Quick answer
- Who applies
- Your sponsoring organisation or family member
- Qualifying visas
- LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1–ĐT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, LĐ2, TT
- Card validity
- Up to 2, 3, 5 or 10 years by type; at least 30 days shorter than your passport
- Processing time
- 5 working days from a complete file
- Government fee
- US$145 · US$155 · US$165
On this page
Who can get a temporary residence card
Article 36 of the Immigration Law, as amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14, grants temporary residence cards to:
- members of diplomatic missions, consular offices and representative offices of international organisations, and their family members (cards issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs);
- foreigners who entered Vietnam with a visa marked LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, LĐ2 or TT.
The card carries the same symbol as the visa. Tourist (DL), business (DN1, DN2) and e-visa (EV) holders are not on this list. If your purpose has changed, read first about changing your visa purpose.
How long the card is valid
| Card symbol | Maximum validity |
|---|---|
| ĐT1 | 10 years |
| NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT2, DH | 5 years |
| NN1, NN2, ĐT3, TT | 3 years |
| LĐ1, LĐ2, PV1 | 2 years |
The card must end at least 30 days before your passport expires, so renew your passport first if it is close to expiry. When a card expires, a new card can be issued. If you get a new passport, a valid card can be transferred to it for a US$5 fee.
Documents and procedure
- The sponsor's written request: form NA6 for an agency or organisation, form NA7 for an individual.
- Form NA8 — application for a temporary residence card, with your photo.
- Your passport.
- Papers proving you qualify — for example a work permit or confirmation of exemption from a work permit, an investment certificate, or proof of family relationship.
- Two 2×3 cm photos.
Sponsor submits the file
At the immigration office where the sponsoring organisation is based or where the sponsoring individual lives, or at the Immigration Department — online, in person or by post.
Processing
The office decides within 5 working days of a complete file.
Pay and collect
Pay the government fee for the card length and collect your card.
Form numbers (NA1, NA2, NA3, NA5, NA6, NA7, NA8, NA16, NA17…) follow Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA of the Ministry of Public Security, in force from 1 July 2026. Since that date only the forms issued with this Circular are accepted — download the current form from the official procedure page.
Immigration Department offices: 69 Mac Thai To Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi · 333–335–337 Nguyen Trai Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (per official procedure 1.003358; address checked in person by the Tu Do Team).
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence card, up to 2 years | US$145 |
| Temporary residence card, over 2 to 5 years | US$155 |
| Temporary residence card, over 5 to 10 years | US$165 |
Living in Vietnam with a card
With a temporary residence card you can leave and re-enter Vietnam while the card is valid, without a separate visa. Under Article 44 of the Law, a card holder may also sponsor their grandparents, parents, spouse and children to visit Vietnam — see sponsoring a foreigner to visit Vietnam. You still need to register your temporary residence wherever you stay; see rules for foreigners in Vietnam.