VietnamResidence

Vietnam permanent residence

Permanent residence card (thẻ thường trú)

In short

Permanent residence in Vietnam is limited to four groups set by law, the largest being foreigners sponsored by a Vietnamese parent, spouse or child after three years of continuous temporary residence. The Minister of Public Security decides within four months. The permanent residence card costs USD 100 and is exchanged every ten years.

checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Validity
Card exchanged every 10 years
Fee
US$100USD 100 for a new or re-issued permanent residence card (Circular 28/2026)
Processing time
Decision within 4 months of a complete file, extendable by up to 2 months
Family
Card holders may sponsor grandparents, parents, spouse and children to visit
Where to apply
In Vietnam, at the immigration authority

The four eligible groups

The Law allows permanent residence for: foreigners who have contributed to building and defending Vietnam and received a State order or honorary title; foreign scientists and experts temporarily residing in Vietnam, if proposed by the minister or head of the agency managing their field; foreigners sponsored by a father, mother, spouse or child who is a Vietnamese citizen permanently residing in Vietnam, after at least three years of continuous temporary residence; and stateless persons who have resided in Vietnam continuously since 2000 or earlier.

All applicants must have lawful accommodation and a stable income sufficient to live in Vietnam. There is no route by investment amount alone.

Application file

Applications are filed with the immigration authority and include: the application for permanent residence; a criminal record certificate issued by your country of nationality; a diplomatic note from your country's embassy asking Vietnam to grant you permanent residence; a certified copy of your passport; proof that you meet the conditions (accommodation and income, and the minister's proposal for experts); and, for family-based cases, the sponsorship letter of your Vietnamese relative.

Required documents

Identity

  • Criminal record certificate from your country of nationality
  • Certified copy of the passport

Money

  • Proof of lawful accommodation and stable income

Other

  • Application for permanent residence
  • Diplomatic note from your country's embassy requesting permanent residence for you

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Family

  • Sponsorship letter of the Vietnamese parent, spouse or child (family cases)

Decision and collecting the card

The Minister of Public Security decides within four months of receiving a complete file; if further verification is needed this can be extended by up to two months. The immigration authority informs you and the provincial police in writing, and the provincial police notify you within five working days. You must collect the permanent residence card within three months of that notice.

Keeping the card

The card is exchanged every ten years at the provincial police where you live, with a declaration form, the old card and a certified passport copy. Lost, damaged or changed cards are re-issued within 20 days; since 1 July 2026 a lost card only requires the relevant information in the re-issue form, without separate proof of loss. A new or re-issued card costs USD 100. If you leave Vietnam to settle permanently in another country, you must return the card at the border gate.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Confirm that you belong to one of the four groups; family cases need three years of continuous temporary residence.
  2. Obtain a criminal record certificate and ask your embassy in Vietnam for the diplomatic note.
  3. File the application with the immigration authority together with proof of housing, income and sponsorship.
  4. Wait for the Minister of Public Security's decision (four months, plus up to two months).
  5. Collect the card from the provincial immigration office within three months of the notice and pay USD 100.

Frequently asked questions

Can investors get permanent residence in Vietnam?

Not as investors. The Law grants permanent residence only to the four groups it lists; investors use ĐT residence cards of up to ten years.

How long does a permanent residence decision take?

Up to four months from a complete file, with a possible extension of two months.

Does the permanent residence card expire?

It must be exchanged every ten years at the provincial police.

Where do I get the diplomatic note?

The note is issued by the embassy of your country of nationality, so you request it from your country's embassy in Vietnam.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Vietnam

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to the visa validity, at most 1 year
  • Investor visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months stamped on entry, then a residence card (ĐT1 up to 10 years from 1 July 2026)

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: DH residence card up to 5 years, at least 30 days shorter than the passport

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: Temporary residence of up to 12 months on entry; then a residence card of up to 2 years

Family

Residence

  • Residence permit Validity: ĐT1, UĐ1, UĐ2: up to 10 years; NG3, LV1, LV2, DH and other ĐT: up to 5 years; NN1, NN2, TT: up to 3 years; LĐ, PV1: up to 2 years

Online travel permits

  • e-Visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days, matching the validity printed on the e-visa
  • Visa on arrival Maximum stay: According to the visa issued, for example up to 90 days for a DL tourist visa

Vietnam visa guide