Vietnam Expands VNeID Eligibility: Foreign Visa Holders Now Eligible, Not Only TRC Holders
Can foreign nationals in Vietnam now obtain VNeID without holding a Temporary Residence Card (TRC)? And what does this mean for foreign employees, investors, and company representatives?
Vietnam has introduced an important change to its electronic identification framework that will expand access to VNeID for foreign nationals. Resident Vietnam has been closely following the development of VNeID for foreigners, from its initial rollout for TRC and PRC holders to the increasingly important role of electronic identification in Vietnam’s digital administrative system.
Following the issuance of Decree No. 320/2026/NĐ-CP dated 13 August 2026, the Immigration authorities in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have published information highlighting the key changes affecting foreigners. The new Decree amends Decree No. 69/2024/NĐ-CP on electronic identification and authentication and will take effect from 28 September 2026.
A Major Expansion of VNeID Eligibility for Foreign Nationals
The most significant change for the foreign community is the expansion of the categories of foreign nationals eligible to obtain an electronic identification account.
Under the previous framework, eligibility for foreign nationals was essentially linked to holding a Permanent Residence Card (PRC) or Temporary Residence Card (TRC) in Vietnam.
Decree 320/2026/NĐ-CP substantially broadens this scope.
Under the new provisions, foreign nationals who legally enter Vietnam or legally reside in Vietnam may be issued an electronic identification account upon request.
This is an important development, as it removes the previous restriction that effectively excluded many foreigners legally staying in Vietnam but who did not hold a Temporary Residence Card or Permanent Residence Card.
The previous framework was essentially linked to TRC or PRC holders. The new framework extends eligibility to foreign nationals who legally enter or legally reside in Vietnam.
Level 1 and Level 2 Electronic Identification Accounts
Foreign nationals eligible under the new framework may request an electronic identification account.
For foreigners aged six years or older, the procedures for obtaining a Level 2 electronic identification account require the applicant to attend the competent authority in person.
As part of the process, the authorities will verify the applicant’s information and collect the necessary biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints.
The Immigration authorities have indicated that applications can be made through the relevant immigration authorities in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
| Account level | Key requirement |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Available to eligible foreign nationals under the applicable electronic identification framework. |
| Level 2 | Requires the applicant to attend the competent authority in person for information verification and biometric data collection. |
Why This Development Is Particularly Important
The change comes at an important time for foreign residents, investors and company representatives in Vietnam.
Vietnam has been progressively moving administrative procedures onto digital platforms, with VNeID becoming increasingly important for accessing government services and completing electronic administrative procedures.
Resident Vietnam previously published a practical guide to VNeID for foreigners, covering the registration requirements applicable to foreign nationals holding valid TRCs or PRCs, as well as the process for updating information after receiving a new passport or residence card.
The broader eligibility introduced by Decree 320 should therefore help address an important practical obstacle faced by foreigners interacting with Vietnam’s increasingly digital administrative system.
The development also follows the initial rollout of VNeID registration for foreign nationals in July 2025. At that stage, eligibility was focused on foreigners holding valid Temporary Residence Cards or Permanent Residence Cards. Resident Vietnam covered that initial development in its article VNeID Available from July 1 for Foreigners.
Implications for Business VNeID
The development is also particularly relevant in the context of Business VNeID.
Vietnamese companies and foreign-invested enterprises are increasingly required to use their organizational electronic identity to access government portals and complete administrative procedures online.
In practice, this has created difficulties for some foreign-invested companies where the legal representative was a foreign national who was unable to obtain an appropriate personal VNeID account.
By extending personal electronic identification eligibility to foreigners who legally enter or reside in Vietnam, the new rules should make it considerably easier for foreign legal representatives to participate in the establishment and management of their company’s Business VNeID account.
This is expected to be particularly relevant for foreign-invested enterprises whose legal representatives spend time in Vietnam but are not eligible for VNeID under the previous framework and do not hold a TRC.
Business VNeID has already become increasingly important for companies operating in Vietnam. Since June 2026, enterprises and organizations have faced significant changes in how they access online government systems and submit immigration applications. Resident Vietnam has previously examined these developments in its guide to VNeID for Enterprises and Organizations.
Other Notable Changes
In addition to expanding eligibility for foreign nationals, Decree 320 introduces several other changes to Vietnam’s electronic identification framework.
These include adjustments to the information contained in electronic identities, changes to electronic identification procedures, shorter processing arrangements in certain circumstances, and greater use of information and documents already integrated into VNeID.
The broader objective is to further integrate electronic identification into Vietnam’s public administrative services and reduce reliance on physical documentation.
What Should Foreign Nationals and Companies Do?
The new provisions will take effect on 28 September 2026.
Foreign nationals who were previously unable to obtain VNeID because they did not hold a Temporary Residence Card or Permanent Residence Card should therefore reassess their eligibility once the new rules become effective.
Foreign-invested companies whose foreign legal representatives have experienced difficulties establishing or activating Business VNeID should also review their situation in light of this development.
Companies may wish to identify foreign legal representatives and other key foreign personnel who were previously unable to obtain a personal electronic identification account and assess whether the new framework could resolve existing administrative difficulties.
As with many newly introduced digital administrative procedures in Vietnam, the practical implementation may vary initially while the authorities update their systems and local procedures. Companies and foreign nationals should therefore monitor implementation guidance and the actual practice of the Immigration authorities following the effective date.
Câu hỏi thường gặp
Does VNeID Replace a Temporary Residence Card or Visa?
No. The expansion of VNeID eligibility does not replace Vietnam’s separate immigration and residence requirements.
VNeID concerns electronic identification and access to digital administrative services. It does not eliminate the need for a foreign national to hold the appropriate visa, work authorization, Temporary Residence Card, or other immigration documentation where required under Vietnamese regulations.
Foreign nationals and companies should therefore treat VNeID as an additional component of their immigration and administrative compliance strategy, rather than as a replacement for existing immigration documents.
Can foreigners get VNeID in Vietnam without a TRC?
Under the new framework introduced by Decree 320/2026/NĐ-CP, foreign nationals who legally enter Vietnam or legally reside in Vietnam may be issued an electronic identification account upon request. This significantly expands eligibility beyond the previous framework, which was essentially linked to TRC and PRC holders.
When will the new VNeID rules for foreigners take effect?
The new provisions introduced by Decree 320/2026/NĐ-CP will take effect on 28 September 2026.
Can a foreign legal representative use Business VNeID?
The expanded eligibility is particularly relevant to foreign legal representatives and company representatives who previously faced difficulties obtaining a personal electronic identification account because they did not hold a TRC. The new framework should make it easier for eligible foreign representatives to participate in Business VNeID procedures.
Do foreigners still need a TRC after obtaining VNeID?
Yes. VNeID does not replace the immigration documents required for a foreign national’s particular situation. The new rules concern electronic identification eligibility and do not eliminate separate visa, residence or work authorization requirements.
Where can foreigners apply for VNeID?
For Level 2 electronic identification accounts, foreign nationals aged six or older must attend the competent authority in person so that their information can be verified and the required biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints, can be collected.
Resident Vietnam and the Future of VNeID for Foreign Nationals
Vietnam’s digital administrative transformation is continuing rapidly, and VNeID is becoming increasingly relevant to foreign nationals and companies operating in the country.
The expansion introduced by Decree 320/2026/NĐ-CP represents an important next step, particularly for foreign employees, investors and legal representatives who were previously unable to access electronic identification because they did not hold a TRC or PRC.
Resident Vietnam will continue to monitor the implementation of Decree 320/2026/NĐ-CP and the practical rollout of the new VNeID procedures for foreign nationals. As implementation develops, we will provide further updates on registration requirements, procedures and the implications for foreign employees, investors and companies in Vietnam.
