Stay Long-Term in Vietnam

You need to confirm whether you can enter Vietnam without a visa or if you need prior approval. If you don’t qualify for visa-free entry, you must apply before traveling and get approval from the Immigration Dept (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh).

If you apply from outside Vietnam, make sure you aren’t subject to entry suspension under Article 21 of the Law on Foreigners’ Entry, Exit, and Transit. An application can be refused even if you think you meet the basic conditions.

When submitting your application, you must:

• Upload a clear image of your passport data page
• Provide a recent photograph
• Enter complete and accurate personal information

Missing details, incorrect entries, or false information can get your application rejected. Approval isn’t guaranteed just because you submit the required documents.

A short-term entry status won’t be enough if you plan to stay long term. After arrival, you may need to transition to a longer-term status through the Immigration Dept, such as a Temporary Residence Card (TRC).

For those who qualify under stricter conditions, a Permanent Residence Card may be possible. Your entry status needs to match your long-term plan from the beginning.

Entering on the wrong basis can limit your options later.

Prepare clear identity documents before submitting any long-term stay application to the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Immigration Dept). Incomplete or non-compliant files slow down processing.

You should have at least:

• Passport data page image (clear and legible)
• Recent photograph facing straight ahead
• No glasses in the photo
• Digital photo file size under 200KB

If your photo doesn’t meet the size requirement, the system might reject it. Check file size before you submit.

You’ll also use your date of birth to check your application status. Enter it exactly as it appears in your passport to avoid tracking errors.

For a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or Permanent Residence Card, follow the document format and submission rules from the Immigration Dept. Requirements and related policies change periodically to support Vietnam’s economic and business environment.

If your long-term stay is tied to business or employment, you must comply with Vietnam’s tax rules. Tax obligations apply to companies and individuals.

Keep in mind:

• Businesses and individual taxpayers must follow current Vietnamese tax regulations.
• Accounting records and financial statements must use Vietnamese đồng (VND) as the monetary unit.

Using VND in bookkeeping and financial reporting is mandatory for enterprises in Vietnam. If you plan to stay long term through business activity, set up your accounting system with this from the start.

Before submission, review every document for accuracy. Make sure your passport details match your forms, your photo meets technical standards, and your financial records use VND when required.

For current filing procedures, processing details, and updated document requirements for a TRC or Permanent Residence Card, check directly with the Immigration Dept. Policies are revised periodically, so rely on the most recent official guidance.

You need approval before you travel. If your e-visa application is denied, you can’t use it to enter Viet Nam.

Submission doesn’t equal approval. The Immigration Dept (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) reviews and decides each case.

A common mistake is failing to print your approved e-visa. You must carry a printed copy to enter and exit Viet Nam.

Airlines and border officers expect to see the printed document. If you can’t present it, you risk being refused boarding or entry.

Another issue is relying on an unapproved or pending application. Until the Immigration Dept grants approval, you don’t have permission to use the e-visa.

If you plan to transition to a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or pursue a Permanent Residence Card, you still need valid entry documentation. An e-visa denial blocks that first step.

Pay attention to these basic points:

• Wait for formal approval before making final travel plans.
• Print the approved e-visa and keep it with your passport.
• Use only the approved document for entry and exit.

The Immigration Dept can deny applications. If your application is denied, you can’t fix the problem at the airport.

You must resolve any issues before travel. Lawful entry is the foundation for a long-term stay in Viet Nam.

A denied e-visa or missing printed approval stops your plans at the border. Your long-term stay starts with a properly approved and printed e-visa.

You can extend your stay in Vietnam if you qualify under the Law on Foreigners’ Entry, Exit, and Transit. If you entered on an e‑Visa, you may apply for a new visa when an authority, organization, or individual in Vietnam invites or guarantees you.

Submit your request through the Immigration Dept (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh). Processing time for long-stay applications under the e‑Visa system is typically 4 to 5 days as of February 2026.

Times vary by category and location, so check current timelines directly with the issuing authority before you apply.

If you plan to remain in Vietnam for work or another long-term purpose, you may need to move beyond a short visa and apply for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC).

For those who qualify at a higher level, a Permanent Residence Card may be possible.

General steps when seeking a longer stay:

Confirm eligibility.

Make sure you have a valid invitation or guarantee from a qualified authority, organization, or individual in Vietnam.

Prepare your application details.

For e‑Visa cases, you can check your status using your registration code, registration email, and date of birth through the official e‑Visa search system.

Submit through the proper channel.

File your request with the Immigration Dept or through the appropriate electronic system, depending on your visa type.

Monitor processing times.

Verify current timelines with the issuing authority, as they differ by visa category and processing location.

If you operate a business or earn income in Vietnam during your extended stay, you must comply with the local tax system. Vietnam uses a self-assessment system, so you calculate and declare your own tax liabilities, and the tax authorities may later review your filings.

When you prepare financial statements in a foreign language, you must present them in both Vietnamese and that foreign language. This applies when those statements are used in Vietnam.

Rules and processing standards can shift. Confirm current requirements, timelines, and procedures with the Immigration Dept before relying on older information.

When preparing for your interview with the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh), focus on accuracy and consistency. Every detail in your application must match your supporting documents.

If you applied from outside Vietnam, you likely used the electronic visa system. The e-visa form is for foreign nationals outside Vietnam requesting authorization for travel and entry.

Bring confirmation of your submission and proof of your e-visa fee payment. If you’re unsure about accepted payment methods or the current fee in VND (₫), consult the Immigration Department before your appointment.

Review Your Application Carefully

Before the interview, review the exact information you entered in your e-visa form. Double-check your passport details and your intended purpose of stay.

Officers compare your answers with your submitted records. Inconsistent dates, spelling differences, or unclear travel purposes can delay processing.

If you plan to transition to a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or pursue a Permanent Residence Card, explain your long-term intent clearly. The interview isn’t the place to change your stated purpose of stay.

Organize Your Documents

Prepare your documents in a logical order. Here’s a simple checklist:

• Passport
• E-visa approval or confirmation
• Proof of e-visa fee payment
• Any documents supporting your long-term stay plans

Keep originals and copies separate. Present documents only when requested.

Practice Clear, Direct Answers

Answer questions directly and keep your responses factual. Immigration officers assess whether your purpose of entry matches your documentation.

Don’t speculate about future plans beyond what you can support with documents. If you intend to apply later for a TRC or Permanent Residence Card, state that you understand additional procedures apply through the Immigration Department.

Final Checks Before You Attend

1. Confirm appointment details with the Immigration Department.

2. Verify your payment confirmation for the e-visa fee.

3. Re-read your submitted information to avoid contradictions.

Check for updated procedures or fee amounts in ₫ before you go.

Organized documents and consistent answers help the Immigration Department process your case efficiently.

You need clarity on your immigration status before booking a one‑way ticket. Vietnam’s immigration authority is the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh), which controls entry, extensions, and residence cards.

Confirm whether you’ll apply for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or pursue eligibility for a Permanent Residence Card. Each status carries different rights and obligations, and you must follow the correct process from the start.

Don’t rely on informal advice. Get requirements directly from the Immigration Dept before you travel.

Prepare your documents in advance. Keep digital and paper copies organized in a single folder.

Basic pre‑departure checklist:

• Passport valid for your intended stay
• Copies of key identity pages
• Approval or sponsorship documents, if required
• Contact details used in any prior registration (such as your registration code and email)
• Printed confirmations related to your immigration status

If you expect to apply for a TRC after arrival, confirm the required documents and fees in VND (₫) with the Immigration Dept. If you plan to seek a Permanent Residence Card, review the eligibility rules carefully and verify supporting evidence requirements before departure.

Follow these steps in order:

Confirm your immigration pathway.

Identify whether you’ll hold a temporary status first or qualify for permanent residence. You must align your entry purpose with your long‑term plan.

Verify document requirements.

Check the Immigration Dept’s official guidance for the latest forms, supporting documents, and fee amounts in ₫. Don’t assume past requirements still apply.

Organize proof of communication.

Keep records tied to your registration code and email, especially if you completed any prior online process.

Budget for government fees.

Review current fee schedules through the Immigration Dept. If exact amounts aren’t published in your materials, consult the official source before travel.

Plan your arrival timeline around processing periods. Don’t overstay while waiting for a TRC or other status decision.

Keep your contact information consistent across all filings. Mismatched emails or identification details can delay communication from the Immigration Dept and slow your long‑term stay plans.