FOREIGN WORKERS CHANGING PASSPORT MUST APPLY FOR NEW TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD?

The temporary residence card serves as a long-term visa, allowing foreigners to legally reside in Vietnam. As the passport number of the cardholder is clearly stated on the temporary residence card, when a new passport is issued, the temporary residence card associated with the old passport number may no longer remain legally valid.

Why is a new temporary residence card required upon passport renewal?

Failure to promptly apply for the issuance or adjustment of a temporary residence card may expose foreign workers and their sponsoring employers to the following risks:

– The foreigner may be denied exit from or entry into Vietnam due to inconsistencies between the information on the new passport and the temporary residence card.

– The employee’s residence status may be deemed unlawful. Consequently, this leads to difficulties in residence verification, bank account opening, tax code registration, or the execution of other administrative procedures.

– Both the sponsoring enterprise and the employee may be subject to administrative sanctions imposed by the competent authorities.

What documents are required in the application dossier?

– New passport;

– Previous passport;

– Valid previous temporary residence card;

– Work permit updated with the new passport number;

– Application form for the issuance or modification of the temporary residence card;

– Written request from the sponsoring enterprise or organization (applicable to sponsoring agencies and organizations);

– Written request from the inviting or sponsoring agency, organization, or individual (applicable to individual sponsors);

– Two 2×3 cm portrait photos (white background);

– Certificate of temporary residence (certified by the commune/ward police or a printed copy of the online declaration);

– Certified true copy of the Enterprise registration certificate;

– Written explanation for the passport replacement.

What are the required legal procedures?

Step 1: Update the Work permit

The enterprise carries out the procedure to update the passport number on the Work Permit with the Department of Home Affairs.

– Step 2: Submit the immigration application

The enterprise’s representative submits the complete application dossier to the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public security or the Immigration Division of the provincial/city Police Department where the enterprise is headquartered.

– Step 3: Application review

The Immigration authority receives, reviews, and processes the application within 05–07 working days.

– Step 4: Receive the new temporary residence card

The enterprise’s representative brings the appointment receipt to collect the new temporary residence card, which has been updated with the new passport number.

Note: During the entire period of waiting for the new temporary residence card to be issued, the foreigner is not permitted to leave Vietnam.

>> PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING FOR A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS IN VIETNAM https://linconlaw.vn/procedures-for-applying-for-a-temporary-residence-card-for-foreign-investors-in-vietnam/

>> FOREIGN NATIONALS CHANGING THEIR PASSPORTS: IS IT NECESSARY TO AMEND THE WORK PERMIT? https://linconlaw.vn/foreign-nationals-changing-their-passports-is-it-necessary-to-amend-the-work-permit/