How to Get a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) in Vietnam: Requirements, Costs and Timeline
For foreign professionals, investors, and their families living and working in Vietnam, managing immigration status is one of the most operationally critical and most frequently mishandled. Repeated visa runs, extension fees, and entry stamp tracking are a drain on time and resources that most businesses can avoid entirely.
The Vietnam Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is the standard solution. It allows eligible foreigners to reside in Vietnam for an extended, defined period without the need to exit and re-enter the country or apply for repeated visa extensions.
ATA Services Vietnam supports foreign investors, business owners, and their employees through the full TRC application and renewal process ensuring documentation is complete, correctly structured, and submitted efficiently through the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security.
What Is a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) in Vietnam?
A Vietnam Temporary Residence Card, commonly referred to as a TRC is an official document issued by the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) to foreign nationals permitted to reside in Vietnam for a defined period. It functions as a residency document equivalent to the holder’s visa and eliminates the need to maintain or extend a separate entry visa for the duration of its validity.
The TRC does not grant the right to work in Vietnam, which requires a separate work permit. However, a valid work permit or other qualifying document is typically a prerequisite for TRC issuance.
Key Insight
Vietnam’s 2026 regulatory update gives foreign companies the opportunity to strengthen financial governance, improve reporting accuracy, and align local operations with international standards, when managed with the right advisory structure in place.
TRC Validity Periods
| TRC Type | Validity | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Standard employee TRC | Up to 2 years | Work permit / Confirmation of Exemption from Work Permit |
| Investor TRC | Up to 5 years (renewable) | Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) |
| Long-term investor TRC | Up to 10 years | Qualifying capital contribution level |
| Spouse / family TRC | Matches sponsor’s TRC validity | Family sponsorship |
| Representative office head | Up to 2 years | Confirmation of Exemption from Work Permit |
Who Is Eligible for a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam?
TRC eligibility is defined under Vietnam’s Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners. The following categories of foreign nationals are eligible to apply:
1. Foreign Employees with a Valid Work Permit
Foreign nationals employed by a Vietnam based company who hold a valid work permit issued by the Department of Internal Affairs are eligible. The TRC is sponsored by the employing company.
2. Foreign Investors
Foreign individuals who have made a qualifying investment in Vietnam and hold an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) are eligible for a TRC with up to 2–10 year validity depending on the capital contribution level. ATA assists with both the IRC and subsequent TRC application.
3. Representatives of Foreign Organisations
Heads and representatives of foreign companies, branches, and representative offices operating in Vietnam are eligible. The sponsoring organisation holds the TRC responsibility.
4. Spouses and Children of TRC Holders
Family members including spouses and minor children of eligible TRC holders can apply for a TRC under a family sponsorship route. This is a common requirement for foreign professionals relocating to Vietnam with their families.
5. Other Qualifying Categories
- Foreign nationals married to Vietnamese citizens
- Individuals with permanent residency applications in progress
- Religious workers and cultural representatives with recognised organisational sponsorship
If you are unsure of your eligibility category, ATA Services Vietnam can assess your situation during an initial consultation.
Vietnam TRC Requirements: Documents You Need to Prepare
All TRC applications are submitted to the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security. The required documents vary slightly by applicant category, but the core document set is as follows:
Core Documents (All Applicants)
- Original passport with a valid Vietnam entry visa
- Completed TRC application form
- 2 recently taken passport photos (2×3 cm, white background, front-facing, no sunglasses)
- Written sponsorship request from the sponsoring organisation – signed and stamped
- Certified true copy of the sponsor’s Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)
- Temporary residence declaration certified by the ward police
- Image of the company headquarters
- Tax returns for the last 3 months
- Company Identification code
Additional Documents by Category
| Applicant Category | Additional Documents Required |
|---|---|
| Foreign employee | Valid work permit / Work permit exemption confirmation |
| Foreign investor | Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) |
| Representative office head | Work permit exemption confirmation; Representative office operating license |
| Spouse of TRC holder | Marriage certificate (notarized and legalized) + sponsor’s TRC copy |
| Child of TRC holder | Birth certificate (notarized and legalized) + parent’s TRC copy |
| Company director (no work permit) | Valid work permit / Work permit exemption confirmation |
All foreign-language documents must be officially translated into Vietnamese and notarised before submission.
How to Get a TRC in Vietnam: Step-by-Step Process
The TRC application is submitted in person to the Immigration Department. ATA Services Vietnam manages the full process on behalf of clients through a power of attorney arrangement. However, in many cases, foreigners are still required to appear at immigration offices for verification.
| Step | Action | Who Handles | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Eligibility assessment and document checklist review | ATA + Applicant | 1–2 days |
| Step 2 | Document preparation, translation, and notarisation | Applicant + ATA | 3–7 days |
| Step 3 | Sponsorship letter prepared and signed by employing company or sponsor | Sponsoring org + ATA | 1–2 days |
| Step 4 | Full application dossier reviewed by ATA before submission | ATA | 1 day |
| Step 5 | Application submitted to Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security | ATA | Day of submission |
| Step 6 | TRC issued and collected | ATA | 3–5 working days |
| Total Timeline | ~2–3 weeks end-to-end |
TRC Vietnam Cost: What to Budget
The total cost of a Vietnam TRC application depends on three components: government fees, document preparation costs, and professional advisory fees if using a service provider like ATA.
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government TRC application fee | ~USD 145 | Paid at Immigration Department |
| Document translation & notarisation | USD 50–150 | Depends on number and type of documents |
| Professional advisory fee (ATA) | Available on request | Covers full process management |
| Expedited processing (if required) | Additional fee applies | For urgent timelines |
| Total estimate (standard) | USD 650 | Excluding advisory fee |
Government fees are set by the Ministry of Public Security and are subject to change. ATA provides an accurate fee schedule during the initial consultation.
5-Year TRC Vietnam: The Investor Route
Foreign investors who have registered a company in Vietnam and hold a valid Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) are eligible for a 5-year TRC: one of the most practical residency solutions for long-term investors operating in the country.
- Validity: Up to 5 years, renewable, significantly reducing administrative burden vs annual visa management
- Eligibility: Requires a valid IRC issued under the Law on Investment, with a capital is from 50 billion VND to less than 100 billion VND
- No work permit required: Investor shall need to obtain a Work Permit exemption issued by the Department of Internal Affairs.
- Sponsoring entity: Your Vietnamese company serves as the sponsoring organisation
ATA Services Vietnam handles the IRC registration and subsequent TRC application as a connected process.
TRC Renewal in Vietnam
TRC renewal follows essentially the same process as the original application. The renewal dossier must be submitted to the Immigration Department before the current TRC expires. ATA recommends initiating the renewal process at least 30 days before the expiry date.
Renewal Requirements
- Current TRC (original)
- Valid passport with remaining validity
- Updated sponsorship letter from the employing or sponsoring organisation
- Updated work permit/ Work permit exemption confirmation (if the original has been renewed or reissued)
- Any updated corporate documents if the sponsoring company details have changed
What Happens If Your TRC Expires?
Allowing a TRC to lapse without renewal means you revert to visa-based stay requiring either a visa extension or exit and re-entry. Overstaying a TRC without valid immigration status results in fines and potential complications for future applications. ATA Services Vietnam provides renewal reminders and manages the process proactively for all clients on retainer.
How ATA Services Vietnam Manages Your TRC Application
ATA Services Vietnam manages TRC applications as part of a structured immigration advisory service. The full scope covers eligibility assessment, document preparation, submission, and collection.
- Eligibility review: ATA assesses your visa type, work permit status, and sponsoring entity to confirm the correct TRC category before any documents are prepared.
- Full document management: ATA prepares the sponsorship letter, reviews all translated documents, and conducts a pre-submission compliance check.
- Immigration Department liaison: ATA submits and tracks your application through the Immigration Department via power of attorney.
- Renewal management: For clients on retainer, ATA tracks TRC expiry dates and initiates renewal proactively.
- Family applications: ATA manages spouse and dependent TRC applications alongside the primary applicant.
ATA also manages connected immigration and employment services including work permits, payroll outsourcing, and company registration in Vietnam giving investors a single advisory partner for all compliance requirements.
When Foreign Nationals Apply for a TRC: Common Scenarios
Foreign Executive Relocating to Vietnam
A regional director from a European company is seconded to their Vietnam subsidiary. The company holds the work permit and sponsors the TRC application. ATA manages the full process allowing the executive to focus on operational setup rather than immigration admin.
Foreign Investor with a Registered Company
An investor who has completed company registration in Vietnam through ATA uses their IRC as the sponsoring document. ATA applies for the 2-year investor TRC immediately after IRC issuance, providing stable long-term residency from day one.
Spouse of a Foreign Employee
A foreign employee on a 2-year TRC relocates their spouse to Vietnam. ATA applies for a family-category TRC for the spouse, matched to the primary holder’s validity period.
PEO-Sponsored Employee
A foreign company using ATA’s PEO service in Vietnam employs a foreign national before their own entity is incorporated. ATA sponsors the work permit through the PEO structure and coordinates the TRC application in parallel.
Get Your Vietnam TRC Sorted Without the Paperwork Headache
The Vietnam Temporary Residence Card is one of the most practical and underutilised tools available to foreign professionals and investors in the country. It simplifies residency, removes the administrative burden of repeated visa management, and provides a stable legal foundation for long-term operations.
The application itself is straightforward when documentation is prepared correctly from the outset. The most common delays: incomplete sponsorship letters, missing translations, and incorrect document formats are entirely avoidable with the right advisory support.
ATA Services Vietnam has managed TRC applications for foreign investors, executives, and their families across multiple sectors and visa categories. With a compliance-first approach and direct Immigration Department relationships, ATA ensures your application is submitted correctly the first time.
- A TRC replaces the need for repeated visa extensions and allows stays of up to 2 years (or up to 10 years for investors), eliminating exit-and-re-entry requirements.
- Applicants must hold a valid Vietnam visa and have a sponsoring organisation (employer, company, or spouse) before applying.
- Processing time at the Immigration Department is typically 7–10 working days.
- TRC renewal follows the same process as the initial application; it is recommended to begin at least 30 days before expiry.
- Spouses and children of TRC holders can apply for their own TRC under a family sponsorship route.
Simplify Your Vietnam TRC Application Process
Speak with an ATA advisor to streamline your Temporary Residence Card application, from eligibility to approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is an official residency document issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department to eligible foreign nationals, allowing them to reside in Vietnam for a defined period (1–10 years) without requiring a separate visa.
The Immigration Department typically processes TRC applications within 07-10 working days from the date of complete dossier submission. End-to-end, including document preparation, the full process with ATA typically takes 2–3 weeks.
Government fees are approximately USD 145. Total costs including document translation, notarisation, and professional advisory typically range from USD 500 depending on the complexity of the application.
Yes, in certain categories. Foreign investors holding an IRC, spouses of Vietnamese citizens, and family members of existing TRC holders can apply without a work permit. The eligibility route determines the required documentation. ATA assesses your specific situation before advising on the application pathway.
Yes. Spouses of eligible TRC holders can apply for a family-category TRC matched to the primary holder’s validity. A notarised and legalised marriage certificate is required alongside the sponsor’s TRC documentation.
If your TRC expires without renewal, you revert to visa-based stay. Overstaying any immigration document results in fines and may complicate future applications. ATA recommends initiating renewal at least 30 days before expiry.
