Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA The circular officially amends and supplements 24 forms related to entry, exit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, effective from July 1, 2026. The circular also adjusts some regulations on receiving and processing applications and updates the forms used in practice.
A quick summary of Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA
- Effective date: From July 1, 2026.
- Main content: Amendments and additions to 24 forms related to entry, exit, and residence of foreigners.
- Revised texts: Circular 04/2015/TT-BCA and Circular 31/2015/TT-BCA (which have been amended and supplemented through related circulars).
- Application processing: Regulations have been added regarding the acceptance of applications electronically for eligible cases.
- Transitional provisions: Documents issued and applications received before July 1, 2026 will continue to be processed according to transitional provisions.
Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA takes effect from July 1, 2026.
This circular is a legal document issued by the Ministry of Public Security aimed at improving the system of forms used in immigration management. The circular focuses on revising the form system to conform with current regulations and the electronic submission of documents.
Scope of application of Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA
This Circular regulates the forms of entry and exit documents, visas, temporary residence cards, permanent residence cards, and other documents related to the residence of foreigners in Vietnam. The document amends and supplements many existing forms and updates their content, ensuring consistency with data in the national database system on entry and exit.
The revised and supplemented texts
This Circular was issued to specify the regulations in the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. The Circular amends the relevant provisions in Circular 04/2015/TT-BCA and Circular 31/2015/TT-BCA.
Key new points of Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA
The changes focus on form layout and how information is received.
Updated 24 forms related to entry, exit, and residence.
The updating of 24 forms is the core content of the Circular. Below is a table categorizing the revised and supplemented forms:
| Forms group | Typical Categories/Examples |
|---|---|
| Visa | Visa application, renewal, and conversion forms |
| Temporary residence card | NA6, NA7, NA8, NC3B |
| Permanent residence | Application form for permanent residency, sponsorship for permanent residency |
| License | Immigration and emigration permits, permits to enter economic zones. |
| Other | Sample report/declaration form for supplementing residence information. |
Adjusting regulations on receiving and processing applications.
The circular clearly specifies the methods for receiving applications:
- In-person application: This is done at the Immigration Department or the provincial-level immigration management agency.
- Acceptance via postal service: Applicable to specific cases as stipulated.
- Electronic submission: Applicable to agencies, organizations, and individuals that meet the conditions stipulated in the Law.
Adjusting the effective dates for certain regulations.
One point to note is the adjustment of the validity period of some internal management regulations. Specifically, Clause 4, Article 4 of Circular 31/2015/TT-BCA has been amended from “5 years” to “10 years” for documents with intermediate value, helping to reduce the frequency of procedures for confirmation or periodic record updating.
Changes related to the temporary residence permit application form.
The procedure for issuing temporary residence permits is the most frequently performed procedure for foreigners working or investing in Vietnam.
The temporary residence permit application forms have been revised.
Specifically, forms NA6 (Letter requesting temporary residence card), NA7 (Application for guarantee of temporary residence card for a relative), NA8 (Declaration requesting temporary residence card), and NC3B (Temporary residence declaration) have been amended and supplemented according to the mẫu forms issued with the Circular.
Important notes when using the new form from July 1, 2026.
- Applicable to: All agencies, organizations, and individuals carrying out procedures for sponsoring foreigners after July 1, 2026.
- Time of use: From the date the Circular comes into effect, the receiving agency will process applications using the new form.
- Cases requiring updating: For documents prepared before July 1, 2026, but not yet submitted, businesses need to convert them to the new form to ensure validity.
These changes affect businesses and foreigners.
The circular directly affects administrative operational processes. In addition to correctly completing immigration and customs forms, businesses also need to pay attention to synchronizing them with other related procedures such as: Work permit for foreigners To ensure the legality of workers.
For guaranteeing agencies and organizations
Businesses need to update the sample documents in their internal archiving system. The procedure for guiding foreigners in signing documents also needs to be adjusted to the new NA8 form and accompanying documents.
For foreigners undergoing immigration and residence procedures.
Foreign nationals need to coordinate with their sponsoring organization to provide accurate information according to the fields on the new form.
Document review checklist:
- Verify that the forms downloaded are from the official source of the Immigration Department.
- Update all the new forms into the company's internal administration process.
- Retrain the administrative and human resources departments on the changes to the new form completion method.
- Please refer to additional instructions from the Immigration Department if any situations arise.
Transitional provisions when applying Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA
To ensure that the application of the new regulations does not disrupt ongoing procedures, Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA clearly stipulates the transitional mechanism for documents and records that were prepared or received before July 1, 2026.
Validity of issued documents
Foreigners' entry, exit, and residence permits issued before July 1, 2026, will remain valid until their expiration date or until they are required to be renewed. Foreigners do not need to switch to the new form if their documents are still valid.
Principles for processing documents during the transition period
Businesses and foreigners should take note of the following principles:
- Applications received by the competent authority before July 1, 2026 will continue to be processed according to the old regulations and forms.
- Applications submitted from July 1, 2026, onwards must use the forms amended and supplemented according to Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA.
- Documents that were issued validly before the Circular came into effect remain valid until their expiration date.
| Content | Major changes |
|---|---|
| Form | Amendments and additions have been made to 24 forms related to the entry, exit, and residence of foreigners. |
| File | Update the content of some forms according to the new regulations. |
| Receiving applications | The regulations have been amended to include provisions for accepting applications electronically for eligible cases. |
| Duration | Adjusting some regulations from 5 years to 10 years according to the revised Circular. |
| Transitional provisions | Documents issued and applications received before July 1, 2026 will continue to be processed according to transitional provisions. |
Conclude
Circulars are essential legal documents that contribute to the modernization of foreign national management in Vietnam. Strict adherence to the prescribed forms helps sponsoring businesses complete procedures quickly and avoid administrative errors. Please ensure your team has updated to the latest forms before July 1st, 2026.
You can find more information about the process in this article. Procedures for applying for a temporary residence permit for foreigners to gain a better understanding of the coordination steps.
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Content specialist
The content has been compiled, reviewed, and professionally vetted by Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO of MAN – Master Accountant Network, CPA Vietnam auditor with over 30 years of experience in accounting, auditing, taxation, and corporate financial consulting.
MAN – Master Accountant Network is committed to providing accurate, objective, and up-to-date information in accordance with current legal regulations. All professional content is built on practical experience, adheres to professional standards, and aims to provide reliable reference value for businesses, organizations, and individuals.
