Vietnam Removes Police Loss Report Requirement for Lost Permanent Residence Cards from July 1, 2026

From July 1, 2026, foreign nationals residing in Vietnam will no longer be required to submit a separate loss report letter to the police when applying to reissue a lost permanent residence card (PRC). The change is part of a broader amendment to Vietnam’s residence law under Law 118/2025/QH15, which revises several procedures relating to foreign residence documentation and administrative processes.

Under the current law, a foreign resident who loses their permanent residence card must include an official loss report in their reissuance application to immigration authorities at the provincial police office. However, the updated regulation removes this requirement; instead, applicants must declare the loss directly in the PRC reissue application form submitted to the Immigration Department.

Permanent residence cards, issued under Vietnam’s immigration framework, allow eligible foreigners to live indefinitely in the country and are valid for up to 10 years before renewal is required. The reissuance process is also used when a card is lost, damaged, or its contents need updating. Removing the separate loss report reduces administrative steps for applicants while maintaining legal transparency and accountability.

Vietnam’s government has said the change aims to simplify administrative procedures and cut red tape for foreign residents, aligning with other recent updates that modernize residency and immigration systems and improve ease of compliance. Officials emphasize that integrity measures remain in place to prevent fraudulent claims or misuse of residency documentation.