Vietnam temporary residence card photo size: why you need 2x3 cm

Size 2x3 cm vs. 4x6 cm: comparing photo requirements in Vietnam

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (Bộ Lao động - Thương binh và Xã hội) handles work permits. The Ministry of Public Security (Bộ Công an) issues the temporary residence card. The required size is 4x6 cm for a work permit, while the Vietnam temporary residence card photo size is 2x3 cm.

To understand how specific the 2x3 cm format is, just look at global statistics. In our database of 241 document profiles for different countries, 229 profiles have a strictly specified print size, and in total, they use 17 different standards. The most common size globally is 35x45 mm (found in 148 profiles). It is followed by square 51x51 mm photos (16 profiles), 30x40 mm (14 profiles), and 40x60 mm (11 profiles).

The e-visa portal requires uploading a portrait photo under 50 KB in size; other technical file parameters could not be confirmed in available sources. The photo requirements for the CCCD could not be confirmed in available sources; biometrics for this procedure are taken on-site.

Official photo requirements: background, clothing, and validity period

Open Vietnamese sources do not specify the head height in the frame, eyeline position, print resolution, or file size for the temporary residence card.

The Ministry of Public Security publishes instructions for a related procedure—renewing a foreigner's permanent residence card. The same 2x3 cm size is indicated for this procedure. According to the authority's guidelines, the frame must meet the following criteria:

• Posture and gaze: full face (mặt nhìn thẳng).
• Face: no headwear (không đội mũ) and no glasses (không đeo kính).
• Clothing: polite clothing (trang phục lịch sự).
• Background: white (phông ảnh nền trắng).

In our database of 241 profiles, 53 procedures specify a white background, another 23 name a specific non-white shade, and the rest require a light plain background without specifying the exact color. A plain white background is also listed for the temporary residence card, and for the permanent residence card, the authority additionally publishes requirements for a full face, clothing, and the absence of headwear and glasses.

Photo validity period

The only Vietnamese photo validity period written into regulation applies to the work permit. According to Article 9 clause 5 of the SRV Government Decree No. 152/2020/NĐ-CP dated 30.12.2020 (and similar wording in Articles 13 and 17 for reissuance and extension), photos for a work permit must be taken "no more than 06 months before the date of submitting the dossier."

For temporary and permanent residence cards, the photo validity period is not published in Vietnamese sources. This parameter is missing from the document list on the MoI public service portal for the temporary residence card. For comparison, permanent residence registration for overseas Vietnamese specifies a period of "no more than 1 year." In our database of 241 documents, only 32 profiles fix a maximum photo age: 30 require 6 months, and 2 require 3 months. The absence of a timeframe in the TRC list does not prove there is no possible limitation.

What can prevent you from applying for a temporary residence card

The authority specifies the number and method of submitting photos, and reviews the documents after receiving a complete set:

• One photo instead of two. The list states: "02 ảnh cỡ 2x3cm (01 ảnh dán vào tờ khai, 01 ảnh rời)"—one photo is pasted into the application form, and the second is submitted separately. The processing time is no more than 5 working days from the date of receiving the full set of documents.
• Different formats for different procedures. The size of 4x6 cm is indicated for a work permit, while a TRC photo 2x3 cm is required. You cannot crop a Vietnam work permit photo 4x6 cm down to 2x3 cm: although both have a 2:3 ratio, cropping will shift the head relative to the frame, and the authority accepts the entire shot without recalculation. Prepare a 2x3 cm photo for your temporary residence card in Vietnam (thẻ tạm trú) that complies with all official background and proportion requirements.
• Documents during online submission. When applying online, the passport must still be sent to the receiving authority by regular public mail. The remaining documents must be electronically authenticated; if they are not electronically authenticated, they are sent to the receiving authority by regular public mail.
• A 2x3 cm size and a plain white background are specified for the temporary card. Requirements for "full face, no headwear, no glasses, polite clothing" are confirmed for the permanent residence card.

If the temporary residence card is not issued, the authority replies in writing or sends a notification on the public service portal stating the reason.

Application procedure: forms, fees, and processing times

The procedure card lists Law 47/2014/QH13, Law 51/2019/QH14, Law 23/2023/QH15, MoI Circulars 04/2015/TT-BCA and 22/2023/TT-BCA, as well as Ministry of Finance Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC.

Application forms

Application forms vary depending on the sponsor:

1. NA8 form: application for the issuance of a temporary residence card for a foreigner (Tờ khai đề nghị cấp thẻ tạm trú cho người nước ngoài). One picture matching the NA8 form photo size of 2x3 cm is glued to this application.
2. NA6 form: request from an organization (form from circular 04/2015/TT-BCA).
3. NA7 form: request from an individual (form from circular 22/2023/TT-BCA dated 30.06.2023).

Fees for the temporary residence card

The fee stated on the procedure card depends on the validity period of the requested card:

• Card with a validity period of no more than 2 years: 145 USD per card.
• Card with a validity period of over 2 years up to 5 years: 155 USD per card.
• Card with a validity period of over 5 years up to 10 years: 165 USD per card.

Processing times

The official processing time is no more than 5 working days from the date of receiving a complete set of documents.

How to submit an application online and send the passport

The Ministry of Interior's public service portal allows for online submission of a temporary residence card application. When applying online, the passport is sent to the receiving authority by regular public mail. The remaining documents must be electronically authenticated; if they are not electronically authenticated, they are sent to the receiving authority by regular public mail.

Since November 11, 2024, the electronic visa (e-visa) portal operates on the domains thithucdientu.gov.vn and evisa.gov.vn, rather than immigration.gov.vn.

The full text of Law 47/2014/QH13 could not be read; the article numbers are taken from the regulatory framework list on the procedure card.

Regulations may change — before applying, verify the latest requirements on the official authority source listed above.