TRC Vietnam: Complete Guide to the Temporary Residence Card (2026)
What TRC means, who qualifies, all 3 application routes, required documents, and costs
TRC stands for Temporary Residence Card (The Tam Tru in Vietnamese) - Vietnam's long-stay residency document for foreigners. This guide covers all three routes to a TRC, the full application process, what documents you need, and how long it takes.
What Does TRC Stand For?
TRC = Temporary Residence Card (Vietnamese: The Tam Tru, abbreviated TRC).
A TRC is Vietnam's official long-term residency document for foreign nationals. It allows you to live in Vietnam for a defined period (typically 1-5 years) without the need to do visa runs or renew visa stamps. It is issued by the Vietnam Department of Immigration.
The TRC is not a permanent residency - "temporary" refers to its fixed duration rather than implying insecurity. TRCs are renewable. Many long-term expats have held TRCs continuously for 10+ years.
TRC vs Visa vs Work Permit: Understanding the Difference
These three documents are distinct and often confused:
| Document | What It Is | Who Issues It |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | Entry permission (e-visa, visa on arrival, DL stamp) | Immigration / Embassy |
| Work Permit | Authorization to work for a Vietnamese employer | Ministry of Labor (MOLISA) |
| TRC | Long-stay residency card | Department of Immigration |
A TRC replaces the need for ongoing visa renewals but does not replace a work permit. If you are employed by a Vietnamese company, you need both a work permit (to work legally) and a TRC (to stay long-term).
TRC Validity Periods
| TRC Type | Standard Duration | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit-based TRC | Duration of work permit (typically 2 years) | Renewable |
| Investment TRC | 2-5 years | Renewable |
| Marriage to Vietnamese citizen TRC | Up to 5 years | Renewable |
TRCs can be renewed before expiry. There is no limit on the number of times you can renew.
The 3 Routes to a TRC
There are three primary pathways for foreign nationals to obtain a TRC in Vietnam.
Route 1: Work Permit-Based TRC
Who qualifies: Foreign nationals with a valid Vietnamese work permit issued by MOLISA (Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs).
This is the most common route for expats employed by Vietnamese companies or foreign-invested enterprises operating in Vietnam.
How it works:
- Employer sponsors you for a work permit
- Work permit approved (see Work Permit guide)
- Apply for TRC based on approved work permit
- TRC issued for the duration of the work permit (typically 2 years)
TRC duration: Matches your work permit - typically 2 years, renewable.
Key requirement: You must have a valid, approved work permit before applying. The TRC application cannot be filed concurrently with the work permit application in most cases.
Route 2: Investment TRC
Who qualifies: Foreign nationals who have made a qualifying investment in a Vietnam-registered enterprise.
This is the primary TRC route for business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors who do not have a conventional employment relationship.
Investment threshold: You must be a capital-contributing member of a Vietnamese enterprise. The enterprise must have charter capital of at least VND 3 billion (approximately USD 120,000 at 2026 rates).
Note: The VND 3 billion threshold applies to the total charter capital of the enterprise, not necessarily your personal contribution amount. However, you must be a registered investor/member in the company.
TRC duration: Up to 5 years, renewable.
Advantage: This route gives you the longest initial TRC validity and is independent of any employment relationship. It is the preferred route for founders of Vietnam-registered companies.
See also: Our Company Registration service if you need to establish the underlying company first.
Route 3: Marriage to a Vietnamese Citizen
Who qualifies: Foreign nationals legally married to a Vietnamese citizen under Vietnamese law.
TRC duration: Up to 5 years, renewable.
Marriage registration requirement: The marriage must be registered in Vietnam at the district-level People's Committee. A marriage certificate from abroad is not sufficient - you need a Vietnamese Marriage Registration Certificate or have the foreign marriage recognized in Vietnam.
See also: Our Marriage Registration guide for the full process.
Note: This TRC is issued based on the family relationship, not employment. It allows you to live in Vietnam but does not authorize employment - you would still need a work permit if you are employed by a Vietnamese entity (though the investment route or legal representative exemption may apply).
TRC Application: Required Documents
The exact document checklist varies slightly by route and by province, but the core requirements are:
All Routes
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Original passport | Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond TRC start date |
| Temporary accommodation registration | Registered at local ward police (CT01 form - registered by your landlord or hotel) |
| 2 passport photos | White background, recent, specific size requirements (3x4 cm or 4x6 cm - confirm current spec) |
| Application form (NA5 or NA6) | Provided by immigration; complete in Vietnamese |
| Proof of legal entry | Visa or entry stamp in passport |
Additional for Work Permit Route
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Original work permit | Issued by MOLISA |
| Labor contract | Notarized copy |
| Company registration documents | IRC/BRC of employing company |
Additional for Investment Route
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) | Company's IRC |
| Business Registration Certificate (BRC) | Company's BRC |
| Evidence of capital contribution | Bank transfer records or capital contribution minutes |
| Company charter | Showing you as investor/member |
Additional for Marriage Route
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Vietnamese Marriage Registration Certificate | Issued by People's Committee |
| Vietnamese spouse's ID card (CCCD) | |
| Household registration (Ho Khau) of spouse | Or confirmation of current address |
Where to Apply for a TRC
TRC applications are submitted to the provincial/city Immigration Department (Phong Quan Ly Xuat Nhap Canh) in the province where you will reside.
- Ho Chi Minh City: HCMC Immigration Department, 161 Nguyen Du, District 1
- Hanoi: Hanoi Immigration Department, 40A Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem
- Da Nang: Da Nang Immigration Department, 7 Tran Qui Cap
All applications must be submitted in person by the applicant.
TRC Processing Timeline
| Step | Duration |
|---|---|
| Document preparation | 1-2 weeks |
| Submission and official processing | 5-15 business days |
| Card production after approval | 3-5 business days |
| Total from submission to card | 2-4 weeks |
Processing time varies by province and by current Immigration Department workload. HCMC and Hanoi offices can be slower during peak periods (January, September).
TRC Costs
Government Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| TRC issuance fee | VND 800,000 - 1,600,000 (~$32-65) depending on duration |
| Document stamp fees | Minimal |
Agent Fees (Vietnam Launchpad)
Using a professional agent for TRC applications typically costs $300-600 all-in (government fees + agent service fee), depending on route complexity and document translation requirements.
Attempting a TRC application without Vietnamese language capability is possible but risks document errors that cause rejection or delay.
TRC and Work Permit: The Combination Question
A common source of confusion is the relationship between TRC and work permit:
If you have a work permit: Apply for TRC separately after the work permit is issued. Your TRC will be valid for the same duration as your work permit.
"TRC work permit" as a phrase: Some people use "TRC work permit" loosely to mean the combination of a TRC obtained via a work permit route. The TRC and work permit are separate documents even though one depends on the other.
If your work permit expires: Your TRC also becomes invalid and must be renewed (or you switch to a different TRC route).
TRC Renewal
Renew your TRC before it expires - do not let it lapse. Overstaying a TRC is treated as an immigration violation.
When to apply for renewal: At least 30-45 days before expiry. Offices can be busy and processing times vary.
Renewal process: Similar to the initial application. Document requirements are largely the same. If your underlying status has not changed (same employer, same investment), renewal is usually straightforward.
Temporary Residence Registration (Tam Tru) vs TRC
These are different:
Temporary Residence Registration (Tam Tru / CT01 form): A local registration that your landlord files at the ward police station declaring you are living at their property. This is an address-level registration, not a visa or stay permission. You need this for daily practicalities (bank account, some government services) and it is a prerequisite for TRC application.
TRC: The actual residency card that authorizes your stay in Vietnam.
You need both: the Tam Tru registration proves your address; the TRC authorizes your period of stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave and re-enter Vietnam with a TRC? Yes. A TRC allows multiple entries. You do not need a separate visa to re-enter while your TRC is valid - present your TRC at immigration on return.
Can my family get TRCs too? Yes. Dependent family members (spouse, children) of TRC holders can apply for dependent TRCs. The work permit and investment routes both allow family member applications.
Does a TRC give me the right to work? The TRC authorizes your residency - it does not separately authorize employment. The work permit authorizes employment. Exception: investment TRC holders who are legal representatives of their Vietnamese company do not need a separate work permit.
What happens if I lose my TRC? Report to the local immigration office and the ward police immediately. Apply for a replacement card. There is a government fee for replacement.
Is a TRC the same as a permanent residency? No. Vietnam has a separate Permanent Residency (PR / Thuong Tru) status requiring 3+ consecutive years of TRC residency and additional requirements. TRC holders who meet the criteria can apply for PR. Most long-term expats maintain TRC status rather than pursuing PR.
Need Help with Your TRC Application?
Vietnam Launchpad specializes in TRC applications for all routes - investment, work permit, and marriage. We prepare your full document package, liaise with immigration, and handle the process end-to-end. Most TRC applications we manage are approved first time.