Vietnam TRC FAQ: Temporary Residence Card Basis & Length

Updated 2026-07-07

A temporary residence card lets you live in Vietnam for years and travel in and out freely, but it is only ever granted on a basis — work, investment or family. These are the questions we hear most: card length, documents, renewals and cost. We advise which route fits and prepare the file while the Immigration Department issues the card.

What's the difference between a temporary residence card and a visa?

A visa authorises entry and a short stay — an eVisa lasts up to 90 days, some other visas up to a year. A temporary residence card (TRC) is a multi-year residence permit that replaces the visa for its whole validity and lets you exit and re-enter Vietnam freely, without reapplying each time. In short, a visa is for visiting; a TRC is for living here. We advise which fits your case and prepare the file — the Immigration Department is the authority that issues the card.

Can I just apply for a TRC on its own?

No — a TRC is never issued in the abstract. It is always granted on a basis: employment (a work permit), investment, or a family relationship, and that basis is recorded as a card symbol (LĐ, ĐT, TT). Getting the basis right and fully documented before you lodge is the whole game — the most common reason a file is returned is a missing or inconsistent basis document. Tell us your situation and we'll confirm the correct symbol first.

I hold a work permit — how long a TRC can I get?

On the labour basis (LĐ symbol), a TRC is typically issued for up to 2 years, and it can never run longer than your work permit. So if your work permit has, say, 18 months left, the card is capped at that. It's usually prepared alongside or right after the work permit; we lodge them so the dates line up cleanly.

I'm an investor — does the amount of capital affect the TRC length?

Yes. The investor symbol is graded by capital: ĐT1 (from 100 billion VND, or investment in an incentivised sector/area) can carry a TRC up to 10 years; ĐT2 (50 to under 100 billion) up to 5 years; ĐT3 (3 to under 50 billion) up to 3 years. Investors below 3 billion VND (ĐT4) are generally granted a visa only, not a temporary residence card. Send us your investment figures and named role on the licence, and we'll confirm the tier for your case.

I'm married to a Vietnamese citizen — can I get a TRC?

Yes — the spouse (and the parent or child) of a Vietnamese citizen can apply on the family basis (TT symbol), sponsored by your Vietnamese family member. The TT card is typically issued for up to 3 years. You'll need the marriage certificate (or birth certificate) legalised and translated into Vietnamese; we help you get those in order before lodging.

Can my spouse and children get a TRC through my work-permit or investor card?

Yes — the spouse and children of a foreigner who holds an LĐ or ĐT card can usually be granted dependent family cards (TT symbol), valid no longer than the main holder's card. They'll need relationship documents (marriage or birth certificates) legalised and translated. Note that a TT card does not by itself allow your spouse to work — for that they'd need their own work permit and to switch to LĐ status.

What happens to my TRC if I leave my job?

A labour-based (LĐ) TRC stands on your work permit and your sponsoring employer. When the employment ends the work permit is revoked, the employer is responsible for notifying Immigration, and the TRC is then no longer valid and should be returned or cancelled. If you move to a new employer you'd typically need a fresh work permit and a new card on that basis — talk to us early so there's no gap in your legal stay.

Can I travel in and out of Vietnam freely while I hold a TRC?

Yes — that's one of the main advantages. For its whole validity the card acts as your multiple-entry permit, so you can exit and re-enter Vietnam as often as you like without applying for a new visa each time. Just keep the physical card together with your passport whenever you travel.

How does renewal work?

A TRC isn't extended indefinitely — when it nears expiry you apply for a new card, and it again can't outlast your current basis (a renewed work permit, ongoing investment, or family relationship). Make sure your passport has at least 13 months' validity, because the card can't be issued beyond your passport. We usually recommend starting 1–2 months ahead so the renewal and the underlying basis stay aligned.

What documents do I need for a TRC?

Broadly: a passport valid at least 13 months with your valid entry/visa; the completed forms and photos to specification; your sponsor's papers (the employer or Vietnamese family member); and your basis document — the work permit, the investment/enterprise licence, or the legalised-and-translated marriage/birth certificate. The exact list depends on your basis, so we build you a tailored checklist before you lodge.

Where is a TRC filed — did the 2025 reorganisation change that?

It's filed with the Immigration Department (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh), under the Ministry of Public Security — and no, this authority did not change in the mid-2025 provincial merger. That merger moved work permits to the Department of Home Affairs (Sở Nội vụ) and business/investment registration to the Department of Finance (Sở Tài chính), but immigration and residence stayed put. We lodge and track the file for you there.

How much does a TRC cost?

There are two separate costs: the official government fee, which you pay to the state, and our service fee for preparing and lodging the file. The government card fee is set by Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC and depends on length — around US$145 for a card up to 2 years, US$155 for over 2 up to 5 years, and US$165 for over 5 up to 10 years. Send us your details for a fixed, no-obligation quote on our service fee.

How long does it take?

Once your basis and the sponsor's paperwork are in order, the Immigration Department issues the card in roughly 5 working days (allow 5–7 in practice). Most of the timeline is usually assembling and aligning the basis documents beforehand — that's where we save you the back-and-forth.

Do I need to be in Vietnam to apply, or can I do it from abroad?

A TRC is normally applied for from inside Vietnam, after you've entered on the right visa and your basis (work permit, investment, marriage) is in place. If you're still abroad, we usually arrange the correct entry visa first, then lodge the card once you're here. Tell us where you are now and we'll map the right sequence for you.

What if my passport expires before my TRC would?

The card can't be issued or renewed beyond your passport's validity, and it needs at least 13 months' passport validity at the time of application. If your passport is close to expiry, renew it first — then the TRC can be granted for its full term. If you renew your passport while already holding a valid TRC, notify Immigration so your records match.