Info Travel handles visa approval letters, visa extensions, temporary residence cards and work permits for foreigners in Lao Cai. Companies do not need to send staff to the immigration office: documents are couriered for signature, we file and follow up.
Where files are submitted in Lao Cai
Since 1 July 2025 Yen Bai has been merged into Lao Cai. Files from former Yen Bai are now received by the Lao Cai immigration office.
A sponsoring company can file either with the Immigration Office of Lao Cai Police where it is registered, or centrally with the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security. See how authority changed after the merger in this guide.
Services and indicative fees
| Service | Processing | From |
|---|---|---|
| Visa approval letter | 5 working days | 1,850,000 VND |
| Visa extension | 5–7 working days | On request |
| Temporary residence card, 2 years | 6–15 working days | 8,200,000 VND (government fee included) |
| Work permit | 10–15 working days | 9,200,000 VND (government fee included) |
| E-visa, 90 days | 3–5 working days | 1,100,000 VND |
Full list: Vietnam visa and residence card fees 2026.
Who we work with in Lao Cai
Lao Cai hosts a large FDI base around Tang Loong and Dong Pho Moi industrial parks and the Lao Cai border economic zone. Most files involve Chinese experts in chemicals, metallurgy and border logistics. For this group the standard route is work permit first, then an LD visa, then a two-year residence card — cheaper and steadier than repeated visa extensions.
Working with us remotely
- Send the passport bio page and the business registration certificate by email or Zalo; we quote the same working day.
- We prepare the forms under the new templates of Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA and send them for signature and company seal.
- Original documents are couriered to our office; we file and report progress.
- Passports and cards are couriered back to your office in Lao Cai.
Frequently asked
Must a company in Lao Cai file locally?
No. Filing centrally with the Immigration Department is also possible, and is sometimes faster. We advise which route suits your file.
Are documents showing the former province name still valid?
Documents issued lawfully before the reorganisation remain valid. New applications should use the current administrative name and include the latest corporate documents.
Does the employee have to attend in person?
Usually not — the original passport and the sponsor documents are enough. Some residence card files require the applicant to attend for fingerprints.
Info Travel — Zalo/WhatsApp: +84327828822, congthongtinvisa@gmail.com.
See all Vietnam visa services for foreigners from Info Travel, with processing times and reference prices.
Temporary residence declaration for foreigners in Lao Cai
Foreigners staying in Lao Cai (including former Yen Bai) must be declared for temporary residence within 12 hours of arrival (24 hours in remote areas). Hotels, guesthouses, landlords, households and companies in Lao Cai declare on the nationwide Ministry of Public Security system tbltkbtt.bocongan.gov.vn (app TBLT KBTT); accounts are verified by Lao Cai provincial police. The old provincial declaration website is no longer used (since 21 May 2026).
Without an account, or for in-person help, the accommodation provider can submit form NA17 to the ward/commune police or contact the Lao Cai immigration office:
- Immigration Office – Lao Cai: 002 Đường Hoàng Sào, phường Duyên Hải, thành phố Lào Cai, tỉnh Lào Cai – tel. 0214.3868865
- Immigration Office – Yen Bai: Tổ 6 phường Yên Ninh, thành phố Yên Bái, tỉnh Yên Bái – tel. 0692.509668
All reception points and opening hours: Lao Cai immigration office. Step-by-step guide and fines: temporary residence declaration for foreigners in Vietnam. Info Travel helps landlords and companies in Lao Cai register accounts, declare on their behalf and fix missed declarations – quote via WhatsApp +84327828822.
Temporary residence card for foreigners in Lao Cai
Foreigners who work, invest or are married to a Vietnamese citizen in Lao Cai (including the former Yen Bai area) apply for a temporary residence card at the Immigration Office of Lao Cai Provincial Police (main reception point: 002 Đường Hoàng Sào, phường Duyên Hải, thành phố Lào Cai, tỉnh Lào Cai, tel. 0214.3868865). The file includes the sponsor’s application (company, organisation or family member), passport, photos and proof of purpose such as a work permit, investment certificate or marriage certificate. Cards are valid from 1 to 10 years depending on the type; the state fee is USD 145–165 depending on validity. See the Lao Cai immigration office page and our temporary residence card service.
Work permit for foreigners in Lao Cai
Under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, work permits for foreigners working in Lao Cai are issued by the Lao Cai People’s Committee (handled by the provincial Department of Home Affairs; some provinces delegate this to the industrial-park or economic-zone management board). Employers apply online via the National Public Service Portal or in person; processing takes 10 working days, and a permit is valid for up to 2 years and can be extended once. See the latest work permit rules and our work permit service. Info Travel handles work permits and residence cards end to end for companies and foreigners in Lao Cai – get a quote on WhatsApp +84327828822.
