Temporary residence cards for foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens provide legal status for long-term stay in Vietnam. These essential documents allow eligible foreigners—spouses married to Vietnamese nationals and their children under 18—to reside continuously in Vietnam with multiple entry/exit privileges without requiring separate visas. The TT1-series cards for spouses remain valid for 3 years, while TT2-series cards for children last either 3 years or until their 18th birthday.
Obtaining these cards requires specific documentation, including valid passports with at least 13 months’ validity, proof of relationship (marriage/birth certificates), and a guarantee letter from a Vietnamese family member. Applications must be submitted to provincial immigration departments, with processing typically taking 5 working days and fees ranging from 1-3 million VND, depending on the card’s duration. Requirements vary slightly between provinces, with major cities having more standardized procedures.
This guide provides comprehensive information on eligibility requirements, necessary documentation, application procedures, processing times, and associated fees to help you navigate the process successfully.
How long is a Vietnam temporary residence card for foreign spouse valid?
A temporary residence card for a foreign spouse allows you to stay legally for up to 3 years. This is much more convenient than renewing a regular visa every few months.
The actual validity period of your temporary residence card for foreign spouse depends on your passport validity:
- If your passport is valid for more than 3 years, your card can be issued for the full 3-year period
- If your passport is valid for less time (but at least 13 months), your card’s validity will be limited accordingly
Who can apply for a Vietnam TRC for a foreign spouse/children?
Are you eligible for a temporary residence card for foreign spouse? You can apply if:
- You are legally married to a Vietnamese citizen
- You have a valid marriage certificate (from Vietnam or properly legalized from abroad)
- Your passport is valid for at least 13 months
- You have registered your temporary address with the local police or online
- Your Vietnamese spouse can sponsor you and provide proper documents to prove your relationship
Children of Vietnamese citizens can also apply for a similar temporary residence card under the same TT category.
Need expert guidance? VisaNow can check your eligibility and help you apply for your temporary residence card for foreign spouse. Contact HOTLINE 1900 63 63 50 for a free consultation!
What documents do you need for a Vietnam temporary residence card for a foreign spouse/children?
- For foreign spouses of Vietnamese citizens
- For foreign children of Vietnamese citizens
The document preparation may seem complex, but with our guidance, you can gather everything you need:
- Your marriage certificate (notarized if from Vietnam or legally certified if from abroad)
- Form NA7 (sponsorship letter)
- Form NA8 (application form)
- Your original passport with a valid visa (passport must be valid for at least 13 months)
- Your Vietnamese spouse’s household registration book (notarized copy)
- Your Vietnamese spouse’s ID card (notarized copy)
- Two passport photos (2×3cm)
If you are applying for your child, you will need:
- Birth certificate or documents proving relationship to Vietnamese parent
- Form NA7 (sponsorship letter)
- Form NA8 (application form)
- Original passport with valid visa (passport must be valid for at least 13 months)
- Two passport photos (2×3cm)
- Vietnamese parent’s household registration book (notarized copy)
- Vietnamese parent’s ID card (notarized copy)
Application procedures for relative temporary residence cards in Vietnam
Online application (Best option)
The online application process for a temporary residence card for foreign spouse is now more convenient through the National Public Service Portal. You’ll need to register for an electronic identification account first to use the Ministry of Public Security’s online services.
Step 1. Get your documents ready
Before starting your temporary residence card for foreign spouse application, prepare all necessary documents. Check our list above to make sure you have everything. Make sure all your documents are correct and complete to avoid delays.
Step 2. Login and application
Go to the Ministry of Public Security’s Public Service Portal and log in (you need an account from the National Public Service Portal first).
After you log in, type “Temporary Residence Card” in the search box. Then select “Temporary Residence Card Issuance for Foreigners at the Immigration Department”.
- Proceed to “Submit Application”
Step 3. Fill out the form and upload documents
Upload your photo for the temporary residence card for foreign spouse. Fill in your personal information accurately. Write your current address in Vietnam. Upload all your prepared documents, including your marriage certificate and other required papers. Make sure your files match what the website asks for.
When you finish, click “Agree and Continue”. Type the security code you see on the screen. Then click “Sign Declaration” to finish your submission.
Step 4. Pay fees and check your status
After they accept your temporary residence card for foreign spouse application, you will see how much to pay. Pay the fee on the website then your card will be ready in about 5-7 working days.
You can check your application status using the code they give you on the application tracking portal. The status will show as “received”, “processing”, or “completed”. When it’s ready, they will tell you where to pick up your temporary residence card for a foreign spouse.
In-person application
Step 1. Prepare your documents
Get all the documents required for a temporary residence card for foreign spouse from our list above. If you have documents in other languages (like your marriage certificate from your home country), you need to get them translated and notarized in Vietnam. Keep your documents in good order to make the application process smoother.
Step 2. Fill out the forms
You need to fill out two forms for your temporary residence card for foreign spouse: Form NA7 (sponsorship form) and Form NA8 (application form). You can get these forms at the Immigration Department or download them from their website. Fill out all information clearly and accurately.
Step 3. Submit your application
Your Vietnamese spouse must take the documents to the Immigration Department in your area to submit your temporary residence card for foreign spouse application. They accept applications from Monday to Saturday mornings (except holidays). The officer will check your documents. If everything is correct, they will accept your application and ask you to pay. If something is missing, they will tell you what you need to fix.
Step 4. Get your card
You need to go to the Immigration Department in person to pick up your temporary residence card for foreign spouse. Bring your receipt, your ID, and proof of payment. If your application is rejected, they will give you a letter explaining why.
Where to apply for Vietnam TT temporary residence cards?
- Vietnam Immigration Department
- Immigration Division – Public Security Department
- Ho Chi Minh City Office: 337 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hanoi Office: 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
- Hanoi Office: 89 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem District
- Ho Chi Minh City Office: 161 Nguyen Du Street, District 1
- Da Nang Office: 78 Le Loi Street, Hai Chau District
Note: Other provinces/cities maintain their respective Immigration Division offices.
Processing time for Vietnam relative temporary residence applications
Based on different types of TT visa applications, processing times may vary. Applicants should know these timeframes:
- Visa sticker issuance: Usually 2-3 hours, but can take longer if there are many people at airports, embassies, or during weekends/holidays. Processing times may be longer during busy seasons. We recommend you apply well before your planned travel dates.
- Approval of entry documents: Usually 7-10 working days after you submit on the online visa portal.
Fees for foreign national relative temporary residence cards in Vietnam
Below are the temporary residence card fees for foreigners in Vietnam as issued by the Immigration Department according to circular no. 219/2016/TT-BTC, by the Ministry of Finance.
| Durations | Fees |
| 1 – 2 years | 145 USD |
| 2 – 5 years | 155 USD |
| 5 -10 years | 165 USD |
Frequently asked questions about temporary residence cards for foreign spouses/children
Can foreigners participate in Vietnam’s health insurance while using a TRC for relatives?
Can a temporary residence card for relatives be used to open a bank account in Vietnam?
Do foreigners need to pay personal income tax in Vietnam when using a TRC for relative?
Professional VisaNow TRC for foreign spouses/children services in Vietnam
VisaNow specializes in temporary residence card services for foreigners in Vietnam. Every year, we help foreign staff from more than 1,000 companies in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An provinces with their visa needs.
- Complete support: We help with visa applications, temporary residence cards, work permits, document translation, and document legalization at embassies.
- Expert help: Our professional staff speak many languages and can answer all your questions correctly and completely.
- Fast service: We handle everything from preparing documents and translating them to submitting them through the government website. This saves you time so you can focus on your personal goals.
- Clear pricing: We tell you all costs upfront with no hidden fees. You can choose service packages that fit your budget.
Are you looking for reliable help with temporary residence cards? Contact VisaNow today at HOTLINE 1900 63 63 50. We are ready to be your trusted partner and make sure you get the best service.
