If you want to relocate and obtain residency in Vietnam, our immigration lawyers are at your disposal with various services.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types |
– temporary permits for employees, investors, family members of Vietnamese residents, – permanent residence permits
|
|
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) |
Approx. one week |
|
Temporary residence permit validity |
1 to 10 years |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence |
– valid passport, – proof of local address, – proof of reason of relocation, – proof of financial means of self-support |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) |
Yes, with local municipality/police station within 24 hours from arrival |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder |
Yes, they need to apply for family reunion visas |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes |
Yes, several options are available (DT1 – DT4 visas) |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | 3 years |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence |
– application form, – valid ID and passport, – valid residence permit, – clear criminal records, – proof of being eligible for permanent residece (work contract, marriage license, etc.) |
| Naturalization requirements |
Living in the country for 5 years based on a permanent residence permit |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | 5 years of permanent residency |
Table of Contents
Is it difficult to obtain residency in Vietnam?
No, as long as all the steps of the procedure are completed correctly.
What are the steps to obtain residency in Vietnam?
You need to:
- obtain an entry visa;
- apply for a temporary residence permit on various grounds;
- stay in the country for minimum 3 years if you intend to apply for permanent residence.
What are the main options to obtain temporary residency in Vietnam?
Temporary residency in Vietnam in 2026 is available for the following:
- employees of Vietnamese companies (specific requirements must be met in this sense);
- investors (who have several types of visas to apply for);
- foreign relatives of Vietnamese residents (certain conditions must be respected in order to bring family members to Vietnam).
How long does it take to obtain a visa for Vietnam?
Entry visas are usually issued in about 5 days, no matter if they are eVisas or traditional ones.
Are there any requirements to comply with after entering Vietnam?
Yes, you need to register your presence in the country with the local authorities in person or online via the National Public Service Portal.
IMPORTANT! Registration must be completed within 24 hours of arrival.
We also invite you to find out how to move to Vietnam in the infographic below:
Are there any sponsorship requirements when applying for residency in Vietnam?
Yes, if you relocate here based on employment, family reunification, or investment.
What is the most common way to apply for residency in Vietnam in 2026?
Employment is the most common pathway for more foreigners.
What are the main requirements to obtain residency based on employment in Vietnam?
There are two conditions to be met:
- you must have a job offer;
- you must have relevant experience in the field you will be working in Vietnam (several years of experience are required, depending on the position occupied).
How long does it take to obtain a temporary residence permit in Vietnam?
Temporary residence permits are usually issued in about 5 working days.
What is the validity of temporary residence permits in Vietnam?
One of the interesting facts about residence in Vietnam is that the validity of the permit depends on the symbols of the visas, as it follows:
- DT1 TRCs have a validity of maximum 10 years, which is also one of the longest;
- NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, DT2, and DH TRCs have a validity of maximum 5 years;
- NN1, NN2, DT3, and TT visas – 3 years;
- LD1, LD2, and PV1 residence cards – 2 years;
However, it is useful to note that the actual validity of a residence card is 30 days less than the date on the documents in order for the holder to have sufficient time to renew it.
Can Vietnamese temporary residence permits be extended?
Temporary residence permits can be renewed; however, holders must consider this procedure prior to expiry. For this purpose, they need to prepare the following paperwork:
- Form NA5 – application for a residence permit extension and visa issuance;
- valid passports;
- visa processing fee receipt.
Are there any direct permanent residency routes in Vietnam?
No, it is not possible to obtain direct permanent residency in Vietnam. However, if you apply for an investor visa, you may obtain a long-term residence card with a validity of up to 10 years. The validity of such documents is linked to the amount of the investment.
We also invite you to watch our video below about obtaining residence in Vietnam:
When can a foreigner apply for permanent residency in Vietnam?
There are 4 cases in which foreigners can obtain a permanent residence permit in Vietnam. They include:
- foreigners who have made contributions to the economic growth of Vietnam;
- people who were awarded various titles by the government of Vietnam;
- professionals or scientists interested in long-stay visas in Vietnam and moving to this country;
- any foreigner who can be sponsored by his father, spouse, or child who is a permanent resident of Vietnam;
- foreign citizens who have lived in Vietnam temporarily since the year 2000.
If you fit in any of these categories, you can get in touch with our immigration lawyers in Vietnam for support.
What are the documents for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Vietnam?
The paperwork you need to submit alongside your permanent residency application is:
- a clean criminal report issued in your country of citizenship;
- a certified passport copy;
- proof of your employment and place of residence in Vietnam;
- a sponsorship letter from your relatives (if necessary).
How long does it take to obtain a permanent residence card in Vietnam?
The Immigration Department will examine and verify all the documents filed by applicants within 6 months and then send them to the Minister of Public Security. The time frame may be extended by up to 3 months if an additional examination is necessary. After receiving approval from the Immigration Department or the Public Security Ministry, the PR card will be issued within 5 days.
Our immigration lawyers can also help you if you need to relocate and obtain residency permit in other countries, such as Korea.
If you want to immigrate and decide to apply for residency in Vietnam, please get in touch with our lawyers for tailored guidance and support in obtaining the desired visa. We can also help you apply for citizenship in Vietnam. Our lawyers can also help you set up a company in Vietnam with no minimum share capital required for LLC.