Procedure for Issuing Permanent Residence Cards to Foreigners in Vietnam

1. Legal Basis:- Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014- Circular 04/2015/TT-BCA- Circular 31/2015/TT-BCA- Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC

2. Conditions:To ensure compliance with the cases and conditions for permanent residence as stipulated in Article 39 and Article 40 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014; specifically:

- Cases eligible for permanent residence consideration:+ Foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to the cause of building and defending the Vietnamese Fatherland, recognized by the Government of Vietnam through awards or honorable titles.+ Foreign nationals who are scientists or experts temporarily residing in Vietnam.+ Foreign nationals who are sponsored by their parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen residing permanently in Vietnam.+ Stateless individuals who have continuously resided in Vietnam since before the year 2000.

- Conditions for consideration of permanent residence:+ Foreign nationals mentioned in the cases above may be considered for permanent residence if they have legitimate accommodation and stable income ensuring a livelihood in Vietnam.+ Foreign nationals who are scientists or experts temporarily residing in Vietnam must be recommended by the Minister or Head of the Government agency managing the respective field.+ Foreign nationals sponsored by their parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen permanently residing in Vietnam must have resided continuously in Vietnam for three years or more.

3. Dossier:- Application for permanent residence;- Judicial record issued by the competent authority of the country of citizenship;- Diplomatic note from the representative agency of the country of citizenship requesting Vietnam to grant permanent residence;- Notarized copy of the passport;- Documents proving eligibility for permanent residence consideration under Article 40 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014;- Guarantee letter for foreign nationals as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 39 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014.

4. Method of Implementation:Directly at the headquarters of the Immigration Management Department, Ministry of Public Security.

5. Handling Agency:Immigration Management Department, Ministry of Public Security.

Processing time: Within four months from the date of receiving complete dossiers, the Minister of Public Security will review and decide on the grant of permanent residence; in cases requiring further verification, the processing time may be extended but not exceeding two months.

6. Fee: 100 USD/card.

7. Implementation Process:Step 1: Prepare the dossier according to legal regulations.Step 2: Foreign nationals applying for permanent residence in Vietnam submit their dossiers at the Immigration Management Department - Ministry of Public Security.

• The immigration officer receiving the dossier checks its legality and content:- If the dossier is complete and valid, a receipt is provided to the applicant.- If the dossier is incomplete or invalid, the officer does not accept it and provides guidance for the applicant to supplement the dossier.

Step 3: The Immigration Management Department issues a written notice of the Minister of Public Security's decision regarding the foreign national's permanent residence application. If accepted, within five working days from the date of the Immigration Management Department’s notification, the provincial or central city police where the foreign national applied for permanent residence must inform the foreign national of the decision.

Step 4: Within three months from receiving the notification, the foreign national must go to the provincial or central city police’s immigration management office where they applied for permanent residence to receive the permanent residence card:

- The recipient presents the receipt and payment receipt for verification. The officer checks and requires the recipient to sign, and then hands over the permanent residence card.

Above is the advisory content regarding the procedure for issuing permanent residence cards to foreign nationals in Vietnam.

Respectfully!