Extension of Temporary Residence for Foreigners

Extension of Temporary Residence for Foreigners | Detailed Comparison between NA5 (Extension) and NA8 (New TRC Issuance)
Maintaining lawful residence in Vietnam is crucial for foreigners seeking stability in living, working, and investing. The Temporary Residence Card (TRC) serves as the cornerstone of legal stay rights. However, many individuals often confuse between extending an existing TRC (Form NA5) and obtaining a new TRC (Form NA8).
This article, provided by An Law Vietnam – Overstay Legal Services, offers a comprehensive guide to clearly distinguish these two procedures, enabling you to prepare your documents correctly, save time, and mitigate legal risks.

Contents

Temporary Residence Card (TRC):

Definition, Benefits, and General Eligibility
Definition
A Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is an official legal residence document issued by the Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security to foreigners intending to reside, work, invest, or join family members in Vietnam for a medium- to long-term period (typically one year or more).

Key Functions and Benefits

Legalization of stay: Ensures lawful residence while working, studying, or living in Vietnam.
Freedom of entry and exit: Allows multiple entries and exits without reapplying for a visa, saving both time and costs.
Facilitation of administrative procedures: Simplifies banking, leasing or purchasing property, and other administrative matters.

Core Distinction: NA5 vs. NA8

Criteria	Temporary Residence Extension (NA5)	New TRC Issuance (NA8)
Purpose	To extend the current lawful stay; does not issue a new card	To issue a new TRC when the old card is near expiry, passport is replaced, information changes, or sponsor changes
Eligible Applicants	Foreigners with visas or TRCs approaching expiry, requiring a short-term extension	Foreigners seeking a long-term TRC (2–10 years)
Validity	Up to 12 months (or remaining duration of Work Permit/Investment License)	2, 3, 5, or 10 years, depending on residence category
Fee	USD 10 per application	USD 145–165 per TRC, depending on duration
Required Form	Form NA5	Form NA8

Summary:

NA5: Short-term TRC extension.
NA8: Physical issuance of a TRC with longer validity.

TRC Categories

Code	Applicant Type	Maximum Validity
ĐT1	Investors with capital ≥ VND 100 billion	10 years
ĐT2	Investors with capital VND 50–<100 billion	5 years
ĐT3	Investors with capital VND 3–<50 billion	3 years
LĐ1 / LĐ2	Specialists, workers with/without Work Permit	2 years
TT	Spouse/child <18 years or Vietnamese relatives	3 years
LV1, LV2, LS, DH, NN1, NN2	State agency staff, lawyers, international students, representative office heads	3–5 years

Note: Investors with capital under VND 3 billion are only eligible for ĐT4 visa (maximum 12 months) and cannot apply for a TRC.

Process & Procedure for TRC Extension (NA5)

Eligibility Criteria
Foreigners may apply for an extension if they:

Hold a valid current stay.
Maintain a legitimate purpose of residence (employment, investment, family visit, etc.).
Possess valid sponsorship documentation and comply with immigration regulations.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step	Detailed Description
1	Determine the correct procedure: NA5 (extension) or NA8 (new TRC issuance)
2	Prepare the required documents as outlined in Section V
3	Submit application: either directly at the Immigration Department or online via the Ministry of Public Security e-portal
4	Payment & issuance: USD 10 per application; processed within 5 working days

Required Documents & Key Notes

Personal Documentation

Valid original passport.
Completed Form NA5, signed and stamped by sponsor.
Temporary residence declaration confirmed by local authorities.
Passport-style photo: 3×4 cm or 4×6 cm, white background.

Documentation Supporting Residence Purpose

Category	Required Documents
Employment (LĐ)	Valid Work Permit or exemption certificate
Investment (ĐT)	Investment certificate or business registration
Family Visit (TT)	Marriage certificate, birth certificate, or proof of familial relationship

Important Notes

Information on NA5, passport, and sponsorship documents must match exactly.
Foreign documents must be translated into Vietnamese and notarized.
Applications should be prepared at least 10 days prior to TRC expiry.

Extension Of Temporary Residence For Foreigners Detailed Comparison Between Na5 (extension) And Na8 (new Trc Issuance) (2) — *Photo Description of the Article: Extension of Temporary Residence for Foreigners | Detailed Comparison between NA5 (Extension) and NA8 (New TRC Issuance)*

Fees & Submission Methods

Method	Advantages	Notes
In-person	Direct interaction with officer; immediate document supplementation	Time-consuming; limited to business hours
Online	24/7 submission; saves time	Clear scanned documents required; payment via e-banking or e-wallet

Fee: USD 10 per application (or equivalent in VND at official exchange rate).

Risk Warnings & Expert Recommendations

Risks of Overstaying

Administrative fines: VND 500,000 – 4,000,000; possible deportation or forced exit.
Complications in applying for TRC extension, new issuance, or re-entry.

Recommendations from An Law Vietnam

Plan ahead: Submit applications 7–10 days before expiry.
Verify eligibility: Ensure sponsor documentation is valid.
Use reputable legal services: Minimize risk of rejection, ensure accurate, fast, and secure processing.

Conclusion

TRC extension (NA5) is essential to maintain lawful residence in Vietnam. Understanding the distinction between NA5 and NA8, preparing complete documentation, and timely submission helps save time, reduce costs, and avoid legal risks.
Experience: Over 20 years in immigration and legal services for foreigners, successfully handling thousands of NA5 and NA8 cases.
Understanding: We navigate complex Vietnamese administrative procedures to prevent wasted time and legal risks.
Empathy: We understand your concerns regarding legality and processing time.
Action: Avoid overstaying risks; contact us for optimized TRC processing.
Contact An Law Vietnam – Overstay Legal Services
📞 Phone: (+84) 986 995 543
📧 Email: info@anlawvietnam.com
📍 Head Office: Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
🏢 Vung Tau Branch: Vo Thi Sau, Vung Tau Ward, Ho Chi Minh City