THỦ TỤC CẤP ĐỔI, CẤP LẠI THẺ THƯỜNG TRÚ CHO NGƯỜI NƯỚC NGOÀI TẠI VIỆT NAM / PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEME

From July 1, 2026, the Law on amendments to some articles of 10 Laws related to Security and Order No. 118/2025/QH15 approved by the National Assembly on December 10, 2025, officially takes effect. Accordingly, regarding procedures of the permanent residence cards (PRC) for replacement, reissuance, the Law has simplified applications. Concurrently, the Law has also granted the Minister of Public Security authority to decide cases in which foreigners are permitted to carry out procedures for issuance, replacement or reissuance of PRC at the immigration authority due to diplomatic, national defense or security reasons, this creates appropriate mechanism for special cases.

1. Conditions for consideration of permanent residence status for foreigners in Vietnam

Pursuant to Article 39 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam 2014 (hereinafter referred to as “Law on EE 2014”), cases in which grant of permanent residence status is considered for foreigners living in Vietnam include:

- Foreigners who have contributed to the development and protection of Vietnam and are awarded medals or titles by Vietnam’s government.

- Foreigners who are scientists or experts temporarily residing in Vietnam.

- Any foreigner sponsored by his parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen and has a permanent residence in Vietnam.

- Any person without nationalities who has had a temporary residence in Vietnam from 2000 or earlier.

Regarding the cases mentioned above, the foreigners shall be considered of permanent residence status if he/she meets one of the following conditions in accordance with Article 40 of the Law on EE 2014:

- The foreigner has a legitimate residence and is making a decent living in Vietnam.

- The foreigner who is a scientist or expert temporarily residing in Vietnam shall be proposed by the Ministers, Heads of ministerial agencies or Governmental agencies in corresponding fields.

- The foreigner sponsored by his/her parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen and resides in Vietnam has temporarily resided in Vietnam for at least consecutive 3 years according to the entry and exit visa borne at the checkpoint within latest 4 years from the date on which the application for permanent residence is submitted.

For cases of replacement, reissuance of PRC, depending on each case with specialties, due to diplomatic, national defense or security reasons, the Minister of Public Security shall decide cases in which foreigners are permitted to carry out procedures for issuance, replacement, reissuance of PRC at the immigration authority.

2. Procedures for replacement, reissuance of PRC for foreigners living in Vietnam

2.1. Procedures for replacement of PRC

According to clause 1 Article 43 of the Law on EE 2014, amended and supplemented by point a, b clause 11 Article 2 of the Law on amendments to 10 Law related to Security and Order 2025, the PRC shall be issued by provincial police authorities. Every 10 years, every foreigner who has a permanent residence status must go to a provincial police authority to replace the PRC.

The application consists of:

- An application form for replacement of the PRC according to Form NA13 under clause 12 Article 1 Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA;

- The current PRC;

- 02 portrait pictures sized 2x3cm, white background.

- A certified true copy of the passport, except for those without nationalities.

The foreigner submits 01 application to the provincial Police Authority where he/she resides, stated in the current PRC, to conduct the procedures for replacement of PRC. The officer receives the application and checks its legal as well as the application’s content. If the application is valid, the officer shall issue the foreigner a receipt for the result; otherwise, if the application is invalid, the officer shall guide the foreigner to complete the application.

According to the deadline stated in the receipt, the foreigner shall receive the result directly at the Immigration authority – provincial Police Authority. Upon receiving, the foreigner shall bring along the receipt for supervision and comparison. In case of declination, the authority shall respond in writing and clearly state the reasons.

2.2. Procedures for reissuance of PRC

Regarding cases in which the PRC is lost, damaged, or its contents are changed, the foreigner shall follow the procedures for reissuance of the card at the police authority of the province where he/she resides. According to clause 2 Article 43 of the Law on EE 2014, the application includes:

- An application form for reissuance of the PRC according to Form NA13 under clause 12 Article 1 Circular No. 70/2026/TT-BCA;

- The current PRC, in case the PRC is lost, it is necessary to declare information in the application form for reissuance of the PRC;

- A certified true copy of the passport, except for those without nationalities;

- 02 portrait pictures sized 2x3cm, white background;

- Papers proving the changes to the contents of the permanent residence card.

Within 20 days from the day on which sufficient documents are received, the police authority of the province shall reissue the card. If the application is insufficient or invalid, the authority receiving the application shall guide the foreigner to complete the application. The duration resolving reissuance requests shall be re-calculated from the day on which sufficient documents are submitted. If the PRC is not issued within the deadline, the authority shall respond in writing and clearly state the reasons.

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