Visa vs Work Permit vs TRC in Vietnam: Key Differences for Employers

Many employers assume that a valid visa is enough for a foreign employee to start working legally in Vietnam. In practice, confusing a visa, work permit, and temporary residence card can lead to delayed onboarding, disrupted workforce deployment and administrative penalties. 

Understanding the differences between these three documents is therefore essential when hiring and managing foreign employees in Vietnam. Each document has a distinct legal purpose, application process, validity period, and practical use. 

This guide compares Visa vs Work Permit vs TRC in Vietnam, helping employers determine which documents are required, how they work together, and how to avoid mistakes when deploying foreign talent. What is a Visa? 

A visa is an entry document that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in Vietnam for a specific purpose and duration. Vietnam offers different visa categories depending on the purpose of entry. For employers hiring foreign talent, business visas such as DN1 and DN2 are among the most relevant categories. 

What is a Visa?

Business Visa (DN1, DN2)

A business visa is issued to foreign nationals entering Vietnam for specified business activities, including:  

• Attending business meetings
• Exploring investment opportunities
• Establishing a commercial presence in Vietnam

Note: A DN visa allows business activities only. Foreign nationals working in Vietnam must obtain a work permit or a work permit exemption certificate in accordance with Vietnamese labor regulations. 

Types of Business Visas:

DN1: Issued to foreigners working with enterprises or organizations that have legal status under Vietnamese law. 

DN2: Issued to foreigners providing services, establishing a commercial presence,, or engage in other activities under international agreements to which Vietnam is a party. 

Validity: Up to 12 months 

Conditions for Visa Issuance: 

Under Article 10 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, an applicant must: 

      1. Hold a valid passport or international travel document 

      2. Be sponsored by a legally established organization or enterprise in Vietnam. 

      3. Not fall under the cases prohibited from entry as stipulated in Article 21 of Law No. 47/2014/QH13 

      4. Provide documentation proving the purpose of entry: 

• Foreign investors must have documents proving their investment in Vietnam in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Law;
• Foreigners practicing law in Vietnam must have a practice license as prescribed by the Law on Lawyers;
• Foreigners entering the country to work must have a work permit as prescribed by the Labor Code;
• Foreigners entering Vietnam for study must have an acceptance letter from a Vietnamese school or educational institution.

Required Documents: 

• Visa application form (Form NA2)
• One recent photograph, size 4 x 6 cm
• Passport or valid international travel document
• Certified copy of the business license or decision issued by the competent authority regarding the establishment of the organization.
• Letter of introduction with the official seal and signature of the authorized person of the organization.

• Step 1: Prepare the required documents accordance with the law
• Step 2: Log in Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security using VNeID of the sponsoring employer
• Step 3: Submit the documents using the electronic signature to confirm the requested information and pay the fee
• Step 4: Collect the result via Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security

What is a Work Permit? 

A work permit is an official authorization issued by Vietnamese authorities that allows foreign nationals to work legally for a specific employer in Vietnam.  

Required Documents:  

• Work permit application form (Form No. 03 under Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP)
• A valid passport
• A health certificate issued within the 12 months preceding the date of submission
• A criminal record certificate issued within the 6 months preceding the date of submission
• Two recent passport-sized photographs (4x6 cm, white background, taken within the last 6 months)
• Documents verifying the employment arrangement (such as a labor contract or internal assignment letter)
• Documents demonstrating that the foreign employee meets the criteria for a manager, executive director, expert, or technical worker (Article 19 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP)

• Step 1: Prepare the application dossier
• Step 2: Submit the application

Applications can be submitted via the National Public Service Portal or through authorized service providers (Manpower Vietnam).   

Submission timeline: Within 60 days before the expected start date and no later than 10 days before the foreign employee begins work.  

• Step 3: Receive the result

The competent authority will process the application and issue the result within 10 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier. 

• If approved, the work permit is issued
• If rejected, a written response will be provided clearly stating the reasons

What is Temporary Residence Card (TRC)  

Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is a document issued by the immigration authorities or competent agencies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to foreigners who are permitted to reside in Vietnam for a certain period of time and can be used instead of a visa.  

Conditions for TRC Issuance: 

Under Article 36 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014, applicants must fall within one of the following eligible categories to obtain a TRC: 

• Case 1: Foreign nationals who are members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of United Nations organizations, or intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam, together with their spouses, children under 18 years of age, and household staff accompanying them during their terms of office.
• Case 2: Foreigners issued with LV1, LV2, ĐT, NN1, NN2, DH, PV1, LĐ, TT visas shall be issued with temporary residence cards with the same symbols.

• A written request from the inviting or sponsoring agency, organization, or individual;
• An application form (Form NA6 and NA8) for a Temporary Residence Card with the applicant’s photograph attached;
• Passports;
• Documents proving that the applicant falls within one of the eligible categories specified in Article 36 of this Law.

• Step 1: Register and Log In

• Step 2: Submit the Application

Complete the online application, upload the required supporting documents, and submit the dossier electronically. 

Application intake: Monday to Saturday morning (excluding public holidays) 

• Step 3: Application Review

• Step 4: Receive the Result

Upon approval, the Temporary Residence Card is issued and can be collected in accordance with the authority's instructions. 

Result collection: Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 

Validity: The TRC typically has a validity period of 1 to 3 years, depending on the type and purpose of residence.   

Key Differences Between Visa, Work Permit, and TRC 

Employer Guide: When to Use a Visa, Work Permit, or TRC in Vietnam

While visas, work permits, and TRCs serve different purposes, employers should understand how they work together to ensure compliant hiring and a smooth onboarding experience for foreign employees in Vietnam. For most long-term foreign hires, the process follows a sequential pathway: Visa → Work Permit (or exemption) → TRC, making each document a prerequisite for the next stage of lawful employment and residence in Vietnam.