TRC Through Marriage
Get the TT temporary residence card as a foreign spouse
Married to a Vietnamese citizen? A TT temporary residence card replaces visa runs and extensions with a single card valid for up to 3 years — multiple entries and exits included. You can apply in-country from a tourist visa; no exit required.
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TT temporary residence card at a glance
Key facts before you apply for a marriage-based TRC.
Card validity
Up to 3 years
Capped at passport validity minus 30 days
Government fee
145–155 USD
By card validity, set by Ministry of Finance
Statutory processing
5 working days
2–3 weeks in practice end to end
Tourist entry
In-country conversion allowed
No need to leave Vietnam
Compare your options
TT card, 5-year exemption, or visa extensions?
Foreign spouses have three residence routes, and choosing the wrong one costs money and time. Here is how they compare.
| Option | Validity | Cost | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TT temporary residence card | Up to 3 years | 145–155 USD gov. fee | Spouses living in Vietnam full-time | Replaces the visa fully, continuous residence | Cannot be extended — renewed as a new card |
| 5-year visa exemption certificate | 5 years, 180 days per entry | Separate application | Spouses who visit often but live abroad | Long validity, cheaper to maintain | Each stay capped, must extend or exit every 6 months |
| TT visa + extensions | Up to 1 year per visa | Per-extension fees | Short transitional periods | Faster to obtain initially | Requires repeated extensions, not continuous |
How it works
TT card process step by step
Here is what happens when you apply for a marriage-based TRC through us.
Confirm eligibility
Send your passport validity, marriage certificate details, and current visa status. We confirm whether in-country conversion or a fresh application applies.
Prepare NA7, NA8, and legalize documents
We prepare the sponsor request and TRC declaration forms, and coordinate consular legalization and certified translation for any foreign-issued marriage certificate.
Submit at the Immigration Office
The dossier is filed at the provincial Immigration Office where your Vietnamese spouse resides, or through the National Public Service Portal.
Receive your TT card
Statutory processing is 5 working days from a complete dossier; allow 2–3 weeks end to end once fee payment and document supplements are factored in.
Eligibility
What we check before advising
A TT card application depends on your marriage status, passport validity, and residence declaration lining up correctly before submission.
- Your marriage is legally recognized in Vietnam — registered here, or recorded via ghi chú kết hôn if married abroad
- Passport valid for at least 13 months at the time of application
- Temporary residence declared with the ward/commune police at your actual address
- No pending criminal investigation, unpaid fines, taxes, or other financial obligations
- Whether you can convert status in-country from a tourist or e-visa entry
- Whether your children also qualify for TT cards as dependents
Documents
Documents your spouse and you prepare
Your Vietnamese spouse acts as sponsor and signs the application. Every foreign-issued document needs consular legalization and certified translation.
Form NA7 — sponsor's written request, signed by your Vietnamese spouse
Form NA8 — TRC information declaration with your photo attached
Two photos, 2 x 3 cm, white background, taken recently
Original passport with entry visa or valid stay stamp — 13+ months validity
Marriage certificate — Vietnamese original, or foreign certificate legalized, translated, and recorded via ghi chú kết hôn
Sponsor's citizen ID card (CCCD) and proof of residence, plus your temporary residence declaration confirmation
Limits
Common rejection reasons
Official legal context
TT is the visa and residence-card category for family members under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners (Law 47/2014, as amended), covering the foreign spouse, parent, or child of a Vietnamese citizen.
Vietnamese law expressly permits in-country conversion of visa status for foreigners who can prove they are the spouse, parent, or child of a Vietnamese citizen — one of the few categories where conversion from a tourist entry is allowed. Overstaying an expired card triggers fines under Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP.
FAQ
Common questions
How long is a marriage-based TRC valid in Vietnam?
Up to 3 years per card, but never longer than your passport validity minus 30 days.
Can I apply while in Vietnam on a tourist visa?
Yes. Spouses, parents, and children of Vietnamese citizens are legally allowed to convert status in-country with proof of the relationship. You do not need to exit Vietnam.
Does my foreign marriage certificate work?
Only after the marriage is recorded in the Vietnamese civil status register (ghi chú kết hôn). Plan this step first — it is a separate procedure at the commune-level People's Committee.
Can I work in Vietnam with a TT card?
The TT card grants residence, not work authorization. To be employed you still need a work permit or a work permit exemption certificate. Spouses of Vietnamese citizens qualify for a work permit exemption in defined cases.
Can my children get TRCs too?
Yes. Children of a Vietnamese citizen qualify for TT cards with birth certificates proving the relationship (legalized and translated if issued abroad).
What happens if my TRC expires while I'm abroad?
The card simply lapses; you re-enter on a visa or visa exemption and apply for a new card. Problems only arise if you remain in Vietnam past expiry.
Does Vietnam Legal Support act as our legal representative?
No. Approval decisions are made by the Vietnamese immigration authority, not by Vietnam Legal Support. We prepare and check your dossier and guide you through submission, but we do not represent you before the authorities.
Next checks
Related visa guidance
These related pages cover what typically comes before and after a marriage-based TRC application.
Marriage registration in Vietnam
Register your Vietnamese marriage certificate first if you married in Vietnam.
Visa extension guidance
Compare TT card timing against extension or renewal options while your dossier is prepared.
Emergency visa support
Get urgent review if your current stay is close to expiry while the TRC dossier is in progress.
Ready to apply for your TT card?
Send your marriage certificate and passport details for a same-day eligibility check.
Sources
- Law No. 47/2014/QH13 on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners - TT visa/residence card category and eligibility
- Vietnam Immigration Department — temporary residence card procedures - official application procedure and conditions
- Viet Nam News — tighter overstay penalties under new decree - Decree 282/2025/NĐ-CP overstay fine tiers, effective December 15, 2025