Job Discussion Forums

Wide Awake · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 26

With a work permit you are able to get a 3 year temporary residence card instead of a visa. You must present Immigration with the Arrival/Departure form that you are given when you enter Vietnam though. Mine was stolen and I'm having problems getting it replaced. I went to the airport today and got one, but they wouldn't stamp it. Any suggestions?

mark_in_saigon · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 837

but I recommend to everyone to get color copies of their important documents, and then keep the originals safe. I always carry a copy of the passport, and everyone is good with that. I hate carrying my actual passport with me. Same thing with motorbike documents and anything else that is important. Copies are cheaper than dirt here, you can even get them plasticized. Everyone has this issue, and not many people seem to be proactively attacking it.

Wide Awake · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 26

I do carry copies. My briefcase was stolen by a taxi driver during a move last year. All of my documents were in it.

I'm probably going to have to do a border run to get a new one.

BenE · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 321

Does this temp residence card give you permission to stay without having to leave every 3 months?? If so how hard was it to get?
Did you have to get the school involved in getting it.

I have a work permit and seem to be able to get the 12 month Visas at the moment to let me stay but the residence card would make things even easier.

Wide Awake · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 26

No, you dont have to leave. I think you need at least a 3 year contract though. I don't know if the school has to be involved, aside from the contract. The cost is only $100, so it's worth it.

jb0072009 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: Saigon

I believe you are correct. From what I understand the temp residence permit is only good for as long as your contract is (I got that info from Intel). If your contract is renewed then the permit is renewed as well. The leave every 3 month thing is for people like me married to a Viet who have a visa exemption certificate. Since most people get 1 year contracts it really is not worth the time to get a 1 year res permit, just the 1 year visa. If your contract is longer then it definitely is worth getting it.

Wide Awake · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 26

I finally got it replaced. If anyone else needs one they should get a letter from their school explaining the situation in Vietnamese and then go to the airport. On the departure level of the international terminal there is a immigration office. It's located in between the entrances, directly in front of drop off points 7 and 8. Present the letter to the official that's on duty and they should be able to get the card stamped for you.