Temporary Residence Cards of Up to 10 Years Granted to Experts Working at the International Financial Center

The Government has just issued Decree No. 327/2025/NĐ-CP, providing for special entry, exit, and residence policies for foreigners working at the International Financial Center in Vietnam. The Decree allows for the issuance of long-term visas and temporary residence cards, as well as consideration for permanent residence for eligible preferential categories.

Decree No. 327/2025/NĐ-CP sets out entry, exit, and residence policies for foreigners at the International Financial Center in Vietnam. The Decree is intended to attract strategic investors, experts, scientists, highly qualified workers, and international management personnel to work on a long-term basis at the International Financial Center.

Under the Decree, the applicable subjects include foreigners who are key investors, experts, managers, and highly qualified workers working for agencies and organizations headquartered at the International Financial Center, together with their accompanying family members. It also expands eligibility for permanent residence consideration to scientists, specially talented individuals, and senior managers working there on a long-term basis.

Regarding the criteria for determining preferential categories, key investors shall be identified based on criteria issued by the operating authority of the International Financial Center. The criteria applicable to managers, experts, and highly qualified workers shall follow the provisions of Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP on foreign workers in Vietnam. Meanwhile, scientists and specially talented individuals shall be considered for permanent residence under the criteria applicable to special categories entitled to preferential visa exemption as provided in Decree No. 221/2025/NĐ-CP.

Notably, foreigners who fully satisfy the conditions may be granted a visa or temporary residence card bearing symbol UĐ1 with a validity of up to 10 years. Their spouses and children under 18 years of age may be granted visas or temporary residence cards bearing symbol UĐ2, with a validity corresponding to that of the UĐ1 card.

The procedures for invitation, sponsorship for entry, visa issuance, and temporary residence card issuance must be processed within no more than 03 working days from the date a complete dossier is received.

For permanent residence consideration, the foreigner must have worked continuously for at least 03 years at an agency or organization headquartered at the International Financial Center and must be recommended by a competent authority. The Minister of Public Security is the person authorized to decide on permanent residence, with a maximum processing time of 03 months in cases where additional verification is required.

The issuance of Decree No. 327/2025/NĐ-CP is expected to create a breakthrough in residence policy, enhance the attractiveness of the International Financial Center, and help attract high-quality human resources to support Vietnam’s economic and financial development.