Immigration News – October 2025: TRC or Visa Exemption: Understanding Your Options for Settling in Vietnam in 2025

Vietnam continues to attract a growing number of expatriates, investors, and mixed-nationality families seeking to establish themselves there on a long-term basis. Two main schemes allow for extended stays in the country: the Temporary Residence Card (TRC) and the Visa Exemption Certificate.

With the reform announced under Decision No. 2109/QĐ-TTg at the end of September 2025, the Vietnamese government has reaffirmed its commitment to simplifying and harmonizing immigration processes. It is therefore essential to clearly understand the distinct administrative procedures related to each of these two options.

Visa Exemption: A Flexible Option for Mixed Families in Vietnam

The Visa Exemption Certificate allows certain categories of people—such as overseas Vietnamese and their foreign family members—to enter Vietnam without a visa. This document can be valid for one to five years, depending on the passport’s validity, but must expire at least six months before the passport does.

During this exemption period, holders may stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 180 consecutive days per entry. This program aims to make travel easier for families living across multiple countries and is available to all nationalities that meet the required family relationship criteria.

However, this certificate does not allow holders to work or invest in Vietnam. It is designed for convenience and flexibility for long and frequent stays by mixed-nationality families—but it is not a residence permit.

Temporary Residence Card (TRC): A Comprehensive Status for Living, Working, or Investing in Vietnam

The TRC is a residence permit issued by the Immigration Department to foreigners holding a long-term visa. It applies to foreign workers, investors, students, business representatives, or spouses of Vietnamese citizens. It authorizes continuous residence in Vietnam without the 180-day limit and allows unlimited entries and exits during its validity period. The duration depends on the applicant’s status: from one to two years for foreign workers, up to five years for investors, and between one and three years for family members.

Since 2024, the TRC has been available to all nationalities without distinction in terms of duration or eligibility conditions.

Visa Exemption or TRC: Which Option Suits You Best?

Choosing between the two depends primarily on your long-term plans in Vietnam. The Visa Exemption Certificate is best suited for mixed-nationality families or retirees who spend several months each year in Vietnam without engaging in professional activities. It is appreciated for its simplicity, lower cost, and the possibility of regular renewal.

The TRC, on the other hand, is intended for those who wish to live permanently, work, or invest in Vietnam. It grants a true resident status and facilitates administrative procedures such as opening a bank account, signing a long-term rental contract, or registering with local authorities.

Vietnam in 2025: Controlled Openness and Enhanced Attractiveness

Recent reforms go beyond mere administrative simplification. By unifying practices and clarifying regulations, Vietnam is asserting a clearer and more coherent immigration policy aimed at attracting individuals capable of contributing to its development.

The balance between openness and regulation has become a hallmark of Vietnam’s strategy: a genuine but controlled openness. For expatriates and investors alike, understanding this approach is now essential to building a sustainable project in the country.