Circular 87/2026/TT-BCA took effect on July 24, 2026. It standardizes the foreign residence declaration Vietnam process using online systems or paper forms. For property owners renting to foreigners, what does this change in daily operations?
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Circular 87/2026/TT-BCA was issued on June 9, 2026. It officially took effect on July 24, 2026, replacing the old Circular 53/2016/TT-BCA. The new regulation standardizes the temporary residence declaration process. It uses an electronic system that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The scope of application is quite broad. It applies to hotels, rental properties, and private homes with foreign guests staying overnight. This includes bookings made through digital platforms. The declaration deadline is 12 hours after arrival while the remote areas have up to 24 hours.
Property owners can choose 1 of 2 declaration methods. They can report through the electronic system or submit a paper form NA17 to local police. Each apartment requires a separate account on the system so an owner has 3 apartments, they need 3 separate accounts.
Property owners must understand one important point. Declaration is not just required when guests first move in or change passport details. Many tenants are experts working for global corporations who travel frequently. Therefore, owners must re-declare residency every time a guest enters or leaves Vietnam, not just once at contract signing.
For long-term rentals, this becomes a regular tracking routine rather than a one-time task. For short-term rentals, owners must report every new guest. The 24/7 online system makes this quick without visiting police stations each time.
The most practical method is adding this step into standard check-in procedures. Owners can group it with passport checks or key handovers instead of handling it separately.
Under Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, effective December 15, 2025, fines for failing to declare temporary residence range from 3 to 20 million VND. The exact amount depends on the number of undeclared foreigners. Furthermore, fines for organizations are double those for individuals.
Notably, this fine applies directly to individual property owners and accommodation managers. It is not limited to large accommodation businesses. This is an increase from the old fine framework of 4 to 6 million VND. It reflects stricter supervision in recent times.
For owners who declare on time and build a routine for guest arrivals, this fine is not a major worry. Instead, it is simply a standard operational step. However, remote owners who lack time can easily delegate this task to a professional property management company. (Property Management Services)
Circular 87 does not complicate renting to foreigners. Instead, it standardizes and digitizes the entire process. When owners build this declaration into their daily routine, it becomes a simple task that ensures long-term legal peace of mind.
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