Applying for a new work permit in Vietnam is a mandatory procedure for foreign employees before legally working in the country. Understanding the eligibility conditions, required documents, and legal basis will help businesses and foreign workers avoid delays, rejections, or compliance risks.
Who is required to apply for a new work permit?
A new work permit is required when a foreigner wishes to work in Vietnam for the first time or returns to Vietnam to work after their previous permit has expired. This includes:
- Foreign experts
- Managers and directors
- Technical workers
- Foreign workers working under intra-company transfer
- Foreigners providing services or performing contracts in Vietnam
Cases where new work permit application is compulsory
A new application is required when:
- The previous work permit has expired
- The job position changes
- The employer changes
- The foreign worker moves to a different province to work
- There is a change in passport number
- There is a change in job title, work scope, or company structure that affects the permit
Required documents for a new work permit in Vietnam
Below are the mandatory documents for applying for a new work permit for foreign employees in Vietnam:
Valid Passport: A notarized copy of a valid passport (all pages).
Health Certificate: A health check issued by an authorized hospital in Vietnam or a valid medical certificate issued overseas (within the last 12 months).
Criminal Record: Criminal record/certificate of good conduct from the home country (if the employee lived abroad in the last 6 months) or Vietnamese criminal record (if the employee has been residing in Vietnam).
Documents Proving Professional Qualifications: Depending on the employee category:
- Expert: University degree or higher + at least 3 years of relevant experience.
- Manager/Executive: Documents proving managerial position and experience.
Technical worker: Training certificate + 3 years’ experience, or 5 years’ proven work experience.
Approval Letter for Hiring Foreign Employees: Issued by the Ministry of Labor–Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) or the Provincial People’s Committee.
Employment Contract or Assignment Letter: Draft labor contract to be signed in Vietnam or assignment/secondment letter for intra-company transferees.
Photos: Two (02) 4×6 cm photos, white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Other Supporting Documents
Note: All foreign documents must be consular legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized before submission.
Step-by-Step procedure for applying for a new work permit
Step 1 – Submission of Application
Between 10 and 60 days before the foreign employee’s expected working date, the employer must submit the work permit application directly, via public postal service, through authorized service providers, or by authorization to the Public Administration Service Center where the employee will work.
Step 2 – Receipt and Forwarding of Dossier
The Public Administration Service Center receives and transfers the dossier to the competent authority through the one-stop mechanism and the National Public Service Portal.
Step 3 – Processing and Issuance
Within 10 working days from the date of receiving a complete dossier, the competent authority will:
- Review and approve the demand for foreign workers, and
- Issue the work permit
- If the application is rejected, a written notification with reasons must be provided within 03 working days.
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