investment enterprise.
A legally recognized family member.
Proof of temporary residence registration with local police.
Vietnam’s current E-visa policy (90 days, single or multiple entry) and 45-day unilateral visa exemption allow entry, but do not automatically qualify an applicant for a TRC.
A common mistake is assuming a tourist or E-visa can be directly converted into a TRC without changing legal purposes. This is one of the top reasons for rejection.
Tan Van Lang provides professional Temporary Residence Card consultation services for foreigners in Vietnam.
If the Work Permit expires, the LD TRC does not automatically remain valid. In practice, Immigration authorities treat the TRC as invalid once its legal foundation lapses.
All foreign-language documents must undergo consular legalization and notarized Vietnamese translation. Submitting uncertified documents almost guarantees processing delays.
Trust Tan Van Lang for transparent procedures and dedicated expert support
The TRC application process and processing timeline
Step-by-step procedure
Prepare a complete dossier aligned with the TRC category.
Submit directly to the provincial Immigration Office
or via the National Public Service Portal.
Pay government fees upon acceptance.
Collect results or receive via registered post.
TRC processing time
05 Working days from receipt of complete documents.
Processing time does not include document correction periods, public holidays, or Tet holidays. In practice, incomplete dossiers extend timelines by 7–14 days.
The TRC validity period must be at least 30 days shorter than passport validity. Expired TRCs cannot be extended. A new TRC application is required.
Compliance Risks and Common Pitfalls
From our daily work with immigration compliance audits, the most frequent issues include:
Overstaying after TRC expiry.
Working under a dependent or business TRC.
Using unlicensed agents or scam websites.
Mismatch between entry port, visa purpose, and TRC category.
Penalties range from administrative fines to forced exit and re-entry bans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a TRC application take in Vietnam?
Under the law, a TRC application is processed within 5 working days after a complete and valid dossier is submitted. Delays may occur if additional documents are requested.
Can I apply for a TRC on a tourist visa?
No. A TRC can only be issued when your visa purpose matches eligible categories such as employment, investment, or family sponsorship.
What is the difference between a TRC and a multiple-entry visa?
A TRC is a residence permit that allows long-term stay without repeated visa renewals. A multiple-entry visa only permits entry and exit within its validity but does not grant long-term residence stability.
If my Work Permit expires, is my TRC still valid?
No. Once the Work Permit expires, the TRC loses its legal basis and may also become invalid.
Can family members obtain a TRC based on my LD TRC?
Yes. Family members can apply for a TRC under the dependent TT category if proper relationship documents are provided.
With over 20 years of experience since 2003, Tan Van Lang has advised on tens of thousands of complex visa and TRC cases across all provinces in Vietnam.
We regularly update our knowledge of regulations from the Vietnam Immigration Department, ensuring compliance with the latest laws for 2026, and provide detailed advice on application procedures, helping you avoid costly delays due to incomplete or inaccurate documents.
If you are planning a long-term stay in Vietnam, contact Tan Van Lang via 08.666.000.63 (WhatsApp) today for a legally secure and time-efficient TRC solution.
Tôi là Khang Hy – chuyên viên tư vấn với hơn 3 năm kinh nghiệm hỗ trợ người nước ngoài tại Việt Nam trong các thủ tục visa, thẻ tạm trú và giấy phép lao động. Tôi luôn nỗ lực mang đến dịch vụ nhanh chóng, chính xác và tận tâm.
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