Investor TRC matrix
| Investor category | Capital contribution | Investor visa | Maximum TRC validity | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DT1 | VND 100 billion or more, or qualifying special-incentive project | ĐT1 | Up to 10 years | Large or strategically important investment |
| DT2 | VND 50 billion to under VND 100 billion, or qualifying encouraged project | ĐT2 | Up to 5 years | Substantial investment |
| DT3 | VND 3 billion to under VND 50 billion | ĐT3 | Up to 3 years | Most medium-sized foreign investors |
| DT4 | Below VND 3 billion | ĐT4 | Generally not eligible for an investor TRC | Smaller investment requiring periodic visa renewal |
Investors holding DT1, DT2, or DT3 status may generally apply for the corresponding TRC; DT4 holders generally remain on a renewable short-term investor visa. The capital must be tied to the investor's qualifying contribution or investment project. Personal net worth, an uncompleted capital commitment, or a proposed amount that has not been properly recorded may not be sufficient.
Other TRC routes
A foreigner may also qualify through:
- LĐ1: work-permit-exempt foreign worker.
- LĐ2: foreign worker holding a work permit.
- TT: qualifying family member of a foreigner with an eligible residence status or of a Vietnamese citizen.
- Other specialized categories for diplomatic, official, or designated investment environments.
A founder who does not meet the investor threshold may need to use a work-based route if they actively work for the Vietnamese company. A person who qualifies as an exempt investor may have both an investor-based residence route and a work-permit exemption, but these are separate legal analyses.
Core application file
The sponsoring company or authorized representative will typically prepare:
- Passport and current visa.
- Investor visa or other eligible visa status.
- Enterprise Registration Certificate.
- Investment Registration Certificate or project documents, where applicable.
- Evidence of capital contribution or ownership.
- Company's invitation, sponsorship, or guarantee documents.
- TRC application form and photographs.
- Residence declaration or accommodation information.
- Family relationship documents for dependent applications.
- Legalized and Vietnamese-translated documents where required.
Two different documents
| Question | TRC | Work permit |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Legal residence in Vietnam | Authorization to perform employment |
| Who issues it | Immigration authority | Competent labor authority |
| Does it authorize work? | Not by itself | Yes, within the approved employer, role, location, and duration |
| Can an investor have it? | Yes, if eligible for DT1–DT3 | May be exempt if the investor satisfies the statutory exemption |
| Can an employee have it? | Yes, usually through LĐ1/LĐ2 or another route | Usually required unless exempt |
Do not assume that an investor TRC automatically authorizes employment. The immigration document and labor authorization should be reviewed together.
Practical investor checklist
Before choosing the TRC route, confirm:
- Whether the capital has actually been contributed and recorded.
- Whether the investor qualifies as an owner, capital-contributing member, or shareholder.
- Whether the company's investment and enterprise records match the immigration application.
- Whether the investor will actively manage or work in Vietnam.
- Whether a work permit or work-permit exemption is separately required.
- Whether family members qualify for TT status.
- Whether the passport has enough validity for the requested card period.
- Whether the business suspension, restructuring, transfer, or reduction of capital could affect the TRC basis.
The practical rule is: DT1–DT3 can support a long-term investor TRC; DT4 generally supports only a short-term investor visa. For a foreign founder contributing less than VND 3 billion, do not build the residence plan around an investor TRC — assess a work-based or family-based route instead.