The 24-hour registration rule sets the clock — everything else in your first month flows from that ward police visit on arrival day.
Overview
The first 30 days in Vietnam are administratively intensive: a strict 24-hour residence registration requirement triggers a chain of tasks that must be completed in roughly the right order or later steps stall. Foreign workers arrive on an LD1 or LD2 visa with a work permit already issued by the Provincial People's Committee; tourists and short-stay business visitors arrive on an e-visa. The critical first action for all categories is temporary residence registration at the ward/commune police (Công An Phường/Xã). For workers, the TRC application follows in week one, generating the residence card that unlocks bank accounts and formal tax code registration. The employer registers the worker with Vietnam Social Security (VSS) concurrently. By the end of week three a new arrival should have: a confirmed temporary address, a valid TRC, a Vietnamese tax code, VSS enrolment for health and social insurance, and a basic bank account. Week four is for orientation — learning local transport (Grab, bus BRT), SIM card registration under Decree 13/2023, and health facility registration. Verified against xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, gdt.gov.vn, and baohiemxahoi.gov.vn as of June 2026.
Week 1 — Arrival Essentials
- Day 1 — Temporary residence registration (MANDATORY, 12–24 hours): Go with your landlord to the ward/commune police office (Công An Phường/Xã) with your passport (LD visa stamped), lease agreement, and landlord's Vietnamese ID (CCCD). Urban areas: within 12 hours. Rural areas: within 24 hours. Hotels register guests automatically. Get the registration confirmation stamp — this document is required for every subsequent step.
- Days 2–5 — TRC application: Submit your dossier to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security or the relevant provincial immigration office. Required: passport + LD visa, work permit (Giấy Phép Lao Động), residence registration confirmation, 2×4×6 cm passport photos, completed application form. Fee: USD 145 for a 2-year LD card. Processing: 5–7 working days.
- Days 3–7 — SIM card registration: Under Decree 13/2023/ND-CP on personal data protection, all SIM cards must be registered with a biometric ID. Foreign nationals can register a SIM using their passport at a carrier store (Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone, Vietnamobile). Pre-paid SIMs registered in Vietnam provide a local number needed for many services and banking OTPs.
- Days 5–7 — Employer social insurance notification: Your employer should notify Vietnam Social Security (VSS — Bảo Hiểm Xã Hội Việt Nam) of your employment within the statutory period under the Labour Code 2019. Confirm with your HR team that this has been submitted — it affects your health insurance card issuance.
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See Paid Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
I arrived late at night — do I still need to register temporary residence within 12 hours?
Strictly yes — Decree 144/2021 sets 12 hours for urban areas and 24 hours for rural areas from the moment of moving into the accommodation, not from business hours opening. In practice, if you arrive at 11 pm in an urban ward, the police office will be closed. Most landlords handle this situation by accompanying you to the office first thing the following morning and explaining the arrival time. Hotels register automatically on check-in. If delayed, register as soon as the office opens and retain any evidence (flight/transport records) showing arrival time.
Can I travel within Vietnam during the week I'm waiting for my TRC to be issued?
Yes. While waiting for TRC issuance (5–7 working days), your passport with the valid LD visa and the TRC application receipt together demonstrate lawful stay. Carry both documents when travelling between cities. Note that hotel check-in requires a valid passport and valid visa — hotels upload foreign guest details to the police registration system, so this also satisfies the temporary residence requirement when staying overnight elsewhere in Vietnam.
How do I register a SIM card in Vietnam as a foreigner?
Effective under Decree 13/2023/ND-CP and telecom regulations, all SIM cards must be biometrically registered. Foreign nationals visit a carrier store (Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone are most widely available) with their passport. The carrier captures a facial scan against the passport photo. Pre-paid SIMs are available immediately; post-paid plans may require the TRC as proof of address. A local SIM is essential for banking OTPs and Grab (ride-hailing / food delivery) which dominates urban mobility.
My employer has not enrolled me with VSS — what should I do?
The Labour Code 2019 and the Law on Social Insurance (Law 58/2014/QH13 as amended) impose a legal obligation on employers to register foreign employees with VSS within 30 days of the employment start date (for fixed-term contracts of 12+ months). If your employer fails to do so, you can file a complaint with the labour inspector at the Provincial People's Committee (which absorbed the DOLISA function from March 2025) or contact VSS directly at baohiemxahoi.gov.vn. Unpaid VSS contributions are recoverable retroactively, and the employer faces administrative fines.
How is personal income tax calculated for foreign workers in Vietnam?
Foreign workers are classified as tax residents if they spend 183 days or more in Vietnam in a calendar year (or 12 consecutive months from the first day of arrival). Tax residents pay progressive PIT rates: 5% on income up to VND 5 million/month; up to 35% on income above VND 80 million/month. Non-residents pay a flat 20% on Vietnam-sourced income. Employers withhold PIT monthly and remit to the General Department of Taxation (gdt.gov.vn). Annual PIT finalisation (quyết toán thuế) is required by 31 March each year for the previous tax year.
What should I do if my TRC has an error when I collect it?
Report the error immediately at the Immigration Department office where you collected the TRC — do not leave with a card containing a wrong name, wrong passport number, or wrong category code, as this will cause problems at every subsequent step (banking, employer payroll, future immigration). The officer should initiate a correction procedure on the spot. Bring your passport, work permit, and the original TRC application receipt. Corrections due to officer error are typically processed without additional charge; corrections due to errors in your submitted documents may require a fresh partial dossier.