How to Renew or Extend Your Vietnam TRC Before Expiration

Q: When should I submit my TRC extension application?

Submit your application 15–30 days before your TRC expires to avoid overstay penalties and processing delays.

Q: How long does TRC extension processing take?

Processing typically takes 5 working days from the date the Immigration Office receives a complete and valid application.

Your Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is the document that lets you live and work legally in Vietnam without constantly renewing a visa. But when that card approaches its expiration date, the renewal process is not automatic. If you let it lapse — even by a few days — you can face administrative fines, and your legal residency status is compromised. Worse, the forms and procedures changed significantly in July 2026, and using outdated paperwork means your application will be refused at the counter.

This guide explains exactly how to renew or extend your TRC before it expires, which forms apply in 2026, what documents you need, and the mistakes that get applications rejected.

Context & Official Legal Basis: What Changed in 2026?

The legal foundation for TRC issuance and extension is the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13), amended in 2019 and 2023 . The specific document templates used in the application process were most recently updated under Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA, effective from July 1, 2026 .

This update is critical: applications using outdated TRC forms will be refused for processing . Before July 2026, the forms used were from Circular 04/2015/TT-BCA and Circular 22/2023/TT-BCA. Now, you must use the versions attached to Circular 70/2026.

Pro Tip: A TRC extension is technically a new TRC issuance with a new validity period. The card's validity cannot exceed the remaining validity of your passport minus 30 days . If your passport expires soon, you must renew it first.

Required Documents Checklist for TRC Extension

The documents required depend on your TRC category (labor, investment, family visit). Here is the complete checklist based on official regulations.

General Documents (All Cases)

Sponsoring document: Form NA6 (for organizations) or Form NA7 (for individual sponsors)
Personal declaration form: Form NA8 (Tờ khai đề nghị cấp thẻ tạm trú) — completed and signed
Original passport — must have at least 13 months validity remaining. If the passport has exactly 13 months left, the TRC will be issued for a maximum of 12 months
Two photos — 2cm x 3cm, white background, bare head, no colored glasses. One photo glued to the NA8 form, one loose
Proof of temporary residence registration — confirmation from the commune/ward police where you reside
Current TRC — the card you are seeking to extend

Labor TRC (LĐ1, LĐ2) — Additional Documents

Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption Certificate — must have at least 1 year validity remaining from the date of application submission
Certified copy of the sponsoring enterprise's Business Registration Certificate
Seal and signature registration document (Form NA16) — if required by the receiving authority

Investment TRC (ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, ĐT4) — Additional Documents

Certified copy of Investment Registration Certificate or Business Registration Certificate
Proof of capital contribution as committed (e.g., capital contribution minutes, account balance confirmation)

Family Visit TRC (TT) — Additional Documents

If sponsored by a foreign spouse: Copy of sponsor's passport and TRC, marriage certificate or birth certificate (notarized translation), sponsor's temporary residence confirmation
If sponsored by a Vietnamese citizen: Certified copy of sponsor's Citizen Identity Card, proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, household registration book), and Form NA7 signed by the Vietnamese sponsor

Important: Foreign-issued documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates, police clearances) must be consularly legalized and translated into Vietnamese with notarization before submission .

Copyable Cover Letter Template for TRC Extension

When submitting your TRC extension application, the sponsoring organization or individual typically includes a formal cover letter. Here is a copyable template:


SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
--------------- [ORGANIZATION NAME / SPONSOR NAME]
[Address]
[Phone/Email] No: Date: [Submission Date] REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENT CARD EXTENSION To: Immigration Department - Ministry of Public Security
[Provincial Immigration Office Address] Pursuant to Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA dated May 25, 2026, amending Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA; [ORGANIZATION NAME / SPONSOR NAME] respectfully submits the application for extension of the Temporary Resident Card for the following foreigner: 1. Full name: [Applicant Name]
2. Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
3. Nationality: [Nationality]
4. Passport number: [Passport Number]
5. Current TRC number: [TRC Number]
6. Current TRC expiry date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
7. Requested extension until: [DD/MM/YYYY]
8. Reason: [Employment/Investment/Family Visit] Supporting documents enclosed:
- Form NA6 (sponsoring document for organizations)
- Form NA8 (personal declaration form)
- Original passport
- Current Temporary Resident Card
- Work Permit or proof of eligibility
- 02 photos (2cm x 3cm)
- Proof of temporary residence registration We commit to ensuring compliance with Vietnamese laws regarding entry, exit, and residence. Respectfully, [Authorized Representative Name]
[Title]
[Signature and Seal]

Official Submission Step-by-Step Procedure

Follow this process to extend your TRC before it expires :

Step 1: Review your eligibility and documents. Check that your passport has sufficient validity, your Work Permit (if applicable) has at least 1 year remaining, and your temporary residence registration is current. Submit your application 15–30 days before your TRC expires to avoid overstay penalties .
Step 2: Prepare the complete application package. Ensure all forms are the 2026 versions under Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA. Foreign documents must be legalized and translated.
Step 3: Submit your application via one of these methods:
- In person: At the Immigration Management Office of the Provincial Police where your sponsor is based, or at the Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City .
- Online: Through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal. If submitting online, the passport must be sent via public postal service, and other documents must be electronically certified or sent via postal service .
Step 4: Receive your result. Processing typically takes 5 working days from receipt of a complete and valid application . Bring your appointment slip and ID to collect your new TRC, or receive it by postal service if requested.

Critical Warning: If your TRC expires and you have not submitted an extension application, you are overstaying. Fines under Decree 282/2025/ND-CP range from 500,000 to 2,000,000 VND for overstays of 15 days or less, and 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 VND for overstays of 16 days or more. Serious violations can result in deportation .

Common Mistakes & Rejection Warnings

Using outdated forms: Since July 1, 2026, only forms under Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA are accepted. Old NA6, NA7, and NA8 templates will be refused .
Insufficient passport validity: Your passport must have at least 13 months remaining. If it has less, the TRC will be issued for a shorter period, or the application may be rejected .
Work Permit expiring too soon: For labor TRC holders, the Work Permit must have at least 1 year validity remaining from the submission date. If it doesn't, renew the Work Permit first .
Missing temporary residence registration: You must complete temporary residence registration with the commune/ward police before submitting your TRC application. Without it, the application is incomplete .
Address mismatch: Your temporary residential address on NA8 must match your registered temporary residence .
Wrong sponsor form: Organizations use NA6; individual family sponsors use NA7. Using the wrong form causes rejection .

Pro Tip: If your employer is sponsoring your TRC, confirm that their Business Registration Certificate is current and that they have prepared Form NA6 with the correct seal and signature. An invalid sponsor document will stall your entire application.

Disclaimer: Administrative regulations are subject to official policy updates. Always cross-check with the official immigration/government authority before final submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I submit my TRC extension application?

Submit your application 15–30 days before your TRC expires to avoid overstay penalties and processing delays .

Can I extend my TRC if my passport expires in 10 months?

No. Your passport must have at least 13 months validity remaining. If it has less, the TRC cannot be extended for the full period. Renew your passport first before applying for a TRC extension .

What forms do I need for a TRC extension in 2026?

You need Form NA6 (sponsoring document for organizations) or Form NA7 (for individual sponsors), plus Form NA8 (personal declaration form). All forms must be the 2026 versions under Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA .

What happens if I overstay my TRC?

Overstaying your TRC results in administrative fines. Under Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, overstays of 15 days or less carry fines of 500,000 to 2,000,000 VND. Overstays of 16 days or more carry fines of 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 VND, with possible deportation for serious violations .

How long does TRC extension processing take?

Processing typically takes 5 working days from the date the Immigration Office receives a complete and valid application .