Residence Card or Visa Extension: Which Is Better in Vietnam?
This page covers choosing between a residence card and repeated extensions. To have us handle the file, see the residence card service.
| Criteria | Visa extension | Temporary residence card |
|---|---|---|
| Validity each time | Up to 12 months (longer for LD, DT) | 2 years, up to 10 for privileged categories |
| How often you file | Every few months to yearly | Once per cycle |
| Replaces a visa on entry | No | Yes |
| Cost per year | Higher when repeated | Lower spread over the validity |
| Who it suits | Stays under a year, pending work permit | Employees, investors, families settled here |
Rule of thumb
If the person will be in Vietnam more than twelve months and has a work permit or capital contribution behind them, the card wins on both cost and hassle. If the status is temporary or the work permit is still pending, extend the visa and move to a card later.
What the card does not do
- It is not permanent residence; it expires and a new card is issued, not extended.
- It does not replace a work permit — employment still requires one.
- It is tied to the sponsor: leaving the employer ends the basis for the card.
Validity by symbol: how long a card lasts. Costs: fee table.
