Procedures for Applying for a Temporary Residence Card for Foreign Investors Contributing Capital to Establish a Company in Vietnam

Foreign investors who establish or contribute capital to a company operating in Vietnam are eligible to be issued a Temporary Residence Card with a maximum validity of up to 10 years. However, during the card issuance process, the Immigration Department will consider various factors related to both the enterprise and the individual investor to determine an appropriate validity period for the residence card

Procedures for Applying for a Temporary Residence Card for Foreign Investors Contributing Capital to Establish a Company in Vietnam

Validity Period of the Temporary Residence Card for Foreign Investors

Foreign investors who establish or contribute capital to a company operating in Vietnam are eligible to be issued a Temporary Residence Card with a maximum validity of up to 10 years.

However, during the card issuance process, the Immigration Department will consider various factors related to both the enterprise and the individual investor to determine an appropriate validity period for the residence card.

1. Conditions for Issuance of a Temporary Residence Card to Foreign Investors

Foreign investors applying for a Temporary Residence Card must meet the following requirements:

• The passport must be valid for at least 13 months from the date of application.
• The visa currently in use in Vietnam must be consistent with the investment purpose (the visa must bear the “ĐT” symbol – Investment category).
• The Investment Registration Certificate or Business Registration Certificate must clearly indicate the investor’s capital contribution or investment in the company.
• (In some cases, the capital contribution of a foreign investor is recorded in separate legal documents other than the Investment Certificate or Business Registration Certificate.)

2. Required Documents for Applying for a Temporary Residence Card for Foreign Investors

A complete application dossier for a Temporary Residence Card in the investment category includes the following documents:

• The company’s valid Business Registration Certificate or Investment License, clearly showing details of the foreign investor’s capital contribution.
• The company’s Seal Registration Certificate or an Official Notification of Seal Information Publication on the National Business Registration Portal.
• Form NA16 – Initial registration of company seal and signature at the Immigration Department.
• Form NA6 – Official request letter and application for issuance of a Temporary Residence Card for the foreign investor.
• Form NA8 – Application form for a Temporary Residence Card for the foreign investor.
• A letter of introduction authorizing a Vietnamese staff member to submit the application to the Immigration Office.
• The investor’s original passport.

Note: The visa currently used by the investor must be consistent with the investment purpose.

In cases where the investor already holds a valid Temporary Residence Card, the existing card must also be submitted.

• A Temporary Residence Confirmation or Temporary Residence Book certified by the local police (commune/ward) where the foreign investor is residing in Vietnam.
• Two (2) photos sized 2cm x 3cm.

3. Place of Submission for Temporary Residence Card Applications

The sponsoring enterprise may submit the application for a Temporary Residence Card for a foreign investor at either of the following authorities:

• The Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, or
• The Immigration Division under the provincial/municipal Police Department where the enterprise’s head office is located.

4. Processing Time for Temporary Residence Card Issuance

The statutory processing time for issuing a Temporary Residence Card to a foreign investor is 05 working days from the date of submission of a complete and valid application dossier to the Immigration Authority.

For further details or case-specific consultation regarding the application for a Temporary Residence Card, please contact us for personalized assistance and guidance.