What Is an LĐ Temporary Residence Card?
An LĐ temporary residence card is a type of temporary residence card considered for foreign workers legally working in Vietnam. Depending on the case, the card may carry the symbol LĐ1 or LĐ2, based on the work permit status or work permit exemption confirmation.
An LĐ temporary residence card is valid in lieu of a visa during its validity and allows foreign workers to lawfully reside in Vietnam during their working period under the approved dossier.
To be considered for an LĐ temporary residence card, the foreign national must have suitable residence, employment and sponsorship documents. Not every foreigner working in Vietnam is automatically eligible for a temporary residence card if requirements on documents, residence purpose, passport, temporary residence declaration and sponsor are not fully met.
Difference Between LĐ1 and LĐ2 Temporary Residence Cards
Under the current visa and temporary residence card symbol system, the LĐ group is divided into LĐ1 and LĐ2 depending on the foreign national’s work permit status.
| Symbol | Main eligible applicants |
| LĐ1 | Foreigners working in Vietnam with a confirmation of work permit exemption, except where otherwise provided by international treaties to which Vietnam is a member |
| LĐ2 | Foreigners working in Vietnam who are required to have a work permit and have been granted a valid work permit |
Correctly identifying LĐ1 or LĐ2 is important because it affects supporting documents, card validity and related procedures afterward.
Requirements for an LĐ Temporary Residence Card
To be considered for an LĐ temporary residence card, the foreign worker generally needs to meet the following basic requirements:
- Holding a valid passport or international travel document;
- Passport validity being at least 30 days longer than the intended temporary residence card validity;
- Having a valid work permit or work permit exemption confirmation;
- Having completed temporary residence declaration at the place of stay as prescribed;
- Having a suitable agency, organization or enterprise in Vietnam to invite or sponsor;
- The actual residence purpose is consistent with employment;
- Information on passport, current visa or residence document, work permit/work permit exemption confirmation and sponsorship dossier is consistent;
- Not falling under cases where issuance is restricted or unresolved as prescribed.
If the foreign national is currently using a visa or residence document not suitable for employment purpose, the possibility of purpose conversion or a suitable handling direction should be reviewed before proceeding. It should not be assumed that every foreigner with a work permit is automatically eligible for an LĐ temporary residence card if the current residence document is not suitable.
Validity of LĐ Temporary Residence Card for Foreign Workers
The LĐ1 and LĐ2 temporary residence cards are valid for a maximum of 02 years under the current legal framework.
The actual granted validity may be shorter than the maximum period, depending on:
- Remaining passport validity;
- Work permit validity;
- Validity of work permit exemption confirmation;
- Operation term of the sponsoring enterprise or organization if relevant;
- Dossier status and decision of the competent authority.
As a general principle, the validity of a temporary residence card must be at least 30 days shorter than the remaining validity of the passport.
Documents Required for an LĐ Temporary Residence Card
Documents for an LĐ temporary residence card may vary depending on whether the foreign worker falls under LĐ1 or LĐ2, work permit status, sponsoring enterprise dossier and current residence documents.
In general, the dossier includes the following document groups:
Personal Documents of the Foreign Worker
- Original valid passport;
- Current visa, previous temporary residence card or residence document if any;
- Temporary residence card application form using the suitable template with photo attached;
- Portrait photos in the required format;
- Temporary residence declaration information completed as prescribed;
- Additional documents requested by the competent authority if any.
Documents Proving Employment Eligibility
Depending on LĐ1 or LĐ2 category, the foreign worker should prepare one of the following documents:
- For LĐ1: Valid work permit exemption confirmation;
- For LĐ2: Valid work permit.
In addition, the competent authority may request supplementary documents if it needs to cross-check job title, employing enterprise, workplace or working period in Vietnam.
Legal Documents of the Sponsoring Enterprise or Organization
The enterprise or organization sponsoring the foreign worker generally needs to prepare:
- Request letter for temporary residence card issuance from the sponsoring enterprise or organization;
- Enterprise registration certificate, investment registration certificate or organization establishment decision if relevant;
- Seal and signature introduction form if not previously registered or if there are changes;
- Introduction letter or authorization for the person submitting the dossier if submitted in person;
- Other documents requested by the competent authority if any.
Procedure for Applying for an LĐ Temporary Residence Card
The procedure for an LĐ temporary residence card is generally carried out by the enterprise, agency or organization where the foreign national works as the inviting or sponsoring entity. Depending on the case, the dossier may be submitted in person, online or by postal service if permitted by the procedure and receiving authority.
Step 1: Check Eligibility and Suitable Card Type
The enterprise and foreign worker should check whether the foreign national falls under LĐ1 or LĐ2, passport validity, work permit or work permit exemption confirmation, current visa/residence document and temporary residence declaration status.
Step 2: Prepare the Dossier
The dossier must be prepared according to the requested temporary residence card symbol. Information on passport, work permit or work permit exemption confirmation, enterprise dossier and temporary residence declaration must be consistent.
Step 3: Submit the Dossier to the Competent Authority
The dossier may be submitted to the Vietnam Immigration Department, provincial immigration authority or through the public service portal if eligible. The specific submission location depends on the headquarters of the sponsoring enterprise, application type and guidance of the competent authority at the time of submission.
Step 4: Track and Supplement the Dossier if Requested
The receiving authority reviews the dossier and may request supplementation if documents are incomplete, not in the correct form, work permit/work permit exemption confirmation is unsuitable or information is inconsistent.
Step 5: Receive the Result
If approved, the submitter receives the temporary residence card according to the appointment or applicable result delivery method. After receiving the card, the foreign worker should carefully check full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, card symbol and validity.
Where to Submit an LĐ Temporary Residence Card Application?
Depending on the case, an LĐ temporary residence card application may be submitted to:
- Vietnam Immigration Department;
- Provincial immigration authority;
- National Public Service Portal;
- Ministry of Public Security Public Service Portal;
- Postal service if permitted by the procedure and receiving authority.
The specific submission location depends on the sponsoring enterprise or organization, headquarters location, application type and receiving scope of the competent authority at the time of submission.
Processing Time for LĐ Temporary Residence Card Applications
Under current administrative procedures, the processing time for temporary residence card issuance is 05 working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete and valid dossier.
It should be noted that this is the competent authority’s processing time after the dossier is complete and valid. It is not the entire actual timeline when clients use Nhị Gia’s dossier support service.
In practice, the total timeline may include:
- Consultation and employment condition review;
- Review of work permit or work permit exemption confirmation;
- Checking passport, visa or current residence document;
- Checking temporary residence declaration status;
- Reviewing legal documents of the sponsoring enterprise;
- Form preparation;
- Dossier submission;
- Result tracking;
- Supplementation or correction if requested;
- Result collection and delivery.
Nhị Gia will advise the estimated timeline after reviewing the client’s specific dossier.
Fees for LĐ Temporary Residence Card Issuance
The LĐ temporary residence card is valid for up to 02 years. Under the current fee levels, the fee for a temporary residence card valid for up to 02 years is USD 145 per card.
This is the state fee paid to the competent authority. In addition, clients may incur translation, notarization/certification, consular legalization, courier, travel, dossier support service fees or costs for additional requests if any.
Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC, effective from 1 April 2026, regulates fees and charges in the field of exit, entry, transit and residence in Vietnam.
Can an LĐ Temporary Residence Card Be Extended?
When an LĐ temporary residence card is close to expiry, the foreign worker may be considered for a new temporary residence card if requirements continue to be met. Handling an expired card should not be understood as automatically extending the old card.
Before applying for a new card, the enterprise and foreign worker should check:
- Whether the passport remains valid;
- Whether the work permit or work permit exemption confirmation remains valid;
- Whether the foreign national still works for the correct sponsoring enterprise or organization;
- Whether job title, working position or workplace has changed;
- Temporary residence declaration status;
- Whether the sponsoring enterprise’s legal dossier has changed;
- Whether the current residence purpose remains consistent with employment status.
If eligible, the foreign worker may be considered for a new temporary residence card with a suitable validity.
Common Challenges When Applying for an LĐ Temporary Residence Card Independently
When preparing an LĐ temporary residence card application independently, the enterprise or foreign worker may encounter challenges such as:
- Not identifying the correct LĐ1 or LĐ2 category;
- Work permit or work permit exemption confirmation not having sufficient validity;
- Inconsistency among passport, work permit, visa and temporary residence declaration;
- Foreign national currently using a visa or residence document not suitable for employment purpose;
- Sponsoring enterprise changing name, address, legal representative or seal but not updating the dossier;
- Passport not having sufficient validity for the intended card duration;
- Submitting the dossier to the wrong competent authority;
- Uncertainty about additional requests or how to correct the dossier when requested.
These issues may lead to additional requests, longer processing time or failure to obtain the intended card validity.
LĐ Temporary Residence Card Service by Nhị Gia
An LĐ temporary residence card application must be prepared carefully because it directly relates to work permit, work permit exemption confirmation, enterprise legal documents, residence status and working plan in Vietnam. If the LĐ1/LĐ2 category is incorrectly identified or information among documents is inconsistent, processing may take longer or require additional documents.
With more than 20 years of experience in Vietnam visas, entry approval letters, temporary residence cards, work permits and legal dossiers for foreigners in Vietnam, Nhị Gia supports enterprises and foreign workers in preparing LĐ temporary residence card applications based on each specific case.
Nhị Gia supports clients with:
- Advising on LĐ temporary residence card conditions case by case;
- Identifying the suitable card category: LĐ1 or LĐ2;
- Reviewing passport, visa or current residence document of the foreign national;
- Checking work permit or work permit exemption confirmation;
- Checking legal documents of the sponsoring enterprise or organization;
- Guiding preparation of required forms and documents;
- Supporting dossier completion and standardization;
- Supporting submission through the suitable method;
- Tracking application status;
- Supporting additional document requests if any;
- Receiving and delivering results according to the service agreement;
- Advising on related procedures such as entry approval, work visa, new temporary residence card issuance, police record and consular legalization if needed;
- Maintaining confidentiality of personal information, enterprise dossiers and client documents.
Nhị Gia does not guarantee outcomes for every application, as the final decision belongs to the competent authority. However, identifying the correct employment category, preparing valid supporting documents and reviewing information consistency from the beginning can help reduce errors and support a more proactive work and residence plan in Vietnam.
Nhị Gia Support Process for LĐ Temporary Residence Card
The support process at Nhị Gia focuses on checking eligibility first, reviewing employment documents and advising on a suitable solution case by case.
- Step 1: Information Collection. Nhị Gia collects information about the foreign worker, sponsoring enterprise, passport, current visa/temporary residence card, work permit or work permit exemption confirmation and stay needs in Vietnam.
- Step 2: Employment Eligibility and Dossier Review. Nhị Gia reviews card eligibility, suitable card symbol, enterprise dossier, work permit or work permit exemption confirmation and the foreign national’s residence status.
- Step 3: Document Preparation Guidance and Dossier Completion. Nhị Gia guides clients in preparing required documents, supports form completion, reviews information and standardizes the dossier before submission.
- Step 4: Submission and Result Tracking. Nhị Gia supports submission through the suitable method and tracks processing status. If additional documents are requested, Nhị Gia coordinates with the client to prepare the required revisions.
- Step 5: Result Delivery. After the result is available, Nhị Gia delivers the temporary residence card and guides the client in checking card information, including full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, card symbol and validity.
Nhị Gia Service Timeline
The statutory processing time refers to the processing period of the competent authority after receiving a complete and valid dossier. It is not the entire actual timeline when clients use Nhị Gia’s service.
When using Nhị Gia’s service, the actual timeline depends on work permit or work permit exemption confirmation status, sponsoring enterprise dossier, passport, current visa/temporary residence card, temporary residence declaration status, how quickly the client provides documents, additional requests if any and the competent authority’s processing progress.
Nhị Gia will advise the estimated timeline after reviewing the client’s specific dossier.
Contact Nhị Gia for LĐ Temporary Residence Card Consultation
If you are an enterprise, organization or foreign worker needing to apply for an LĐ temporary residence card in Vietnam, employment conditions, card type and legal dossier should be reviewed before submission.
Please contact Hotline 1900 6654 or email info@nhigia.vn for case-specific consultation from Nhị Gia’s specialists.
