Work permits play a crucial role in managing and ensuring the lawful employment of foreign workers in Vietnam. Under the provisions of the Labor Code and Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP, foreigners must obtain a valid work permit before commencing employment in Vietnam, unless exempted by law. This article provides an overview of key regulations on work permits, including their definition, eligible applicants, application procedures, and the latest policy updates.
What is a Work Permit?
A Work Permit is an official document issued by a competent Vietnamese authority that allows a foreigner to work legally in Vietnam. It is a mandatory condition for most foreign employees, except for cases exempted under the Labor Code and Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP.
Individuals required to obtain a work permit in Vietnam
Foreign nationals working in Vietnam as managers, executives, experts, or technical workers under any of the following categories are required to obtain a work permit:
- Employment contract;
- Intra-corporate transferees;
- Performance under economic or social agreements;
- Contracted service providers;
- Service sellers;
- Volunteers;
- Representatives establishing a commercial presence in Vietnam;
- Employees seconded by foreign organizations or enterprises;
- Project or bidding implementers in Vietnam;
- Dependents of foreign diplomatic personnel working in Vietnam;
- Chairpersons or members of the Board of Directors of joint-stock companies, or owners/members of limited liability companies with capital contributions of less than VND 3 billion;
- Employees working for foreign diplomatic missions or international organizations in Vietnam under labor contracts.
Certain cases are exempt from work permit requirements, such as foreign experts, managers, executives, or technical workers working in Vietnam for no more than 90 days per year, or other cases as stipulated in international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory.
Conditions for issuance of a work permit
According to Labor Code 2019, foreign workers must meet the following conditions:
- Must be 18 years of age or older and have full civil act capacity;
- Possess professional qualifications, technical skills, expertise, and work experience;
- Be in good health as prescribed by the Minister of Health;
- Not be serving a criminal sentence, have an unexpunged criminal record, or be under criminal investigation in accordance with the laws of Vietnam or foreign countries;
- The term of the labor contract for a foreign employee must not exceed the validity period of the Work Permit.
Dossier and procedures for work permit application
Application dossier includes:
- Written request explaining the need for foreign workers and proposing the issuance of a work permit (Form No. 03, Appendix issued together with Decree No. 219);
- Health certificate;
- Valid passport;
- Judicial record certificate;
- Two color photos (4×6 cm);
- Documents proving the foreign worker’s form of employment;
- Documents proving the worker’s position as a manager, executive, expert, or technical worker in accordance with Article 19 of Decree No. 219.
Application procedure:
- The employer submits the application online via the National Public Service Portal or directly to the Administrative Service Center of the province where the foreign worker is expected to work.
- The portal or service center forwards the dossier to the competent authority for processing.
- The result shall be issued within 10 working days if the application is valid.
- If the application is rejected or the demand for employing foreign workers is not approved, the authority shall issue a written response clearly stating the reasons.
Work permit assistance services in Vietnam – Siglaw
With extensive experience in assisting numerous FDI enterprises, Siglaw Firm provides comprehensive services for obtaining work permits, including:
- Consulting on eligibility and identifying the appropriate permit type;
- Translation, legalization, and notarization of application documents;
- Preparing, submitting, and following up on applications until approval;
- Supporting work permit renewal or exemption certification.
Contact Siglaw Firm today for professional consultation, time-saving solutions, and guaranteed compliance with Vietnamese labor laws.
For detailed consultation, please contact Siglaw Law Firm for the fastest and most comprehensive support:
Head Office in Hanoi: No. 44/A32 – NV13, Area A Geleximco, Le Trong Tan Street, Tay Mo Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Email: vphn@siglaw.com.vn
Southern Branch: No. 103 – 105 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Email: vphcm@siglaw.com.vn
Central Branch: VIFC DN – ICT Building, Software Park No. 2, Nhu Nguyet Street, Hai Chau Ward, Da Nang, Vietnam.
Hotline: 0961 366 238
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