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Obtaining Residence Permit in Vietnam

Obtaining Residence Permit in Vietnam

Foreign citizens who intend to reside in the country for a prolonged period of time must obtain a permanent residence permit in Vietnam. As follows, our company formation consultants in Vietnam present several aspects related to obtaining this permit here.

Who qualifies for the permanent residence card in Vietnam?

Foreign citizens who have already obtained the temporary residence card are granted the permanent residence permit in Vietnam if:

  • they are parents, spouses or the children of local citizens who permanently live in the country;
  • they prove they fight for the freedom and independence of the Vietnamese society, for socialism, for democracy, for peace and for science;
  • they bring distinguished services which contribute to the consolidation and the protection of the Vietnamese state;
  • other conditions: our Vietnam company formation agents can offer more details on what these other conditions consist of. We can also help entrepreneurs who intend to set up a company in Vietnam.

Application procedure for the permanent residence permit in Vietnam

The procedure listed below applies for individuals who want to obtain the residence permit in Vietnam in 2024 and are parents, spouses or children of locals who live permanently in the country.

The required documents for obtaining this type of permit are:

  • • An application for the permanent residence status;
  • • Four recent pictures;
  • • A biography certified by the appropriate authorities in the applicant’s country of origin or in the country where he or she resides;
  • • A diplomatic note from the appropriate officer from the applicant’s country of origin stating his or her acceptance for the applicant to become a permanent resident;
  • • A guarantee form which is certified by the Ward of Commune people’s committee, as well as the applicant’s ID copy and household registration;
  • • Other documents: our Vietnam company registration advisors can provide more details on what these other documents consist of.

Step-by-step guide for foreigners to obtain a residence permit in Vietnam in 2024

To obtain a residence permit in Vietnam, a foreigner needs to follow a specific process and meet certain requirements. Here are the general steps involved:

  • Determine the appropriate type of residence permit:
  • Depending on your circumstances, you may need to apply for a temporary residence card, permanent residence card, or a visa extension.
  • Gather the required documents:

The specific documents required may vary based on the type of residence permit you are applying for, but generally, you will need the following:

  • Completed application form (obtained from the Vietnamese immigration authorities);
  • Passport with at least six months of validity remaining;
  • Passport-sized photos;
  • Proof of a legitimate purpose for your stay in Vietnam, such as an employment contract, investment documents, or marriage certificate (depending on the situation);
  • Police clearance certificate from your home country;
  • Health check report from a designated medical facility in Vietnam.
  • Other supporting documents as requested by the immigration authorities.
  • Submit the application:
  • Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can submit your application to the appropriate Vietnamese immigration authorities;
    • The submission can typically be made in person at the immigration office or through a representative.
  • Application processing:
  • The immigration authorities will review your application and may request additional documents or information if needed;
    • The processing time can vary, but it generally takes several weeks to several months, depending on the type of residence permit and the workload of the immigration office.
  • Residence permit issuance:
  • You can receive your residence permit after the approval of your application;
    • For temporary residence cards or permanent residence cards, you may need to visit the immigration office in person to have your photo taken and fingerprints recorded.
  • Renewal and extension:
  • Residence permits have a limited validity period, so it’s important to be aware of the expiration date and apply for renewal or extension promptly;
  • The renewal or extension process may require similar documents and procedures as the initial application.

It is crucial to note that the specific requirements, procedures, and processing times may vary depending on your situation, the type of residence permit, and any recent changes in Vietnamese immigration laws and regulations. It is recommended to consult with our company incorporation consultants in Vietnam to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information for your particular case.

Renewal of residence permit in Vietnam 

To renew your residence permit in Vietnam, you need to follow a specific process before your current permit expires. For instance:

Determine the renewal timeline:

  • It is important to start the renewal process well before your current residence permit expires. Typically, you should initiate the renewal process at least 30 days before the expiration date.
  • Gather required documents:

The specific documents required for renewal may vary based on the type of residence permit you hold and any changes in regulations. Generally, you will need the following:

  • Completed application form for renewal (obtained from the Vietnamese immigration authorities);
  • Original and copy of your passport with at least six months of validity remaining;
  • Current residence permit;
  • Passport-sized photos;
  • Proof of a legitimate purpose for your continued stay in Vietnam, such as an employment contract, investment documents, or marriage certificate (depending on the situation);
    • Other supporting documents as requested by the immigration authorities.
  • Submit the renewal application:
  • Visit the Vietnamese immigration office or the relevant agency responsible for residence permits to submit your renewal application;
    • Make sure to bring all the required documents, including the original and copies.
  • Application processing:
  • The immigration authorities will review your renewal application and may request additional documents or information if needed;
    • The processing time for renewal applications can vary, but it generally takes several weeks to complete.
  • Collect the renewed residence permit:
  • Once your renewal application is approved, you will be notified to collect your renewed residence permit;
  • Visit the immigration office or the designated location specified by the authorities to collect your new permit;
    • You may need to provide your passport for stamping the renewed permit.

The specific requirements, procedures, and processing times for renewal may vary depending on your situation, the type of residence permit, and any recent changes in Vietnamese immigration laws and regulations. So, you are welcome to get in touch with our company formation agents in Vietnam. They can offer you help regarding renewal. 

Furthermore, if you are a company owner and looking for accounting services in Vietnam, you can rely on our agents. Our company incorporation consultants in Vietnam can look after your company’s accounting requirements efficiently. 

Who qualifies for the permanent residence card in Vietnam?

Foreign citizens who have already obtained the temporary residence card are granted a permanent residence permit in Vietnam if:

  • They are parents, spouses, or the children of local citizens who permanently live in the country;
  • They prove they fight for the freedom and independence of Vietnamese society, for socialism, democracy, peace, and science;
  • They bring distinguished services which contribute to the consolidation and protection of the Vietnamese state;
  • Other conditions: our Vietnam company formation agents can offer more details on what these other conditions consist of. We can also help entrepreneurs who intend to set up a company in Vietnam.

Vietnam, a top destination among expats

Vietnam is ranked 14th out of 53 countries that are the greatest for expatriates in 2023, per the most recent poll conducted by InterNations, a global expat community with over 4 million members. The poll involved 12,000 participants from 171 countries, as follows:

  •  77% of respondents think favorably of the costs of living in Vietnam;
  • 71% of expats are extremely satisfied with their financial status, and nearly 2 out of every 5 of them (39%) are happy living here;
  • almost one-third (32%) of those employed in Vietnam are senior managers or executives;

Based on a global safety and security index, Vietnam came in at number 34. It was ranked lower in Asia than in South Korea, Japan, the UAE, Singapore, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Taiwan (China).

Contact our company formation specialists in Vietnam for more details.

If you need to learn more about the permanent residence permit in Vietnam, or for assistance to open a company in Vietnam, please get in touch with our friendly staff. Contact our representatives if you want any additional assistance besides obtaining a residence permit. For instance, our agents can support you if you need the assistance of a local Vietnamese accountant. Accounting services in Vietnam assist firms with bookkeeping, accounting, and reporting. Operations must thus be highly accurate to satisfy clients utilizing the service and to guarantee that the job is done following the requirements of accounting law.