When you get a new passport (because it expired, ran out of pages, or was lost), the visa and temporary residence card in the old passport do not automatically “transfer” to the new one. Foreigners need to complete the procedure for re-issuing their residence documents into the new passport. This article explains the basis, the procedure, and the related documents that should be updated at the same time.
1. The answer: yes — you need to apply for a re-issued temporary residence card
Visas and temporary residence cards are issued against a specific passport number; when a new passport is issued, the residence documents in the old passport are no longer usable. The foreigner must complete the procedure to re-issue the temporary residence card (or obtain a new visa) into the new passport at the Immigration Department or the provincial immigration office — through the agency, organization, or individual that invited or sponsored them (clause 2, Article 37 of consolidated document 62/VBHN-VPQH).
A note on careful wording: no black-letter provision states that “a new passport requires a re-issued temporary residence card.” This requirement follows from the principle that residence documents are tied to the passport in use, and from the actual administrative procedure “Re-issuance of temporary residence card.” The legal basis includes:
(a) Clause 1, Article 38 of consolidated document 62: a temporary residence card is issued with a validity at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport — showing the card is tightly linked to the passport in use.
(b) A passport is a mandatory component of the dossier for a temporary residence card (point c, clause 1, Article 37 of consolidated document 62).
Processing time: 05 working days (point c, clause 2, Article 37 of consolidated document 62).
2. Dossier for “Re-issuance of temporary residence card”
In practice, the dossier mirrors a first-time application and includes: the new passport; the declaration form; documents proving the still-valid residence purpose (work permit, investment certificate, etc.); an explanatory letter stating the reason for re-issuance (new passport); and the old passport for cross-checking. The re-issued card is granted for the remaining validity of the old card, not exceeding the maximum validity by card symbol under Article 38.
3. Maximum validity by card symbol (Article 38)
For reference: ĐT1 cards up to 10 years; NG3, LV1, LV2, LS, ĐT2, DH up to 5 years; NN1, NN2, ĐT3, TT up to 3 years; LĐ1, LĐ2, PV1 up to 2 years.
4. Documents to update at the same time
Work permit re-issuance: a change of passport number is a ground for re-issuing a work permit (clause 2, Article 23 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP), so that all documents match.
Re-declare temporary residence: when information in the passport changes, the foreigner must re-declare temporary residence (clause 3, Article 33 of consolidated document 62/VBHN-VPQH).
Notes
Consolidated document 62 does not use the phrase “exchange of temporary residence card” — this article uses the neutral wording “apply for a re-issued temporary residence card.” The detailed dossier should be confirmed with the receiving immigration authority. The fee for re-issuing a temporary residence card is set by Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC — applicants should check the current fee with the receiving authority.
For reference only; this is not legal advice.
Got a new passport and need to re-issue your temporary residence card or work permit? Contact FLAT Law Firm for advice.
For reference only, not legal advice. Content quality-checked by the AI Legal Council; not yet reviewed by a human lawyer.