Along with the strong surge of FDI capital flows into Vietnam, the number of foreign investors coming to live and work is steadily increasing. To help investors safely develop long-term businesses without having to continuously renew their visas, the Vietnamese Government has issued policies on granting the Temporary Residence Card (TRC). So, what do the procedures for applying for an investment TRC require? What strict legal conditions must be met in 2026? Let’s explore the details in the article below for the most comprehensive and accurate overview.
1. What is an Investment TRC and the Classification of “ĐT” Symbols
1.1. Concept under current law
An investment Temporary Residence Card is a document issued by the Immigration Department to a foreigner who is an investor or a representative of a foreign organization investing in Vietnam. Essentially, the TRC replaces a visa, allowing the holder to enter and exit multiple times and reside legally in Vietnam throughout the card’s validity without needing a new visa. This is considered the most important legal “key” for foreign investors to stabilize their lives and run their businesses.
1.2. ĐT1 and ĐT2 symbols for large-capital investors
Based on the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, the ĐT (Đầu Tư – Investment) TRC is classified based on the capital contribution level.
- ĐT1: Issued to investors with a capital contribution of 100 billion VND or more, or those investing in incentivized sectors/geographical areas decided by the Government. This card has the longest validity, up to a maximum of 10 years.
- ĐT2: Issued to investors with a capital contribution from 50 billion VND to under 100 billion VND, or those investing in encouraged development sectors. The ĐT2 card has a maximum validity of 05 years.
1.3. ĐT3 symbol for mid-tier capital investors
The ĐT3 symbol is currently the most common investment TRC, issued to foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations with a capital contribution from 03 billion VND to under 50 billion VND. This capital level is suitable for the vast majority of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) established by foreigners in Vietnam. The ĐT3 TRC has a maximum validity of not exceeding 03 years per issuance.
1.4. The ĐT4 Case: Why are they not issued a TRC?
This is a crucial legal point that many people misunderstand. The ĐT4 symbol is for investors with a capital contribution of under 03 billion VND. However, according to the latest regulations, the immigration authority DOES NOT issue TRCs for the ĐT4 category. Instead, these investors are only granted a ĐT4 Visa with a maximum validity of not exceeding 12 months (1 year). To obtain a TRC, the investor must complete procedures to increase the charter capital to a minimum of 3 billion VND to switch to the ĐT3 category.
1.5. Outstanding benefits of possessing a TRC
Holding an investment TRC brings immense privileges to foreigners.
- It saves huge amounts of money and time by avoiding continuous visa renewals.
- It makes it easy to perform civil transactions, open bank accounts, buy apartments (for projects allowing foreign ownership), and register businesses.
- It serves as a solid legal foundation to carry out sponsorship procedures for a spouse and children to come live in Vietnam.
2. Latest Conditions for Granting an Investment TRC in 2026
2.1. Mandatory capital contribution requirements
The first and most decisive condition is proving your investor status with a valid capital amount. As analyzed, the foreigner must contribute capital, purchase shares, or establish a company with an actual contributed value of 3 billion VND or more (falling under ĐT1, ĐT2, or ĐT3). This contribution must be done legally: the money must be transferred into the enterprise’s “Direct Investment Capital Account” with confirmation from a commercial bank, and the investor’s name must be clearly stated on the Enterprise Registration Certificate/Investment Certificate.
2.2. Validity of the investor’s current passport and visa
The immigration authority mandates that the TRC’s validity must always be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport. Therefore, to apply for a 3-year (ĐT3) or 5-year (ĐT2) TRC, the investor’s passport must have the corresponding remaining validity plus at least 1 month. Additionally, at the time of application, the entry visa currently being used by the foreigner in Vietnam must be valid and must carry the correct symbol matching the investment purpose (ĐT visa).
2.3. Temporary residence declaration condition
All foreign citizens residing in Vietnam must comply with the Residence Law. A mandatory document for the TRC application is the Certificate of Temporary Residence Registration or a printed online temporary residence declaration from the local Immigration Department’s system. If the accommodation provider (hotel, landlord) forgets to declare temporary residence for the investor, the TRC application will be immediately rejected until this obligation is fulfilled.
2.4. Legal status of the sponsoring company in Vietnam
Individual investors cannot apply for the card on their own; they must go through the company in Vietnam to act as the sponsor. The sponsoring company must be operating normally, have no state tax debts, not have a suspended tax code, and must have registered the seal sample and legal representative’s signature on the Immigration Department’s system. The transparency of the sponsoring legal entity directly affects the approval outcome.
2.5. Foreigners not subject to entry/exit bans
Finally, to be issued an investment TRC, the foreign investor must ensure a clean record in Vietnam. The individual must not be subject to exit suspension, must not violate criminal or civil laws, and must not owe personal income tax in Vietnam. Any prior administrative violations related to immigration (such as overstaying a visa) must be fully fined and resolved before submitting a new TRC application.
3. Detailed Sequence and Documents for Investment TRC Application
3.1. Mandatory application forms (NA6, NA8)
To begin the procedure, the sponsoring enterprise needs to accurately prepare the forms according to Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA. The two most important forms include:
- Form NA6: Official dispatch and application for a TRC for foreigners (signed and stamped by the enterprise’s legal representative).
- Form NA8: TRC application form (filled out directly by the foreigner, with a 2x3cm white-background photo attached, and signed). All information on the forms must perfectly match the attached legal application file.
3.2. Legal documents proving legitimate investor status
This is the core of the application file. To prove eligibility for an investment TRC, the investor must provide certified true copies (or consular legalized translated copies if they are foreign documents) including:
- Enterprise Registration Certificate.
- Investment Registration Certificate (if any).
- Capital Contribution Certificate/Shareholder Register signed and stamped by the company.
- Bank statements clearly showing the capital flow from abroad transferred into the company’s capital account in Vietnam.
3.3. Legal application file of the sponsoring company
Alongside the investor’s documents, the sponsoring company must prepare an additional legal application file including:
- Notarized copy of the Business License.
- Seal and Signature Registration Form (Form NA16) if submitting for the first time at the immigration office.
- The foreigner’s original passport (must be valid for over 13 months).
- The valid Vietnam visa currently in use.
- A copy of the Temporary Residence Registration Confirmation from the ward/commune police where the foreigner resides.
3.4. Receiving authority for the application
After preparing 01 complete set of documents, the enterprise representative or authorized person will submit it at the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) or the Immigration Office of the Provincial/City Police where the enterprise is headquartered.
- Hanoi Office: 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District.
- HCMC Office: 333-335-337 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1. The receiving officer will check its validity. If complete, you will receive a Receipt with an appointment date for the results.
3.5. Processing time and result delivery
According to current regulations, the processing time for a foreigner’s TRC application is from 05 to 07 working days from the date the state agency receives a complete and valid application file (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays). On the appointment date stated on the receipt, the applicant brings the receipt and their ID to the immigration office to pay the fee (in USD or VND) and receives the original Passport back along with the newly issued Temporary Residence Card.
4. FAQs and Reputable Investment TRC Services
4.1. What is the maximum validity of an investment TRC?
The validity strictly depends on the investor’s contributed capital. As analyzed in section 1, the duration ranges from 03 years (ĐT3) to 05 years (ĐT2) and up to a maximum of 10 years (ĐT1). Note that if the investor’s passport has a shorter validity than the regulated period, the immigration authority will issue a TRC valid until 30 days before the passport expires. Upon expiration, the investor can be considered for a new card if they maintain their investment.
4.2. Can I sponsor relatives if I have an investment TRC?
Yes. This is a massive benefit. Once granted an investment TRC, investors have the full right to sponsor their spouse and children under 18 to live in Vietnam. The TRC issued to relatives will carry the TT (Thăm thân – Visiting Relatives) symbol, with a validity equal to or slightly shorter than the investor’s TRC. The sponsorship application file requires additional documents proving the family relationship, which must be consular legalized, such as a Marriage Certificate and Birth Certificate.
4.3. Common risks when self-applying for a TRC
The process may seem straightforward, but DIY applications often encounter numerous difficulties. Common risks include: inability to prove a valid capital flow (transferring cash or using the wrong account), missing temporary residence declarations, or filling out incorrect information on form NA8 leading to application file rejection. A rejected application file not only wastes travel and explanation time but also exposes the investor to the risk of a visa overstay, leading to severe financial penalties.
4.4. What to do when the TRC is about to expire?
A Temporary Residence Card does not automatically renew. At least 15 days before the card expires, the sponsoring enterprise must proceed with the application for a new TRC replacement for the investor. The renewal process is almost identical to the initial application, requiring updated current legal documents of the enterprise and proof that the investor is still maintaining their capital contribution in Vietnam. You should never let the card expire before applying, as this will result in administrative violation penalties.
4.5. How do investment TRC services help businesses?
Faced with complex legal barriers, using an investment TRC issuance service is the optimal solution for businesses and experts. Professional consultants with extensive experience will review the application file’s validity from the start, assist in accurately drafting forms, and represent the client in explanations to authorities when required. Most importantly, reputable services always commit to shortening wait times, expertly handling “difficult cases” (missing documents, expiring passports), and ensuring the card is issued on time.
The application for an investment temporary residence card is a critical legal procedure requiring a deep understanding of Immigration Law and Enterprise Law. Thorough preparation will help investors save time and quickly stabilize their business in Vietnam. If you are facing obstacles regarding capital contribution documents, or lack the time to travel for administrative procedures, contact our investment TRC services immediately via Hotline (028) 3820 1213. Our team of enthusiastic, highly experienced lawyers and consultants is always ready to assist, committing to bringing you the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective solutions.
If you have any questions, please contact our Hotline at (028) 3820 1213 or email us at [email protected] for prompt consultation and support. With an experienced team, Service thanhlap.wacontre.com is always ready to serve customers in the most enthusiastic and efficient manner. (For Japanese customers, please contact Hotline: (050) 5534 5505).
