Foreigners who work, invest, study or join family in Ho Chi Minh City, including the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces (merged into HCMC on 1 July 2025), can apply for a temporary residence card (TRC) and stop renewing visas every few months. Applications go to the HCMC Immigration Office (three reception points) or to the Immigration Department, depending on the sponsor, and the government fee starts at USD 145. Info Travel handles the whole process for you. Message us on WhatsApp/Zalo +84327828822 for a free document check.
What is a temporary residence card and who can get one in HCMC?
A TRC is issued by the immigration authority. It lets a foreigner live in Vietnam for a set period and works in place of a visa, so you can leave and re-enter as often as you like while it is valid. For general rules, see our guide to the Vietnam temporary residence card.
In Ho Chi Minh City, most applicants fall into one of these groups:
- LĐ1 / LĐ2 (employees): LĐ1 is for people confirmed as exempt from a work permit. LĐ2 is for people who need one. This is the largest group, from city-centre offices and Thu Duc tech companies to factories in industrial parks.
- ĐT1–ĐT3 (investors): foreign investors or representatives of foreign investing organisations. The symbol depends on the capital contributed: ĐT1 for VND 100 billion or more, ĐT2 for VND 50 to under 100 billion, and ĐT3 for VND 3 to under 50 billion. ĐT4 investors (under VND 3 billion) do not qualify for a TRC.
- TT (family): the spouse or under-18 child of a foreigner holding an LĐ, ĐT, DH or similar card, and the parent, spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen. See our page on the TT family residence card.
- DH (study and internships): students at schools and training institutions in HCMC, sponsored by the school.
How long is the card valid?
Under Article 38 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, the maximum term depends on the card symbol. The card must also expire at least 30 days before your passport does.
| Symbol | Maximum term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LĐ1, LĐ2 | Up to 2 years | Usually matches the work permit or exemption |
| ĐT3, TT | Up to 3 years | TT usually follows the sponsor’s card or the family documents |
| ĐT2, DH | Up to 5 years | DH follows the length of the course |
| ĐT1 | Up to 10 years | Large investors |
Immigration sets the actual term based on your documents, so check your passport and work permit expiry dates before you apply.
Documents for a TRC in Ho Chi Minh City
The sponsor (a company, organisation or individual) files the application. A standard file includes:
- The sponsor’s request letter and the foreigner’s information form (currently forms NA6 and NA8), signed and stamped.
- Your original passport, plus a valid visa or card for the correct purpose, such as an LĐ visa for employees.
- Proof of purpose. This can be a work permit or exemption confirmation, an investment or enterprise registration certificate (ĐT), or a marriage or birth certificate, legalised and translated (TT). Students need confirmation of study (DH).
- The sponsor’s legal documents. A company sponsoring for the first time must also register its seal and signatory.
- Proof of your temporary residence declaration in HCMC. Since 21 May 2026 this has been done on the national system tbltkbtt.bocongan.gov.vn. See temporary residence declaration in HCMC.
- Passport-style photos (white background, facing forward).
Foreign documents need consular legalisation and a notarised Vietnamese translation. The exact list can vary by case, so confirm it with the receiving office.
Where to file in HCMC
Most applications sponsored by companies or individuals in HCMC go to the HCMC Police Immigration Office (PA08). Since the merger, it has three reception points:
| Reception point | Address | Typical applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Main office | 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Xuan Hoa Ward | City centre, Thu Duc, Phu My Hung |
| Thu Dau Mot point | 17 N3 Street, Thu Dau Mot Ward (former Binh Duong) | Factories in former Binh Duong industrial parks |
| Ba Ria point | 15 Truong Chinh, Ba Ria Ward (former Ba Ria – Vung Tau) | Phu My, Vung Tau, port and coastal industrial zones |
Some sponsors, such as bodies under central-government authority, file with the Immigration Department instead. Check opening hours and the right reception point before you go.
Government fees and processing time
State fees under Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC (in force from 1 April 2026):
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| TRC valid up to 2 years | USD 145 |
| TRC valid over 2 and up to 5 years | USD 155 |
| TRC valid over 5 and up to 10 years | USD 165 |
| Temporary residence extension | USD 10 |
| Permanent residence card | USD 100 |
By law, immigration processes a complete file within 5 working days. Allow extra time for the steps that come first, such as the work permit, changing your visa to the right purpose, the company seal registration and legalisation. If your visa is about to expire while you wait, you may need a visa extension to avoid an overstay fine under Article 21 of Decree 282/2025/ND-CP.
Local tips: industrial parks, Phu My Hung, Thu Duc
- Former Binh Duong, Phu My and Vung Tau industrial zones: engineers and experts usually need an LĐ2 card tied to a work permit in HCMC. Filing at the reception point closest to the company makes follow-ups easier.
- Phu My Hung and other expat neighbourhoods: many families need TT cards for a spouse and for children at international schools. A TT card usually follows the main card holder’s term, so apply for everyone together.
- Thu Duc: home to many international students (DH), tech professionals and high-tech park staff. Check your visa symbol before applying.
- Residence declaration: your landlord, hotel or building management must declare your stay. A missing declaration is one of the most common reasons files are returned. See the temporary residence declaration guide.
Renewing, changing employer or replacing a card
A TRC is not extended the way a visa is. When it is close to expiry, the sponsor applies for a new card. Start about 30 days before expiry, especially if your work permit also needs extending. An LĐ card is tied to the sponsoring company, so if you change jobs, read changing employer: work permit and TRC. For a lost or damaged card, see replacing a residence card. Long-term residents may also look at the permanent residence card.
Info Travel’s TRC service in Ho Chi Minh City
Info Travel (DGROUP TECHNOLOGY) is based at Tini Building, 152–154 Vo Van Kiet. We serve clients in the city centre as well as companies in former Binh Duong and Vung Tau. We can:
- Check your eligibility, card symbol and likely card term for free.
- Prepare the forms and sponsor letters, and guide first-time sponsors through seal and signatory registration.
- Help with residence declaration, legalisation and notarised translation.
- File the application, follow it up and collect the card at the right reception point.
- Handle the work permit and TRC as one package, plus TT cards for your family. See our TRC service.
Service fees depend on the card type and your situation. Message us on WhatsApp/Zalo +84327828822 for a quote.
FAQ
I live in former Binh Duong. Do I have to go to central HCMC to apply?
Not necessarily. The HCMC Immigration Office has a reception point at 17 N3 Street, Thu Dau Mot Ward. Check first which point handles your sponsor.
Can I get a TRC on a tourist visa?
Usually not. A TRC is issued for a specific purpose, so your visa must match it (LĐ, ĐT, TT, DH and so on). The law allows a change of visa purpose in some cases, so ask us to check yours.
How long does it take?
Immigration has 5 working days from receiving a complete file. That does not include the time to prepare documents such as the work permit or legalised certificates.
Can I travel in and out of Vietnam with a TRC?
Yes. While the card is valid, you can leave and re-enter as many times as you like without a visa.
Info Travel – visa solutions for foreigners in Vietnam
📞 WhatsApp/Zalo: +84327828822 – Hotline: +84903782118
📍 Tini Building, 152–154 Vo Van Kiet, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
