Is your temporary residence card in Vietnam nearing its expiration date? Failing to extend it on time can lead to administrative fines, even disrupt your work and long-term plans to stay in the country.
So, what documents are required, and when should you submit your application to avoid unnecessary risks? In this guide, FISC walks you through everything you need to know about the Vietnam temporary residence card extension, including conditions, procedures, fees, and key considerations to ensure a smooth and compliant process.
Conditions for extending Vietnam temporary residence cards
To be eligible for a renewal of a temporary residence card, foreigners or Vietnamese citizens holding foreign passports must meet the following conditions:
- A valid passport with at least 1 year of remaining validity.
- A suitable visa (except in cases of visa exemption).
- Legal residence in Vietnam, not falling under categories such as “not permitted to enter” or “temporarily suspended from exit.”
- A certificate of temporary residence registration at the place of stay.
- For temporary residence cards issued based on a work permit:
- The work permit must remain valid for at least 1 year.
- The sponsoring organization must have legal entity documents filed with the Immigration Department of the provincial or municipal police authority.
When to apply for a Vietnam temporary residence card extension?
Vietnamese law does not specify exactly how many days before expiration you must apply for an extension. Foreigners or sponsoring companies only need to submit the application before the card’s expiry date.
However, to avoid delays or unexpected issues (such as missing documents or requests for additional paperwork), FISC recommends submitting your application 5–10 working days before the expiration date. Taking action early ensures a smoother process and minimizes the risk of disrupting your legal residence status.
Essential papers for Vietnam temporary residence card extension
The required documents vary depending on the purpose and type of card. Below is the list for two common cases: extension of a work-based temporary residence card (LĐ) and a family/relative-based temporary residence card (TT).
Work permit-based temporary residence card
- Application form for temporary residence card extension
- Company’s registered seal specimen
- Business registration certificate of the sponsoring company (notarized copy)
- Official request letter for card extension signed and stamped by the company’s legal representative
- Company’s tax code registration (if applicable)
- Applicant’s passport (original)
- Current temporary residence card (original)
- Work permit or work permit exemption document (notarized copy)
- Certificate of temporary residence registration (original or electronic copy)
- 02 photos (2×3 cm, white background, clear facial features)
Relatives of foreign employees working in Vietnam
- Application form for temporary residence card extension
- Official request letter signed and stamped by the sponsoring company’s legal representative
- Company’s registered seal specimen
- Company’s tax code registration (if applicable)
- Business registration certificate of the sponsoring company (notarized copy)
- Applicant’s passport (original)
- Current temporary residence card (original)
- Passport and temporary residence card of the foreign worker holding a work permit-based residence card (notarized copy)
- Certificate of temporary residence registration (original or notarized copy)
- For spouse: Marriage certificate legalized by consular authorities (if issued abroad)
- For children under 18: Birth certificate legalized by consular authorities (if issued abroad)
- Two photos (2×3 cm, white background, clear facial features)
Foreign spouse of a Vietnamese citizen
- Application form for temporary residence card extension
- Sponsorship request letter for the foreign spouse
- Vietnamese marriage certificate or marriage registration extract (notarized copy)
- Applicant’s passport (original)
- Current temporary residence card (original)
- Certificate of residence information of the Vietnamese spouse (Form CT07 or CT08)
- Citizen ID card of the Vietnamese spouse (notarized copy)
- Temporary residence registration certificate for foreigners (original or electronic copy)
- 02 photos (2×3 cm, white background, clear facial features)
3‑step process for Vietnam temporary residence card extension
The procedure for renewing a Vietnam temporary residence card is not significantly different from applying for a new one. The usual processing time is 7-10 working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete and valid application.
The process involves three main stages:
Step 1: Prepare documents
Depending on the applicant’s category (work or family visit), prepare all required papers as specified above.
Step 2: Submit application
File your application at the Immigration Office where you reside. The officer will check the legality and completeness of the application.
- If the application is complete and valid: the authority will accept it, issue a receipt with the return date, and the applicant pays the prescribed fee (payment may be required either at submission or upon receiving the result, depending on the locality).
- If the application is incomplete or invalid: the officer will guide the applicant to supplement and correct the documents as required.
Step 3: Collect the result
On the scheduled date, the applicant presents the receipt, identification documents, and fee payment slip for verification.
- If approved: the applicant signs to confirm and completes the procedure.
- If not approved: the authority will issue a written response stating the reasons for refusal.
Is there a penalty for overstaying a temporary residence card?
According to Article 21 of Decree 282/2025/NĐ‑CP, using a temporary residence card beyond its validity without approval from the competent authority will result in fines as follows:
- Under 16 days: VND 500,000 – 2,000,000
- 16 – 30 days: VND 5,000,000 – 10,000,000
- 30 – 60 days: VND 10,000,000 – 15,000,000
- 60 – 90 days: VND 15,000,000 – 20,000,000
- 90 – 180 days: VND 20,000,000 – 25,000,000
- 180 days to under 1 year: VND 25,000,000 – 30,000,000
- 1 year or more: VND 30,000,000 – 40,000,000
For sponsoring organizations that allow violations to occur, the fine is double the individual penalty. In addition to monetary fines, foreigners who overstay by 16 days or more may also be subject to deportation measures as determined by the competent authorities.
Full‑service support for Vietnam temporary residence card extensions
Extending a temporary residence card is an important procedure that allows foreigners to continue living, working, or studying legally in Vietnam. By proactively checking the card’s validity, preparing accurate documents, and submitting the application on time, foreigners can maintain their legal residence status and ensure that their work and daily life plans in Vietnam are not disrupted.
If you are uncertain about your documents or wish to save time in handling the procedure, FISC is ready to provide consultation and a full package service for extending temporary residence cards quickly, in compliance with regulations, and at optimized costs. Contact us today for free consultation.
