Vietnam is becoming increasingly integrated into the global economy. As a result, more foreign investors and professionals are coming to the country for business, employment, and long-term residence. To enter and stay legally, it is important to understand the legal regulations on visas and temporary residence cards.
DNP Viet Nam Law Firm outlines the key provisions regarding eligibility, duration, and applicable subjects under current Vietnamese law.
1. Definitions
1.1. What is a Visa?
A visa is an official document issued by a competent Vietnamese authority permitting a foreign national to enter the country for a specific purpose. Moreover, pursuant to Clause 11, Article 3 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (2014), a visa constitutes a necessary legal condition for foreign nationals to be admitted into Vietnam.
1.2. What is a Temporary Resident Card?
A temporary residence card (TRC) is a document issued by the immigration authority or a competent agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allowing foreign nationals to reside in Vietnam for a specified duration. The TRC may serve as a substitute for a visa and typically grants a longer period of stay compared to a standard visa.
(Clause 13, Article 3 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, 2014)
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2. Applicable Subjects
2.1. Eligible Cases for Visa Issuance
Foreign investors seeking entry into Vietnam for investment purposes are eligible for investment visas. These visas are classified into four categories based on the value of capital contribution:
| Visa Symbols | Investment Capital |
ĐT1 | Issued to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of at least VND 100 billion or investing in industries and trades eligible for investment incentives as prescribed by the Government. |
| ĐT2 | Issued to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution from VND 50 billion to less than VND 100 billion, or investing in industries and trades encouraged for development investment. |
| ĐT3 | Issued to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution from VND 3 billion to less than VND 50 billion. |
| ĐT4 | Issued to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a capital contribution of less than VND 3 billion. |
(According to Clause 7, Article 8 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, as amended by other legal normative documents)
2.2. Cases eligible for issuance of temporary residence cards
Temporary residence cards shall be issued to the following groups:
- Group 1: Members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international organizations under the United Nations or intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam, along with their spouses, children under 18 years of age, and domestic helpers accompanying them during their term of office. The temporary residence card in this case bears the symbol NG3.
- Group 2: Foreigners entering Vietnam on visas bearing the following symbols: LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, LĐ2, TT. The temporary residence card shall bear the same symbol as the visa granted.
(According to Article 36 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014)
3. Duration of visas and temporary residence cards
3.1. Duration of visas
(According to Article 9 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, as amended and supplemented):
- Visa ĐT1 and ĐT2 are valid for a period of up to 5 years.
- For visa ĐT3, the maximum duration granted is 3 years.
- When it comes to visa ĐT4, the validity does not exceed 1 year.
3.2. Duration of temporary residence cards
(According to Article 38 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, as amended and supplemented):
- The ĐT1 temporary residence card is valid for up to 10 years.
- For NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT2, and DH cards, the maximum duration is 5 years.
- A validity of no more than 3 years applies to NN1, NN2, ĐT3, and TT cards.
- As for LĐ1, LĐ2, and PV1 cards, they are limited to a duration of up to 2 years.
Note: The validity of the temporary residence card must be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport. Upon expiration of the temporary residence card, foreigners may apply for a new card in accordance with regulations.
The information above is for reference only. If you require further details, please contact us using the information below.
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