Applying for a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) can feel overwhelming when you are navigating a foreign immigration system, especially when the official forms and instructions are in Vietnamese. Many expats struggle with understanding which form applies to their situation, what supporting documents are required, and how to avoid having their application rejected on technical grounds. This guide breaks down the official process into clear, actionable steps so you can prepare a compliant dossier the first time and avoid unnecessary delays.
What Is a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card and Who Needs One?
A Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is a document issued by Vietnam’s immigration authority or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a foreigner who is permitted to reside in Vietnam for a definite period. It is valid in lieu of a visa, meaning that once granted, the holder is exempt from obtaining a separate visa for the duration of the card. The maximum duration of a TRC can now reach up to 10 years for certain categories under recent legal amendments.
The legal framework governing TRCs is primarily the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13), as amended by subsequent laws including Law No. 51/2019/QH14, Law No. 23/2023/QH15, and most recently Law No. 103/2025/QH15 and Law No. 118/2025/QH15. The implementing circulars include Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA, which has been amended by Circular No. 22/2023/TT-BCA and Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA.
As of July 1, 2026, Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA officially took effect, introducing updated forms for entry, exit, and residence procedures. Using the old forms after this date will result in your application being rejected.
Required Documents Checklist (Strictly from Official Data)
Your TRC application dossier must include the following documents. This checklist is based directly on the statutory requirements set out in Article 37 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners and the implementing circulars.
- Written request for the issuance of a temporary residence card — Form NA6 for agencies and organizations, or Form NA7 for individuals acting as guarantors.
- Declaration for issuance of a temporary residence card — Form NA8, with a photo of the applicant affixed.
- Passport — The original passport must be valid for at least 13 months from the date of application submission. The remaining validity of the passport must be at least 30 days longer than the intended TRC term.
- Papers proving eligibility — One of the following, depending on your category: work permit, confirmation of being the Head of a Representative Office, membership on the Board of Directors, or other documents proving sufficient conditions for TRC issuance.
- Two photos (2x3 cm) — One affixed to the declaration form, one loose.
- Certified copy of the license or decision on the establishment of the organization (for agency/organization sponsors).
- Document introducing the seal and signature of the competent person of the organization (for agency/organization sponsors).
Official Form Field-by-Field Translation & Breakdown
Understanding the Vietnamese forms is critical to avoiding errors. Below is a breakdown of the three key forms you will encounter.
Form NA6 — Written Request for a Temporary Residence Card (Agency/Organization)
- Công văn đề nghị cấp thẻ tạm trú: Official letter requesting the issuance of a temporary residence card.
- Tên cơ quan, tổ chức: Name of the agency or organization making the request.
- Địa chỉ: Address of the organization.
- Thông tin người nước ngoài: Information of the foreigner (full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth).
- Lý do đề nghị: Reason for the request (e.g., employment, investment).
Form NA7 — Guarantee Letter for a Temporary Residence Card (Individual)
- Đơn bảo lãnh cấp thẻ tạm trú: Guarantee letter for temporary residence card issuance.
- Thông tin người bảo lãnh: Information of the guarantor (full name, ID/passport number, relationship to the foreigner).
- Thông tin người được bảo lãnh: Information of the guaranteed foreigner.
- Cam kết bảo lãnh: Commitment of guarantee.
Form NA8 — Declaration for Issuance of a Temporary Residence Card
- Tờ khai đề nghị cấp thẻ tạm trú: Declaration form requesting TRC issuance.
- Họ và tên: Full name (as in passport).
- Ngày sinh: Date of birth.
- Quốc tịch: Nationality.
- Số hộ chiếu: Passport number.
- Ngày cấp, ngày hết hạn hộ chiếu: Passport issue date and expiry date.
- Nghề nghiệp: Occupation.
- Địa chỉ tạm trú tại Việt Nam: Temporary residence address in Vietnam.
- Ảnh: Photo (affix one 2x3 cm photo).
Copyable Document Template / Cover Letter
Below is a copyable template you can adapt for the written request (Form NA6/NA7 equivalent). Replace all bracketed placeholders with your actual information. This template follows the standard structure expected by Vietnamese immigration authorities.
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
--------o0o-------- [Date: DD/MM/YYYY] LETTER REQUESTING ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD To: The Immigration Department, Vietnam Immigration Management Agency We, the undersigned: Organization/Individual Name: [Sponsor Organization Name or Individual Full Name]
Address: [Full Address in Vietnam]
Registration/License Number: [Business Registration or ID Number]
Represented by: [Full Name of Legal Representative or Guarantor]
Position: [Position/Title]
Contact Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address] Hereby request the issuance of a Temporary Residence Card for the following foreigner: Full Name (as in passport): [Applicant Full Name]
Passport Number: [Passport Number]
Nationality: [Nationality]
Date of Birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Date of Entry: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Visa Code: [LD2 / TT / Other Eligible Code]
Temporary Residence Address in Vietnam: [Full Address] Reason for Request: [Briefly state the purpose, e.g., long-term employment with the sponsoring organization / dependent residence with a family member who is a Vietnamese citizen or foreign resident] We commit that all information provided is accurate and truthful, and we take full responsibility for the guaranteed foreigner during their temporary residence in Vietnam. Respectfully, [Signature and Full Name]
[Seal, if applicable]
Official Submission Step-by-Step Procedure
Follow these steps in order to ensure your application is processed smoothly.
- Step 1: Prepare your dossier. Gather all documents listed in the Required Documents Checklist above. Ensure your passport has sufficient remaining validity (at least 13 months from the application date, and at least 30 days beyond the intended TRC term).
- Step 2: Complete the correct forms. Download and fill out Forms NA6 (for organizations) or NA7 (for individuals), and Form NA8 (declaration). Affix one 2x3 cm photo to Form NA8.
- Step 3: Submit your application. You can submit directly during administrative hours on working days at one of the following Immigration Management Agency locations:
- No. 69 Mac Thai To Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi
- No. 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
- Step 4: Receive acknowledgment. If your dossier is complete and valid, the receiving officer will accept it, print and issue an appointment slip for result return, and request payment of the fee. You will receive a receipt.
- Step 5: Wait for processing. The standard processing time is 5 working days from the date the complete dossier is received. For certain priority cases (e.g., important investors, experts, senior managers at international financial centers), the processing time may be 3 working days.
- Step 6: Collect your TRC. Return to the submitting office on the appointed date with your receipt and original passport to collect your Temporary Residence Card.
Official Processing Time, Fees & Submission Locations
Processing Time
- Standard cases: 5 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier.
- Priority cases (investors, experts, senior managers at international financial centers): 3 working days.
- If your dossier is incomplete after review, you will be notified. If the sponsoring agency, organization, or individual does not complete the dossier within 15 days of notification, the application will be closed on the administrative procedure settlement information system.
Official Fees (USD)
- TRC valid for up to 2 years: 145 USD per card
- TRC valid for over 2 years up to 5 years: 155 USD per card
- TRC valid for over 5 years up to 10 years: 165 USD per card
- Transferring the remaining value of a TRC from an old passport to a new passport: 5 USD per card
Submission Locations
Direct submission is available at the Immigration Management Agency under the Ministry of Public Security, with offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. You may also submit at the provincial-level Immigration Management Office (Phòng Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh Công an cấp tỉnh) where your sponsoring organization or individual is located. Online submission is available through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal.
Common Mistakes & Rejection Warnings
- Using outdated forms. After July 1, 2026, all applications must use Forms NA6, NA7, and NA8 under Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA. Old forms will be rejected.
- Insufficient passport validity. Your passport must be valid for at least 13 months from the application date, and the TRC validity will be at least 30 days shorter than your passport’s remaining validity.
- Wrong visa category. You must hold an eligible visa (e.g., LD2, TT) at the time of application. Entering on a tourist visa or e-visa for work purposes requires a prior visa conversion step.
- Missing supporting documents. Failure to include the work permit, confirmation of representative office head status, or board membership documents will result in rejection.
- Incomplete dossier follow-up. If notified of missing items, you have only 15 days to complete the dossier before it is closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the maximum validity period of a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card?
A: Under recent legal amendments, the maximum duration of a TRC can be up to 10 years for certain categories, including holders of preferential visa codes.
Q2: Can I apply for a TRC if I entered Vietnam on a tourist visa?
A: No. Your entry purpose must match the visa code required for the TRC category. As of 2026, TRCs are issued only to holders of LD2 (work) and TT (dependent) visas, among other eligible categories. If you entered on a tourist visa or e-visa, you must first complete a visa conversion step.
Q3: How long does it take to process a TRC application?
A: The standard processing time is 5 working days from the date a complete and valid dossier is received. For priority cases such as important investors, experts, and senior managers at international financial centers, the processing time may be reduced to 3 working days.
Q4: What is the fee for a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card?
A: The official fee is 145 USD for a TRC valid up to 2 years, 155 USD for over 2 years up to 5 years, and 165 USD for over 5 years up to 10 years. Transferring a valid TRC to a new passport costs 5 USD.
Q5: Where can I submit my TRC application in Vietnam?
A: You can submit directly at the Immigration Management Agency offices in Hanoi (No. 69 Mac Thai To, Yen Hoa Ward) or Ho Chi Minh City (No. 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai, Cau Ong Lanh Ward), or at the provincial-level Immigration Management Office where your sponsor is located. Online submission is also available through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal.