The Vietnam Permanent Residence Card (PRC) is the highest form of permanent residence available to foreigners who truly call Vietnam home. It provides long-term stability, broader rights, and far more security than ordinary visas or even most temporary residence options. Because PRC status is permanent and not tied to a single job or project, it is the ideal pathway for those who want to stay in Vietnam long term.
However, Vietnam does not grant permanent residence easily. The process is selective, document-heavy, and closely tied to specific eligibility categories under Vietnamese immigration law. This guide walks you through what the PRC actually is, who can apply, what benefits permanent residence brings in real life (entry-exit, property, admin), and how to prepare a complete in Vietnam application that meets the legalization, translation, and residence requirements.
Need help? Start your Vietnam permanent residence card application with The Nest Asia today!
What is a Vietnam Permanent Residence Card (PRC)?
Vietnam Permanent Residence Card (PRC) is an official document from the Vietnamese immigration authorities. It is granted to foreigners who are permitted to reside indefinitely or permanently in Vietnam.
The PRC is not just a long-term visa; it is a full replacement. It holds a special legal status, and its validity is much longer than any standard Vietnamese visa.
Each PRC is valid for a period of up to 10 years. This offers remarkable long-term security for those who build a life here and can meet the strict government criteria.
Read Related: A Guide to Vietnam Visas: Types, Application Process & Costs for Expats
Eligibility Criteria
Gaining a PRC is subject to very strict rules. An applicant must first meet a set of general conditions. They must also fall into one of the four specific categories to be considered.
The four categories for foreigners who shall be considered for a PRC according to Clause 14, Article 1, Law No. 51/2019/QH14:
| Eligible Category | Who Qualifies |
| Meritorious Persons | Foreigners recognized by the state for significant contributions to Vietnam. |
| Scientists & Experts | High-level professionals sponsored by a Vietnamese government ministry. |
| Family Sponsorship | Foreigners sponsored by a Vietnamese citizen parent, spouse, or child. |
| Stateless Persons | Individuals without citizenship who have resided in Vietnam since 2000 or earlier. |
A key specific condition applies to the family sponsorship path. The foreign applicant must have temporarily resided in Vietnam for a total of at least 03 consecutive years before applying.
Read Related: Temporary Residence Card (TRC) in Vietnam: Definition, Requirements, and Validity
Benefits of Permanent Residence in Vietnam
A PRC holder can enter and leave Vietnam at any time without a visa, so there is no need to keep extending temporary stay and you can remain in the country indefinitely.
It can also expand property rights. In many cases, PRC holders may purchase and own landed property, not only apartments, in their own name.
Because this status is stable, other procedures become easier. Getting a Vietnamese driver’s license, registering a vehicle or applying for banking and loans is often more straightforward with a PRC.
Read Related: Vietnam Driving License: International Driving Permit Conversion and Support
Application Process in Vietnam
Documents for PRC Application
According to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, as amended in 2019 and 2023), an applicant must submit a complete dossier in person. Key documents include:
- Application Form for Permanent Residence
- Passport
- Police Clearance Certificate (Judicial Record)
- Diplomatic Note
- Passport-sized Photos
- Sponsorship Form
- Proof of Relationship
All documents issued by foreign countries must be consularly legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and the Vietnamese translation must be notarized.
Read Related: Vietnam Passport and Dual Citizenship for Children: Eligibility, Benefits, and Legal Procedures
Duration and Processing
For a Vietnam permanent residence card, the submission location depends on your eligibility category and sponsor. Your in Vietnam application is only counted from the date the authority accepts a complete dossier into their permanent register. The official processing time is 04 months, and in some cases it can be extended for another 02 months if they need to verify your permanent residence conditions or resources.
Once approved, you’ll be notified to come and collect the card within 03 months. The standard government fee for issuing the permanent resident card is about US$100. This is the main route for anyone searching “how to live permanently in Vietnam” or “how to get residency in Vietnam” and wants to stay in Vietnam long term on a legal, stable basis.
Read Related: Electronic Identification (eID) Accounts for Expats in Vietnam: Complete Before 1/7/2025
Renewal and Reissuance
The Vietnam permanent residence card is valid for 10 years. Your status as a permanent resident does not expire after 10 years, only the physical card expires, so you just submit a simple administrative replacement, not a full in Vietnam application again. This is basically a renewal of the document, not a re-application for how to get residency in Vietnam.
If the card is lost or damaged, you must report it to the local police at your temporary residence address and apply for reissuance. The process is lighter than the first application and is intended for people who already stay in Vietnam long term.
Read Related: Vietnam Marriage Certificate: How to Get It for Foreigners?
PRC vs TRC vs Visa
| PRC | TRC | Visa | |
| Nature and Function | Document for indefinite residency. Tied to the person. | Long-term card tied to a purpose (job, investment, etc.) | Short-term entry/stay permit. |
| Validity | 10 years and is renewable. | 1-10 years, contingent on the purpose. | 30 days-6 months (for common types) |
| Key Difference | Replacing a visa. Status is not dependent on a specific job. | If the purpose ends, the TRC is no longer valid. | Requires constant renewal. |
The PRC is the highest and most stable form of residency because it is tied to the person and can be renewed every ten years, so it effectively replaces visas. The TRC still allows long-term stay but it always depends on a specific purpose such as work, investment, or family, so when that purpose ends the card is no longer valid. A visa is the most temporary option and must be renewed or reapplied for frequently.
Additional Notes for In-Vietnam Applicants
If you are already living in Vietnam and plan to switch from a temporary stay to a Vietnam permanent residence card, you must make sure your temporary residence address is properly registered with the local police before you file the in Vietnam application. Authorities will verify whether you have stayed in Vietnam long term, continuously and lawfully during the qualifying period, especially for the family sponsorship category, because this is one of the main pathways for how to get residency in Vietnam and to become a permanent resident.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting foreign documents without consular legalization or without a notarized Vietnamese translation. This is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed.
- Not proving the relationship clearly in family sponsorship cases. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, or adoption papers must match the information on your passport and on the sponsor’s ID.
- Assuming the PRC is automatic just because you have a TRC. A temporary residence card shows you can stay, but it does not replace the permanent resident examination. PRC is still a higher, more restricted status.
Conclusion
Getting a Vietnam permanent residence card is the top residency status a foreigner can realistically obtain without becoming a citizen. It lets you stay in Vietnam long term without constantly renewing visas or TRCs, and it makes life admin (housing, banking, travel in and out) much easier. But because it gives permanent, indefinite residency, the in Vietnam application is strict: foreign documents must be consularly legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized, and your temporary residence address must be properly registered.
Only applicants who fall into the four eligibility groups and can prove continuous, lawful stay will be approved, especially in family sponsorship cases. So this is not an automatic upgrade from a temporary residence card. If you meet the rules, though, you become a permanent resident, keep your status after 10 years, and only replace the card — you don’t reapply from zero.
In short: if you plan to make Vietnam home, PRC is the goal, but you have to do it by the book.
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The Nest Asia is a one-stop resource offering comprehensive information, practical relocation advice, cultural insights, valuable connections, and trusted services to help expatriates living in Vietnam navigate the transition, overcome challenges, and build a fulfilling life abroad. Starting your journey in a new country can often feel overwhelming. The Nest Asia is your trusted partner – we’re here to simplify that process and ultimately make Vietnam feel like home for you and your loved ones.
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Disclaimer: The Nest Asia is not an authorized provider of official government or non-government services. The information provided is intended for general guidance only. While we strive to offer accurate and timely information, we make no representations or warranties regarding its completeness or accuracy.
