Procedure for applying for a permanent residence card for foreigners

Foreigners who want to permanently reside in Vietnam need to carry out procedures to apply for a permanent residence card. The documents and procedures for applying for a permanent resident card for foreigners will be analyzed in detail in the following content, we hope that it can be helpful for readers.

Procedure for applying for a permanent residence card for foreigners

Dossier for granting permanent residence cards to foreigners in Vietnam

According to Clause 1, Article 41 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 (amended 2019), the dossier includes:

• A written request for grant of permanent residence status;
• A criminal record issued by a competent authority of the country of which the applicant is a citizen;
• A diplomatic note from a diplomatic mission of the country of which the applicant is a citizen requesting the grant of permanent residence status to the applicant;
• A certified true copy of the passport;
• Papers proving the fulfillment of requirements mentioned in Article 40 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 (amended 2019);
• A note of sponsorship (applied to the foreigner mentioned in Clause 3 Article 39 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 (amended 2019).

The place to apply for permanent residence according to regulations

• Foreigners who have contributed to the development and protection of Vietnam and are awarded medals or titles by Vietnam’s government or Foreigners who are scientists or experts temporarily residing in Vietnam shall apply to the Immigration Administration Department.
• Any foreigner sponsored by his parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen and has a permanent residence in Vietnam or Any person without nationalities who has had a temporary residence in Vietnam from 2000 or earlier apply to the Division of immigration administration of Police authority of the province.

(Clause 3, Article 5 of Circular 31/2015/TT-BCA)

The time limit for processing applications

• Within 04 months from the receipt of sufficient documents, the Minister of Public Security shall consider granting the permanent residence status; if further investigation is deemed necessary, the deadline may be extended for up to 02 months.

The immigration authority shall send a written notification of the result to the applicant and the police authority of the province where the foreigner wishes to have permanent residence.

• Within 05 working days from the receipt of the notification from the immigration authority, the police authority of the province shall notify the foreigner of the grant of permanent residence status.
• Within 03 months from the receipt of the notification of the grant of permanent residence status, the foreigner must go to the immigration authority affiliated with the provincial police department to receive the permanent residence card.

Clause 2, 3, 4, 5 Article 41 of the Law on Entry, exit, transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 (amended 2019)