A Vietnam TRC is an essential document for foreigners who plan to stay in hotels long-term or wish to extend their Vietnam visa. Understanding how to obtain a temporary residence card and what documents must be prepared is crucial for maintaining legal residence in Vietnam. This article explains the full process and provides clear guidance for applicants.
What is a TRC in Vietnam?
Under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (2014), a Temporary Residence Card is an official document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It allows a foreign national to legally reside in Vietnam for an extended period without needing to apply for multiple visa renewals.
A TRC functions as a long-term visa substitute, granting foreign individuals the right to stay, work, invest, or accompany family members legally within Vietnam during the validity of the card.
Why should you apply for a TRC in Vietnam?
Holding a Temporary Residence Card provides a wide range of benefits that make long-term living and working in Vietnam considerably easier:
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Right to buy apartments in Vietnam, and in the future potentially residential houses. At present, the Ministry of Construction is proposing that foreigners buy houses in Vietnam to resolve real estate issues.
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Freedom to stay long-term without the need to exit Vietnam while the TRC remains valid.
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Significant savings as you no longer need multiple visa extensions or costly visa runs.
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Convenient access to essential legal procedures such as business registration, marriage registration, and other administrative services.
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Stable living conditions, especially suitable for foreign experts, investors, and families residing in Vietnam.
Who is eligible to apply for a TRC in Vietnam?
The following groups of foreigners may qualify for a temporary residence card:
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A foreigner who has Vietnam work permit which is valid for at least 12 months at time of applying for the temporary residence card.
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Foreigners who are members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international organizations affiliated to the United Nations, intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam and their spouses, children under 18 years of age, housemaids who are accompanied by the term of office, are granted temporary residence card with symbol NG3.
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Foreigners who are granted with LV1, LV2, ĐT, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD, TT visas are granted temporary residence cards with symbols similar to the visa symbols. The Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 has defined new types of symbols and duration of each type of visa symbols for foreigners in Vietnam.
>> See all types of Vietnam visas here: Vietnam Visa: Your complete guide to apply in 2025
Requirements and Conditions for Obtaining a TRC
To be granted a temporary residence card, applicants must satisfy both residence and documentation requirements:
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Foreigners must temporarily stay for 1 year or more in Vietnam.
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A passport valid for at least 13 months beyond the date of application.
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Compliance with all immigration procedures under Vietnamese law.
Required Documents for a Vietnam TRC Application
To obtain a Temporary Residence Card, the applicant must prepare the following documents:
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Official request letter for TRC issuance from the sponsoring organization or individual
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Form NA6 (for agencies/organizations)
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Form NA7 (for individuals)
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TRC application form with a 3x4cm photo attached (Form NA8)
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Copy of passport and valid visa, bring an original for comparison
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Two photos sized 3x4cm (one attached to the form, one submitted separately)
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Depending on the applicant’s category, additional required documents include:
For TRC based on employment:
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Copy of the company’s Business Registration Certificate
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Work permit or work permit exemption certificate
For TRC based on investment, business establishment:
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Investment Registration Certificate
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License establishing a representative office or branch of the company
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Proof of corporate membership, such as a Board of Directors certificate
For family-based TRC applications (TT visa holders):
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Marriage certificate, birth certificate, or family registry
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These documents must prove the relationship between the applicant and the foreigner legally residing in Vietnam
6. Proof of residence in Vietnam:
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Temporary residence declaration or a confirmation letter from the local police (with official seal)
Important Note:
All foreign-issued documents must be consular legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized before being accepted by Vietnamese authorities.
How to Get a TRC (Temporary Residence Card) for Foreigners in Vietnam
Below is the full process for obtaining a TRC in Vietnam, ensuring that foreign nationals complete all steps in accordance with current immigration regulations.
Step 1: Prepare all required documents
The applicant or sponsoring organization must compile the TRC application dossier fully and accurately as prescribed by Vietnamese law. Missing or inconsistent documents may result in delays or rejection.
Step 2: Submit the TRC application
Agencies, companies, or individuals must submit the TRC documents at one of the three official offices of the Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security:
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44–46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
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254 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
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7 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang City
Submission time: Monday to Saturday mornings (excluding national holidays).
Upon receiving the TRC dossier, immigration officers will review both its legality and accuracy:
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If the application is complete and valid: the officer will issue an appointment slip stating the date to collect the TRC.
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If the application is incomplete: the officer will provide instructions for supplementing or correcting the documents.
Step 3: Receive the TRC result
The applicant must present the appointment slip along with an identity document or passport for verification. Once approved, the immigration officer will request payment of the applicable fee and then issue the temporary residence card.
Result collection time: Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
For those who want a fast, streamlined, and hassle-free experience, it is advisable to use a professional TRC service in Vietnam to handle the entire procedure efficiently.
Vietnam TRC Processing Time & Fees
The processing time for issuing a TRC (temporary residence card) is 05 working days from the date a complete application is officially received.
According to Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC (10 November 2016), the government fees for TRC issuance at the Vietnam Immigration Department are:
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USD $145 – TRC valid for up to 2 years
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USD $155 – TRC valid for over 2 years and up to 5 years
Validity of a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam
The validity of every TRC must be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the applicant’s passport.
Below are the maximum validity periods for TRCs corresponding to each visa category:
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ĐT1 TRCs: valid for up to 10 years
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NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT2, DH: valid for up to 5 years
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NN1, NN2, ĐT3, TT: valid for up to 3 years
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LĐ1, LĐ2, PV1: valid for up to 2 years
Expired TRCs may be considered for issuance of a new temporary residence card following the same legal procedures.
How to Change Your Vietnam TRC (Temporary Residence Card)
Cases for change of temporary residence card
A TRC must be replaced in several situations, including:
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The temporary residence card is lost.
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The TRC is damaged, torn, or the printed details become unclear.
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The foreigner is issued a new passport with a number that does not match the passport number printed on the existing TRC.
Agencies Authorized to Replace a TRC
Depending on each case, foreigners may request a replacement temporary residence card at one of the following Vietnamese authorities:
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Vietnam Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh)
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Immigration Management Offices of provincial or municipal Police Departments
Validity of the Reissued TRC
The validity of the newly issued TRC will match the remaining validity printed on the original temporary residence card.
No extended validity is granted when replacing a card.
Required Documents for Changing a Vietnam TRC
To replace a temporary residence card, the applicant must prepare:
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A passport valid for at least 06 months
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Valid work permit (not required for investors, project managers, NGO representatives, or licensed foreign lawyers in Vietnam)
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Application form for a Vietnam temporary residence card
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Foreigner information form with photo and official stamp
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One 3cm x 4cm photo
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Official letter explaining the reason for requesting TRC replacement
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Additional documents requested by the Immigration Department depending on the individual case
How to Extend a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card
Foreign nationals may extend their TRC in Vietnam when it is close to expiry by completing the following steps:
Prepare the necessary documents:
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Visa issuance / stay extension form (Form NA5)
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Valid passport
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Supporting documents depending on the TRC category
Follow the same TRC issuance process
The extension procedure follows the same steps as applying for a new temporary residence card at the competent Immigration authority.
TRC Extension Fee and Processing Time
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Government fee: USD $10
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Processing time: 5 working days from the date a complete dossier is received
What to Do If You Lost Your Vietnam TRC (Temporary Residence Card)
When a foreigner loses a TRC, the first step is to immediately report the loss to the local police in the area of residence. The local authorities will then issue a written confirmation acknowledging the loss of the temporary residence card.
With this confirmation, the foreigner can proceed to apply for a new temporary residence card in Vietnam. This replacement is mandatory because any foreign national wishing to leave Vietnam must hold a valid visa or TRC; otherwise, departure will be refused at immigration checkpoints.
Procedure for Re-Issuing a Lost TRC
The process for replacing a lost temporary residence card requires the following documents:
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A written request from the inviting or sponsoring agency, organization, or individual
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A completed foreigner information form for TRC issuance, including a photo and official stamp
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Two photos, size 3 x 4 cm
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A copy of the passport, valid visa, and entry/exit documents (originals required for comparison)
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A copy (with original for comparison) of documents proving the purpose of residence in Vietnam. Depending on the specific case, this may include:
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Investment registration certificate
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Business establishment license
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Work permit
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Certificate confirming board membership
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Representative office establishment license
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Marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other relevant papers
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In cases where the TRC is lost, the applicant must also submit a written explanation of the loss or an official loss report issued by the guaranteeing agency, in addition to the standard document set.
Processing Time
The processing time for re-issuing a lost TRC is 15 working days from the date the Immigration Department receives a complete application.
We hope that the above information about how to get a temporary residence card in Vietnam will be helpful for you.
Contact 68SOLUTIONS today for expert assistance and up-to-date immigration support via hotline: (+84) 982 500 802
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