Permanent Residency Card

I have been in Vietnam for 11 years. My Vietnamese wife is now encouraging me to apply for a Permanent Residency Card. I seem to remember that this topic was brought up a year or so ago and the common belief was that it was likely to be unsuccesstul and, in the end, not that beneficial. Any more recent comments? - @Rick Hayward

You might be referring to this thread. Take a look at it, and links provided therein.

edit: I notice some links are broken due to recent changes to the forum. Add'l info in our sticky thread, here.

I am curious too about the Permanent Resident Card. Yes, there are references to it on certain official websites and your wife is thus justified  in suggesting you get one. However, if you contact a law firm here that offers advice on immigration matters, they’ll decline to help. I approached 3 and answers varied between “It comes and goes” and “It doesn’t really exist.” If anyone has had any luck, I’d love to hear.

@CHRISLANGTON

Hello, you should have a glance to the link shared by Aidan to check the requisites. Then come back here to read my comments:

I've met several investors and married foreigners who live in VN for year, but none holds a PRC. Personally I will  soon complete my 3 years and will try to get it.

There are some knots why there is not a wave of Foreigners applying for PRC:

#1. You must complete 3 years "residing" with consecutive TRC, therefore those with VEC's or any Visa, are not elegible, because those don't support a will to stablish residence.

#2. The Police Clearance issued by your country of citizenship is mandatory, translated and legalized with a Vietnames Consular sticker. Some countries don't issue/certified that record at their Embassies, and use to take at least $200 and weeks to get it ready in Vietnam

#3. The Consular Note from your Embassy asking Vietnam to permit your Permanent Residence (similar than #2: translated, the sticker and another $200). In theory is as same as the Official request for permission to receive a Diplomatic Delegate, but that is for Diplomatic matters, I don't know if they will issue this for just anyone.

All documents must have an issue date no longer than 60 days, but to get the stamps could take weeks.

The #3 is not clear to me if that is mandatory for everybody or whether exempted for Family ties? Please your kindly share of your comments if someone knows.

So, be prepared to spend $500, back-and-forth and 5 months of waiting. Maybe in the near future Vietnam would relax all these paperworks as far as today Vietnam has open new offers for TRC valid for 10 years

Applying for permanent residence in Vietnam for foreigners is quite difficult because there are many requirements to meet. However, it is difficult, not impossible and it depends on your specific case.

If you’d like to discuss further, please feel free to message me. Thank all.

@Sa Phuong

Hello, good to know you you could help. Please do you know if the Consular Letter is mandatory for applicants sponsored by spouse/family ties? Thanks in advanced