Procedure - update new passport number

    Hi good morning. I am living in Vietnam over a long period. I have a valid TRC with old passport number. but one week before I renewed my passport, how can I move forward to update new passport number into the existing valid TRC?  could you please advise the procedure to update new passport number into the existing Temporary Resident Card (TRC)
        -@gajjala333

Hi there gajjala333, and welcome to expat.com.

I wrote of an expat's "adventure"  encountered by his not having your foresight, here. (Link)

In that post I wrote;

"Should any expats/travelers/tourists find that they are requiring a new passport whilst abroad and who wish to avoid my fellow expat's experience, please ensure that any stamps which had been entered in your old passport are transferred to your new passport by visiting a VN immigration office prior to finding oneself in an over-stay position."

You didn't mention where in VN you are located.

Just one question, why do you need to renew your passport? Has it expired, lost or no more pages?

I am located at VSIP-1, Thuan An, Binh Duong province.

@cougarcar20, not expired my old passport still valid 28th May 2024. just to ensure to travel other countries I renewed early.

@gajjala333

Hi gajjala333. Thank you for your reply.

You have the option of hiring an agent to handle the transfer of the stamp in your passport and the issuance of an updated TRC (for a fee), or of visiting the VN immigration offices in Saigon. Thankfully you're not too far from there.

As I understand it, you submit your old (no longer valid) passport along with your newly issued passport and existing/current TRC to the immigration officer there. I'm told the time from submission to the return of the passports is approximately 10 days. I'm unsure of the cost, but I do not believe it is a substantial amount.

This is purely anecdotal advice, as the information I have on this is based solely on the experience related to me by my expat friend (link found in post #2 of this thread). I strongly suggest you confirm all of this with VN immigration.

The immigration office's address in Saigon is

254 Đ. Nguyễn Trãi, Phường Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Please let the forum know how you negotiate the steps in this and what, if any, hurdles/complications you encounter.

We would certainly appreciate it and it will be of great benefit to current and future members of expat.com.

Hi, it's interesting that your old passport wasn't punched or stamped "canceled", but that's okay, that depends on the agent. To the requested topic: keep in mind that in many countries there is a rule: passport you enter with = passport you exit with. Otherwise, be prepared for a simple but looooong procedure.

My suggestion is you should try to resolve it as soon as possible, holding two valid passports is a bad idea in any country, One day they could note your new passport is older than your newest movements.

If it were a "visa" you simply must always hold both passports and stamp only in the new one.  If you want to hold only one, you can pay USD$20 for the visa transfer to the new passport on your next entry at the airport.

In the case of the TRC, you better go to the same immigration office where your TRC was issued and present your case. Most likely they will issue you a new card paying the fees.

@gajjala333

Ok and when will your TRC expire?

Interesting as my TRC expires exactly 6 months before my passport does.

I understood that the TRC validity will be the sooner of a) passport expiry minus 6 months or b) TRC length requested (2, 3 years)

@QPR_FC

Yes, you are correct. A TRC and or visa will only be valid 6 months prior to your passport expiration date. This person is a Troll or has been in Vietnam on an expired TRC and didn't realize.

    @QPR_FCYes, you are correct. A TRC and or visa will only be valid 6 months prior to your passport expiration date. This person is a Troll or has been in Vietnam on an expired TRC and didn't realize.        -@cougarcar20

Good catch, QPR_FC and cougarcar20.

Expired Nov.28th.