VN country scene

Permanent residence — meritorious contribution

VietnamSpecial cases

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

What exactly is the official special programme/status and why does it exist?

Permanent residence (thường trú) under the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, which lists the cases considered for permanent residence; this route is the case of foreigners with merits and contributions to Vietnam.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The law does not state a policy rationale beyond the category description.

Which specific population, role, circumstance or historical/legal situation does it cover?

It covers foreign nationals who have made meritorious contributions to building and defending the Vietnamese Fatherland.

See recorded sources

What circumstance, event, relationship, nomination, invitation or status activates access?

Access is activated by being awarded an order (huân chương) or a state honorary title by the Vietnamese State.

See recorded sources

What sponsor, authority, nomination, certification, evidence or other step must occur before the status can be obtained?

The person must have lawful accommodation and stable income ensuring their living in Vietnam, and must file with the immigration management authority: application, criminal record issued by the country of nationality, diplomatic note from that country's mission requesting permanent residence, certified passport copy and documents proving eligibility.

See recorded sources

What immigration status and rights result, how long do they last, can family be included, and what happens if the special qualifying circumstance ends?

The result is permanent residence, decided by the Minister of Public Security within 4 months of a complete file (extendable by up to 2 months); the permanent residence card is issued by provincial police and must be exchanged every 10 years. A permanent resident may sponsor grandparents, parents, spouse and children to visit Vietnam. The official source does not state whether family members are included as co-residents or what happens if the honour is withdrawn.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Family inclusion as co-residents and what happens if the honour is withdrawn are not stated.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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