Temporary Residence Card
in Vietnam.
A Temporary Residence Card (TRC) replaces a multiple-entry visa for foreign nationals working or living in Vietnam long-term. Forra manages the full application — from eligibility check and police registration through to card collection and renewal alerts.
Your long-stay document — replacing the visa entirely.
A Temporary Residence Card (Thẻ tạm trú) is an official residence document issued by Vietnam's Immigration Department that allows a foreign national to live in Vietnam for a defined period without holding a separate visa. Once issued, the TRC functions as both an entry permit and a residence document — eliminating repeated visa runs, border crossings, and extension applications.
The TRC is tied to the holder's specific legal basis for being in Vietnam — most commonly a valid work permit, but also investor status, marriage to a Vietnamese national, or chief representative status at a representative office. The validity mirrors the underlying basis: a TRC for a work permit holder will not outlast the permit itself.
TRC vs. visa: A visa grants entry and temporary stay. A TRC replaces both the visa and the residency stamp — it is the most stable residence document available to foreign nationals in Vietnam. Any employee staying more than 90 days continuously should hold a TRC rather than relying on repeated extensions.
Three types — matched to your legal basis for staying.
The Immigration Department issues TRCs under three main categories. The correct category determines the documents required, the validity period, and the issuing authority.
Work Permit Holders
The most common category. Issued to foreign nationals holding a valid Vietnamese work permit under a direct labour contract with a Vietnam-registered employer.
Investors & Capital Contributors
Issued to foreign nationals who have contributed capital to a Vietnam-registered company. Also covers Chief Representatives of Representative Offices.
Family Members of TRC Holders
Spouses and minor children of a valid TRC holder. The dependent TRC mirrors the principal holder's validity and must be renewed at the same time.
What must be in place before you can apply.
A TRC application cannot be submitted until the underlying legal basis is confirmed. For NG3 holders, the work permit must already be issued. The employer is the applicant of record — Forra submits on behalf of the employer.
| Category | Pre-Condition | Key Document | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Permit Holder (NG3) | Valid work permit issued; signed labour contract in place | Original work permit + notarised labour contract | Most common |
| Investor / Capital Contributor (NG5) | Capital contribution certificate confirming ownership stake; or valid RO licence for Chief Representatives | Capital contribution certificate or RO licence | Eligible |
| Intra-Company Transferee | Valid work permit; parent company secondment letter confirming transfer | Work permit + secondment agreement | Eligible |
| Spouse of Vietnamese National | Legalised marriage certificate; household registration of Vietnamese spouse | Marriage certificate + household registration | Eligible |
| Dependent Family Member | Principal holder must have valid TRC first | Legalised marriage or birth certificate | Requires principal TRC first |
Important: The TRC application must be submitted while the applicant is legally present in Vietnam on a valid visa or current TRC. It cannot be submitted after overstay or from outside Vietnam. Forra monitors expiry dates and initiates renewals proactively.
From work permit to TRC in five steps.
Forra manages the TRC application on behalf of the employer. The process runs in parallel with post-arrival obligations — including police registration — which must be completed within 24–48 hours of the employee arriving at their accommodation.
Eligibility Assessment & Document Checklist
As soon as the work permit is issued, Forra confirms TRC eligibility, determines the correct category, and issues a personalised document checklist to the employer and employee.
Police Registration (CT01)
Foreign nationals must register their residence with the local police within 24–48 hours of arrival. This is an employer obligation for work permit holders. The CT01 confirmation is also a required input for the TRC application. Forra coordinates this step immediately on the confirmed arrival date.
Employer obligation: Failure to register within the required window exposes the employer to administrative penalties and delays the TRC application.
Document Preparation
Forra prepares and compiles the full application package, including:
- Completed TRC application form (N5), signed by the employer
- Original work permit (NG3 category)
- Notarised copy of the signed labour contract
- 2 recent passport-size photos (4×6 cm, white background)
- Notarised copy of the employee's passport biographical page
- CT01 police registration confirmation
- Notarised employer ERC and seal specimen
Submission to the Immigration Department
Forra submits the complete application to the provincial Immigration Department on behalf of the employer. The authority is required to respond within 5–7 working days. Forra follows up on any queries and handles requests for additional documentation throughout the review period.
Collection & Handover
Forra collects the issued TRC from the Immigration Department and delivers it to the employer. We provide a summary of the card's validity, renewal window, and any conditions. We log the expiry date and alert you no later than 60 days before renewal is required.
Why a TRC is better than repeated visa extensions.
Many companies manage long-stay employees on business visa extensions. While possible for short periods, this creates compliance risk and ongoing administrative burden. A TRC is the correct document for any employee working in Vietnam for more than 90 days continuously.
| Factor | Temporary Residence Card | Business Visa Extensions |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | ✓ 1–2 years (NG3); up to 5 years (NG5) | Max 90 days per extension; multiple applications per year |
| Re-entry | ✓ Multiple re-entries; no separate permit needed | Must verify visa validity before each trip |
| Police registration | ✓ One-time on arrival; covered for TRC period | Required again on each new visa entry period |
| Administrative burden | ✓ One application per validity period | 4–8 extension applications per year; risk of gaps |
| Compliance standing | ✓ Clearest proof of legal residency status | Repeated extensions may attract scrutiny |
| Cost over 2 years | ✓ One application; lower total cost and effort | Multiple fees and agent costs; higher cumulative spend |
| Best for | Any employee working in Vietnam for 3+ months | Short-term assignments or bridging before TRC only |
Forra handles visa services as part of Global Mobility. Learn about Vietnam visa options →
Before your TRC application.
Confirm these items are in place before Forra submits. We advise on each requirement and resolve any gaps before the application begins.
What clients ask us about TRC applications.
When should we apply for the TRC — before or after the work permit?
The TRC can only be applied for after the work permit is issued — the two cannot run in parallel. Forra initiates the TRC immediately on work permit collection, minimising the gap. The employee can work legally on their permit while the TRC is being processed.
Can the employee travel internationally while the TRC is pending?
Yes, but with care. The employee must ensure their current visa is still valid for re-entry. If the visa expires while the TRC is pending, they need a new visa before returning — which also triggers a new CT01 police registration on re-entry. Forra advises on travel timing to avoid disrupting the TRC process.
If the work permit is renewed, does the TRC need to be renewed too?
Yes. TRC validity is tied to the work permit. When the permit is renewed, a new TRC application must be submitted — the TRC is not automatically extended. Forra coordinates both renewals as a single process to ensure there is no gap in the employee's legal residence status.
What is the CT01 police registration and why does it matter for the TRC?
CT01 registers the employee's residence address with local police — it must be done within 24–48 hours of arrival at their accommodation. It is an employer obligation, not the individual's responsibility. The CT01 confirmation document is also a required input for the TRC application. Forra manages this as the first step on arrival.
Can family members apply for a TRC alongside the employee?
Spouses and minor children can apply for a dependent TRC, but only after the principal holder's TRC is issued. The dependent TRC mirrors the principal's validity. Required documents include a legalised marriage or birth certificate, the principal's TRC, and the dependent's passport. Forra manages dependent TRC applications as part of a family mobility package.
What happens if the TRC expires before renewal is completed?
If the TRC expires, legal residence status lapses. The employee must immediately obtain a valid visa and a new TRC must be applied for from scratch. Overstay carries administrative penalties and can affect future applications. Forra tracks all expiry dates and initiates renewals no later than 60 days before expiry to prevent any gap.
Ready to apply for your employee's TRC?
Book a free consultation with a Forra immigration advisor. We'll confirm the correct category, verify all pre-conditions, and give you a clear timeline from work permit to TRC in hand.