Temporary Residence Card (TRC) and Permanent Residence Card (PRC)

Foreigners who hold work permits valid for one year or more, as well as the holder of work visas, members of management boards of directors, heads of company branches, and Chief Representatives of representative offices of foreign enterprises in Vietnam, can be granted a Temporary Residence Card (TRC). A TRC is issued by the immigration agency under the Ministry of Public Security, and is valid from one to ten years, depending on the visa type. As per the Immigration Law, the duration of each investor visa type of TRC is based on the amount of contributed capital, as follows: • TRC – DT1 visas: up to 10 years; • TRC – NG3, LV1-2, LS, DT2 and DH visas: up to 5 years; • TRC – NN1-2, DT3, and TT visas: up to 3 years; and • TRC – LD1-2, and PV1 visas: up to 2 years. Investors using a DT4 visa (with a capital investment of less than VND 3 billion, or USD 128,800) are not eligible for a TRC. Expired TRCs will be considered for granting new cards. The validity of TRC is shorter than the remaining validity of the passport by at least 30 days. Foreign employees with a TRC can enter and exit Vietnam without a visa within the valid terms of their TRC. Permanent Residence Cards (PRC) An expatriate who has a legal residence while earning a living in Vietnam may also apply for a Permanent Residence Card (PRC); however, they are subject to the following conditions: • The expat works for the development of Vietnam and is awarded a medal or title by the government; • The expat resides temporarily in Vietnam for three or more consecutive years and is sponsored by his parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen and has a permanent residence in Vietnam; and • Foreign scientists or experts recommended by the head of a ministerial or government agency. A PRC holder can stay in Vietnam without a visa however, the card must be re-issued every 10 years.