Order and procedures:

Step 1: Preparing a dossier in accordance with the law.

Step 2: Foreigners applying for permanent residence cards in Vietnam in accordance with clause 1 and clause 2, Article 39 of the Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in Vietnam shall submit their dossiers in person to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security; for those in accordance with clause 3 and clause 4, Article 39 of the Law shall submit their dossiers in person to the Immigration Offices at localities where they apply for permanent residence.

* Immigration officers receiving dossiers shall check the legality and content of the dossier:

If the application is appropriately completed, a receipt shall be given to the applicant.

If the dossier is not appropriately completed, the officers will not receive, then instruct and explain to foreigners applying for permanent residence cards for supplement.

* Working time: From Monday to Saturday every week (except for public holidays, New Year’s days).

Step 3: The Immigration Department notifies in writing the Minister of Public Security's decision on foreigners’ application for permanent residence cards. If approved, within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the notice from the immigration offices of provinces or centrally run cities where foreigners apply for permanent residence shall notify foreigners of being accepted for permanent residence cards.

Step 4: Within 03 months after receiving the notice, foreigners shall go to the immigration offices of provinces or centrally run cities where they apply for permanent residence to receive their cards:

Recipients shall present receipts for examination. The officers handing over the results shall request the recipient to sign for receipt and hand over permanent residence cards.

* Working time: From Monday to Saturday every week (except for public holidays, holidays).

Application submission: Submitting directly at the office of the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security.

Contents, number of dossiers:

+ Contents of dossiers:

a) An application form for permanent residence status;

b) A judicial record issued by a competent authority of the country in which that person is a citizen;

c) A Note of the representative authority of the country of which that person is a citizen requesting Vietnam to approve permanent residence of that person;

d) A certified copy of passport;

đ) Documents proving the eligibility to be considered for permanent residence specified in Article 40 of the Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, dated 16/6/2014);

e) Guaranteeing documents for foreigners specified in clause 1 and clause 2, Article 39 of the Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, date June 16, 2014).

+ Number of dossiers: 01 (one) set.

Processing time: Within 04 months from the date of receipt of the dossier, the Minister of Public Security shall consider and decide to grant permanent residence cards; if necessary for additional verification, it may be extended for no more than 02 months.

Subjects of application: individuals.

Competent authorities: Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security.

Results of administrative procedures: permanent residence cards.

Fee (if any): US$100/card.

Application forms (if any): Application forms for permanent residence status (NA12).

Requirements and conditions for administrative procedures (if any): Ensuring eligible cases and conditions for permanent residence as prescribed in the Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in Vietnam. Specifically:

+ Cases considered for permanent residence cards:

1. Foreigners who have made meritorious services and contributions to the national construction and defense of Vietnam and awarded medals or state honorary titles by the Vietnamese Government.

2. Foreigners who are scientists or experts temporarily residing in Vietnam.

3. Foreigners guaranteed by their parents, spouses or children who are Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in Vietnam.

4. Stateless persons who have been temporarily residing Vietnam consecutively since 2000 or earlier.

Conditions for consideration for permission for permanent residence:

1. Foreigners defined in the above-mentioned cases may be permitted for permanent residence if they have lawful places of habitation and stable incomes to ensure their livelihood in Vietnam.

2. Foreigners who are defined as scientists or experts temporarily residing in Vietnam must be requested by ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies or heads of government-attached agencies that perform the state management in their professional fields.

3. Foreigners guaranteed by their parents, spouses or children, who are Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in Vietnam, must have been temporarily residing in Vietnam for at least 3 consecutive years.

Legal basis of administrative procedures:

+ Law on foreigners’ entry into, exit from, transit through, and residence in Vietnam (Law No. 47/2014/QH13, dated June 16, 2014).

+ Circular No. 219/2016/TT-BTC dated 10/11/2016 of the Ministry of Finance regulating collection, payment, management and use of fees and charges in the fields of exit, entry, transit and residing in Vietnam.

+ Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA, dated January 5, 2015 of the Ministry of Public Security, providing forms 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 issuance of visa, temporary residence card, immigration permit, permanent residence settlement for foreigners in Vietnam.