Vietnam’s Temporary Residence Card (TRC, or Thẻ Tạm Trú) lets you live here legally for 1 to 10 years without visa runs or extensions. In 2026, four routes qualify: a work permit (LD category), investment in a Vietnamese company (DT), marriage to a Vietnamese citizen (TT), or enrollment in an accredited university (DH). For most expats, the work-permit path takes 5–6 weeks end-to-end and costs $145–295 in government fees. Important change: since February 4, 2026, you must convert your e-visa to LD2 type before applying for a TRC — a step most online guides written before 2026 completely miss.
I’ve been based in Da Nang for several years and help people navigate Vietnamese immigration regularly. The February 2026 rule is the single biggest trip wire I see right now: someone gets their work permit, walks into the immigration office ready to apply for TRC, and gets turned away — because they’re still on an e-visa.
What Is a Vietnam TRC and Why It Matters in 2026?
A Vietnam TRC is a biometric card issued by the Department of Immigration (Cục Quản lý Xuất nhập cảnh) that gives you legal residence in Vietnam for between 1 and 10 years, depending on your category. Unlike a standard e-visa — which maxes out at 90 days — a TRC is a residence document. You live here, you have a card that proves it.
Practical rights that come with a TRC: full bank account with a Visa/Mastercard debit card, direct property leases without an agent surcharge, a mobile contract rather than a tourist SIM, and access to government services. From July 1, 2026, all TRC holders are also required to register in Vietnam’s VNeID digital identity system.
For long-stay expats, getting a TRC is usually the single biggest quality-of-life upgrade available. The bank account alone changes the math on daily life in Vietnam.
See also: How to stay in Vietnam long-term: visas, TRC, and legalization options
Who Can Get a Vietnam TRC? All Eligibility Routes in 2026
Vietnam grants TRC under four main categories:
| Category | Basis | TRC Duration |
|---|---|---|
| LD1 / LD2 | Work Permit (employed) | Up to 2 years |
| DT3 | Investment ≥ ~$120,000 USD | 3 years |
| DT2 | Investment ≥ $2,000,000 USD | 5 years |
| DT1 | Investment ≥ $4,000,000 USD | 10 years |
| TT | Married to Vietnamese citizen | Up to 3 years |
| DH | Student at accredited university | Up to 5 years |
The LD2 route — through a work permit — is the most common path for expats employed by Vietnamese companies or foreign businesses operating in Vietnam. The DT3 investment route is accessible to entrepreneurs who open and fund a legitimate Vietnamese company.
One important note on renewal: a TRC is not extended. When it expires, you submit a brand-new application with a new government fee. Plan your timeline with this in mind.
Critical February 2026 Update: Convert Your E-Visa First
Starting February 4, 2026, the Department of Immigration only processes TRC applications for holders of LD2 or TT visas. This rule, flagged in a February 2026 alert by Fragomen — one of the world’s largest corporate immigration firms — means that if you arrived on a tourist e-visa, a DN1 business visa, or re-entered on a visa-run stamp, you must first convert your visa to LD2 before applying for TRC. That conversion takes approximately two weeks.
The old workflow: get your work permit → apply for TRC. The new workflow in 2026:
- Employer submits Work Permit application → 10 business days
- Convert e-visa to LD2 at the immigration office → ~14 days ← new mandatory step since Feb 4, 2026
- Submit TRC application → 5 business days
Total: 5–6 weeks, up from 3–4 weeks before February 2026.
If you already hold an LD2 visa (which some expats get directly when their employer applies for a work permit), you skip step 2 and the timeline stays at 3–4 weeks.
The LD2 conversion is exactly the step people miss, and it’s where I usually get involved. I handle the visa-purpose conversion and the TRC dossier end-to-end, and I pay the government fee with a Vietnamese card since the portal rejects almost every foreign one. Message me on Telegram with your current visa and work-permit status and I’ll map the timeline for your case.
How to Get a Vietnam TRC via Work Permit: Step by Step
The LD2 route requires a Vietnamese employer or your own company. Here’s the full sequence for 2026:
Step 1: Secure a Work Permit Your employer submits the application to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA). Processing: 10 business days. Maximum duration: 2 years. Your work permit must have at least 12 months of validity remaining when you apply for TRC — if it has less, you’ll need a new WP first.
Step 2: Convert your visa to LD2 (if you arrived on an e-visa) Go to your local Department of Immigration office. Bring: passport, current visa, copy of work permit, and an employer letter. Processing: approximately 14 days. Fee: approximately $30–60 depending on office location.
Step 3: Gather your documents (full checklist in the next section)
Step 4: Submit at the Department of Immigration Main offices: Hanoi (44 Tran Phu), Ho Chi Minh City (161 Nguyen Du), Da Nang (7 Trần Quý Cáp). Since 2025, some steps can be initiated online through Vietnam’s e-government portal.
Step 5: Pay and collect Government fee: $145 for a 2-year TRC. Processing: 5 business days. You receive a biometric card with your photo, personal data, and a QR code.
Vietnam TRC Documents Checklist 2026
Prepare this full package before your appointment:
- Form NA8 — immigration application form (download from xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn)
- Original passport — valid for at least 13 months from the TRC issue date
- Notarized copy of your Work Permit — minimum 12 months of validity remaining
- Company registration certificate — with company seal
- Police registration of temporary residence — mandatory; must be updated within 24 hours of each address change in Vietnam
- Criminal background check with apostille — for most nationalities: issued by national police, certified by the Ministry of Justice. For Russian citizens: MVD + Ministry of Justice, takes 2–4 weeks to obtain. Order this before you arrive in Vietnam.
- 2 passport photos — 3×4 cm, white background
- Employer sponsorship letter — Form NA6 or NA7, signed and stamped
The criminal background check is the document most people forget. It takes 2–4 weeks to get in your home country, and there’s no shortcut. If you’re planning to get a TRC, order it before you fly.
How Much Does a Vietnam TRC Cost?
Official government fees in 2026:
| TRC Duration | Government Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 years | $145 |
| 2–5 years | $155 |
| 5–10 years | $165 |
Additional costs:
- Document translation: $8–40 per document
- E-visa to LD2 conversion (if applicable): $30–60
- Immigration lawyer or agent: $500–$2,000
DIY total (LD2 path): approximately $295–$645 Total with immigration agent: approximately $800–$2,500
One important note for foreigners: the government fee is paid at the office cashier or via Vietnam’s online portal. Most foreign cards — and virtually all Russian-issued cards — are not accepted on the portal. You’ll need a Vietnamese bank account or help from someone who has one.
Related: How to open a bank account in Vietnam as a foreigner
TRC vs Long-Stay Visa: Key Differences
A common question: why go through the TRC process when you can extend a long-stay visa?
| Long-Stay Visa (1 year) | TRC (2 years, LD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 12 months | Up to 24 months |
| Bank account | Limited options | Full access — Visa/Mastercard |
| Property lease | Requires agent | Direct with landlord |
| Government portal | Restricted | Full access |
| Entry/exit | Multiple re-entry | Unrestricted |
| Government fee | ~$50–120/year | $145 for 2 years |
For anyone planning to stay more than one year, a TRC is usually the better deal — both on cost and on practical day-to-day access.
For visa options before you reach TRC eligibility, see: Vietnam E-Visa vs Visa on Arrival vs Visa Run 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Vietnam TRC without a work permit? Yes. The DT (investment) route requires a registered Vietnamese company and capital contribution of approximately $120,000–$4M+ depending on the TRC duration you want. The TT route requires marriage to a Vietnamese citizen. Both lead to TRC without a work permit. A standard tourist or e-visa does not qualify.
What happens to my TRC if I’m fired or leave my employer? Your TRC remains technically valid for its full duration, but the Department of Immigration can cancel it if your employment basis ends. Most immigration lawyers recommend notifying immigration within 30 days and either finding a new employer quickly or converting to a different TRC basis (investment or marriage).
Can I open a Vietnamese bank account with a TRC? Yes, and significantly more easily than with an e-visa. Most major banks — BIDV, Vietcombank, Techcombank — will open a full account with a Visa or Mastercard debit card for TRC holders. Related guide: Getting a Vietnam bank card on an e-visa
Is a Vietnam TRC the same as permanent residency? No. TRC is temporary (1–10 years). Permanent residency (Permanent Residence Card, PRC) requires 5 continuous years of legal residence with a valid TRC and a Vietnamese sponsor. That’s a separate, longer process.
How far in advance should I start the TRC process? If you’re on an e-visa: at least 6–7 weeks before your current visa expires, to allow time for the mandatory LD2 conversion plus TRC processing. If you already hold an LD2 visa: 3–4 weeks is usually enough. Add 2–4 weeks if you still need to obtain a criminal background check from your home country.
Ready to sort out your Vietnam residence?
- Best Bus — danangvisarun.com — visa runs, e-visa, and transfers booked directly on the site
- Telegram @learnx1000 — message me for visa, e-visa and residence questions (NOT for tours — that’s a different channel)
- WhatsApp — message here if you don’t use Telegram
