Temporary residence cards with validation periods of up to five years will now be granted to foreign diplomats living in Vietnam under a new ministerial circular set to take effect next month.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 30 issued a circular laying out guidelines for the extension of temporary residence permits and the issuing of visas and temporary residence cards to foreigners in Vietnam within its jurisdiction.

The circular is pursuant to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence by foreigners in Vietnam dated 2014.

According to the circular, set to take effect on Thursday, diplomats falling under the NG3 visa category are eligible to apply for temporary residence cards valid for up to five years, but to the point at least 30 days prior to the expiration of their respective passport.

NG3 visa holders are members of diplomatic missions, consular offices, and representative offices of intergovernmental bodies including those under the United Nations, together with their spouse, children under 18 years of age, and personal assistants, according to Vietnamese laws.

Those bodies and organizations that invite the applicants to Vietnam or guarantee their stay in the country are responsible for submitting their temporary residence card application to either the Directorate of State Protocol under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for those working outside of Ho Chi Minh City) or the city's Department of External Relations.

The applications are to be handled within five working days.

The circular also details guidelines for applying for the extension of temporary residence permits for NG1, NG2, and NG4 visa holders, with the maximum extended validation period of 12 months, which must expire at least 30 days prior to the expiration of their respective passport. 

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