Register Temporary Residence Tam Tru Vietnam Guide

Under Vietnamese immigration regulations—specifically Law No. 47/2014/QH13 (amended by Law No. 51/2019/QH14) on the Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam—all foreign nationals residing in accommodation establishments across Vietnam are legally required to have their residential address logged in the National Public Security Database.

Whether you are staying in a high-rise condominium in Bình Thạnh, a boutique serviced apartment in District 1, or a family townhouse in Phú Mỹ Hưng, securing your Temporary Residence Confirmation Slip (Giấy xác nhận khai báo tạm trú) is vital. Without active registration, foreign tenants face administrative fines under Decree 144/2021/ND-CP, delays in work permit processing, refusal of visa extensions, and inability to open local bank accounts.

This 2026 practical guide provides a step-by-step technical walkthrough of how landlords (Chủ nhà) and foreign residents can navigate the online registration portal, gather required document packages, and verify compliance with local Ward Police (Công an Phường).

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1. Statutory Residence Requirements & Timeline Rules

The statutory framework governing foreign temporary residence establishes clear obligations for both accommodation operators and foreign guests.

Statutory Residence Declaration Timeline
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Guest Move-In / Arrival at Property                                      |
|                             ↓                                           |
| Submit Electronic Declaration on Public Security Portal (Within 12 Hours)|
|                             ↓                                           |
| Ward Police Review & System Verification (24 - 48 Hours)                |
|                             ↓                                           |
| Download & Print Official Confirmation Slip (Giấy Xác Nhận Tạm Trú)    |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Landlord Duty vs. Tenant Responsibility

• Primary Legal Obligation: The property manager or landlord (Chủ nhà) holds the statutory duty to declare foreign guests to the authorities.
• Tenant Impact: If the landlord fails to submit the declaration, the foreign tenant suffers direct consequences, including inability to obtain a Temporary Residence Card (TRC), work permit issuance delays, or administrative fines during police spot checks.

For expats renting private properties such as /property/district-1-shophouse-2br-live-work, /property/binh-thanh-townhouse-3br-value-corridor, or /property/phu-my-hung-townhouse-3br-family-compound, ensuring your landlord understands and executes online registration immediately upon lease signing is essential.

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2. Required Document Checklist for Tạm Trú Filing

Before logging onto the Public Security Immigration Portal, prepare a complete digital document package.

Document Formatting Standards

All uploaded files must be clear, uncropped, and saved in JPG, PNG, or PDF formats. File sizes should be kept below 5MB per upload to avoid server timeout errors on provincial government portals.

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3. Step-by-Step Online Portal Registration Walkthrough

Public Security Online Portal Filing Flow
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step 1: Account Access & Verification                                   |
| - Register account on provincial immigration portal (e.g. thongtinnhapcanh)|
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step 2: Property Profile Creation                                       |
| - Input district, ward, street address, and building management info.   |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step 3: Foreign Resident Data Entry                                     |
| - Input full name (MRZ format), passport #, nationality, visa dates.    |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Step 4: Verification & Slip Download                                    |
| - Ward Police approve filing; tenant downloads signed confirmation slip.|
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 1: Portal Account Access

Visit the official immigration portal (e.g., thongtinnhapcanh.gov.vn or provincial public security portals such as hochiminh.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn). Accounts are created using a valid Vietnamese mobile phone number capable of receiving SMS OTP security codes.

Step 2: Accommodation Property Account Setup

Enter the exact administrative property location:

• Province / City (e.g., Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh)
• District (e.g., Quận 1, Quận Bình Thạnh, hoặc Thành phố Thủ Đức)
• Ward (Phường)
• Full street address and apartment unit number matching the Sổ Hồng.

Step 3: Foreign Resident Information Input

Accurately transcribe details directly from the foreigner’s passport:

• Full Name: Enter exact full name in CAPITAL LETTERS matching the passport Machine Readable Zone (MRZ).
• Gender & Date of Birth: Format as DD/MM/YYYY.
• Nationality: Select official country name.
• Passport Number: Enter complete alphanumeric sequence without spaces.
• Visa Type & Expiry Date: Input E-visa code, Work Visa category, or TRC number.
• Expected Duration of Stay: Set start and end dates aligned with your lease agreement term.

Step 4: System Processing & Confirmation Slip Download

After data submission, the system generates a unique transaction tracking code. The local Ward Police officer (Công an Phường) reviews the filing against municipal databases. Once approved (typically within 24 to 48 hours), the portal status updates to “Already Registered” (Đã khai báo), allowing you to download and print the official Temporary Residence Confirmation Slip (Giấy xác nhận khai báo tạm trú).

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4. Administrative Fines & Penalties Under Decree 144/2021/ND-CP

Vietnamese enforcement agencies actively audit residential properties to maintain immigration order.

Ward Police (Công An Phường) Spot Checks

Ward Police officers regularly conduct routine residence verification checks, especially in high-density expat areas like Thảo Điền, Bình Thạnh, and District 1. Officers inspect physical passports and match them against active portal records.

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5. Why You Mandatory Need the Printed Confirmation Slip

Having a printed, stamped copy of your confirmation slip in your physical records is vital for daily legal life in Vietnam.

Official Procedures Requiring Tạm Trú Confirmation
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1. Work Permit Application (Department of Labor - DOLISA)              |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2. Temporary Residence Card / TRC (Immigration Department)              |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3. Local Bank Account Opening (Vietcombank, Techcombank, HSBC, etc.)    |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 4. Driver's License Conversion (Department of Transportation)           |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 5. Marriage Registration & Dependent Visa Sponsorship                   |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Essential Tenant Lease Protection Clause

To ensure your landlord fulfills their statutory registration duty promptly, insert this standard clause into your rental contract:

“Landlord covenants and guarantees to complete all statutory temporary residence registration (Khai báo tạm trú) with the local Ward Police within 24 hours of key handover and provide tenant with written confirmation slip upon request. Any administrative fines arising from Landlord’s failure to file shall be borne exclusively by Landlord.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard lease term and deposit structure for expats in Vietnam?

The standard residential lease is 12 months with a 2-month security deposit paid upfront. Rent is typically paid monthly or quarterly via direct bank transfer in Vietnamese Dong (VND).

Who is responsible for air conditioning maintenance and minor apartment repairs?

Standard practice mandates that landlords deliver deep-cleaned, functioning AC units at move-in. Routine quarterly AC servicing during occupancy is usually paid by the tenant (150,000–250,000 VND/unit), while major equipment replacements fall on the landlord.

How can expats ensure smooth move-in and temporary residence registration?

Complete a comprehensive photo-documented move-in inventory report on day one, and provide your passport and visa details to the landlord immediately so they can complete the mandatory police temporary residence registration (tạm trú).