Bringing your spouse or children to Vietnam on a dependent visa should not feel like an impossible bureaucratic puzzle. Yet many expats hit a wall when they discover that the required marriage and birth certificates must be consular-legalized in their home country, translated into Vietnamese, and submitted alongside a sponsor whose own residence status must meet strict validity thresholds. A single missing legalization stamp or an expired sponsor card can send the entire application back to square one. This guide breaks down the TT (Thân Nhân) dependent visa and Temporary Residence Card process for spouses and children under 18, using the legal framework and form requirements that are current as of September 2026.
What Is the TT Dependent Visa and Who Qualifies?
The TT visa, derived from the Vietnamese word “Thân Nhân” (family member), is Vietnam’s family accompaniment visa. It is issued to the spouse and children under 18 years of age of a foreign national who holds an eligible visa category, including LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, or LĐ2. The sponsor must be lawfully residing in Vietnam under a valid visa or Temporary Residence Card (TRC).
The legal basis for dependent visas and Temporary Residence Cards is the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13), as amended. Article 36 of the Law provides that foreigners holding LV1, LV2, DT, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LD, or TT visas may be granted temporary residence cards with the same symbols. Article 37 sets out the required dossier, and Article 38 specifies that the validity of a temporary residence card must be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the holder’s passport.
A TT Temporary Residence Card issued to a dependent must not exceed the validity of the sponsor’s card. In practice, the TT temporary residence card has a maximum validity of up to 3 years, while the TT visa itself is typically issued for shorter stays of up to 12 months.
Required Documents Checklist for TT Temporary Residence Card
Your application dossier must include the following documents. This checklist is based on the statutory requirements set out in Article 37 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners and the implementing guidance under Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA.
- Form NA6 — Official letter requesting the issuance of a temporary residence card, submitted by the sponsoring agency or organization. Must be signed and sealed by the authorized representative.
- Form NA8 — Application form for a temporary residence card for foreigners, with one 2x3 cm photo affixed. This is the updated form under Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA.
- Valid passport — The original passport of the dependent (spouse or child). Must have sufficient remaining validity; by law, the TRC validity must be at least 30 days shorter than the passport’s remaining validity.
- Two photos (2x3 cm) — White background, full-face, uncovered head, no glasses, taken recently. One affixed to Form NA8, one loose.
- Marriage Certificate (for spouse) — Consular-legalized and translated into Vietnamese. Must prove a legally recognized marriage relationship.
- Birth Certificate (for children) — Consular-legalized and translated into Vietnamese. Must prove the parent-child relationship.
- Copy of sponsor’s valid passport — Showing the sponsor’s current immigration status.
- Copy of sponsor’s valid Temporary Residence Card or visa — Proving the sponsor is lawfully residing in Vietnam with an eligible visa category.
- Documents evidencing sponsor’s purpose of residence — Such as a work permit, employment certificate, or audited financial statements, depending on the sponsor’s visa category.
- Copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate — If the sponsor is employed by a Vietnamese company.
- Form NA16 — Specimen seal and signature registration of the enterprise’s legal representative. Required for organizational sponsors.
- Declaration of temporary residence in Vietnam — Receipt or confirmation from the local police where the dependent is registered.
- Letter of introduction or authorization — For the individual submitting the application on behalf of the sponsor.
Form NA8 Field-by-Field Translation & Breakdown
Form NA8 is the declaration form for temporary residence card issuance. While it is bilingual, completing it accurately is critical. Below is a breakdown of the key fields for a dependent application.
- Họ và tên / Full name: Enter the dependent’s full name exactly as it appears in their passport.
- Sinh ngày / Date of birth: Day, month, year.
- Giới tính / Sex: Male (Nam) or Female (Nữ).
- Quốc tịch / Nationality: Current nationality of the dependent.
- Số hộ chiếu / Passport number: Passport number, type, issuing authority, and expiry date.
- Thị thực / Visa: Current visa number, category (e.g., TT), and expiry date.
- Nhập cảnh Việt Nam ngày / Date of entry into Vietnam: The date of the dependent’s most recent entry.
- Địa chỉ tạm trú tại Việt Nam / Temporary residential address in Vietnam: The registered address where the dependent is living with the sponsor.
- Họ tên người bảo lãnh / Name of sponsor: Full name of the sponsoring spouse or parent.
- Quan hệ với người bảo lãnh / Relationship to sponsor: State “Vợ/Chồng” (Spouse) or “Con” (Child).
- Số thẻ tạm trú của người bảo lãnh / Sponsor’s TRC number: The sponsor’s current Temporary Residence Card number.
Copyable Template: Sponsor’s Request Letter for Dependent TRC
Below is a copyable template for the official request letter (Form NA6) that the sponsoring spouse or parent must submit. Replace all bracketed placeholders with your actual information. This letter should be printed on the sponsoring company’s letterhead if the sponsor is employed, or on plain paper if the sponsor is an individual.
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
--------o0o-------- [Date: DD/MM/YYYY] REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD
FOR DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBER To: The Immigration Management Agency
[Office Address] Sponsor Information:
Full Name: [Sponsor Full Name]
Passport Number: [Sponsor Passport Number]
Temporary Residence Card Number: [Sponsor TRC Number]
Current Visa/TRC Category: [LD2 / TT / Other Eligible Category]
Address in Vietnam: [Sponsor Address]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address] Dependent Information:
Full Name: [Dependent Full Name]
Passport Number: [Dependent Passport Number]
Nationality: [Dependent Nationality]
Date of Birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Relationship to Sponsor: [Spouse / Child]
Current Visa Category: TT
Temporary Residence Address in Vietnam: [Dependent Address] Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to request the issuance of a Temporary Residence Card for my dependent family member named above, who is currently residing with me in Vietnam under a TT visa. I am lawfully residing in Vietnam under a valid [Sponsor Visa/TRC Category] and meet the eligibility requirements to sponsor my [spouse/child] for a Temporary Residence Card. I have attached the following supporting documents: - Consular-legalized and translated [marriage certificate / birth certificate]
- Copies of my valid passport and Temporary Residence Card
- Proof of my employment/residence status in Vietnam
- Completed Form NA8 with photograph affixed
- Declaration of temporary residence I respectfully request that the Temporary Residence Card be granted with a validity period aligned with my own residence status, in accordance with Article 38 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, [Signature]
[Sponsor Full Name]
[Passport Number]
[Phone Number]
Step-by-Step Application Procedure for Dependent TRC
Follow these steps in order. The sponsor or an authorized representative must handle the submission; the dependent does not file the application independently.
- Step 1: Legalize and translate family documents. Obtain your marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for child) from your home country. Have these documents consular-legalized by the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country, then translated into Vietnamese and notarized. This is the most time-consuming step and must be completed before submission.
- Step 2: Ensure the sponsor’s residence status is valid. The sponsor must hold a valid Temporary Residence Card or be lawfully residing in Vietnam under an eligible visa category. The sponsor’s TRC must have sufficient remaining validity to cover the dependent’s card period.
- Step 3: Complete Forms NA6 and NA8. The sponsor completes Form NA6 (request letter) and Form NA8 (declaration for TRC issuance). Affix one 2x3 cm photo to Form NA8. Ensure all forms are the updated versions under Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA.
- Step 4: Prepare the complete dossier. Assemble all documents listed in the Required Documents Checklist. Include the legalized and translated marriage/birth certificates, copies of the sponsor’s passport and TRC, proof of the sponsor’s employment or residence purpose, and the temporary residence declaration for the dependent.
- Step 5: Submit the application. The sponsor or an authorized representative submits the dossier at the Immigration Management Agency under the Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, or at the provincial-level Immigration Management Division where the sponsor is located. Submission can also be made through the National Public Service Portal in some cases.
- Step 6: Receive acknowledgment. If the dossier is complete and valid, the receiving officer will accept it and issue an appointment slip for result return. You will receive a receipt and instructions for fee payment.
- Step 7: Wait for processing. The immigration authority will review the application and issue the Temporary Residence Card. The statutory processing time is 5 working days from receipt of a complete dossier.
- Step 8: Collect the Temporary Residence Card. Return on the appointed date with the receipt and the dependent’s passport to collect the TRC.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection
- Unlegalized or untranslated family documents. Marriage and birth certificates issued abroad must be consular-legalized and translated into Vietnamese. Original foreign-language documents without legalization will not be accepted.
- Using the outdated NA8 form. After July 1, 2026, only the NA8 form under Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA is accepted. Old forms will be rejected.
- Insufficient sponsor residence validity. The dependent’s TRC cannot exceed the sponsor’s card validity. If the sponsor’s TRC is expiring soon, the dependent’s application will be denied.
- Passport validity too short. The dependent’s passport must have sufficient remaining validity. By law, the TRC must be at least 30 days shorter than the passport’s validity.
- Missing temporary residence declaration. The dependent must have a valid temporary residence registration (KT) at the local police station. Without this, the application will be incomplete.
- Incorrect relationship documentation. For spouses, only a legally recognized marriage certificate is accepted. Vietnam does not recognize domestic partnerships or unregistered cohabitation for dependent visa purposes.
Official Processing Time, Fees & Submission Locations
Processing Time
- Standard processing: 5 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier.
- In practice, straightforward cases may be completed within 5 to 7 working days.
Official Government Fees
Under the fee schedule effective April 1, 2026 (Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC), the visa issuance fees for TT visas are:
- Single-entry TT visa: 25 USD per piece
- Multiple-entry TT visa valid for not more than 90 days: 50 USD per piece
The fee for a Temporary Residence Card is separate from the visa fee. Always verify the exact TRC fee at the local immigration office before submission, as fee schedules are subject to change.
Submission Locations
The application must be submitted by the sponsor or an authorized representative at one of the following locations:
- Hanoi: Immigration Management Agency, Ministry of Public Security
- Ho Chi Minh City: Immigration Management Agency, Ministry of Public Security
- Provincial Level: Immigration Management Division of the provincial/municipal Public Security Department where the sponsor is located
- Online: National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal (for certain procedures)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who qualifies for a Vietnam TT dependent visa?
A: The TT visa is issued to the spouse and children under 18 years of age of a foreign national who holds an eligible visa category, including LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, or LĐ2. The sponsor must be lawfully residing in Vietnam under a valid visa or Temporary Residence Card.
Q2: What documents must be legalized for a TT dependent visa?
A: Marriage certificates (for spouses) and birth certificates (for children) issued abroad must be consular-legalized by the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in the country of issuance, then translated into Vietnamese and notarized. Original foreign-language documents without legalization will not be accepted.
Q3: What form do I need for a TT Temporary Residence Card application?
A: You need Form NA6 (Letter requesting a temporary residence card) and Form NA8 (Application form for a temporary residence card for foreigners), both issued under Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA, effective July 1, 2026.
Q4: How long does it take to process a TT Temporary Residence Card?
A: The statutory processing time is 5 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier. In practice, straightforward cases may be completed within 5 to 7 working days.
Q5: Can my spouse and children work in Vietnam on a TT visa?
A: No. The TT visa does not grant work authorization. If your spouse wishes to work in Vietnam, they must obtain a work permit and convert to an LD1 or LD2 work visa.