Temporary Residence Registration (Tạm Trú)
Foreign nationals staying in Vietnam are required by Vietnamese law to register for temporary residence or obtain a temporary residence certificate from authorities. Whether you reside in a condo, villa, house, guesthouse, or any other accommodation in Nha Trang, you are obligated to register. This applies to all foreigners, including tourists, and you must register again each time you change accommodations.
Who Must Register and When
Registration must be completed within 12 hours of arrival at the accommodation, or within 24 hours in special cases. Hotel and condo guests are typically registered automatically by the facility, so you only need to verify. However, for private rentals, the landlord or you must register directly.
Registration Methods: Online vs. Offline
Currently, two methods are available for temporary residence registration: online registration or submitting a form (Form NA17) directly to the competent police station.
Online Registration (Recommended)
Vietnam's Immigration Department provides a free and convenient online registration system. For Nha Trang, you can register through the Khánh Hòa Province Immigration Department website (or tbltkbtt.bocongan.gov.vn). The website supports both English and Vietnamese, so you can self-register.
Online Registration Steps:
- Access the local immigration authority portal
- Create an account and log in
- Enter foreign national information (passport number, name, nationality, entry date, expected departure date, etc.)
- Enter accommodation details (address, landlord information, etc.)
- Submit
Offline Registration (Direct Visit)
You can submit the form directly at the competent police station (Ward Police / Công An Phường) or, if an official online portal exists, register online. In Nha Trang, visit the Ward Police office in your residential area or register through your landlord.
Offline Registration Steps:
- Complete Form NA17 (Foreign National Temporary Residence Registration)
- Prepare a passport copy and rental contract
- Visit the competent Ward Police office
- Submit the registration form and receive confirmation
Required Documents
| Category | Document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign National ID | Passport (original) | Validity period must be checked |
| Proof of Stay | Visa or Temporary Residence Card | For entry documentation purposes |
| Accommodation Proof | Rental contract or hotel receipt | To verify the relationship between tenant and accommodation |
| Registration Form | Form NA17 (for online or offline use) | Auto-generated for online registration |
| Landlord Information | ID card, address, contact number | Required for offline registration |
Cost and Validity Period
Temporary residence registration is free. However, foreign nationals wishing to stay long-term can obtain a Temporary Residence Card (Thẻ tạm trú), generally valid for 2 years, which allows stay without visa renewal during the validity period. Eligibility and fees (USD 60 for 1 year, USD 80 for 1-2 years, USD 100 for 2-3 years, etc.) vary depending on visa type and employment status, so verification through official channels is necessary.
Penalties and Precautions
Risks of Non-Registration
Vietnam strictly manages foreign nationals' residence status. Non-compliance can result in fines and forced deportation. Specifically, if an accommodation facility fails to register, it may face a fine of 3–5 million VND (approximately $133–$222). If a foreign national fails to maintain valid residence documents, they may face a fine of 500,000–5 million VND (approximately $22–$222).
Tenant (Foreign National) Checklist
- After arrival, confirm with the landlord whether registration has been completed
- Keep a copy of the confirmation certificate after registration
- Re-register each time you change accommodations
- Registration records may be required when extending your visa or residence permit
Landlord's Responsibility
Temporary residence registration is the responsibility of the landlord (homeowner, hotel, real estate agency, etc.), who verifies the tenant's passport and length of stay. In Nha Trang, some homeowners or agents have been known to delay or refuse registration. In some cases, unscrupulous property owners or brokers intentionally fail to register and use this as leverage to extort tenants. It is safest to explicitly state "registration completed" in the contract and request the confirmation certificate immediately upon move-in.
Practical Tips
On First Move-In:
- Hotels, condos, serviced apartments: Present your passport at check-in and confirm that the management office is handling registration
- Private rentals: Before move-in, clearly agree whether the landlord will handle registration, and verify completion within 24 hours after move-in
Convenience of Online Registration:
- Registration is possible without photos or signatures
- Multiple platforms exist, so check with your local Ward Police office beforehand which website to use for your residential area
- The confirmation certificate may not be issued immediately after submission, so keep a screenshot of your registration record
When Changing Residences:
- You must re-register immediately after moving to a new accommodation
- The previous accommodation may not be automatically deactivated, so confirm with the former landlord that checkout registration is complete
Difference Between Temporary Residence Registration (Tạm Trú) and Temporary Residence Card (Thẻ Tạm Trú)
Temporary residence registration (Tạm trú) is a registration procedure for short- to mid-term visitors, while the Temporary Residence Card (Thẻ tạm trú) is a 2-year validity residence permit for long-term foreign nationals, applicable to those with employment, investment, or family sponsorship reasons. It applies only to specific categories (foreign workers, investors, family sponsors, etc.). If you need a Temporary Residence Card, consult with official immigration channels or a local legal representative.
Verification and Inquiries
If you have questions about temporary residence registration procedures, fines, or Temporary Residence Card applications during your stay in Nha Trang:
- Immigration Department of Khánh Hòa Province: The local competent authority and most reliable source
- Ward Police (Công An Phường) in your residential area: Available for direct inquiry
- Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City: Support in emergencies or cases of rights violations
As regulations may change or vary by location, always verify current requirements through official channels before registration.
Latest Information Updates
Banking, visa, telecommunications, and contract conditions may vary by institution, branch, and timing, so always confirm the latest requirements with official channels and local representatives.