PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARDS TO FOREIGNERS

Temporary residence cards are usually issued by immigration authorities or immigration authorities of that country and have a specific duration. The issuance of temporary residence cards allows foreigners to obtain temporary residence rights and legal rights equivalent to those of locals during their stay in that country.

I. What is a temporary residence card for foreigners?

Pursuant to Clause 13 Article 3 of the Law on entry, exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, a temporary residence card is defined as a document issued by an immigration authority or a competent agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a foreigner who is allowed to reside in Vietnam for a definite period and is valid in lieu of a visa.

II. Subjects and conditions for issuance of temporary residence cards to foreigners:

According to Clause 14 Article 1 of the Law on entry, exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam amended in 2019, cases of temporary residence card issuance include:

• Foreigners who are members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international organizations under the United Nations, intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam and spouses, children under 18 years old, maids accompanying them for tenure;

• Foreigners entering on visas with symbols LV1, LV2, LS, DT1, DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, LĐ2, TT. These persons must meet the conditions related to the passport validity (at least 13 months), and they are being examined for criminal liability or are defendants in civil, economic or labor disputes; is obliged to enforce the sentence; and are obliged to comply with decisions sanctioning administrative violations, tax payment obligations and other financial obligations.

III. Dossiers of application for temporary residence cards for foreigners:

Clause 1, Article 37 of the Law on entry, exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, dossiers of application for temporary residence cards for foreigners include:

• Written application for temporary residence card (form NA6 for agencies, organization, NA7 for individuals);

• Declaration of application for temporary residence card for foreigners (NA8);

• Passport;

• Documents proving that they are considered for temporary residence card;

• 02 photos of size 2x3 cm (01 photo pasted into the declaration, 01 separate photo); Number of documents: 01 set.

IV. Procedures for applying for a temporary residence card for foreigners:

Step 1: Prepare the application:

Step 2: Apply:

Place of application: Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security:

+ 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.

+ 254 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

+ 7 Tran Quy Cap Street, Da Nang City

The receiving officer checks the legality and content of the application:

- If the application is complete and valid, the applicant will receive a receipt and the application will be received. 

- In case the application is incomplete or invalid, the dossier-receiving officer will guide the applicant to supplement the dossier to meet the requirements. Once fully replenished, the applicant should return to the office of the Immigration Department to resubmit.

Step 3: Return the application result: Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of complete documents, the immigration authority or the competent agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall consider issuing a temporary residence card.

Fee:

• Temporary residence card valid for no more than 02 years: 145 USD/card.  
• Temporary residence card valid from more than 02 years to 05 years: 155 USD/card.  
• Temporary residence card valid from more than 05 years to 10 years: 165 USD / card.

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For more information, please contact:

Hoang Pham (James) / Managing Partner at: hoang.pham@vselawyers.com

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Attention: This legal update is not an advice and should not be treated as such.