Work Permit and Temporary Residence Card (TRC) in Vietnam 2026: The Complete Application Guide

What this guide covers

Answer-first: This guide maps the practical procedures for legal employment and long-term residence in Vietnam as of 2026: - Work Permits: Who needs them, exemptions, application procedures, renewal - Temporary Residence Cards (TRC): Eligibility, duration, benefits over visa - The LD visa connection: How work permits link to visa status - Employer obligations: What companies must do to sponsor you

This guide maps the practical procedures for legal employment and long-term residence in Vietnam as of 2026:

• Work Permits: Who needs them, exemptions, application procedures, renewal
• Temporary Residence Cards (TRC): Eligibility, duration, benefits over visa
• The LD visa connection: How work permits link to visa status
• Employer obligations: What companies must do to sponsor you

What it does not cover: business registration for entrepreneurs, investor visas (ĐT category), or permanent residence (which requires 3+ years on TRC first).

Last reviewed: May 1, 2026. Work permit and TRC outcomes depend heavily on employer sponsorship and provincial office practice.

Primary sources used:

• National legal database: Law 47/2014/QH13 — legal basis for foreigner entry, residence, and immigration status.
• Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP and Decree 70/2023/NĐ-CP on foreign workers, cross-checked against public legal databases and official ministry guidance where available.
• Provincial DOLISA/Immigration office procedures are included as practical context, not legal advice.

Part 1: Work Permits (Giấy Phép Lao Động)

Who needs a work permit

Required for:

• Foreigners working for Vietnamese companies/organizations
• Foreigners holding managerial/executive/technical positions
• Foreign teachers at international schools/language centers

Exemptions (do not need work permit):

• Business owners, members of Board of Directors (need different documentation)
• Foreign lawyers licensed to practice in Vietnam
• Short-term experts (<3 months for specific projects)
• Intra-company transferees (<2 years)
• Volunteers (no salary)
• Certain specialized professionals (certified by relevant ministries)

Work Permit duration

Cannot exceed:

• Labor contract duration
• Validity of employer’s business license
• Your passport validity (must have 6+ months remaining)

Work Permit Application Requirements

For the foreign employee

1. Health check certificate

   • From authorized Vietnamese hospital/clinic
   • Valid for 12 months
   • Cost: VND 1.5M–3M
   • Includes: HIV test, drug screening, general physical

2. Criminal background check

   • From home country (or country of residence last 6+ months)
   • Must be apostilled/legalized
   • Valid for 6 months from issue date
   • Translation to Vietnamese required

3. Qualification/professional documents

   • University degree (for professional positions)
   • Professional certificates (for technical roles)
   • Teaching certifications (for educators)
   • Must be apostilled/legalized + translated

4. Passport copies

   • Valid for at least 6 months
   • Blank pages for stamps

5. Photos

   • 4x6cm, white background, recent
   • Usually 3–4 photos required

For the employer (sponsoring company)

1. Business registration certificate (copy)
2. Company seal specimen notification
3. Labor usage explanation report (justification for hiring foreigner)
4. Employment contract (signed)
5. Company introduction letter
6. Proof of tax compliance (recent tax payment receipts)

The Work Permit Application Process

Step 1: Health check (1–3 days)

• Visit authorized hospital: FV Hospital, Vinmec, Hoan My, or public hospitals
• Bring passport, 2–3 photos
• Receive certificate same day or next day

Step 2: Document preparation (2–4 weeks)

• Obtain criminal background check from home country
• Get apostille/legalization (if your country is Hague Apostille Convention member)
• Consular legalization at Vietnamese embassy (if not apostille)
• Translate all documents to Vietnamese (certified translation)
• Notarize translations

Step 3: Employer submits application

Where: Provincial Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA)

• HCMC: 4 Le Thanh Ton, District 1
• Hanoi: 75 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem
• Other provinces: Provincial DOLISA office

Processing time: 10–15 working days (official), often 20–30 days in practice

Result: Work Permit card issued, or request for additional documents

Step 4: Receive work permit

• Physical card collected by employer
• Card contains: photo, name, position, company, validity dates
• Must be carried when working (though rarely checked)

Part 2: Temporary Residence Cards (TRC)

What is a TRC?

A plastic card (looks like driver’s license) allowing long-term residence without visa stamps or renewals.

Benefits over visa:

• No visa runs
• No visa extension paperwork every 3 months
• Valid for 1–2 years (matching work permit)
• Can be renewed in-country
• More stable legal status

Who can get a TRC?

TRC Application Requirements

Documents from foreigner

1. Valid passport (6+ months validity)
2. Work permit (for LD category)
3. Temporary residence registration (current, continuous)
4. Photos (3x4cm or 4x6cm, white background, 2–3 photos)
5. Health certificate (sometimes, varies by office)
6. Application form (NA6 form for TRC)

Documents from employer/sponsor

1. Company introduction letter
2. Work permit copy (if LD category)
3. Business registration certificate
4. Company seal specimen
5. Sponsorship declaration

Document requirements for family members (TT category)

1. Marriage certificate (apostilled + translated)
2. Birth certificates for children (apostilled + translated)
3. Proof of relationship
4. TRC holder’s documents (as above)

The TRC Application Process

Step 1: Gather documents (1–2 weeks)

• Work permit must be issued first
• Ensure continuous residence registration
• Prepare all copies and photos

Step 2: Submit at Immigration Office

Where:

• HCMC: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3
• Hanoi: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District
• Da Nang: 78 Le Loi, Hai Chau District

Processing time: 5–7 working days (express available for higher fee: 2–3 days)

Fees:

• Standard: VND 145,000
• Express: VND 1,000,000+

Step 3: Receive TRC card

• Physical card collected by applicant or employer representative
• Check all details immediately (name, dates, category)
• Errors must be corrected promptly

Work Permit + TRC Timeline: Realistic Expectations

Best case scenario

Realistic scenario

Worst case (complications)

• Background check delays: +4–6 weeks
• Document rejection/rework: +2–4 weeks
• Employer issues: +indefinite
• Total: 4–6 months

Work Permit Renewal Process

When to renew

• Start process 45–60 days before expiration
• Cannot work if permit expires before renewal complete
• Grace period technically doesn’t exist (though some tolerance)

Renewal requirements

If same employer, same position:

• Simplified process
• New health check
• Criminal background check (if >6 months old)
• Updated employment contract
• Work permit renewal application

If changing employer:

• Full new application process
• New labor usage explanation
• All documents re-verified

Renewal timeline

• Processing: 10–15 working days
• Document prep: 2–4 weeks
• Total: 4–6 weeks

Compliance Obligations While on Work Permit/TRC

For employee

1. Work only for sponsoring employer (at stated position)
2. Notify Immigration of address changes within 7 days
3. Maintain valid passport (6+ months validity)
4. Pay taxes on Vietnam-sourced income
5. Carry TRC when requested by authorities

For employer

1. Report employee status quarterly
2. Notify DOLISA of termination within 7 days
3. Maintain labor contract matching work permit
4. Pay social insurance (mandatory for some categories)

Violations and consequences

One-Page Control List

Key Office Locations and Contacts

Department of Labor (DOLISA) - HCMC

Address: 4 Le Thanh Ton, District 1 Phone: 028-3829-7460 Foreign labor division: Extension 108, 109 Hours: 7:30–11:30 AM, 1:00–4:30 PM (weekdays)

Department of Labor (DOLISA) - Hanoi

Address: 75 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem Phone: 024-3825-4389 Hours: 7:30–11:30 AM, 1:00–4:30 PM (weekdays)

Immigration Office - HCMC

Address: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 3 Phone: 028-3829-9398 TRC processing: Second floor Hours: 7:00–11:30 AM, 1:30–4:00 PM (weekdays)

Immigration Office - Hanoi

Address: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh District Phone: 024-3825-7941 Hours: 8:00–11:30 AM, 1:30–4:30 PM (weekdays)

2026 Policy Watch Items

• Labor Code amendments: Potential changes to foreign worker quotas and requirements
• Digital work permits: Pilot programs for electronic permits in some provinces
• Social insurance expansion: More foreign worker categories becoming mandatory
• Salary thresholds: Minimum salary requirements for foreign workers may increase
• TRC duration: Discussion of extending maximum TRC validity beyond 2 years