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Exemption work permits in Vietnam

In addition to foreigners who come to Vietnam to work and have a work permit or residence card in Vietnam, the law stipulates several cases in which foreigners are exempt from work permits. However, to legally reside in the territory of Vietnam, these foreigners still need to have a temporary residence card issued by the Immigration Department of the province or a centrally run city. The period for a temporary residence card for a foreigner who is exempt from a work permit is no more than 2 years. Upon the expiration of this time limit, a foreigner wishing to continue residing in Vietnam must apply for the extension of the temporary residence card.

Residence card in vietnam

Symbol of temporary residence card for foreigners exempt from work permits

LD1 – Issued to foreigners working in Vietnam with certification that they are not required to work with work permits unless otherwise prescribed by the international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.

An application for renewal of a temporary residence card for a foreigner who is exempt from work permits

  • Notarized copy of Business Registration Certificate, or Investment License, or Operation License of Representative Office, branch,… depending on the
  • Seal registration certificate or a written notice on the posting of information about the enterprise’s seal sample on the national business registration portal.
  • A notarized copy of the work permit exemption certificate for the foreign worker that is valid for at least 12 months.
  • Register seal sample and signature for the first time at the XNC Agency (Form NA16)
  • Dispatch and application for temporary residence card for foreigners (Form NA6)
  • Application form for temporary residence card for foreigners (Form NA8)
  • Letter of recommendation for Vietnamese staff to apply for a temporary residence card at the Immigration Office.
  • Original passport (valid for at least 1 year, or 2 years if you want to show a 2-year temporary residence card. Passport with visa for the right purpose of work, with the symbol LD or DN guaranteed by the company itself to ask);
  • A certificate of temporary residence registration or temporary residence registration of the foreigner certified by the police of the ward or commune where the foreigner is temporarily residing in Vietnam (if any).
  • 02 2cmx3cm photos.

The order and procedures for extension of temporary residence cards for foreigners are exempt from work permits

  • Step 1: Prepare 01 set of the above documents.
  • Step 2: Apply at the office of Immigration Department – Ministry of Public Security: 44-46 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi; 254 Nguyen Trai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; 7 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang City.

The officer receiving the dossier to check the legality and content of the dossier: If it is complete and valid, then receive the dossier, print it and give a receipt, make an appointment to return the results. If the dossier is not valid, the dossier-receiving officer shall guide the applicant to supplement the dossier for completeness.

  • Step 3: Get results:

The person who comes to receive the results shall give a receipt to the officer who returns the results of the examination and comparison. If there is the result of the extension of temporary residence, the person who comes to receive the result of the fee payment and sign it.

If you wish to renew a temporary residence card & work permit in Vietnam for a foreigner who is exempt from a work permit, contact Viet An Law Firm for the fastest and most accurate advice and support!

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