Temporary Residence Registration for Foreign Tenants in Vietnam

Renting an apartment in Vietnam? Learn how temporary residence declaration works, what documents you need and who is responsible for completing the process.

If you are a foreign national renting an apartment in Hanoi or elsewhere in Vietnam, your accommodation must be declared in accordance with Vietnamese immigration regulations.

Temporary Residence Registration for Foreign Tenants

This procedure is commonly called temporary residence registration, although the legal term for reporting where a foreign national stays is temporary residence declaration.

Whether you live alone, share an apartment, move in with your family or have accommodation arranged by your employer, it is important to understand the requirements before moving in.

At 9Group, we help international tenants find suitable apartments and coordinate practical communication with landlords about residence documentation.

WhatsApp / Zalo: +84 968 719 555

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Who Is Responsible for Temporary Residence Declaration?

Temporary Residence Registration for Foreign Tenants in Vietnam

Vietnamese regulations distinguish between the responsibilities of the accommodation provider and those of the foreign occupant.

For privately rented apartments, the responsible person may be the property owner, landlord, legal representative or an authorized accommodation manager.

Foreign Tenant	Responsible Accommodation Provider
Provides accurate passport information	Obtains the required declaration account or arranges the permitted procedure
Provides relevant visa or residence documents	Submits the temporary residence information
Identifies all foreign occupants	Checks and records the required occupant information
Notifies changes to personal or residence information	Updates or submits information as required
Cooperates promptly with the procedure	Ensures the declaration is completed in accordance with applicable requirements

The responsibility to submit the declaration belongs to the legally responsible accommodation provider or authorized declarant.

A foreign tenant must cooperate by supplying accurate information, but signing a rental agreement does not automatically complete the declaration.

Before paying a deposit, ask the landlord whether they can arrange temporary residence declaration for foreign occupants.

What Documents Do Foreign Tenants Need?

The exact supporting documents can vary depending on the accommodation and immigration circumstances.

Foreign tenants should generally prepare the following information.

1. Passport

Provide the relevant details from your valid passport or internationally recognized travel document.

These normally include your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and other information required for the declaration.

2. Visa or Residence Documentation

Depending on your immigration status, you may need to provide information about your visa, temporary residence card, temporary residence certification or extension of stay.

If your immigration documents have changed, inform the accommodation provider.

3. Apartment and Contact Information

The accommodation provider may need your move-in date, intended length of stay and exact apartment address, together with contact details where necessary.

4. Documents for Every Foreign Occupant

If you live with foreign family members, colleagues or other approved occupants, provide the required information for each person.

One passport does not cover an entire household.

For example, if two parents and two children are foreign nationals living in the apartment, information for all four occupants must be included as required.

The same principle applies if two foreign employees share one apartment.

What Documents Does the Landlord Need?

The landlord or responsible accommodation manager may need to provide accommodation-related information and, depending on the circumstances, ownership, identification or authorization documents.

Additional documents may be requested by the competent authority.

Sensitive passport and immigration information should be shared securely with the responsible party and used only for legitimate rental and declaration purposes.

When Must Temporary Residence Be Declared?

Under Circular No. 87/2026/TT-BCA, effective July 24, 2026, the timing depends on the declaration method.

Electronic Declaration

The responsible person must make the electronic declaration when the foreign national arrives at the accommodation.

The electronic system accepts information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Declaration by Paper Form

Where the prescribed paper declaration form is used, it must generally be submitted to the competent commune-level police within:

12 hours of the foreign national’s arrival.
24 hours in remote areas.

The applicable procedure also requires prompt communication of the paper declaration information to the police.

Do not assume that you can wait 12 hours before making an electronic declaration.

For practical purposes, foreign tenants should provide the necessary documents to the landlord before or immediately upon moving in.

How to Declare Temporary Residence Online in Vietnam

Vietnam operates a unified electronic accommodation declaration system managed by the Ministry of Public Security.

Official online platform:

Ministry of Public Security – Temporary Residence Declaration System

The unified system was introduced in May 2026 for foreign temporary residence declarations and Vietnamese accommodation notifications.

Step 1: Access the Official System

The owner, legal representative or authorized person responsible for the accommodation accesses the official electronic platform.

Step 2: Obtain or Access a Declaration Account

Where necessary, the responsible declarant provides accommodation and account information through the system.

An existing authorized declarant can sign in using the appropriate account.

Step 3: Enter the Foreign Occupant’s Details

The declaration includes information such as:

Full name
Gender
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport or international travel document number
Relevant temporary residence validity details
Intended period of stay

Accommodation and declarant details are also handled through the system.

Step 4: Submit the Declaration

The responsible person checks the information and submits the declaration according to the electronic procedure.

Step 5: Confirm Completion

The tenant should ask the landlord or accommodation manager to confirm that the declaration has been submitted successfully.

Where a confirmation or relevant record is available, request a copy if needed for your employer or another legitimate administrative purpose.

Foreign tenants normally do not need to create an accommodation-provider account themselves.

If the owner does not know how to use the system, they should seek assistance from the competent local authority rather than leaving the declaration incomplete.

Temporary Residence for Families and Shared Apartments

One of the most common misunderstandings is that a rental agreement signed by one person covers every occupant.

The contract and the temporary residence declaration serve different purposes.

Families with Children

If your spouse, children or other foreign family members live with you, make sure the landlord knows who actually occupies the apartment.

Prepare the required passport and immigration information for each foreign family member, including children.

Two or More Foreign Employees Sharing an Apartment

If two colleagues share an apartment, the accommodation information should reflect both foreign occupants as required, even if only one person signs the rental contract.

The declaration concerns the people actually staying at the address, not just the person paying the rent.

New Family Members Moving In

If another foreign family member or approved occupant joins your household later, notify the landlord promptly.

The accommodation provider can then arrange any required additional or updated declaration.

Temporary Residence for Company-Rented Apartments

International companies sometimes rent apartments for employees working in Vietnam.

In these arrangements, the company may be named as the tenant under the contract, while an employee and accompanying family members actually occupy the property.

For example:

Role	Example
Landlord	Vietnamese apartment owner
Contracting tenant	ABC International Company
Actual occupant	Foreign employee
Additional occupants	Employee’s spouse and children

The company’s signature on the rental agreement does not replace the requirement to identify foreign occupants staying at the apartment.

Before signing a corporate rental contract, clarify:

The company’s legal details and authorized signatory
The employees and family members who will occupy the apartment
Required passport and immigration information
The person responsible for the accommodation declaration
Payment and invoice arrangements
Relevant tax-documentation requirements
Procedures when an occupant changes

This is especially important if the employer replaces an employee or transfers another staff member into the same apartment.

9Group can help coordinate discussions between the company, landlord and actual occupants.

What If You Move to Another Apartment?

Temporary residence information is associated with the actual place where you stay.

If you move to a new apartment, the declaration for your previous address does not automatically cover the new accommodation.

For example, moving from Sapphire to The Zurich within Vinhomes Ocean Park means you are staying at a different apartment address.

Before moving, inform the new landlord that you are a foreign national and confirm that the required declaration can be arranged for your new home.

You should also notify the responsible accommodation provider if:

You receive a new passport.
Your immigration or residence information changes.
Another foreign occupant moves in.
You move to a different address.

The responsible person can determine what updated declaration or additional procedure is required.

Is Building Registration the Same as Temporary Residence Declaration?

No.

Apartment buildings may require residents to register with building management for access cards, elevators, parking and security purposes.

This does not automatically mean the immigration-related temporary residence declaration has been completed.

Similarly, a signed rental contract or a temporary residence card issued by immigration authorities does not replace the obligation to declare the foreign national’s actual accommodation.

When moving in, confirm both the building’s resident procedures and the required temporary residence declaration.

What Happens If Temporary Residence Is Not Declared?

Failure to comply with applicable residence declaration requirements can lead to administrative consequences.

The responsible accommodation provider may face penalties where the relevant legal conditions for an administrative violation are met. Foreign tenants may also face consequences for their own violations, such as providing false information or breaching applicable immigration requirements.

Responsibility depends on the circumstances and relevant regulations. It should not be assumed that every fine automatically belongs to the tenant or landlord.

For this reason, landlords and occupants should cooperate promptly, provide accurate documentation and keep appropriate evidence of completed procedures.

If a landlord refuses to arrange the required declaration, address the problem immediately and seek guidance from the competent authority where necessary.

Can 9Group Help with Temporary Residence Registration?

9Group supports foreign residents renting apartments in Vinhomes Ocean Park, Masteri Waterfront, Ecopark and other residential communities in Hanoi.

Depending on the arrangement, we can assist with:

Explaining commonly required tenant documents
Reminding foreign occupants to provide complete information
Coordinating communication with the landlord
Discussing the accommodation declaration before signing
Identifying documentation requirements in corporate rentals
Following up with the responsible accommodation provider

However, 9Group does not automatically replace the legally responsible accommodation provider for every privately owned apartment.

The actual declaration must be handled by the responsible or duly authorized person.

For detailed rental assistance, read our Rental Process for Foreigners in Vietnam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all foreign tenants need temporary residence declaration?

Foreign nationals staying at accommodation in Vietnam are subject to temporary residence declaration requirements. The responsible accommodation provider must arrange the declaration under applicable regulations.

Who submits the declaration for a privately rented apartment?

The legally responsible accommodation provider or authorized declarant handles the submission. The foreign tenant supplies accurate personal and residence information.

Can temporary residence be declared online?

Yes. The official electronic system is available through the Ministry of Public Security at tbltkbtt.bocongan.gov.vn.

How long do I have to declare temporary residence?

Electronic declarations must be made when the foreign national arrives at the accommodation. Paper declarations generally follow a 12-hour submission deadline, extended to 24 hours in remote areas.

Do foreign children need to be included?

Yes. The required information should cover foreign children and other foreign family members actually staying at the accommodation.

Does signing a rental contract complete temporary residence declaration?

No. A rental agreement and an accommodation declaration are separate procedures.

Does a temporary residence card replace the declaration?

No. A temporary residence card relates to immigration status, while the accommodation declaration records where the foreign national stays.

What if my company signs the lease?

The company can be the contracting tenant, but the actual foreign occupants must still be identified for the accommodation declaration.

What if I move to another apartment?

Notify the responsible person at the new accommodation and arrange the required declaration for the new place of stay.

Can I ask for proof that the declaration was completed?

Yes. You can ask the landlord or accommodation manager to confirm submission and provide an available record where appropriate.

Find an Apartment in Hanoi with 9Group

Looking for an apartment where the landlord understands the requirements for foreign tenants?

9Group helps international professionals, university faculty, corporate employees and families find suitable homes across Hanoi’s major residential communities.

We can help you compare apartments, understand rental conditions, communicate with landlords and discuss temporary residence requirements before signing.

Send us your preferred location, monthly budget, move-in date, lease duration and number of occupants.

9Group – Apartment Rentals for Expats in Hanoi

WhatsApp / Zalo / Hotline: +84 968 719 555

Alternative Hotline: +84 949 635 823

Email: info@9group.com.vn

Office: S2.19 Building, Vinhomes Ocean Park, Hanoi, Vietnam