Sponsoring Family Visas: Key Notes When Bringing Your Spouse and Children to Vietnam

Bringing a spouse and children to live in Vietnam is a common need for many foreign experts, investors, and workers currently based here. However, to ensure the process goes smoothly, the sponsor must fully understand the regulations on visas, legal documents, and administrative procedures.

1. Who can sponsor their family to Vietnam?

• Foreigners holding a Work Permit in Vietnam or exempted from the work permit requirement under the law.
• Foreign investors who have established a company or contributed capital to an enterprise in Vietnam.
• Foreigners holding a valid Temporary Residence Card (TRC).

These individuals are eligible to sponsor their spouse and children to Vietnam under dependent visas or temporary residence cards for dependents.

2. Types of visas and temporary residence cards for family members

• TT Visa (Dependent/Family Visit Visa): Issued to spouses and children under 18 years old of foreigners legally residing and working in Vietnam. Validity is usually from 3 to 12 months.
• TT Temporary Residence Card: Instead of extending visas multiple times, family members may apply for a dependent TRC, with a maximum duration equal to that of the sponsor (usually 1–3 years).

3. Required documents for family sponsorship

To apply for a visa or TRC for a spouse or children, the sponsor must prepare:

• Valid passport of the family member being sponsored.
• Marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for children). These documents must be consular legalized and officially translated into Vietnamese.
• Work Permit, Investment Certificate, or TRC of the sponsor.
• Visa or TRC application form as required by the Immigration Department.

4. Important notes

• Consular legalization: This is often a time-consuming step, as documents from abroad must be legalized and translated into Vietnamese before being recognized in Vietnam.
• Visa/TRC validity: Normally cannot exceed the validity of the sponsor’s documents. For example, if the sponsor’s TRC is valid for 2 years, the spouse’s or child’s TRC will also be granted for a maximum of 2 years.
• Work rights: Spouses entering Vietnam under family sponsorship are not allowed to work legally unless they obtain their own Work Permit and change to the appropriate visa type.
• Temporary residence registration: Upon arrival, family members must complete temporary residence registration at their place of stay, either through the local police or the host/landlord.

See also: Consular Legalization Procedures at the Vietnamese Embassy Abroad

5. A convenient solution for foreigners

The procedure of sponsoring family members to Vietnam can be complicated, especially regarding consular legalization and TRC issuance. To save time and minimize errors, many foreign investors and professionals choose to use professional visa, work permit, and TRC consulting services.

If you are looking for a safe and efficient solution to bring your spouse and children to Vietnam, Zora Consulting will be a reliable partner, accompanying you through the entire legal process.