Foreign nationals coming to Vietnam for the purposes of working, studying, investing, or residing long-term are generally granted a temporary residence card to ensure lawful residence. Such cards not only facilitate travel and stay in Vietnam but also confer significant rights while imposing obligations in accordance with Vietnamese law.
This article by DNP VIET NAM LAW FIRM summarizes and analyzes the latest legal provisions as of 2025.
1. Types of Temporary Residence Cards for Foreigners in Viet Nam
(Pursuant to Article 8 and Article 36 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, as amended by Article 1 of Law No. 51/2019/QH14)
There are 14 types of temporary residence cards, each corresponding to specific categories of foreigners:
- NG3 – Diplomatic and consular officers, employees of international organizations under the United Nations or intergovernmental organizations, and accompanying family members.
- LV1 – Working with agencies of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government, ministries, provincial Party Committees, and People’s Committees at the provincial level.
- LV2 – Working with socio-political organizations, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
- LS – Foreign lawyers practicing in Vietnam.
- ĐT1 – Investors or representatives of foreign-invested enterprises with capital of VND 100 billion or more, or investing in sectors/industries subject to incentives.
- ĐT2 – Investors or representatives of foreign-invested enterprises with capital from VND 50 to under 100 billion, or investing in sectors/industries subject to incentives.
- ĐT3 – Investors or representatives of foreign-invested enterprises with capital from VND 3 to under 50 billion, or investing in sectors/industries subject to incentives.
- NN1 – Heads of representative offices or projects of international organizations or non-governmental organizations in Vietnam.
- NN2 – Heads of representative offices, branches of foreign enterprises, or cultural/economic organizations in Vietnam.
- DH – Foreign students, trainees, or interns.
- PV1 – Resident foreign correspondents and journalists in Vietnam.
- LĐ1 – Experts and foreign workers not subject to work permit requirements.
- LĐ2 – Experts and foreign workers required to obtain work permits.
- TT – Family members (spouses, children under 18) of individuals holding the above-mentioned residence cards, or family members of Vietnamese citizens.
2. Validity of Temporary Residence Cards for Foreigners
(Pursuant to Clause 16, Article 1 of Law No. 51/2019/QH14)
The validity of a temporary residence card must be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport. Specifically:
- ĐT1 card: up to 10 years.
- NG3, ĐT2, LV1, LV2, LS, DH cards: up to 5 years.
- ĐT3, NN1, NN2, TT cards: up to 3 years.
- LĐ1, LĐ2, PV1 cards: up to 2 years.
Image designed by DNP Viet Nam Law Firm
3. Rights of Foreigners Holding Temporary Residence Cards
Foreigners granted a temporary residence card are entitled not only to lawful residence in Vietnam but also to the following rights:
a) To enter and exit Vietnam multiple times during the validity period of the card without applying for a visa;
b) To freely travel, access, and participate in cultural, religious, touristic, and social activities in Vietnam;
c) To reduce costs by avoiding multiple visa applications;
d) To conveniently reside in Vietnam for the purposes of business, marriage, or other lawful procedures;
đ) To enjoy protection by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam concerning life, dignity, property, and other lawful rights and interests during residence;
e) To sponsor grandparents, parents, spouses, and children to visit Vietnam; to sponsor spouses and children under 18 to reside together during the validity of the temporary residence card, subject to approval by the inviting or guaranteeing entity;
g) To travel across Vietnam’s territory, combining tourism, family visits, and medical treatment without seeking additional permits; however, entry into restricted or prohibited zones must comply with legal requirements.
(Reference: Clause 1, Article 44 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam)
4. Obligations of Foreigners Entering, Exiting, and Residing in Vietnam
(Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 44 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam)
Foreigners entering, exiting, or residing in Vietnam are obliged to:
a) Comply with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam, and respect Vietnamese traditions, culture, customs, and practices;
b) Conduct activities in Vietnam strictly in line with the registered purpose of entry;
c) Carry passports or valid international travel documents, as well as residence-related papers, when traveling within Vietnam, and present them upon request by competent authorities;
d) Present passports or valid international travel documents and residence-related papers to lodging establishments for temporary residence declaration in accordance with regulations.
—————————————-
DNP VIET NAM LAW FIRM
🏢Address: 5th Floor, 52 Nguyen Thi Nhung Street, Van Phuc Estate, Hiep Binh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
📞 Hotline: 0987 290 273 (Đinh Văn Tuấn Lawyer).
📩 Email: info@dnp-law.com.
Website: https://www.dnp-law.com/
