Guidelines for Extending Temporary Residence Cards in Vietnam

The process for extending temporary residence cards for foreigners must comply with current legal regulations. The extension procedure includes preparing the necessary documents according to the instructions from the relevant authorities and submitting them either through the online public service platform or in person. It is important to be aware of the expiration date of the temporary residence card to avoid violating residency regulations. The specific steps in the process of extending temporary residence Cards will be detailed by Long Phan in the following article.

Guidelines for Extending Temporary Residence Cards

Overview of Temporary Residence Cards

A temporary residence card is an important residency document for foreigners living and working in Vietnam. This document serves as the basis for determining the residency status of foreigners in Vietnam.

What is a Temporary Residence Card?

A temporary residence card is a residency document issued by the Immigration Authority or the competent authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam to foreigners permitted to stay temporarily in Vietnam. This card includes personal information such as full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, purpose of stay, and the duration of permitted stay in Vietnam.

The temporary residence card substitutes for a visa and allows foreigners to exit and enter the country multiple times without needing to apply for a visa, as long as the card is valid. The issuance of temporary residence cards follows the regulations of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Legal Basis: According to Clause 13, Article 3 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014.

Conditions for Extending Temporary Residence Cards

To extend a temporary residence card, foreigners must meet certain conditions under Vietnamese law, including:

• The applicant’s passport must be valid for at least 1 year.
• If the validity of the temporary residence card is based on a work permit, the work permit must have a minimum validity of 1 year from the time of applying for the extension of the temporary residence card. If the work permit is about to expire, the foreigner needs to renew the work permit before applying for the temporary residence card extension.
• The foreigner must have a temporary residence registration certificate at their place of residence.
• If the passport has run out of blank pages or is lost, the foreigner must obtain a new passport to extend the temporary residence card. The new passport must not have been used in Vietnam and must not have a new visa stamp.
• The application for the extension of the temporary residence card must be submitted at least 5 days before the current card’s expiration date.

Legal Basis: Article 35 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, Article 5 of Circular 04/2016/TT-BNG effective from September 1, 2016.

Why You Need to Renew Your Temporary Residence Card

After successfully renewing your temporary residence card, foreigners are entitled to the rights and benefits associated with it. The Immigration Department and relevant authorities are responsible for providing guidance and addressing questions related to the rights and obligations of foreigners following the renewal of their temporary residence card.

Foreigners who renew their temporary residence card will benefit from the following rights:

• Legal residence in Vietnam for the duration specified on the temporary residence card.
• The ability to enter and exit the country multiple times without needing a visa, as long as the card is valid.
• The right to work, study, and invest in business in Vietnam in accordance with Vietnamese law.
• The enjoyment of other lawful rights and benefits as stipulated by Vietnamese law and international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

The temporary residence card serves as a substitute for a visa and is used to verify the legal residency status of foreigners in Vietnam.

Procedure for Extending Temporary Residence Cards

Preparing the Application Documents

The application for extending temporary residence Cards must include the following documents:

• A written notice or memorandum requesting an extension of temporary residence, which must specify: full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and series, passport issuance and expiration dates, occupation, position, purpose of entry, the requested extension period for temporary residence, and the need for a new visa (if applicable) for the foreign national.
• A temporary residence card extension application form (according to form NA5) with confirmation and seal from the inviting or sponsoring organization.
• The foreign national’s passport, which must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the requested extension period.
• For foreigners visiting Vietnam to meet members of foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam, a copy of the diplomatic mission member’s ID card, issued by the State Protocol Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, should be included.
• For foreigners employed as contract staff at foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam, a copy of a valid employment contract should be included.

Foreign nationals should prepare both the original and notarized copies of the above documents as needed. Proper preparation of the documents will help ensure a smooth and efficient process for extending the temporary residence card.

Reference: Article 5 of Circular 04/2016/TT-BNG, effective from September 1, 2016.

Submitting an Application for Residence Permit Extension

Vietnamese agencies, organizations, Vietnamese citizens, and foreigners legally residing in Vietnam should submit their application for extending a temporary residence card at one of the two offices of the Department of Immigration – Ministry of Public Security, as listed below:

• 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi;
• 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

When submitting the application, the applicant must present the original documents for verification. The receiving officer will check the validity and completeness of the application and issue a receipt. If the application is incomplete or requires additional documents, the receiving officer will provide specific instructions to help the applicant complete their application.

The receiving officer will review the legality and content of the application:

• If the application is complete and valid, it will be accepted, and a receipt will be issued with a date for receiving the results.
• If the application is not valid, the receiving officer will instruct the applicant on how to supplement the application to make it complete.

Procedure for Extending Temporary Residence Card

Receiving Results for Residence Permit Extension

After submitting your application, you should monitor the notification about when to collect the results on the receipt. The processing time for a standard residence permit extension is usually 5 business days from the date of receiving a complete and valid application. When you come to collect the results, please bring your receipt and present your passport. The staff will guide you on how to verify the information on your newly issued residence permit.

If you find any errors, you should report them immediately for timely correction. After receiving your new residence permit, please be aware of its validity period and comply with the residence regulations in Vietnam.

Residence permit extension result

Temporary Resident Card Extension Support Service

Benefits of Using the Service

Utilizing temporary resident card extension support services offers numerous benefits for foreigners, including:

• Saving Time and Effort: Helps in understanding procedures and preparing documents more efficiently.
• Expert Legal Advice: Provides in-depth legal consultation regarding residence in Vietnam.
• Minimizing Risk: Reduces the risk of application rejection due to errors.
• Comprehensive Assistance: Supports you throughout the entire process, from document preparation to result reception.
• Full-Service Option: Allows for a complete service package, including document submission and result collection.
• Up-to-Date Information: Keeps you informed about the latest regulations concerning foreign residency in Vietnam.

Service Scope

With a team of experienced professionals and extensive knowledge, Long Phan confidently offers the following temporary resident card extension services:

• Consultation: Guidance on conditions and procedures for extending temporary residence Cards.
• Document Preparation: Assistance in preparing and completing extension documents.
• Translation and Legalization: Translation, notarization, and consular legalization of necessary documents.
• Application Submission: Representation for document submission and monitoring the application process.
• Result Collection: Receipt and delivery of the new temporary resident card to the client.
• Issue Resolution: Assistance with any problems that arise during the extension process.
• Post-Extension Advice: Guidance on rights and obligations after the card extension.
• Additional Services: Related services such as temporary residence registration and stay reporting, based on client needs.

Extending temporary residence cards requires strict adherence to Vietnamese legal regulations. Clients must prepare complete documentation and submit it on time to the Immigration Department to ensure legal residence. The support service can help save time and prevent errors. Contact us at hotline 090.673.5386 for detailed consultation on the temporary resident card extension procedures.