A temporary residence card and a permanent residence card are two very different residence documents in terms of eligibility, validity, and rights — yet many foreigners confuse them, especially since a ĐT1 temporary residence card can last up to 10 years and looks “almost like permanent residence.” This guide compares the two cards under VBHN 62/VBHN-VPQH dated 23 March 2026 (updated with Law 118/2025/QH15, effective 1 July 2026).
Legal definition: time-limited vs indefinite
The fundamental distinction is in Article 3 of VBHN 62: a temporary residence card allows a foreigner to reside in Vietnam for a limited period (Article 3.14); a permanent residence card allows residence with no time limit (Article 3.13). Both serve as a substitute for a visa — the holder may enter and exit Vietnam within the card’s validity without applying for a visa.
Eligibility: broad vs four narrow categories
Temporary residence card: available to foreigners entering with many visa symbols: LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, ĐT3, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ1, LĐ2, TT — and since 1 July 2026, UĐ1 and UĐ2 have been added (visas for high-quality digital-tech industrial human resources and their family members) under Law 118/2025/QH15 (Article 36(1)). DN1/DN2 are not eligible for temporary residence cards.
Permanent residence card: considered only for the four narrow categories in Article 39 — persons with merits awarded orders/titles; scientists and experts; persons sponsored by a Vietnamese-citizen relative (with the condition of continuous residence for 03 years or more, Article 40(3)); stateless persons residing continuously since before 2000. The decision is made by the Minister of Public Security (Article 41(2)).
Validity: side-by-side comparison
- Temporary residence card (Article 38): validity is at least 30 days shorter than the remaining passport validity. Specifically: ĐT1, UĐ1, UĐ2: no more than 10 years (new from 1 July 2026); NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT2, DH: no more than 05 years; NN1, NN2, ĐT3, TT: no more than 03 years; LĐ1, LĐ2, PV1: no more than 02 years. Correspondingly, LS, ĐT1, ĐT2, UĐ1 and UĐ2 visas are valid for no more than 05 years (Article 9(6)).
- Permanent residence card: residence with no time limit; the card is renewed periodically every 10 years; lost, damaged, or changed-content cards are re-issued within 20 days (Article 43).
Critical note: when a temporary residence card expires, a new card is considered (Article 38(6)) — the law has no concept of “renewing a temporary residence card.” A 10-year ĐT1 card is still temporary residence: on expiry you must apply for a new card, and it remains tied to the original conditions (investment capital, work permit, etc.).
Rights: how family sponsorship differs
Under Article 44(1), the clearest difference is in sponsorship rights:
- A temporary residence card holder may sponsor grandparents, parents, spouse, and children to visit Vietnam; and may sponsor their spouse and children under 18 to stay with them during the card’s validity if the inviting/sponsoring agency or organization agrees (point b).
- A permanent residence card holder may sponsor grandparents, parents, spouse, and children to visit Vietnam (point c) — the law does not grant the same “stay with” sponsorship right as for temporary residence cards.
- Both may travel within Vietnam, combining tourism, family visits, and medical treatment without seeking permission; when travelling they must carry their passport and residence documents and present them on request (point d of Article 44(1) and point c of Article 44(2)).
Obligations specific to permanent residents
A permanent resident who departs to settle permanently in another country must surrender the permanent residence card at the border gate (Article 44(2)(d)). The permanent residence card is renewed every 10 years — it is not “one card for life” in physical terms.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is a 10-year ĐT1 temporary residence card equivalent to a permanent residence card?
A: No. A 10-year ĐT1 card is still temporary residence: on expiry you must apply for a new card, it remains conditional (valid investment capital, etc.), and it does not carry the rights of a permanent resident such as indefinite residence.
Q: Can a permanent resident sponsor a spouse/children to stay long-term?
A: The law only records the right to sponsor relatives to visit Vietnam (Article 44(1)(c)). A long-term “stay with” sponsorship mechanism for permanent residents has not been verified in the reviewed texts — it should not be equated with the right of temporary residence card holders.
Q: What if my temporary residence card expires before the new one is issued?
A: The law has no concept of “renewing a temporary residence card”; the gap-period consequences have not been verified in guidance documents. Recommendation: file for the new card before the old one expires.
Q: Can DN1/DN2 visa holders get a temporary residence card?
A: No. DN1/DN2 are not in the categories eligible for temporary residence cards under Article 36(1).
Legal references
- Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam — VBHN 62/VBHN-VPQH dated 23/3/2026 (Articles 3.13–3.14, 36(1), 38, 39–41, 43, 44)
- Law 118/2025/QH15 (effective 1/7/2026) — added UĐ1/UĐ2 symbols; amended Articles 8, 9, 36, 38
Need help determining which residence card fits your or your family’s situation? Contact FLAT Law Firm for advice.
Content prepared by the editorial team and quality-reviewed by the AI Legal Council before submission; it does not replace a review by a licensed lawyer for your specific case.
This information is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice.
