Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC): Complete Guide for Foreigners (2026)

What Is a Vietnam Temporary Residence Card?

A Temporary Residence Card (TRC) — known in Vietnamese as *Thẻ Tạm Trú* — is an official document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department (under the Ministry of Public Security) or, in certain cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It grants a foreign national the right to reside in Vietnam for a defined period without needing to renew a visa or make border runs.

The TRC carries the same legal validity as a visa and functions as a combined residency and entry/exit document. Holders can enter and exit Vietnam freely within the card's validity period, which makes it significantly more convenient than a standard visa for anyone on a long-term assignment or investment project.

The TRC is not a permanent residence permit. It is a temporary document tied to a specific purpose — work, investment, family reunification, or diplomatic status — and its validity is linked to the underlying reason for your stay.

---

The 2026 Rule Change: What You Need to Know

The most important development for anyone applying for a TRC in 2026 is a significant tightening of eligibility rules that took effect in early February 2026.

Previously, foreign nationals who had entered Vietnam on a range of visa types — including DN1 (business visas), VR (visa renewal), or e-visas issued before a work permit was approved — could apply directly for a TRC or a long-term visa without any additional steps. That pathway has now been closed.

Under the revised process confirmed by Fragomen on 4 February 2026, TRCs are now issued only to holders of LD2 (work) visas and TT (dependent) visas. Foreign nationals who entered on any other visa type must first complete a mandatory visa conversion to one of these qualifying categories before they become eligible to apply for a TRC.

This change has two immediate practical consequences. First, it adds an extra procedural step for a large proportion of foreign workers, particularly those who entered Vietnam on a business or e-visa while their work permit was still being processed — a common and previously unproblematic approach. Second, it extends overall processing timelines by approximately two weeks, according to Fragomen's assessment.

---

Who Qualifies for a TRC?

Eligibility for a TRC is determined by your visa type. Under the current rules, the following visa categories qualify for direct TRC issuance, as confirmed by Acclime Vietnam (updated March 2026):

For the vast majority of foreign employees in Vietnam, the relevant category is LĐ2 — the standard work visa issued to holders of a valid work permit. If you entered Vietnam on a DN1, VR, or e-visa — even if you have since obtained a work permit — you must first convert your visa to LĐ2 before applying for a TRC.

---

TRC Validity Periods

The duration of a TRC depends on your visa category, the purpose of your stay, and the validity of your underlying documents (passport and work permit or investment licence).

In practice, the TRC will be issued for the shorter of the maximum permitted period or the remaining validity of your work permit, investment registration certificate, or passport. Ensure your passport has at least one year of validity remaining at the time of application.

---

Why Obtain a TRC?

The TRC is not a legal requirement — Vietnam's immigration law does not compel foreign nationals to hold one. However, the practical benefits are substantial enough that most long-term residents choose to obtain one.

Elimination of visa renewals. A TRC replaces the need for any visa renewal for its entire validity period. For a two-year LĐ2 TRC holder, this means no visa extension fees, no paperwork, and no risk of overstay during a renewal delay.

Freedom of entry and exit. TRC holders can enter and exit Vietnam freely without needing a separate visa or entry stamp. This is particularly valuable for business travellers who make frequent regional trips.

Simplified administrative procedures. Many Vietnamese administrative processes — opening a bank account, registering a vehicle, signing a long-term lease — are significantly smoother with a TRC than with a standard visa. The TRC serves as a recognised proof of legal residence.

Reduced compliance risk. For employers, having key foreign staff on TRCs rather than rolling short-term visas reduces the risk of inadvertent overstay and the administrative burden of tracking visa expiry dates across a workforce.

---

Required Documents

The standard document checklist for a TRC application under the LĐ2 category is as follows. Requirements for other categories may vary slightly.

• Original passport with at least one year of remaining validity and a valid LĐ2 visa
• Valid work permit (original and notarised copy)
• Written request for a TRC (Form N7A, available from the Immigration Department)
• Declaration form (Form N7B), completed and signed
• Two recent passport-sized photographs (2 × 3 cm, white background, front-facing, no headwear or glasses)
• Notarised copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) of the employing company
• Written confirmation of temporary residence registration from the local police
• Lease agreement or proof of accommodation

For investors applying under ĐT1–ĐT3 categories, the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) replaces the work permit as the primary supporting document. For TT (dependent) applicants, the principal's TRC or qualifying visa and proof of family relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate, notarised and apostilled) are required.

---

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Obtain a qualifying visa. If you are not already on an LĐ2 or other qualifying visa, you must first convert your existing visa at the Immigration Department. This typically takes 5–7 working days. Fragomen advises deferring this step until after your work permit has been issued, as this reduces the overall number of steps.

Step 2: Register your temporary residence. Before applying for a TRC, you must register your residential address with the local police (district-level). Your landlord or employer is typically responsible for initiating this registration. You will receive a written confirmation, which is a required document for the TRC application.

Step 3: Prepare your documents. Compile all required documents. Ensure that notarised copies are prepared by a licensed Vietnamese notary. Foreign documents (such as marriage certificates) must be apostilled and notarised before submission.

Step 4: Submit the application. Submit your completed application at the Immigration Department office in the province or city where you reside. In Ho Chi Minh City, this is the Immigration Police Department on Tran Hung Dao Street. In Hanoi, applications are submitted at the Immigration Management Office on Tran Phu Street.

Step 5: Pay the fee and collect. The standard government fee for a TRC is approximately VND 600,000 (around USD 24). Processing typically takes 5–7 working days from the date of submission, though this can extend to 10–15 working days during peak periods.

Total timeline: For applicants already holding an LĐ2 visa, the process typically takes 2–3 weeks. For those who need to first convert their visa, add an additional 5–7 working days, bringing the total to approximately 4–5 weeks.

---

Common Reasons for Rejection or Delay

Incorrect visa type. The most common issue since the February 2026 rule change. Applicants on DN1, VR, or e-visas who submit a TRC application without first converting to LĐ2 will have their application rejected outright.

Expired or soon-to-expire work permit. If your work permit expires within three months of the TRC application date, the Immigration Department may decline to issue a TRC or issue one with a very short validity. Renew your work permit before applying.

Incomplete notarisation. Vietnam's Immigration Department is strict about notarisation requirements. Copies that have not been notarised by a licensed Vietnamese notary, or foreign documents that have not been apostilled, will cause delays.

Residence registration not completed. The written confirmation from the local police is a mandatory document. If your landlord has not registered your residence — a legal obligation under Vietnamese law — you will need to resolve this before applying.

Passport validity too short. If your passport has less than one year of remaining validity, the TRC will either be refused or issued for a very short period. Renew your passport before applying if it expires within 18 months.

---

Practical Advice for Employers

The February 2026 rule change has direct implications for HR and mobility teams managing foreign employees in Vietnam. The most important adjustment is to sequence the visa and work permit process correctly. Previously, it was common practice to send an employee to Vietnam on a business or e-visa, process the work permit in-country, and then apply for a TRC. Under the new rules, this sequence adds a mandatory visa conversion step.

The more efficient approach is to process the work permit before the employee enters Vietnam (where possible) and arrange an LĐ2 visa from the outset. For employees already in Vietnam on non-qualifying visas, the visa conversion should be initiated as soon as the work permit is issued, rather than waiting until the TRC application stage.

Employers should also review their onboarding timelines to account for the additional two weeks that the visa conversion step adds to the overall process.

If you are managing a team of foreign employees in Vietnam and need help restructuring your onboarding process to comply with the 2026 rules, Royce Consulting can advise on the full sequence from work permit application through to TRC issuance.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a TRC while my work permit is being processed? No. You must hold a valid work permit before applying for an LĐ2 visa, and you must hold a valid LĐ2 visa before applying for a TRC. The three steps must be completed in sequence.

Can I apply for a TRC on a business visa (DN1)? Not directly. Under the February 2026 rules, you must first convert your DN1 visa to an LĐ2 visa after obtaining your work permit, then apply for the TRC.

Does a TRC allow me to work in Vietnam? The TRC itself does not authorise work. The right to work comes from your work permit. The TRC is a residency document that reflects your legal status; it does not replace or substitute for a work permit.

Can my family members get a TRC? Yes, dependents (spouse and children) of qualifying TRC holders can apply for a TRC under the TT category, provided they hold a valid TT visa.

What happens when my TRC expires? You must either renew your TRC (if your work permit and other underlying documents remain valid) or apply for a new visa. Overstaying a TRC carries the same penalties as overstaying a visa, including fines and potential deportation.

---

*Sources: Fragomen, "Vietnam: Process for Issuance of Temporary Residence Cards Updated" (4 February 2026); Acclime Vietnam, "Temporary Resident Cards in Vietnam: Quick Guide (2026)" (updated 11 March 2026); Migrant Times, "Vietnam Tightens Residence Card Rules, Foreign Workers Face Longer Process" (13 February 2026); Vietnam Immigration Department, Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, as amended by Law No. 23/2023/QH15).*