Socialist Republic of Vietnam · residence general · Leads to settlement
Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence card that lets eligible visa holders live in Vietnam for a multi-year period without repeated visa renewals.
- 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
- Issued for a multi-year period aligned to the underlying status (commonly up to two or three years), renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Temporary Residence Card (TRC) for Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a sponsor-led Vietnam immigration route. Sources: official Socialist Republic of Vietnam government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/vietnam/temporary-residence-card#answer
What is the Temporary Residence Card (TRC) in Socialist Republic of Vietnam?
Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is a sponsor-led 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 Issued for a multi-year period aligned to the underlying status (commonly up to two or three years), renewable. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is issued to foreign nationals who already hold an eligible visa category, such as LD work, DT investor, TT family or DH study, and lets them reside in Vietnam for a multi-year period without repeated visa renewals. It is sponsored by the same employer, company or family member underlying the visa. The card's validity aligns to the underlying status, for example the work permit. Continuous lawful residence on a TRC can contribute toward a permanent-residence pathway.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Holding an eligible underlying visa category (such as LD, DT, TT or DH).Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ✓A sponsor (employer, company or family member) supporting the card application.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ✓For work-based applicants, a work permit valid for the required minimum remaining period.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ✓A passport with sufficient remaining validity for the card period.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
Common blockers
- !Holding only a short-term status (such as e-visa or business visa) not eligible for a TRC.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- !A work permit or passport with insufficient remaining validity.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- !No qualifying sponsor to support the application.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and the current eligible visa.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ·Sponsor documents (employer, company or family relationship).Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ·Work permit where the card is work-based, or investment/registration documents for investors.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
- ·Completed application and any required health or character documents.Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your visa category is TRC-eligible and that your sponsor and underlying status support a multi-year card.
Build the evidence pack
Gather your passport, current visa, sponsor documents and work permit or investment proof.
Submit through the official channel
The sponsor applies for the temporary residence card through the Immigration Department.
After approval
Receive the card, live in Vietnam without repeated visa renewals and renew as the underlying status continues.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Temporary Residence Card (TRC), 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. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
- 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 guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Temporary Residence Card (TRC) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Temporary Residence Card (TRC).
Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) · verified
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Related routes
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.
Investor Visa (DT1-DT4)
Tiered investor visa (DT1 to DT4) for foreign investors and representatives, graded by the amount of capital contributed.
Permanent Residence Card
Vietnam's permanent residence status for qualifying long-term residents, including certain family of Vietnamese citizens and contributors.
Family / Dependent Visa (TT)
Dependent visa for the spouse, children or parents of certain visa holders or of Vietnamese citizens.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for a Temporary Residence Card?+
TRCs are issued to holders of eligible visa categories such as LD work, DT investor, TT family and DH study, with a sponsor supporting the application. Short-term categories like e-visas are not eligible. Confirm the current eligible categories on the official immigration page.
How long is a TRC valid?+
A TRC is issued for a multi-year period aligned to the underlying status, for example the validity of a work permit, and is renewable. The exact maximum periods are set by law, so confirm the current validity 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