Work visas
Vietnamese LD Labour Visa & Temporary Residence Card
The long-stay visa and residence card for foreign nationals employed in Vietnam, tied to their work permit or work-permit exemption.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
LD visa (up to 2 years) and LD1/LD2 TRC (up to 2 years) validity periods are from Law 51/2019/QH14. Confirm current durations and the 12-month work-permit threshold for TRCs against the official source before publishing.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Vietnam government website before you apply.
- Official name
- LD1 / LD2 labour visa and Temporary Residence Card (Thẻ tạm trú)
- Route type
- Work visa with long-stay residence card
- Governing law
- Law No. 47/2014/QH13 as amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14
- LD visa validity
- Up to 2 years
- Per Law 51/2019/QH14; verify against the current official source
- LD Temporary Residence Card validity
- Up to 2 years
- LD1/LD2 TRCs; verify against the current official source
- TRC eligibility
- Work permit valid for at least 12 months (LD2)
Who it is for
- LD2: foreign employees who are required to hold a Vietnamese work permit
- LD1: foreign employees who hold a work-permit exemption confirmation
- Employed foreigners wanting a stable long-stay status rather than repeated visa runs
Requirements
- A valid work permit, or a work-permit exemption confirmation, for the LD1/LD2 category
- A sponsoring employer registered with the Immigration Department
- A passport valid well beyond the requested stay (the card is issued at least 30 days shorter than the passport)
- For a TRC: the work permit must be valid for at least 12 months
What you can do
- Reside in Vietnam for the visa or card's validity while employed
- Enter and exit Vietnam multiple times without a separate visa (with a TRC)
- Sponsor a spouse and children for a TT dependant visa/card
How to apply
- Obtain the work permit or exemption confirmation first
- Employer sponsors the LD1/LD2 visa through the Immigration Department
- Enter Vietnam on the LD visa
- Apply for the Temporary Residence Card at the Immigration Department where the work permit is valid for 12+ months
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.