Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) Service

A Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) allows eligible foreigners to stay in Vietnam for a longer period without repeatedly extending their visa. It can also make travel in and out of Vietnam more convenient during its validity. This guide covers the eligibility requirements, required documents, costs, and application process, along with fast TRC processing options to help you avoid unnecessary delays.

What Is a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card?

A Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is an ID-sized document issued by the Vietnamese government that allows eligible foreign nationals to live in Vietnam for an extended period. Depending on the type of TRC, its validity can range from 1 to 10 years. During this period, cardholders can enter and leave Vietnam multiple times without applying for a new visa each time.

Compared with a long-stay visa, a TRC is designed for foreigners who qualify for long-term residence in Vietnam. While both allow an extended stay, a TRC can offer greater convenience by serving as proof of legal residence and allowing multiple entries and exits throughout its validity.

Vietnam Temporary resident card (Source: Daibieunhandan)

Who Is Eligible for a TRC?

You are eligible if you hold a qualifying visa (LD, DT, TT and similar) tied to work, investment, or family in Vietnam. However, not everyone can apply for a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC). Eligible applicants generally include:

• Foreign workers: Those entering Vietnam to work and holding the required work permit or work-related documents.
• Investors: Foreigners holding an eligible DT visa based on their investment or business activities in Vietnam.
• Family members: Spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens or eligible foreign residents who hold a TT visa or another qualifying family-related visa.
• Diplomats and international organization staff: Members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, United Nations-affiliated organizations, and certain intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam, together with eligible spouses, children under 18, and accompanying domestic staff.
• Lawyers: Foreign lawyers working in Vietnam under the LV1 or LV2 visa categories.
• Heads and representatives of organizations: Individuals holding NN1 or NN2 visas who are heads of international organizations, foreign NGOs, or representative offices and branches of foreign companies in Vietnam.
• Students and trainees: Foreigners holding a DH visa for study or internship programs in Vietnam.
• Journalists and media professionals: Eligible foreign journalists holding a PV1 visa.

What documents do you need for a Vietnam TRC? 

The following documents are required when applying for a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card through our service:

• Passport: A copy of the passport pages containing the personal information and the latest Vietnamese visa.
• Application form: The application form for a temporary residence card must be completed with accurate information and signed by the applicant.
• Health certificate: A health certificate issued within the last six months from a recognized medical facility in Vietnam.
• Criminal record: A criminal record issued by the applicant's home country or Vietnam's relevant agency, which should be legalized by the Vietnamese embassy in the home country or by the consular section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam.
• Work permit: A work permit is required for applicants who are working in Vietnam. The work permit should be valid for at least one year at the time of application.
• Temporary residence registration: A temporary residence registration form that has been completed and certified by the applicant's local police department.
• Photos: Two passport-sized photos (4cm x 6cm) with a white background.

How to get a temporary residence card in Vietnam

To apply for a temporary residence card, you must go through the following steps:

• Obtain a sponsor: You must have a sponsor in Vietnam to apply for a temporary residence card. Your sponsor can be your employer, your school, or a Vietnamese national.
• Prepare your documents: You will need to prepare the following documents:
  • Passport with a valid visa
  • Temporary residence registration form
  • Health certificate
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Four passport-sized photos
• Submit your application: You will need to submit your application to the Vietnam Immigration Department. The processing time can take up to 30 working days.
• Collect your card: Once your application is approved, you can collect your temporary residence card at the immigration office.
  • 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.
  • 254 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
  • 7 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang City

Foreigner in Ho Chi Minh City apply a new Vietnam TRC

How much does a Vietnam TRC cost and how long does it take?

The cost of a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) depends on its validity period. Under the current fee schedule, longer-validity cards have higher government fees, while processing time may vary depending on the service option you choose.

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How long is your TRC valid and when do you need a new one?

A Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is issued for a fixed period based on its category and your eligibility. Its validity is also linked to your passport, while an expired card or a change in your circumstances may require you to apply for a new TRC.

How long is a Vietnam TRC valid?

• The validity of the temporary residence card in Vietnam is at least 30 days shorter than the remaining duration of the passport.
• The temporary residence cards with the symbol ĐT1 are valid for no more than 10 years.
• The temporary residence cards with the symbols NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, DT2 and DH are valid for no more than 05 years
• The temporary residence cards with symbols NN1, NN2, DT3, and TT are valid for not more than 03 years.
• The temporary residence cards with symbols LD1, LD2, and PV1 are valid for no more than 02 years.
• Expired temporary resident cards are considered for issuing new ones.

Renewing or changing your TRC?

An expired TRC cannot simply be extended. If you want to continue living in Vietnam, you will need to apply for a new card before or after your current TRC expires, provided that you still meet the eligibility requirements for the relevant category.

When applying for a new TRC, you may need to submit updated documents to prove that you still qualify. These can include a valid passport and documents related to your work, investment, study, or family status.

What if your job, employer or family status changes?

Once a TRC reaches its expiry date, you will need to apply for a new card if you plan to continue living in Vietnam. The immigration authority will assess your current eligibility and supporting documents rather than simply extending the existing card.

A new application may also be necessary when the reason for your residence changes. This could happen if you move to a new employer, change your investment status, or experience a change in your family relationship. In these cases, the documents and TRC category should reflect your current situation.

Related blog post: Vietnam Visa Types

TRC, 5-year exemption or long-stay visa: Which should you choose?

A TRC suits foreigners who plan to live and work in Vietnam for an extended period, while the 5-year visa exemption is generally more suitable for overseas Vietnamese and eligible family members who make frequent visits. A long-stay visa may be a better option for those who qualify for an extended stay but do not need a temporary residence card.

Why choose Vietnam Urgent Visa for your Vietnam TRC application?  

Vietnam Urgent Visa brings more than 15 years of experience in handling Vietnam immigration procedures, with over 56,000 cases processed and a 99.68% success rate. Our team supports both straightforward TRC applications and cases that require closer attention, such as moving from a work permit to a TRC, renewing an expiring card, changing employers, or applying under a different residence category.

Before your application is submitted, Vietnam Urgent Visa reviews your current visa or residence status, supporting documents, and eligibility to help determine the appropriate TRC category. We can identify missing or inconsistent paperwork early, explain what needs to be prepared, and guide you through each stage of the application process.

Our team also follows your case throughout the process and keeps you informed of the expected timeline. If you are working with a tight schedule, standard and urgent processing options may be available depending on your case, helping you choose a service that fits the time you have available.

Ready to apply for your Vietnam temporary residence card?

Send us your passport and current visa details, and we will first check whether you are eligible for a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC). We can then confirm the appropriate TRC category, the documents you may need, and the expected processing timeline for your case.

Passengers checking in at the VietnamAirlines Sky Priority desk (Source: Collected)

Whether you are applying for a TRC for work, investment, or family reasons, our team can guide you through the next steps and help prepare your application. Get in touch with a case officer to discuss your situation and start your TRC application with a clearer understanding of the requirements and timeline.

Ready to apply for your Vietnam TRC? Send Vietnam Urgent Visa your passport and current visa details, and our team will check your eligibility, identify the right TRC category, and confirm the required documents and expected processing time. Whether you need standard support or faster processing, we can help you move forward with a clear and straightforward application process.