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Our Latest Guide
Residency (TRC) in Vietnam — updated guide by Level Advise:
• TRC through employment, business, marriage, and study
• Key aspects of investor TRC
• Pros and cons of TRC vs Visa vs Visa Exemption
• How Permanent Residence works and who actually qualifies
• Latest changes to Vietnam’s citizenship law as of 2025
Recommended for investors, professionals, families, and anyone planning long-term stay in Vietnam.
Explore our Insight Hub
Practical guides, legal updates, and business insights
for foreign investors in Vietnam.
Who really manages your company in Vietnam?
This short guide explains the roles of Legal Representative, Director, and Chairman in Vietnamese LLCs.
A must-read for foreign investors, company directors, and anyone responsible for compliance or corporate structure.
How a Foreigner Can Buy Property in Vietnam?
We explain why you can’t simply buy a house from a Vietnamese, how foreigner quotas apply and more.
Buying property through a legal entity — pros, taxes, restrictions, and residency options.
How to open an English Center?
With the demand for English education rising, more foreigners are launching language centers in Vietnam.
In our latest guide, we summarize 7 essential legal steps for investor.
List of Regulatory Legal Acts
As of July 1, 2025, Vietnam has enforced sweeping legal reforms.
Biometric checks, eID accounts, e-invoicing & provincial mergers are now in effect. Stay informed with our report.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, a foreigner can fully own and open a company in Vietnam.
Most business sectors are open to foreign investors without requiring a local partner. However, some specific industries may have restrictions or require additional licenses. The process includes obtaining an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) and an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC). Foreigners can register a 100% foreign-owned company, and there is no requirement to have a local shareholder or director unless the business field specifically demands it.
Prepare the investment project Define business activities, proposed capital, and company structure.
Apply for the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) Issued by the Department of Finance (DOF) under the new administrative structure, typically takes 20 working days.
Apply for the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) This is the company’s legal business license, issued within 5–7 working days after the IRC.
Create company seal and register tax code Includes company stamp, tax number, and digital signature token.
Open a capital bank account Required for charter capital injection.
Contribute charter capital Must be completed within 90-180 days from ERC issuance
Register for e-invoices and tax declaration Set up electronic invoices, VAT/NIL declarations, and accounting procedures.
Apply for industry-specific licenses (if applicable)
There is no official minimum charter capital for most business sectors in Vietnam. However, the capital must be realistic and sufficient to cover the planned activities of the company. Authorities may reject an application if the declared capital is too low for the business type.
Key points:
For consulting or trading companies, $7,000–$10,000 is usually acceptable.
For businesses requiring physical premises or licenses (e.g., education, F&B), higher capital may be expected.
Charter capital must be fully contributed within 90 days after company registration.
The capital must be transferred from the investor’s account to the company’s capital bank account in Vietnam.
Foreigners can get a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) in Vietnam through investment, employment, or family ties.
Options:
Investor TRC (DT1–DT4) – for company owners. Capital ≥ 3 billion VND: up to 10 years < 500 million VND: usually 1–2 years
Work TRC (LD1/LD2) – for directors or employees with a Work Permit. Valid for 2 years
Family TRC (TT) – for spouses/children of TRC holders or Vietnamese citizens.
Note: From July 2025, Immigration may also require VNeID registration and e-signature (depending on the role and company structure).
Shareholder:
No, it is not, except for certain business activities that require the certain percentage of local ownership in Vietnam companies.
Director:
No. You don’t need to have any local director in order to form a company in Vietnam.
Not at all! You can remotely handle Vietnam company incorporation by way of hiring Level Advise for the purpose. All you have to do is to provide us with all company details as well as documents in hard copy as so advised by Level Advise.
Yes, you and your family members can obtain Temporary Residence Cards which are valid for 2 years and can be renewed afterward. These Temporary Residence Cards will also serve as long-term visas during the terms thereof.
You must have Vietnam investment visa or Vietnam working visa and your dependents must have Vietnam dependent visas which are all sponsored by your Vietnam company in order to apply for Temporary Residence Cards.
You cannot obtain dependent visas for your dependents unless and until you already have your own Temporary Residence Card.
It will take us about 3 weeks to help you get a Temporary Residence Card.
It’s a type of investment visa just issued to a foreign shareholder of a Vietnam company whose name appears on an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) or an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC). Since July 1st, 2020, only foreign shareholders of a company with the paid-up capital of VND 3 billion or more are eligible for investment visas.
If you are a shareholder of a Vietnam company with a paid-up capital of VND 3 billion or more, you are qualified to get an Vietnam Investment Visa. Otherwise, you must obtain a Vietnam Work Permit Exemption before applying for a Vietnam Working Visa.
If you are not a shareholder and want to work for a specific Vietnam company, you must have an offer of employment to fill a genuine job vacancy of that Vietnam company. The sponsoring company must apply for a Vietnam Work Permit for you before you can obtain a Vietnam Working Visa.
In order to get a Vietnam Work Permit, you need to qualify for the job, which means your health, background, experience, and education in the relevant field and clean criminal record must meet the requirements of the Vietnamese laws.
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