Vietnam Long-Term Stay Permits
In Vietnam, there are four types of long-term stay permits, each corresponding to a specific purpose of stay: investment, work, study, and family relationship. To obtain a long-term stay permit, you must prove that you meet the requirements for the specific purpose of stay.
- Investment: You must be a business owner or co-owner of a company in Vietnam.
- Work: You must have a job in Vietnam and have obtained a work permit.
- Study: You must be enrolled in a full-time program at a university or other accredited educational institution in Vietnam.
- Family relationship: You must be the spouse or child of a Vietnamese citizen or a holder of a permanent residence card (TRC).
All of these stay permits can be applied for while you are in Vietnam. If you are not currently in the country, you must first enter Vietnam on a short-term visa (business visa – DN visa) and then apply for a long-term stay permit that corresponds to your purpose of stay.
Visa Vs. TRC In Vietnam
There are two types of permits that allow foreigners to stay in Vietnam for a long period of time: visas and temporary resident cards (TRCs). Here are some of the similarities and differences between these two:
Similarities:
- Both visas and TRCs allow foreigners to live in Vietnam legally.
- Both can be granted to foreigners with different purposes of stay, such as work, investment, study, or family relationship.
Differences:
- Visas generally have a shorter validity than TRCs
Visas can be valid for 3 to 6 months, or up to 1 year, while TRCs have a minimum validity of 2 years and can go up to 3 or 5 years. - TRCs allow foreigners to sponsor their family members, while visas do not
This means that if a foreigner with a TRC wants to bring their family members to Vietnam, they can apply for a dependent TRC for them. Visa holders cannot do this. - The requirements for obtaining a visa are generally less strict than the requirements for obtaining a TRC
For example, foreigners who invest less than 3 billion VND (about $130,000) in Vietnam are not eligible for a TRC, but they can apply for a visa.
The specific requirements for obtaining a visa or TRC will vary depending on the purpose of stay. For example, foreigners who want to work in Vietnam must first obtain a work permit before applying for a work visa or TRC. There are also some restrictions on which nationalities are eligible for visas and TRCs.
If you are a foreigner who wants to stay in Vietnam for a long period of time, you should consult with an immigration lawyer or consultant to determine which type of permit is right for you.
How To Apply For A Vietnam Long-Term Stay Permit
How To Get A Visa Or TRC As An Investor
Visas and temporary resident cards (TRCs) for investors are called DT visas/TRCs, numbered from 1 to 4. DT1, DT2, DT3, and DT4 correspond to the size of the capital investment contributed by the investor. If the capital investment is below 3 billion VND, the investor is eligible for a DT4 visa (not a DT TRC).
Read more: How can a small business owner get a TRC in Vietnam
To be eligible for a DT visa or TRC, the person must be an owner or co-owner of a company incorporated in Vietnam. The person’s name will be printed on the business license, which will be used to apply for a DT visa or TRC (which can be processed within 2 weeks).
Opening a foreign-owned company in Vietnam takes approximately 4-6 weeks and can be done remotely (if the person is not in Vietnam). However, the DT visa and TRC can only be obtained when the person is in Vietnam. As a result, the investor must first come to Vietnam (with a business visa).
If you are interested in incorporating an offshore company in Vietnam, I recommend that you consult with an immigration lawyer or consultant to learn more about the requirements and process.
How To Get A Work Visa Or Work TRC In Vietnam
Work visas and temporary resident cards (TRCs) for work in Vietnam are granted to foreigners who have an employment contract with an entity in Vietnam. To be eligible for this stay permit, you must first obtain a Vietnam work permit and have a company or organization in Vietnam sponsor you.
The work permit in Vietnam is actually obtained by the entity itself for its employees. Once the work permit is approved, the application for a work visa or work TRC can begin. The visa and TRC will be issued with the same validity as the work permit and passport.
If you do not have a full-time job in Vietnam, you can consider using an EOR company (Employer of Record) as a sponsor. An EOR company can help you obtain a work permit and visa, and they can also provide you with other HR services such as payroll and benefits administration.
Read more: Personal EOR – solution for ex-pats who want to live in Vietnam long-term
At Iris International, we help you incorporate offshore companies in Vietnam at the lowest possible cost. We also provide entry permission, stay permits and EOR services. Contact our consultants today to book a free consultation.
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