VietnamWork / investor residence permit

Temporary residence card in Vietnam

Thẻ tạm trú is the document issued by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam to foreign nationals who fall within the categories of long-term stay laid down by law: employees, investors and others. The application for the card is made either by the host organisation or by the foreign national through a personal sponsor.

Visa term

Employees — up to 2 years; investors DT1 up to 10 years, DT2 up to 5; renewable

Processing time

Usually 5-10 working days

Work

Employees — rights derive from the permit; investors — managing the company

Residence

Residence is expected; a declaration to the police

Source: dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn — issue of a temporary residence card (thẻ tạm trú) at the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security

Who submits the documents

Through a sponsoring organisation

The request for the card is made on form NA6
The organisation submits its constitutional documents and a specimen of its seal and signature to the Department once — this is not repeated with later applications
The application is accompanied by a document confirming the foreign national's entitlement to the card: a work permit, a certificate of exemption from a work permit or another equivalent document

Through a personal sponsor

The request for the card is made on form NA7
The applicant must fall within the categories listed in article 36 of the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam
The purpose of the foreign national's stay in Vietnam must comply with Vietnamese law

What it costs

A card valid for no more than 2 years	145 USD
A card valid for between 2 and 5 years	155 USD
A card valid for between 5 and 10 years	165 USD

Documents to gather

The full set of documents for submission to the Immigration Department:

2 photographs measuring 2×3 cm
A passport (the original; where the application is made online, it is additionally sent to the authority by post)
A document confirming entitlement to the card: a work permit, a certificate of exemption from a work permit or another equivalent document
The application form for a temporary residence card, form NA8
The request for the card: form NA6 (for organisations) or NA7 (for individual sponsors)

How the process runs

Processing takes no more than 5 working days from receipt of the complete set of documents — whichever method of submission is used.

1
Preparing the documents
Assemble the complete set of documents in accordance with the requirements of the Immigration Department.
2
Submitting the application
Submit the documents in person to the Immigration Department in Hanoi (44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District) or in Ho Chi Minh City (333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1); or online through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security portal, or by post.
3
Acceptance of the documents and payment of the fee
An officer checks the set of documents, issues a receipt for them and takes payment of the state fee on the spot or through the portal.
4
Collecting the card
no more than 5 working days
Collect the completed temporary residence card at the Department on presentation of the receipt and an identity document. If the card is not issued, the applicant is notified in writing or through the portal, with the reason given.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Permanent residence in limited cases, with no automatic track

Route to citizenship

Through permanent residence, the language and renunciation of the previous citizenship

Frequently asked questions about Temporary residence card

Who can obtain a temporary residence card in Vietnam?

The card is issued to foreign nationals who fall within the categories listed in article 36 of the Law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, provided that the purpose of their stay complies with Vietnamese law. The application is made either by the foreign national through a sponsor or by a sponsoring organisation.

How much does a temporary residence card cost?

The state fee depends on the validity of the card: 145 US dollars for a card valid for no more than 2 years, 155 dollars for between 2 and 5 years and 165 dollars for between 5 and 10 years. No separate additional charge (lệ phí) is provided for.

How long does it take to obtain the card?

No more than 5 working days from the moment the Immigration Department received the complete set of documents — regardless of whether the documents were submitted in person, online through the portal or by post.

Which documents are needed to apply?

Two photographs measuring 2×3 cm, a passport, a document confirming entitlement to the card (for example a work permit or a certificate of exemption from one), the completed form NA8 and the request on form NA6 (from an organisation) or NA7 (from an individual sponsor).

What is the difference between an application from an organisation and one from a private sponsor?

An organisation submits the request on form NA6 and registers its constitutional documents and a specimen of its seal and of the head's signature with the Department once — this is not repeated with later applications. A private sponsor submits the request on form NA7.

Where are the documents for a temporary residence card submitted?

In person — to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi (44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District) or in Ho Chi Minh City (333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1). They may also be submitted online through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security portal, with any missing documents sent on by post.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.