A foreigner in Vietnam received support to obtain digital identity account at the immigration offices. — Photo courtesy of the police
The campaign will run from July 1 to August 19, 2025, for foreign nationals who have been issued a permanent or temporary residence card in Vietnam.
As Vietnam continues its international integration efforts, the number of foreigners living, studying, working, and travelling in the country is increasing, leading to a growing demand for access to public administrative services. This trend necessitates convenient, transparent and secure procedures related to immigration and residency for foreigners.
Issuing digital identity accounts enables foreign nationals to complete administrative procedures online more easily, reducing time, paperwork and in-person contact, while ensuring authenticity and protecting legal rights during their stay and work in Vietnam.
A Level-2 digital identity account also allows access to various digital utilities in Vietnam, such as information authentication for banking transactions, rental registration, public service usage and storing electronic residence cards and other valid documents via the VNeID application (available on both Google and Android marketplaces).
For the government, creating a unified and continuous 'digital profile' for each foreign national helps enhance the effectiveness of verification, identity authentication, residency management and the prevention and handling of violations, if any. This policy not only serves state management purposes but also aims to offer a convenient, secure, and user-friendly administrative experience for foreigners in Vietnam.
The issuance of digital identity accounts for foreigners residing in Vietnam is led by the Immigration Department and the Department of Administrative Management of Social Order under the Ministry of Public Security. Required data includes personal information, passport or internationally valid travel document details, permanent or temporary residence cards, portrait photos and biometric data.
Procedures
Based on Decision No. 5349/QĐ-BCA-C06 dated 19 July 2024, the following steps apply:
Step 1:
The foreign national visits an immigration management office under the Ministry of Public Security to apply for a Level-2 digital identity account.
Step 2:
They present their passport or valid travel document and accurately fill out the Digital Identity Account Registration Form (Form TK01 attached to Decree No. 69/2024/NĐ-CP dated June 25, 2024). The form must include their verified mobile phone number, email address (if available) and any other information they wish to integrate into the National Digital Identity Application for officer processing.
Step 3:
The officer inputs the applicant’s details into the digital identity and authentication system, collects facial images and fingerprints, and verifies them against the national immigration database. The officer then confirms the applicant’s consent to register for a digital identity account.
Step 4:
The immigration authority submits a request to the electronic identity and authentication management agency for account creation.
Step 5:
The identity and authentication authority notifies the registration result via the VNeID application, registered mobile number or email address.
Mode of application
Foreign nationals must appear in person at an immigration management office under the Ministry of Public Security to register for a Level-2 digital identity account.
The foreigners are required to present a passport or other internationally valid travel document; have completed the registration form (Form TK01 issued with Decree No. 69/2024/NĐ-CP); and a verified mobile phone number, email (if available), and other integration information.
The processing time is within three working days (if facial image and fingerprint data already exist in the national immigration database), or within seven working days (if such data does not exist in the database).
The notification of account registration results will be via the VNeID app, verified mobile number, or email.
Eligible foreigners will not have to pay any fee for the procedure.
Foreign nationals under the age of 14, those with guardians, or legal representatives must be accompanied by their guardian or representative when applying for a Level-2 digital identity account.
The guardian or representative must use their verified mobile number to register and declare on behalf of the foreign national aged six to under 14 years, or other dependent individuals.
Despite challenges, with firm leadership from the Government and support from ministries and localities, the policy is expected to enhance state management efficiency, safeguard foreigners’ legitimate rights, and promote Việt Nam as a transparent, safe, and friendly digital nation.
Digital identification for foreigners marks a major step forward in administrative reform and digital transformation, creating favourable conditions for foreigners to live, work, and travel in Việt Nam, consistent with the Government's and the Ministry of Public Security’s digital transformation goals.
For foreigners in Hanoi, applications will be accepted starting from July at the Immigration Management Office of the Hanoi Police, located at 44 Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Hanoi.
For any issues encountered during the registration process or for assistance with procedures, citizens and foreign nationals may directly contact the Immigration Management Office of the Hanoi Police via the hotline numbers: 0692.191.506 or 0912.691.388.
For foreigners in HCM City, for any issues or support requests, contact the Immigration Management Office – HCM City Police, head office at 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, or via hotline number 0283.829.9398.