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The correlation between Vietnam Visa and Temporary Residence Card (TRC)

One of the biggest questions is: Do I need to apply for a visa when I already have a Temporary Residence Card (TRC)? Or, Do I have to own a visa first in order to get a TRC?

We will answer all of your questions by looking at the correlation of these two important immigrant documents: Visa and TRC.

First, TRC is a document issued by an immigration authority or a competent authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, granted to foreigners who are allowed to reside for a certain period of time in Vietnam (under Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014). 

Just by its definition, TRC seems to be similar to a long-term visa in terms of functions, but TRC can offer foreigners some special advantages that visas do not.

  • This card allows foreign nationals to stay in Vietnam for a period of time while their TRC is still valid without having to leave Vietnam.

  • TRC grants the convenience of multiple entries, meaning that you can enter and exit Vietnam as many times as you want within the duration of the card, without the necessity of visa applications or extensions.

Second, the relationships of Vietnam Visa and TRC is also stated clearly in TRC’s validity:

The Vietnam TRC is offered in various categories, each with its designated validity period:

  • 1-2 years: Tailored for foreign employees and their dependents, identified by symbols such as LD1, LD2, and TT.

  • 2-5 years: Geared towards investors, diplomats, overseas students, and others, denoted by symbols including DT2, DT3, NN1, NN2, NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, and DH.

  • Less than 10 years: Specifically allocated for investors, indicated by the symbol DT1

Third, a valid visa is one of the required documents to apply for a TRC.

1. Written request for the issuance of a Temporary Residence Card submitted by the guarantor (Form NA6 for agencies and organizations; Form NA7 for individuals). 

2. Information form for the Temporary Residence Card (Form NA8). 

3. Copy of the passport and a valid visa (bring the original passport for comparison)

5. 02 photos size 2x3cm (one to attach to the form, one to be kept separately). 

6. One of the following documents case by case:

  • Copy of the Business Registration Certificate of the guarantor (agency, organization, or enterprise)

  • Work permit/Work permit exemption certificate. 

  • In case of applying for a TRC without Work Permit:

  • Investment registration certificate and Enterprise Registration Certificate;

  • License for the establishment of a representative office or branch of the company (if any)

  • Certificate from a member of the Board of Directors. 

  • Marriage certificate, family register, etc., if applying for a TRC for foreigners who are family members. 

7. Proof of Temporary residence declaration or Certification of temporary residence in the locality with the seal of the Commune Police.