What you'll learn:

• The complete work permit and TRC application timeline (7-9 weeks)
• Critical visa requirements that determine whether you can get TRC
• Document checklists for each stage
• How to handle common complications like being on the wrong visa type
• Realistic timelines based on current processing speeds

Complete Timeline Summary

Step	Action	Time
Week 0	Apply for working e-visa	3 days
Day 1	Enter Vietnam	-
Day 1-2	Register temporary residence	1 day (sometimes it is longer, depend on the local polices)
Week 1-3	Criminal record + Health check	2-3 weeks
Week 4-7	Submit WP application → collect WP	3-4 weeks
Week 7-8	Submit TRC application → collect TRC	2 weeks
TOTAL	Full process	7-9 weeks

Step-by-Step Breakdown

STEP 0: Obtain Your Working E-Visa (BEFORE entering Vietnam)

This is the most critical step that many applicants overlook. The type of visa you enter Vietnam with determines whether you'll be able to obtain a TRC later-regardless of having a work permit.

According to Decree 65/2020/NĐ-CP (as amended by Decree 83/2024/NĐ-CP effective August 15, 2024), only specific visa categories qualify for TRC conversion. Tourist visas (du lịch), business visas (thương mại), and general e-visas do not qualify, even if you subsequently obtain a work permit.

How to Apply for Working E-Visa

• Official application portal: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

• Application requirements:

• Valid passport and photo (minimum 6 months validity remaining)

• Passport bio page scan (clear, full page visible)

• Company invitation letter from your Vietnamese employer

• Key application details:

• Select: Choose "Working" (làm việc) as your entry purpose

• Processing time: 3 working days

• Cost: Approximately $25 USD

• Validity options: Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry

IMPORTANT RULES:

• Rule 1: Visa type determines TRC eligibility Even with a valid work permit, you cannot apply for TRC if you entered Vietnam on a tourist or business visa. The working visa is mandatory.
• Rule 2: Work permit comes first, TRC comes second You cannot apply for TRC without an approved work permit. These are separate applications with separate timelines.
• Rule 3: Everything is employer-specific Your work permit, labor contract, and TRC are all tied to one specific employer. Changing jobs means starting the entire process over.

STEP 1: Enter Vietnam with Working Visa

Timeline: Day 1

What to do:

Upon arrival at Vietnamese immigration, present your working e-visa. Immigration officers will stamp your passport with your entry date and visa type. Keep this passport page clean and legible-it's required for all subsequent applications.

What If You're Already in Vietnam on the Wrong Visa?

• Book flight/bus to neighboring countries (Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore).
• Apply for working e-visa while abroad.
• Re-enter Vietnam with a working e-visa.
• Register temporary residence again.

STEP 2: Register Temporary Residence

Timeline: Week 1-2

What to do:

Within 24 hours of arrival, register your address at The local police station (Công an phường).

This registration-the Confirmation of Temporary Residence (Xác nhận tạm trú)-is a mandatory document for every subsequent step

Required documents:

• Passport
• Rental contract or hotel confirmation letter
• Landlord's identification card (CCCD)

STEP 3: Obtain Criminal Background Check

Timeline: Week 1-2 (depending on chosen option)

What to do:

Vietnam's work permit regulations require criminal background verification. You have two options, each with distinct advantages and processing requirements.

Feature	Option A: Criminal Record from Home Country	Option B: Criminal Record in Vietnam
Best For	Individuals who cannot prove legal residence in Vietnam (e.g., short-term visitors, first-time applicants before establishing residence).	Managers and those who can prove valid temporary residence in Vietnam (significantly faster and cheaper).
Eligibility	Citizen/Resident of the issuing country.	Must have valid temporary residence confirmation in Vietnam.
Process	- Request a criminal background check from the home country's police/national records agency. - Obtain apostille or consular legalization. - Notarized translation to Vietnamese.	- Prepare application documents. - Submit to the Criminal Record Department of the Municipal Department of Justice. - Collect results after processing.
Timeline	3–8 weeks total	5–10 working days
Validity	6 months from the issue date.	6 months from the issue date.
Estimated Cost	- Varies by country. - Apostille/legalization and translation: 2–3 million VND.	- Government Fee: Free. - Agent Service: Optional (variable cost).

Required documents: Application form (Form 03/2024/TT-LLTP), original passport,

Photocopy of passport, Original temporary residence confirmation from local police, two passport-sized photos (4x6cm, white background).

Where to apply in HCMC: Criminal Record Management Department (Phòng Cảnh sát quản lý hành chính về trật tự xã hội).

Professional insight: For Manager route applications, Vietnam criminal record is almost always sufficient and dramatically faster.

STEP 4: Health Check

Timeline: Week 1-2

What to do: Book appointment at approved hospital.

Approved locations:

• Provincial general hospitals
• Central hospitals in major cities
• District-level hospitals approved by Ministry of Health

Required Medical Form: Form No. 01, Appendix No. XXIV issued with Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT

The examination must be conducted using Form No. 01, Appendix No. XXIV issued with Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT (effective February 20, 2024). Older forms from previous regulations are no longer accepted by DOLISA.

Tests include: General health check, chest X-ray evaluation, blood test, drug screening

Cost range: VND 1,500,000 - 3,000,000

Results: Get results in 3-7 days

Pro tip: Popular clinics in expat areas book up 2-3 weeks in advance. Schedule your appointment as soon as you enter Vietnam, even before obtaining your criminal record.

STEP 5: Prepare Work Permit Documents

Timeline: Week 2-3 (collecting everything)

What to do: While waiting for a criminal record and health check, prepare everything else.

Required Document (Manager Route):

• Business registration certificate - notarized copy (3 copies)
• Passport - notarized copy of ALL pages including blank pages (2 copies)
• Photos 4x6cm - white background, no glasses (4 photos)
• Criminal record (original - 1 copy)
• Health check (original - 1 copy)
• Company charter (điều lệ công ty) - Word file (1 copy)
• Labor contract - signed (will be prepared by company)
• Job description - in Vietnamese (will be prepared by company)

Additional for other routes (Expert/Executive):

• Bachelor's degree (legalized + translated)
• Experience certificates (legalized + translated)
• Professional certificates if any

Read more about: Ways to get a Work Permit (ranked by difficulty)

STEP 6: Company Submits Application to DOLISA

Timeline: Week 3-6

What to do: Once all documents are prepared, your employer (or authorized agent) will submit the complete application package to the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) in the province where your company is registered.

Processing time: 15 working days (official) / 20-30 days (reality)

According to Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP, DOLISA has 15 working days from receipt of complete application to issue approval or rejection notice.

Submission Process:

• DOLISA reviews documents
• If there are missing or incorrect items → Company has 7 calendar days to provide supplemental documents

Critical warning: If you fail to submit supplemental documents within 7 days, your application is automatically rejected and you must start over with a completely new application and new fees.

• Once approved, the company collects the physical work permit card from DOLISA.

Work Permit validity:

• Maximum 2 years per issuance
• Cannot exceed labor contract duration
• Cannot exceed passport validity
• Employer-specific (non-transferable)

STEP 7: Apply for TRC (Temporary Residence Card)

Timeline: Week 7-8

What to do: With your approved work permit in hand-and provided you entered Vietnam on a working e-visa-you can now apply for your Temporary Residence Card, which serves as your long-term residence authorization.

Required Documents:

• Business registration certificate - notarized copy (1 copy)
• Passport - ORIGINAL (1 copy)
• Work Permit - ORIGINAL (1 copy)
• Temporary residence confirmation OR online registration (still valid) - ORIGINAL (1 copy)
• Photos 2x3cm - white background, no glasses (4 photos)

Processing time: 10-15 working days

TRC validity:

• Validity period typically matches work permit duration (up to 2 years)
• Receive temporary residence paper valid during processing period

oBacker Can Simplify Your Process

Navigating Vietnam's work authorization system is complex and time-consuming. Obacker manages the entire process for foreign professionals and employers, from document preparation through TRC collection.

What we handle:

• Complete document preparation, translation, and notarization.
• Direct submission and follow-up with DOLISA.
• Priority health examinations.
• Visa correction support and border run coordination.
• TRC application and ongoing compliance management.

Our track record: 98% first-time approval rate | Average 6-7 weeks processing time

Ready to begin? Schedule a free consultation or Download our document checklist to assess your readiness.

Need a quote? Contact us at contact@obacker.com or 02-888-999-789 for customized pricing based on your situation.

Don't let bureaucratic delays hold you back. Let Obacker handle the process while you focus on your new role in Vietnam.

Read more about: Ways to get a Work Permit (ranked by difficulty)