1. Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam
A Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam is a type of long-term residency permit for foreigners, allowing them to reside and live in Vietnam for a certain period without needing to frequently apply for a new entry visa. This card is usually issued to foreigners such as foreign workers, investors, family members, international students, and others according to Vietnamese regulations.
Difference Between Temporary Residence Card and Visa
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Purpose:
- Visa: Usually issued for short-term purposes such as tourism, business trips, or visiting relatives. The stay is generally short and may require frequent renewal if a longer stay is needed.
- Temporary Residence Card: Usually issued for long-term stays such as for workers, investors, long-term family visitors, and international students. The stay is longer than a visa and usually does not require frequent renewal.
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Duration of Stay:
- Visa: Typically short-term, from a few weeks to several months. Visas can be issued for single or multiple entries with limited stay periods.
- Temporary Residence Card: Long-term stay, from 6 months to several years depending on the type of card. The card can be issued for multiple years and can be renewed if necessary.
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Application Process:
- Visa: Generally requires submitting an application before entering the country and having a valid visa to enter. The visa application process includes preparing documents, applying at a consulate or embassy, and waiting for approval.
- Temporary Residence Card: Usually issued after the foreigner has entered and legally stayed in the country. The process includes preparing documents, applying at the immigration management office, and waiting for approval. The Temporary Residence Card may require additional documents such as a work permit or investment certificate.
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Rights and Obligations:
- Visa:
- Rights: Allows entry into the country and stay for the duration specified. Does not allow for long-term residency or living.
- Obligations: Must comply with stay regulations and may need to renew the visa to continue staying. Visa holders must leave the country when the visa expires or renew it.
- Temporary Residence Card:
- Rights: Provides long-term residency and may include the right to work or study (depending on the type of card). Temporary Residence Card holders do not need to frequently renew visas.
- Obligations: Must comply with Vietnamese laws during the stay and update information with the immigration authority if there are changes. The Temporary Residence Card also needs to be renewed upon expiration.
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Procedures and Costs:
- Visa: The visa application process includes preparing documents, submitting them at a consulate, and waiting for approval. The process can be simple or complex depending on the type of visa and purpose. The cost of obtaining a visa is usually low and can vary depending on the type of visa and issuing country.
- Temporary Residence Card: The application process for a Temporary Residence Card can be more complex, involving preparing documents related to long-term residency purposes and applying at the immigration management office. The cost of obtaining a Temporary Residence Card is usually higher compared to a visa and may include fees related to issuing the card and renewals.
2. Types of Temporary Residence Cards in Vietnam
- Work Permit-based Temporary Residence Card: Conditions for issuing the card to foreign workers with a work permit in Vietnam.
- Investor Temporary Residence Card: Conditions and benefits of issuing the card to foreign investors.
- Family Reunion Temporary Residence Card: Issued to foreigners who are spouses, children under 18, or family members of Vietnamese citizens or foreigners with a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam.
- Study Temporary Residence Card: Regulations for issuing the card to international students studying at universities or educational institutions in Vietnam.
- Other Temporary Residence Cards: Includes cards for foreign lawyers, foreigners working in non-governmental organizations, etc.
3. Conditions for Issuing a Temporary Residence Card
Temporary Residence Cards in Vietnam are usually issued to individuals needing long-term residency, including foreign workers, investors, family members of Vietnamese citizens, international students, and others. Here are the general and specific conditions for each category:
3.1 General Conditions
- Valid Passport: The applicant must have a passport valid for at least 13 months from the date of applying for the Temporary Residence Card. The card will not be issued if the passport is valid for less than one year.
- Valid Entry Visa: The applicant must be in Vietnam with a valid entry visa that matches the type of Temporary Residence Card they are applying for.
- No Legal Violations: The applicant must comply with all Vietnamese legal regulations during previous stays and must not be banned from entry or exit.
3.2 Specific Conditions by Card Type
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Work Permit-based Temporary Residence Card (Codes: LĐ1, LĐ2):
- Must have a valid work permit or work permit exemption certificate.
- For those not required to have a work permit, a confirmation letter from the labor management authority is needed.
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Investor Temporary Residence Card (Codes: ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, ĐT4):
- Must have an investment certificate or business registration certificate related to investment in Vietnam.
- For investors, the Temporary Residence Card can be issued based on the level and scale of investment in Vietnam.
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Family Reunion Temporary Residence Card (Code: TT):
- Applies to foreigners who are spouses, children under 18 of Vietnamese citizens or foreigners holding a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam.
- Requires documents proving family relations (such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, or equivalent documents).
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Study Temporary Residence Card (Code: DH):
- Must have a confirmation of enrollment or recommendation letter from a school or educational institution in Vietnam.
- For students, the Temporary Residence Card will be valid for the duration of the study program.
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Temporary Residence Card for Foreign Lawyers (Code: LS):
- Must have a practicing lawyer license in Vietnam issued by the Ministry of Justice.
- The validity of the Temporary Residence Card depends on the validity of the lawyer's license.
3.3 Required Documents
Depending on the type of Temporary Residence Card applied for, the required documents may vary. However, the basic documents needed are:
- Original Passport: Must be valid for at least 13 months.
- Temporary Residence Card Application Form: Completed accurately and signed by the applicant, with the seal of the guarantor (if applicable).
- Documents Related to the Type of Card:
- Work permit or work permit exemption certificate (for work card).
- Investment certificate or business registration certificate (for investment card).
- Marriage certificate, birth certificate (for family reunion card).
- Enrollment confirmation from a Vietnamese educational institution (for study card).
- Photographs: 2 photos of size 2x3 cm, taken against a white background, without glasses or hats.
- Proof of Temporary Residence in Vietnam: Copy of temporary residence registration or confirmation from the local police where the applicant resides.
3.4 Application Process
The process for obtaining a Temporary Residence Card in Vietnam includes the following steps:
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Preparing Documents:
- Applicants need to prepare all required documents as listed above, ensuring all documents are translated and notarized (if necessary).
- Double-check the information on the documents to ensure accuracy, avoiding the need for corrections or additional documentation.
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Submitting Documents:
- Documents are submitted to the Immigration Management Department of the Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Public Security, or at local immigration offices in the provinces/cities where the foreigner resides.
- For workers, investors, or organizations providing sponsorship, documents can be submitted through the sponsoring entity.
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Processing Documents:
- After submission, the immigration authority will review and verify the validity of the documents.
- The processing time is typically from 5 to 7 working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents.
- If additional documents or information are required, the immigration authority will notify the applicant.
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Receiving Results:
- If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a Temporary Residence Card valid for 1 to 3 years, depending on the type of card and approved stay duration.
- The applicant will collect the Temporary Residence Card at the office where the application was submitted, or the guarantor can collect it on their behalf (if applicable).
3.5 Important Notes
- Check Information: Ensure that all information on documents is accurate and consistent before submitting the application to avoid delays due to corrections.
- Renewing the Temporary Residence Card: The Temporary Residence Card can be renewed as it approaches expiration, so cardholders should pay attention to the expiration date to submit renewal applications in a timely manner.
- Compliance with Laws: Temporary Residence Card holders must comply with Vietnamese laws throughout their stay to avoid cancellation of the card or difficulties in renewing it.