PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING PERMANENT RESIDENCE CARDS FOR FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM

PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING PERMANENT RESIDENCE CARDS FOR FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM

Implementation sequence:

Step 1: Prepare documents according to legal regulations.

Step 2: Applicants for permanent residence as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 39 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13 submit their application to the Immigration Department.
* Immigration officers receive documents and check the legality and content of the documents:
If the application is complete and valid, a receipt will be issued to the applicant.
In case the application is missing or invalid, the officer receiving the application will not receive it, guide and explain to the foreigner applying for permanent residence to supplement it.
* Time to receive documents: From Monday to Saturday every week (closed on holidays).

Step 3: The Immigration Department shall notify in writing the decision of the Minister of Public Security on the foreigner's application for permanent residence. If approved, within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the notification from the immigration authority, the Public Security Department of the province or centrally-run city where the foreigner applies for permanent residence shall notify the foreigner of the decision to grant permanent residence.

Step 4: Within 03 months from the date of receiving the notice of permanent residence, the foreigner must go to the immigration management agency of the provincial or centrally-run city where he/she applies for permanent residence to receive the permanent residence card:
The recipient presents the receipt and payment receipt for verification. The officer returns the test results and asks for a signature, and returns the permanent resident card to the person who comes to receive the results.
* Time to return results: From Monday to Saturday every week (closed on holidays).

How to do: directly at the headquarters of the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security.

Components and number of documents:
+ Profile components:
a) Application for permanent residence;
b) Judicial record issued by the competent authority of the country of which the person is a citizen;
c) A diplomatic note from the representative agency of the country of which the person is a citizen requesting Vietnam to grant that person permanent residence;
d) Certified copy of passport;
f) Documents proving eligibility for permanent residence as prescribed in Article 40 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, dated June 16, 2014);
e) Letter of guarantee for foreigners specified in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 39 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, dated June 16, 2014).
+ Number of documents: 01 (one) set.

Processing time: Within 04 months from the date of receiving complete documents, the Minister of Public Security shall consider and decide to grant permanent residence; in case it is deemed necessary to conduct additional examination, the time may be extended but not more than 02 months.

Subject of administrative procedure: individual.

Administrative procedure performing agency: Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security.

Result of administrative procedure: permanent residence card.

Name of form, declaration form (if any): Application for permanent residence (NA12).

Requirements and conditions for performing administrative procedures (if any): ensure compliance with the cases and conditions for permanent residence as prescribed in the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam; specifically:

+ Cases considered for permanent residence:
1. Foreigners who have made meritorious contributions to the cause of building and defending the Vietnamese Fatherland are awarded medals or honorary state titles by the Vietnamese government.
2. Foreigners who are scientists and experts temporarily residing in Vietnam.
3. Foreigners sponsored by their father, mother, wife, husband or children who are Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in Vietnam.
4. Stateless persons who have continuously resided in Vietnam since 2000 or earlier.

+ Conditions for permanent residence:
1. Foreigners specified in the above cases are considered for permanent residence if they have legal accommodation and a stable income to ensure their life in Vietnam.
2. Foreigners who are scientists or experts temporarily residing in Vietnam must be proposed by the Minister, Head of a ministerial-level agency, or Government agency in charge of state management of that person's professional field.
3. Foreigners sponsored by their father, mother, wife, husband or children who are Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in Vietnam and have temporarily resided in Vietnam continuously for 03 years or more.

Legal basis of administrative procedures:
+ Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, dated June 16, 2014).
+ Circular No. 25/2021/TT-BTC dated April 7, 2021 of the Ministry of Finance stipulating the collection rates, collection, payment, management and use of fees and charges in the fields of exit, entry, transit and residence in Vietnam.
+ Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA, dated January 5, 2015 of the Ministry of Public Security stipulating forms of documents related to entry, exit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.
+ Circular No. 31/2015/TT-BCA dated July 6, 2015 of the Ministry of Public Security guiding a number of contents on visa issuance, temporary residence card issuance, entry and exit permits issuance, and permanent residence settlement for foreigners in Vietnam.