Socialist Republic of Vietnam · residence general · Leads to settlement
Permanent Residence Card
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Vietnam's permanent residence status for qualifying long-term residents, including certain family of Vietnamese citizens and contributors.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Long-term permanent residence, with the card periodically renewed as an identity document.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Permanent Residence Card for Socialist Republic of Vietnam is an unsponsored Vietnam immigration route. Sources: official Socialist Republic of Vietnam government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/vietnam/permanent-residence-card#answer
What is the Permanent Residence Card in Socialist Republic of Vietnam?
Permanent Residence Card is an unsponsored Vietnam route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official portal; typical duration is Long-term permanent residence, with the card periodically renewed as an identity document. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The Permanent Residence Card grants long-term permanent residence in Vietnam to foreign nationals in defined categories, such as those who have made significant contributions, spouses, parents or children of Vietnamese citizens, and certain stateless or long-resident persons. It typically requires a period of stable lawful residence and a sponsor or qualifying relationship. It removes the need for ongoing temporary residence renewals. It is the country's settlement status short of citizenship.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Falling within an eligible permanent-residence category (such as family of a Vietnamese citizen or a recognised contributor).Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ✓A required period of stable lawful temporary residence in Vietnam, where applicable.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ✓A sponsor or qualifying relationship, and a stable place of residence and means of support.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ✓No disqualifying record and continued eligibility under the category.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
Common blockers
- !Not meeting the required period of stable lawful residence.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- !Not falling within any eligible permanent-residence category.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- !Inability to show a stable residence and means of support.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and current residence documents.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ·Evidence of the qualifying category (relationship to a Vietnamese citizen or recognised contribution).Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ·Proof of stable residence and means of support.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ·Police/character documents and any required confirmations.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm you fall within an eligible permanent-residence category and meet any required residence period.
Build the evidence pack
Assemble category, residence-history, support and character documents.
Submit through the official channel
Apply for permanent residence through the Immigration Department.
After approval
Receive the permanent residence card and renew it periodically as an identity document.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Permanent Residence Card, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Permanent Residence Card route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Permanent Residence Card.
Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) · verified
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Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
Residence card that lets eligible visa holders live in Vietnam for a multi-year period without repeated visa renewals.
Work Visa (LD) and Work Permit
Employer-sponsored work visa (LD) paired with a MoLISA work permit, the standard route for foreign employees in Vietnam.
Family / Dependent Visa (TT)
Dependent visa for the spouse, children or parents of certain visa holders or of Vietnamese citizens.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for permanent residence in Vietnam?+
Eligible categories include certain family of Vietnamese citizens, people who have made recognised contributions, and some long-resident or stateless persons, usually after a period of stable lawful residence. Confirm the categories and qualifying periods on the official immigration page.
Is a permanent residence card the same as citizenship?+
No. The permanent residence card is a settlement status that removes the need for temporary residence renewals but is not Vietnamese citizenship, which is a separate process. Confirm the current conditions on the official immigration page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in VietnamHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security)
Last checked: 1 June 2026