The most reputable work visa application services in 2024.

 The most reputable work visa application services in 2024.

Vietnam is one of the potential markets attracting not only FDI capital but also a significant number of foreign workers. To enter, reside, and legally work within Vietnam’s territory, a visa is an essential document for foreign workers; this is also commonly referred to as a work visa.

What is a work visa?

According to the legal regulations on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, there is currently no official definition of a work visa. Based on these regulations, a work visa can be understood as follows:

A work visa, also known as a labor visa, is a document issued by the competent Vietnamese authority allowing foreign workers to enter Vietnam. According to visa designation regulations, there are two types of work visas for foreign workers: Visa symbol LĐ1 and Visa symbol LĐ2, specifically:

• Visa symbol LĐ1 is issued to foreigners working in Vietnam who are certified as exempt from work permit requirements (exempt from Work permi), except in cases where international treaties to which Vietnam is a member state provide otherwise.
• Visa symbol LĐ2 is issued to foreigners working in Vietnam who are required to have a work permit.

Currently, both of these visa types are valid for no more than 2 years.

Thus, under current legal regulations, a work visa is a type of document issued by the competent Vietnamese authority, permitting foreigners to enter Vietnam for employment, either with or without a work permit requirement.

Conditions for Issuance of a Work Visa

According to Article 9 of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam (2014), to be eligible for a work visa, foreign workers must meet the following basic conditions:

First, the foreign worker must hold a passport or an international travel document. This requirement serves to establish the nationality of the visa applicant.

Second, the foreign worker must have a Vietnamese agency, organization, or individual sponsor, except in cases where an e-visa is issued upon the foreigner’s request or at the request of a competent agency or organization.

Third, the foreign worker must not fall under the cases in which entry is restricted, as follows:

• Failure to meet the condition of possessing a passport or international travel document.
• Forgery of documents or provision of false information to obtain entry, exit, or residence documents.
• Persons with mental illness or infectious diseases that pose a danger to public health.
• Deportation from Vietnam within the past three years from the date of effectiveness of the deportation decision.
• Mandatory exit from Vietnam within the past six months from the date the mandatory exit decision took effect.
• For reasons of disease prevention and control.
• For reasons of natural disaster.
• For reasons of national defense, security, public order, or social safety.

Fourth, foreign workers applying for a work visa, if falling under cases requiring a work permit, must possess a work permit as stipulated by the Labor Code.

Dossier and Procedures for Applying for a Work Visa

Step 1: The agency, organization, or individual sponsor must, before proceeding with the procedures to invite or sponsor a foreigner to enter Vietnam, submit a notification document along with the dossier to the Immigration Department. The specific dossier to notify the Immigration Department includes:

• A notification document regarding the sponsorship for the issuance of a work visa in Vietnam;
• A certified copy of the business registration certificate;
• A document introducing the seal and signature of the authorized representative of the organization.

It should be noted that this notification is submitted only once, and if there are any changes to the dossier contents, a supplemental notification must be submitted.

Step 2: The agency, organization, or individual inviting or sponsoring the foreign worker must directly submit the work visa application dossier to the Immigration Department. To apply for a work visa, the dossier must include the following components:

• First, a completed application form requesting a work visa for Vietnam.
• Second, a certified copy of the work permit or a certification of exemption from the work permit requirement, if issued.
• Third, one of the following documents proving eligibility for visa exemption, if applicable:
  • Under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member.
  • Possession of a permanent or temporary residence card in accordance with Vietnamese law.
  • Entry into a border-gate economic zone or special administrative-economic unit.
  • Unilateral visa exemption granted by Vietnam.
  • Vietnamese expatriates holding a passport or international travel document issued by a competent foreign authority, along with their foreign spouse, children, or foreign spouses and children of Vietnamese citizens, who are eligible for visa exemption under Government regulations.
  • Entry into a coastal economic zone designated by the Government, meeting the following conditions: presence of an international airport; distinct geographical boundaries, separate from mainland areas; alignment with Vietnam’s socio-economic development policies; and assurance of national defense, security, public order, and social safety.

Step 3: The Immigration Department reviews, processes, and responds to the agency, organization, or individual inviting or sponsoring the foreigner and informs the competent authority responsible for issuing the work visa at a Vietnamese mission abroad within 5 working days from the date of receiving the visa issuance request.

Step 4: The inviting or sponsoring agency, organization, or individual notifies the foreigner to proceed with the procedures for obtaining the work visa at the competent Vietnamese mission abroad, upon receiving a response from the Immigration Department.

Siglaw’s Work Visa Application Services

With a team of experienced professionals, Siglaw provides work visa application services in Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, for our valued clients.

Siglaw Law Firm

Phone: (+84) 961 366 238

Email:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Headquarters: No.44/A32-NV13, Gleximco A, Le Trong Tan street, An Khanh, Hoai Duc, Ha Noi, Vietnam.

Southern branch: A9.05 BLOCK A, SkyCenter Building, 5B Pho Quang Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Central branch: 177 Trung Nu Vuong, Hai Chau District, Da Nang City

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