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A Temporary Residence Card (TRC) — thẻ tạm trú — is the document that lets a foreigner live in Vietnam long-term, from 2 up to 10 years, without applying for a new visa every time you enter or exit. If you are working, investing, or married to a Vietnamese citizen in Nha Trang – Khánh Hòa, a TRC is usually the most practical way to stay long-term instead of renewing short visas again and again. This guide covers who qualifies, which documents you need, current 2026 government fees, where to submit your application in Khánh Hòa, and how long the process takes — including what changed after Khánh Hòa’s 2025 merger with Ninh Thuận. Nam Sơn Law provides legal consultation and support for foreigners applying for a TRC in Nha Trang, though the decision to issue a card always rests with Vietnam’s immigration authorities.
⚠️ 2026 update you should know before you apply
On 1 July 2025, Khánh Hòa province merged with Ninh Thuận under Resolution 202/2025/QH15, and Nha Trang was reorganized from a city into several wards. If you are reading an older guide that references “Nha Trang City” or a different immigration office address, double-check it — some details have changed. We cover exactly what changed further down this page.
Table of Contents
- What Is a TRC and Who Needs One in Nha Trang – Khánh Hòa?
- Which TRC Category Applies to You?
- What Documents Do You Need to Apply?
- How Much Does a TRC Cost in 2026?
- Where and How Do You Apply in Nha Trang?
- How Long Does It Take?
- TRC vs. Visa vs. Permanent Residence Card
- What Changed After the 2025 Provincial Merger?
- Is There a Retirement or Digital Nomad Visa?
- Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is a TRC and Who Needs One in Nha Trang – Khánh Hòa?
A TRC is an official card issued by Vietnam’s immigration authorities that allows a foreigner to reside in the country and enter or exit multiple times during its validity, without holding a separate visa. It is governed by the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13), as amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14 and Law No. 23/2023/QH15.
In practice, most people searching for a temporary residence card in Nha Trang fall into one of these groups:
- Foreign employees working under a labor contract at a resort, school, factory, or company in Khánh Hòa
- Foreign investors or business owners with a registered company or capital contribution in the province
- Foreign spouses, children, or parents connected to a Vietnamese citizen or to another TRC holder
- Diplomats, representative-office staff, and a smaller number of students, journalists, and legal professionals
A TRC is not automatic — it depends on an underlying basis such as a job, an investment, or a family relationship, and it must be sponsored by an organization or individual authorized to do so.
Which TRC Category Applies to You?
Vietnam issues several TRC categories depending on your purpose of residence, and your category is what determines your maximum validity period.
| Max. Validity | Card Categories | Typical Holders |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | ĐT1 | Major investors (capital contribution of 100 billion VND or more) |
| 5 years | NG3 LV1 LV2 LS ĐT2 DH | Diplomats, Party/State agency staff, licensed foreign lawyers, mid-size investors, long-term students |
| 3 years | NN1 NN2 ĐT3 TT | Representative-office heads, smaller investors, and family members (spouse, child under 18, or parent of a Vietnamese citizen or of an eligible cardholder) |
| 2 years | LĐ1 LĐ2 PV1 | Foreign workers (with or without a work permit) and resident correspondents |
For example, an English teacher in Nha Trang with a valid work permit and labor contract would typically apply for an LĐ2 card, while the foreign spouse of a Vietnamese citizen would apply for a TT card. One exception worth noting: investors in the ĐT4 group (capital contribution under 3 billion VND) generally receive a visa rather than a TRC.
Not sure which category fits your situation?
Nam Sơn Law can review your visa status, job, or family situation and confirm the correct TRC pathway before you apply.
What Documents Do You Need to Apply?
Every application needs a common set of documents, plus extra proof depending on your TRC category.
Documents required for every applicant:
- Valid passport, ideally with at least 13 months of remaining validity
- Current visa or evidence of lawful entry and stay in Vietnam
- Sponsorship request form — NA6 (for an organization sponsoring you) or NA7 (for an individual sponsor)
- Applicant declaration form NA8 with a recent passport-style photo
- Confirmation of temporary residence registration at your local ward/commune police
Category-specific documents:
- LĐ (worker): work permit or written confirmation of exemption, plus your labor contract
- ĐT (investor): investment registration certificate or enterprise registration certificate, plus proof of your capital contribution
- TT (family): marriage certificate (spouse) or birth certificate (child/parent), legalized and translated into Vietnamese
Requirements can vary slightly case by case, so we recommend having your dossier reviewed before submission rather than finding out about a missing document at the counter.
How Much Does a TRC Cost in 2026?
Government fees for a TRC currently range from USD 145 to USD 165, depending on the card’s validity period, under Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC (effective 1 April 2026).
| TRC Validity | Government Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 years | USD 145 |
| Over 2 years to 5 years | USD 155 |
| Over 5 years to 10 years | USD 165 |
| Extension (any validity) | USD 10 |
These are state fees paid directly at application; they are separate from any professional fee for legal consultation and dossier support.
Where and How Do You Apply in Nha Trang?
Applications for foreigners residing in Khánh Hòa are processed at the Immigration Management Office, Khánh Hòa Provincial Police (Phòng Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh – Công an tỉnh Khánh Hòa), located at 47 Lý Tự Trọng, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa. Applications are submitted online, with original documents subsequently submitted in person at the Public Administrative Service Reception and Processing Center of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police, located at No. 2 Le Thanh Ton Street, Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province.
- Gather your documentsCollect your passport, sponsorship forms, NA8 form with photo, and category-specific proof listed above.
- Have your sponsor submit the requestYour employer, spouse, or an authorized representative files the NA6/NA7 sponsorship request together with your documents.
- Submit the dossierFile online through the national public service portal and in person at No. 2 Le Thanh Ton Street, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa.
- Pay the government feeFees are paid in VND or USD according to the table above.
- Receive your TRCCards are typically ready within 5–7 working days once the dossier is complete and valid.
Can You Apply for a TRC Online?
Yes, in part. Applications can be filed through Vietnam’s national public service portal, and since July 2025 the government has been rolling out VNeID Level-2 electronic identification for foreigners, which supports online submissions. However, your passport and certain original documents typically still need to be submitted in person or by post, so “online” mainly speeds up the paperwork stage rather than replacing the in-person step entirely.
How Long Does It Take?
The statutory processing time for a TRC is 5 working days from a complete, valid dossier; in practice, applicants commonly see 5 to 7 working days. Investor (ĐT) applications can take longer because capital contributions must be verified.
💡 A practical note for 2026
Immigration authorities have signaled that TRC issuance is now mainly processed directly for LĐ2 and TT visa holders. If you hold a different visa category, you may need to complete a visa-conversion step first, which can add time. Because implementation can vary by case, it’s worth confirming your exact pathway with Nam Sơn Law or the immigration office before you plan around a specific date.
TRC vs. Visa vs. Permanent Residence Card
A TRC sits between a short-term visa and a Permanent Residence Card (PRC) in both duration and flexibility.
| Feature | Temporary Residence Card | Permanent Residence Card |
|---|---|---|
| Max. validity | Up to 10 years | 10 years, renewable |
| Multiple entry/exit | Yes, no separate visa needed | Yes |
| Right to work | Not automatic — still needs a work permit or exemption | Not automatic — still needs a work permit or exemption |
| Who typically qualifies | Workers, investors, family members, diplomats | Very limited: meritorious contributors, scientists/experts, 3+ years as a TT holder, or long-term stateless residents |
In short: a TRC replaces the need for a visa on every entry, but it does not by itself authorize you to work — and Vietnam does not offer instant or direct permanent residency to most foreigners.
Weighing your options?
If you’re unsure whether a TRC, a different visa, or eventually a Permanent Residence Card fits your situation, Nam Sơn Law can talk it through with you.
What Changed After the 2025 Provincial Merger?
Yes, this affects how the area is described — but not where you apply. On 1 July 2025, Khánh Hòa and Ninh Thuận provinces merged into a single, enlarged Khánh Hòa province under Resolution 202/2025/QH15. Separately, under Resolution 1667/NQ-UBTVQH15, the former Nha Trang city was reorganized into several wards, including a ward now named simply “Nha Trang.”
What this means for TRC applicants:
- “Nha Trang” is now a ward-level area within Khánh Hòa province, not a standalone city — worth knowing if you’re cross-checking older sources
- The Immigration Management Office remains at the same address, 47 Lý Tự Trọng, Nha Trang — the merger did not relocate it
- Vietnam’s separate 2025 reform abolishing district-level police did not change where foreigners submit TRC applications, since this has always been handled at the provincial level
Because this is a recent change, some guides published before mid-2025 still describe the old provincial boundaries — one more reason to confirm current details with a source that tracks Khánh Hòa specifically.
Is There a Retirement or Digital Nomad Visa?
No — as of 2026, Vietnam does not offer a dedicated retirement visa or a digital nomad visa. This surprises many long-term visitors drawn to Nha Trang’s coastline and cost of living. In practice, foreigners who want to stay long-term instead rely on one of the existing bases:
- A TT card through marriage to a Vietnamese citizen
- An ĐT card through a qualifying business investment
- An LĐ card through formal employment with a Vietnam-based employer
A broader “Golden Visa” style investment residency has been discussed publicly, but it is not yet in effect — treat any claim otherwise with caution until it is formally issued.
Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
Most delays we see come from a handful of avoidable issues:
- Passport validity cutting it close — your TRC must expire at least 30 days before your passport does, so short remaining validity limits your card’s length or blocks approval
- Mismatched work permit and labor contract details — job title, employer name, or dates that don’t align across documents
- Skipping local temporary residence registration — a required step at ward/commune police that’s easy to overlook
- Assuming a tourist or business visa automatically converts — without a qualifying sponsor and basis, it generally does not
- Applying too close to your current visa or TRC expiry — leaving no buffer if the office requests additional documents
Avoid a rejected or delayed application
Let Nam Sơn Law review your dossier before you submit it, so avoidable mistakes don’t cost you time.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A TRC allows you to reside and re-enter Vietnam, but it does not by itself authorize employment. You still need a valid work permit or an applicable exemption to work legally.
No. A valid TRC replaces the need for a separate visa for multiple entries and exits during its validity period.
File online through the national public service portal and in person at No. 2 Le Thanh Ton Street, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa.
Conclusion
Getting a Temporary Residence Card in Nha Trang – Khánh Hòa comes down to three things: applying under the right category, submitting a complete and accurate dossier, and confirming the current requirements — since both the fee schedule and the province’s administrative boundaries have changed recently. Getting these right the first time saves you weeks of back-and-forth.
Nam Sơn Law offers legal consultation and support for foreigners applying for a TRC in Nha Trang and across Khánh Hòa, from confirming your category to reviewing your dossier before submission.
Công ty Luật TNHH MTV Nam Sơn — Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa
📍 86B Quang Trung, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa
Please contact us in advance to schedule an appointment before visiting our office.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice for any specific case. Vietnamese immigration regulations can change; please contact Nam Sơn Law for guidance tailored to your situation before applying.
