How to Register Tam Tru in Vietnam: 2026 Guide
Step-by-step 2026 guide to registering temporary residence (Tạm Trú) in Vietnam: Public Security Portal steps, document checklist, and Ward Police rules.
To register temporary residence (tạm trú) in Vietnam, prepare your passport, valid visa or TRC, signed lease, and landlord’s Pink Book. The landlord submits your declaration online via the Public Security Portal within 12 hours. Within 24–48 hours, download the stamped confirmation slip required for banking and work permits.
Under Vietnamese immigration legislation—specifically Law No. 47/2014/QH13 (amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14) on the Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam—all foreign nationals residing in accommodation establishments across Vietnam are legally required to have their residential address registered in the National Public Security Database.
Whether you are renting a modern condominium in Bình Thạnh, a boutique serviced apartment in District 1, or a family villa in Tây Hồ, securing your official Temporary Residence Confirmation Slip (Giấy xác nhận khai báo tạm trú) is mandatory. Without active registration, foreign tenants face administrative penalties under Decree 144/2021/ND-CP, delays in work permit processing, refusal of visa extensions, and inability to open local bank accounts.
STATUTORY RESIDENCE REGISTRATION FLOW
│
┌────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼
┌────────────────────────────────┐ ┌────────────────────────────────┐
│ DOCUMENT GATHERING (DAY 1) │ │ DIGITAL PORTAL FILING (12H) │
│ │ │ │
│ • Passport biodata & visa scan│ ────────────────────► │ • Public Security Portal login│
│ • Executed bilingual lease │ │ • Input MRZ name & passport # │
│ • Landlord CCCD & Sổ Hồng │ │ • Police approval in 24-48 hrs│
└────────────────────────────────┘ └────────────────────────────────┘
1. Statutory Residence Requirements & Legal Deadlines
Under Article 33 of Law 47/2014/QH13, temporary residence declaration (Khai báo tạm trú) must be submitted to the local Ward Police (Công an Phường) within 12 hours of arrival:
- Primary Legal Obligation: The property owner or manager (Chủ nhà) holds the statutory duty to declare foreign guests to the authorities.
- Tenant Legal Exposure: If the landlord neglects to register the tenant, the foreign national faces administrative scrutiny during police spot checks and will be blocked from receiving a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or Work Permit.
Always demand a copy of your landlord's CCCD card and property Pink Book (Sổ Hồng) when executing your lease. Having these digital files ready makes online registration fast and avoids landlord delay excuses.
2. Mandatory Document Package for Tạm Trú Registration
Before accessing the National Public Security Immigration Portal, prepare a complete digital document package in JPG or PDF format (under 5MB per file):
| Required Document | Technical Specification | Responsible Party | Statutory Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Biodata Page | High-resolution color scan showing MRZ lines clearly | Foreign Tenant | Verifies legal identity, nationality, and DOB |
| Valid Visa / E-Visa / TRC | Scan of entry stamp, E-visa PDF, or physical TRC card | Foreign Tenant | Proves valid immigration status in Vietnam |
| Executed Lease Contract | Signed bilingual Hợp đồng thuê nhà showing address & dates | Landlord & Tenant | Establishes lawful tenancy and lease duration |
| Landlord Citizen ID (CCCD) | Front and back color scan of 12-digit Citizen ID | Property Owner | Verifies landlord identity and tax jurisdiction |
| Property Land Certificate | Sổ Hồng (Pink Book) showing unit and plot numbers | Property Owner | Certifies lawful property ownership and rights |
Explore our comprehensive guide on Pink Book Ownership & Title Verification.
3. Step-by-Step Online Portal Registration Walkthrough
The Ministry of Public Security operates provincial immigration declaration portals (such as hochiminh.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn or hanoi.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn).
4-STEP ONLINE PORTAL REGISTRATION WORKFLOW
│
┌───────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐
│ STEP 1 │ │ STEP 2 │ │ STEP 3 & 4 │
│ Create Host │ ─────────────► │ Register │ ─────────────► │ Submit Data &│
│ Account w/ │ │ Property │ │ Download PDF │
│ Phone Number │ │ Unit Profile │ │ Tạm Trú Slip │
└──────────────┘ └──────────────┘ └──────────────┘
| Step Number | Portal Stage | Operational Action | Verification Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Account Access | Host Profile Creation | Register account using a Vietnamese mobile number to receive SMS OTP codes. | Verified SMS OTP verification |
| Step 2: Property Setup | Accommodation Profile | Enter province, district, ward (Phường), and exact street address matching the Sổ Hồng. | Exact administrative match with municipal land records |
| Step 3: Tenant Data Entry | Foreign Resident Profiling | Input full name (ALL CAPS matching MRZ lines), passport number, nationality, and visa dates. | Zero typos; strict MRZ compliance |
| Step 4: Police Approval | Verification & PDF Download | Ward Police review filing (24–48 hrs). Download signed Temporary Residence Confirmation Slip. | System status changes to Đã khai báo |
4. Administrative Fines Under Decree 144/2021/ND-CP
Vietnamese law imposes strict administrative fines for failure to report foreign residents under Article 9 of Decree 144/2021/ND-CP:
| Violation Category | Statutory Legal Reference | Fine Range (VND / USD) | Consequence for Expats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to Declare Foreign Guest | Article 9 Clause 2(b) | 1,000,000 – 2,000,000 VND ($40–$80) | Landlord fined; tenant TRC application blocked. |
| Providing Inaccurate Information | Article 9 Clause 3(a) | 2,000,000 – 4,000,000 VND ($80–$160) | Warning flag placed on immigration record. |
| Obstructing Police Audits | Article 9 Clause 4 | 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND ($120–$200) | Police investigation; potential lease suspension. |
Read our detailed legal breakdown in Register Temporary Residence Vietnam: Tam Tru Guide 2026.
5. Downstream Official Uses for the Printed Confirmation Slip
Maintaining a printed, verified Tạm Trú confirmation slip is legally required for five major administrative procedures in Vietnam:
5 ESSENTIAL USES FOR TẠM TRÚ CONFIRMATION
│
┌───────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐
│ WORK PERMIT │ │ 2-YEAR TRC │ │ LOCAL BANK │
│ DOLISA Labor │ │ Immigration │ │ Accounts & │
│ Compliance │ │ Card Issuance│ │ Credit Cards │
└──────────────┘ └──────────────┘ └──────────────┘
- Temporary Residence Card (TRC): Mandatory proof of residential address for 2-to-5-year TRC issuance.
- Work Permit Processing: Submitted to DOLISA as proof of legal residence.
- Local Bank Account Opening: Required by Vietcombank, Techcombank, HSBC, and Standard Chartered under Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.
- Driver’s License Conversion: Required by the Department of Transportation (Sở GTVT) to convert foreign licenses into 5-year Vietnamese driving licenses.
- Dependent Visa Sponsorship: Validates adequate registered living space when sponsoring spouses or children.
6. Mandatory Lease Contract Protection Clause
Protect yourself from landlord delays by including this standard clause in your lease agreement:
“Landlord covenants and guarantees to complete all statutory temporary residence registrations (Khai báo tạm trú) with the local Ward Police (Công an Phường) within 24 hours of key handover and provide Tenant with a valid printed confirmation slip upon request. Any administrative fines or immigration processing delays arising from Landlord’s failure to file shall be borne exclusively by Landlord.”
Verified Properties with Full Registration Compliance
Ensure your tenancy is 100% compliant by renting through verified properties with established management records:
- Empire City Thu Thiem 3BR Luxury Apartment (Thu Thiem, HCMC): Institutional management with direct automated temporary residence registration.
- Starlake Tây Hồ Tây 3BR Luxury Condo (Tay Ho, Hanoi): Professional concierge handling all police documentation.
- Saigon Royal 3BR Luxury Condo (District 4, HCMC): Dedicated landlord compliance support for corporate tenants.
For dedicated legal lease reviews and temporary residence processing assistance, consult our verified Property Directory or reach out via our Relocation Advisory Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly must temporary residence (tạm trú) be registered after moving in?
Under Article 33 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13, the accommodation provider or landlord must complete the temporary residence declaration with the local Ward Police within 12 hours of arrival in urban areas and 24 hours in remote areas.
Can a foreign tenant register temporary residence online directly?
Yes, foreign tenants can register directly if their landlord creates a host account or provides written authorization. However, most registrations are completed online by the property owner using the provincial Public Security Immigration Portal.
What documents must the landlord provide to complete tạm trú registration?
The landlord must upload their 12-digit Citizen Identity Card (CCCD), the property Land Ownership Certificate (Sổ Hồng / Pink Book), the executed bilingual lease contract, and the foreign tenant’s passport and visa data.
Need Assistance with Temporary Residence Filing?
Our administrative team assists expatriates and landlords with temporary residence registration, document translation, and police compliance.
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