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Vietnam Work Permit

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Work permit for foreigners working in Vietnam

Hotline: 0868 25 75 32

Vietnam Work permit is a permit issued by the Departments of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of provinces and cities to foreign workers working in units that employ foreign workers with headquarters located in the area.

Confirmation of NOT being subject to the issuance of a Work Permit, also known as Work Permit Exemption Certificate, also issued by the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of provinces and cities. This permit is issued to foreigners working in Vietnam on the “NO” list who are working at foreign employers headquatered in those provinces and cities.

Work Permit and Confirmation NOT subject to Work Permit are both confirmations that allow foreigners to work in Vietnam legally. Work permit and Confirmation of not being subject to a work permit are valid for a maximum of 2 years from the date of issue.

Why Choose the Work Permit Consulting Service for Foreign Workers from Vietnam-legal.com?

Since our establishment, we have been providing comprehensive consulting services for obtaining work permits, visas, and temporary residence cards for foreign employees in Vietnam.

Over the years, with extensive practical experience and in response to numerous changes in regulations governing foreign labor management in Vietnam, we have observed that:

  • Many businesses and organizations recruit foreign employees who are either unsuitable or ineligible for a work permit or temporary residence card.
  • Many organizations lack a dedicated officer to prepare and complete the required documents.
  • Some attempt to prepare their own applications but face multiple rejections or refusals due to non-compliance with official requirements.

In addition, as the competent authority for issuing work permits and certificates of exemption from work permits is the People’s Committee of the province or centrally-governed city (which may delegate this authority to other competent agencies) where the employer is headquartered, has a representative office, or conducts business, our company primarily provides full-package consulting services in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

For clients in other provinces and cities nationwide, Visa Toàn Cầu offers individual consulting services so that all businesses and organizations can access the specific assistance they need.
You can contact us via email or call the hotline +84 868 25 75 32 to request individual services or a full consultation package.

No Service Name Applicable in All Provinces & Cities Applicable in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City
1 Candidate Profile Assessment before Recruitment (Screening and reviewing candidate profiles to determine suitability for the desired job position and title, in accordance with employer requirements and government regulations) Yes Yes
2 Consultation and Guidance on Document Preparation – Including steps, procedures, and timeline planning for each specific case Yes Yes
3 Consular Legalization of required documents and papers Yes Yes
4 Certified Translation and Notarization of documents upon request Yes Yes
5 Preparation of Application Dossiers for issuance/extension/reissuance of Work Permits or Certificates of Exemption from Work Permits Yes Yes
6 Submission and Collection of Results on Behalf of Clients at competent authorities No Yes
7 Drafting of Labor Contracts (for candidates under labor contract arrangements) and consultation on post–work permit procedures Yes Yes
8 Biannual Reports on the employment of foreign workers Yes Yes
9 Annual Reports on the employment of foreign workers Yes Yes
10 Consultation on Entry Visas / E-Visas Yes Yes
11 Consultation on Temporary Residence Cards / Long-Term Visas Yes Yes
12 Consultation on Temporary Residence Cards for Family Reunion (for foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens) Yes Yes
13 Submission and Collection of Results on Behalf of Clients at competent authorities No Yes

The procedure for obtaining a Work Permit or a Certificate of Exemption from Work Permit for foreigners working in Vietnam is a combination of multiple individual documents. Each job position is subject to specific requirements, and the application dossier for each foreign candidate must be prepared with precision and compliance.

Therefore, a professional and ongoing consulting service such as Vietnam-legal.com is the ideal partner to assist every client — whether a business, organization, or individual foreign worker — across all job positions in Vietnam.

Our service ensures that:

  • Each candidate’s profile is thoroughly assessed for eligibility and compliance with the employer’s needs and legal requirements.
  • All necessary documents are prepared completely and accurately, enabling the candidate to work and reside in Vietnam smoothly.
  • Clients remain fully compliant with Vietnamese laws before and after obtaining a Work Permit or a Certificate of Exemption from Work Permit.

Therefore, professional and ongoing consulting services, such as those provided by Vietnam-legal.com, serve as a reliable partner for every client, company, organization, and foreign worker across all job positions in Vietnam. We assist in verifying and preparing the appropriate candidate documentation, ensuring that the candidate can smoothly work and reside in Vietnam, while complying with the regulations of the Vietnamese government both before and after applying for a Work Permit or confirming exemption from the Work Permit requirement.

By using our consulting services, clients will have an “administrative assistant” on a temporary, professional basis because:

  1. You won’t need a dedicated administrative or HR staff member handling foreign labor, yet you can still complete all the necessary procedures;
  2. You will be guided in detail on the process, procedures, and steps to complete the documents;
  3. We provide staff to draft documents in full, following the correct format and standard;
  4. You will save significant time, effort, and money by avoiding hiring unqualified individuals and preventing document rejections or multiple rejections;
  5. Our staff is proficient in English and specialized in consulting and supporting foreign clients.

Application Dossier for New Work Permit in Vietnam by Job Position
(Updated in accordance with Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP issued on August 7, 2025, effective from August 7, 2025)

Definition of “Manager”
A “Manager” is a person who manages an enterprise as defined in Clause 24, Article 4 of the Law on Enterprises. Specifically, enterprise managers include:

  • Owner of a private enterprise;
  • General partner;
  • Chairman of the Members’ Council, member of the Members’ Council;
  • Company President;
  • Chairman of the Board of Directors, member of the Board of Directors;
  • Director or General Director;
  • Any other individual holding a managerial position as prescribed in the company’s Charter.

A “Manager” also includes the head or deputy head of an agency or organization in accordance with the provisions of law.

Required documents for applying for a work permit for the position of Manager:

  1. Health certificate (issued in accordance with Vietnamese regulations).
  2. Criminal record certificate or a written confirmation stating that the foreign worker:
    • Is not currently serving a criminal sentence;
    • Has no unexpunged criminal record;
    • Is not under criminal investigation in Vietnam or abroad.
    • If issued abroad, the document must be consular legalized and notarized-translated into Vietnamese.
    • This document is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance to the date of application submission, except in cases where the administrative procedures for obtaining the criminal record certificate and work permit are processed concurrently.
  3. Two (02) color photos, size 4cm x 6cm, white background.
  4. Copy of passport:
    • Certified true copy with remaining validity, or
    • Copy with remaining validity certified by the employer in accordance with the law.
  5. Documents proving that the foreign worker is a Manager, and documents proving that, in the enterprise/organization, the position is officially classified as a “Manager”:
    • If issued abroad, such documents must be consular legalized and notarized-translated into Vietnamese.
  6. Documents proving the form of employment of the foreign worker in Vietnam.

Definition of “Executive Director”
An “Executive Director” is a person who falls under one of the following categories:
a) The head of a branch, representative office, or business location of an enterprise.
b) The head who directly manages at least one sector/field of an agency, organization, or enterprise, and has at least three (03) years of experience in a field relevant to the job position the foreign worker is expected to undertake in Vietnam.

Required documents for applying for a work permit for the position of Executive Director:

  1. Health certificate (issued in accordance with Vietnamese regulations).
  2. Criminal record certificate or a written confirmation stating that the foreign worker:
    • Is not currently serving a criminal sentence;
    • Has no unexpunged criminal record;
    • Is not under criminal investigation in Vietnam or abroad.
    • If issued abroad, the document must be consular legalized and notarized-translated into Vietnamese.
    • This document is valid for six (06) months from the date of issuance to the date of application submission, except in cases where the administrative procedures for obtaining the criminal record certificate and the work permit are processed concurrently.
  3. Two (02) color photos, size 4cm x 6cm, white background.
  4. Copy of passport:
    • Certified true copy with remaining validity, or
    • Copy with remaining validity certified by the employer in accordance with the law.
  5. Documents proving that the foreign worker is an Executive Director, and documents proving that, in the enterprise/organization, the position is officially classified as an “Executive Director”:
    • If issued abroad, such documents must be consular legalized and notarized-translated into Vietnamese.
  6. Documents proving the form of employment of the foreign worker in Vietnam.

Definition of “Expert”
A foreign worker is considered an “Expert” if they fall into one of the following categories:

  1. a) Hold a university degree or higher (or equivalent) and have at least two (02) years of work experiencerelevant to the position the foreign worker is expected to undertake in Vietnam.
  2. b) Hold a university degree or higher in their trained specialty and have at least one (01) year of relevant work experiencein the position the foreign worker is expected to undertake in Vietnam, for experts working in the fields offinance, science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, or in sectors prioritized for socio-economic development as determined by ministries, ministerial-level agencies, provincial People’s Committees, or under agreements signed by the Government of Vietnam.

Required documents for applying for a work permit for the position of Expert:

  1. Health certificate (issued in accordance with Vietnamese regulations).
  2. Criminal record certificate or a written confirmation stating that the foreign worker:
    • Is not currently serving a criminal sentence;
    • Has no unexpunged criminal record;
    • Is not under criminal investigation in Vietnam or abroad.
    • If issued abroad, the document must be consular legalized and notarized-translated into Vietnamese.
    • This document is valid for six (06) months from the date of issuance to the date of application submission, except in cases where the administrative procedures for obtaining the criminal record certificate and the work permit are processed concurrently.
  3. Two (02) color photos, size 4cm x 6cm, white background.
  4. Copy of passport:
    • Certified true copy with remaining validity, or
    • Copy with remaining validity certified by the employer in accordance with the law.
  5. Documents proving eligibility to work as an Expert as defined above, relevant to the position being recruited:
    • If issued abroad, such documents must be consular legalized and notarized-translated into Vietnamese.
  6. Documents proving the form of employment of the foreign worker in Vietnam.

Definition of “Technical Worker”
A foreign worker is considered a “Technical Worker” if they fall into one of the following categories:

  1. a) Have received formal training for at least one (01) yearand have at least two (02) years of work experiencerelevant to the position the foreign worker is expected to undertake in Vietnam;
  2. b) Have at least three (03) years of work experiencein a position relevant to the job the foreign worker is expected to undertake in Vietnam.

Required documents for applying for a work permit for the position of Technical Worker:

  1. Health certificate (issued in accordance with Vietnamese regulations).
  2. Criminal record certificate or a written confirmation stating that the foreign worker:
    • Is not currently serving a criminal sentence;
    • Has no unexpunged criminal record;
    • Is not under criminal investigation in Vietnam or abroad.
    • If issued abroad, the document must be consular legalized and notarized-translated into Vietnamese.
    • This document is valid for six (06) months from the date of issuance to the date of application submission, except in cases where the administrative procedures for obtaining the criminal record certificate and the work permit are processed concurrently.
  3. Two (02) color photos, size 4cm x 6cm, white background.
  4. Copy of passport:
    • Certified true copy with remaining validity, or
    • Copy with remaining validity certified by the employer in accordance with the law.
  5. Documents proving eligibility as a Technical Worker:
    • Either proof of having received formal training for at least one year and having at least two years of relevant work experience; or
    • Proof of at least three years of relevant work experience.
    • If issued abroad, such documents must be consular legalized and notarized-translated into Vietnamese.
  6. Documents proving the form of employment of the foreign worker in Vietnam.

Apart from the cases stipulated in Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Article 154 of the Labor Code:

  1. Serving as the Head of a representative office or project, or holding primary responsibility for the operations of an international organization or foreign non-governmental organization in Vietnam.
  2. Entering Vietnam for a period of less than 03 months to offer services.
  3. Entering Vietnam for a period of less than 03 months to handle complex technical or technological incidents or situations that affect, or may potentially affect, production or business activities, which cannot be resolved by Vietnamese experts or foreign experts currently in Vietnam.
  4. Foreign lawyers who have been granted a License to Practice Law in Vietnam in accordance with the Law on Lawyers.
  5. Cases under international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.
  6. Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens and residing in the territory of Vietnam.

Foreign workers exempt from work permit requirements include:

  1. Owners or capital-contributing members of limited liability companies with a capital contribution value of at least VND 3 billion.
  2. Chairpersons or members of the Board of Directors of joint-stock companies with a capital contribution value of at least VND 3 billion.
  3. Intra-corporate transferees within 11 service sectors in Vietnam’s schedule of commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO), including: business, information, construction, distribution, education, environment, finance, health, tourism, cultural entertainment, and transportation.
  4. Entering Vietnam to provide professional or technical consultancy services or to perform other tasks serving the research, construction, appraisal, monitoring, evaluation, management, and implementation of Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs or projects, as prescribed or agreed in international treaties on ODA signed between competent Vietnamese authorities and foreign parties.
  5. Foreign journalists engaged in press activities in Vietnam and accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  6. Assigned by a foreign competent authority to teach or to work as a manager or executive director at educational institutions established at the request of a foreign diplomatic mission or intergovernmental organization in Vietnam; or at institutions established under international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory.
  7. Students and interns studying at overseas schools or training institutions who have an internship agreement with agencies, organizations, or enterprises in Vietnam; trainees or interns on Vietnamese sea-going vessels.
  8. Dependents of members of foreign representative missions in Vietnam (dependents are allowed to work in Vietnam in accordance with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory).
  9. Holders of official passports working for state agencies, political organizations, or socio-political organizations.
  10. Individuals responsible for establishing a commercial presence in Vietnam.
  11. Volunteers (foreign workers working in Vietnam voluntarily without salary to implement international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory, with certification from foreign diplomatic missions or international organizations in Vietnam).
  12. Entering Vietnam to implement international agreements signed by central or provincial-level agencies or organizations in accordance with the law.
  13. Foreign workers who are managers, executive directors, experts, or technical workers in the following cases:
    a) Working in Vietnam for a total period of less than 90 days and not more than 03 times in a calendar year (from January 1 to December 31);
    b) Intra-corporate transferees: temporary transfers within a foreign enterprise that has established a commercial presence in Vietnam within the 11 service sectors committed under the WTO schedule, having been employed by the foreign enterprise for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the transfer. A commercial presence includes foreign-invested economic organizations, representative offices, and branches of foreign traders in Vietnam; and executive offices of foreign investors under business cooperation contracts.
  14. Certified by the Ministry of Education and Training to enter Vietnam for:
    a) Teaching or conducting research;
    b) Working as a manager, executive director, principal, or vice principal of educational institutions established at the request of foreign diplomatic missions or intergovernmental organizations in Vietnam.
  15. Certified by ministries, ministerial-level agencies, or provincial-level People’s Committees to enter Vietnam to work in the following fields: finance, science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, and other socio-economic priority sectors.

Procedures for handling Vietnamese work permit procedures for foreigners

  1. Required Documents
  • Written request from the employer: A report explaining the need to employ foreign workers and requesting the issuance of a work permit.
  • Proof of eligibility: A document confirming the worker’s position as a manager, executive director, expert, or technical worker, or other papers proving eligibility for the respective position. If issued abroad, these documents must be consular legalized and translated into Vietnamese with notarization.
  • Health certificate: Issued by a qualified medical facility, except in cases where the health check results have been connected and shared on the Health Examination Management Information System or the national healthcare database. A health certificate issued by a competent foreign medical authority is accepted if Vietnam and the issuing country/territory have a mutual recognition agreement, and the certificate is valid for no more than 12 months from the date of issue.
  • Criminal record: A criminal record card or a document confirming that the foreign worker is not currently serving a criminal sentence, has not had their criminal record unexpunged, and is not under criminal prosecution in Vietnam or abroad. The document must be issued within 6 months prior to the application date, except where the criminal record and work permit procedures are processed through the interconnected administrative system. If issued abroad, the document must be consular legalized and translated into Vietnamese with notarization.
  • Two (02) color photos (4cm x 6cm): White background, front-facing, bareheaded, without glasses.
  • Valid passport: A certified copy of a valid passport or a copy confirmed by the employer as still valid in accordance with the law.
  • Proof of the foreign worker’s form of employment.
  1. Processing Time
  • 10 working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete and valid application.
  1. Required Documents
  • Written request from the employer for re-issuance of the work permit.
  • Valid work permit previously issued (in case the work permit is lost, a confirmation from the police authority of the ward/commune where the foreign worker resides, or from the competent authority of the foreign country, is required in accordance with the law).
  • Two (02) color photos (4cm x 6cm): White background, front-facing, bareheaded, without glasses.
  • Certified copy of documents proving the change in information.
  1. Processing Time
  • 03 working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete and valid application.
  1. Required Documents
  • Written request from the employer: A report explaining the need to employ foreign workers and requesting the extension of the work permit.
  • Valid work permit: The currently valid work permit previously issued (valid for at least 10 days but not more than 45 days at the time of application).
  • Health certificate: Issued by a qualified medical facility, except in cases where the health check results have been connected and shared on the Health Examination Management Information System or the national healthcare database. A health certificate issued by a competent foreign medical authority is accepted if Vietnam and the issuing country/territory have a mutual recognition agreement, and the certificate is valid for no more than 12 months from the date of issue.
  • Two (02) color photos (4cm x 6cm): White background, front-facing, bareheaded, without glasses.
  • Valid passport: A certified copy of a valid passport or a copy confirmed by the employer as still valid in accordance with the law.
  • Proof of the foreign worker’s form of employment.
  1. Processing Time
  • 10 working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete and valid application.
  1. Notes
  • The application for work permit extension must be submitted while the current work permit is still valid for at least 10 days but not more than 45 days
  1. Foreign workers holding a valid work permit – intending to work for a different employer in the same job position and field of work
  2. Required Documents:
  • Confirmation letter from the current employer stating that the foreign worker is currently employed.
  • Written request from the new employer explaining the need to employ a foreign worker and applying for the issuance of a work permit.
  • Valid passport.
  • Two (02) color photos (4cm x 6cm): white background, front-facing, bareheaded, without glasses.
  • Documents proving the form of employment of the foreign worker.
  • Copy of the previously issued work permit.
  • Documents proving managerial or executive position, if applicable.
  1. Processing Time:
  • 10 working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete and valid application.
  1. Required Documents
  • Written request from the employer for the issuance of a certificate confirming that the foreign worker is not subject to a work permit requirement.
  • Health certificate issued by a qualified medical examination and treatment facility, except in cases where the medical examination results have been connected and shared on the Information System for Medical Examination and Treatment Management or the National Health Database. For health certificates issued by a competent foreign medical authority, they can be used if Vietnam and the issuing country or territory have a treaty or mutual recognition agreement, and the certificate is valid for no more than 12 months from the date of issuance.
  • Two (02) recent color photos, size 4 cm x 6 cm, with white background, full face, bareheaded, and without glasses.
  • Valid passport.
  • Documents proving that the foreign worker is not subject to a work permit requirement.
  1. Processing Time
    05 working days from the date the competent state authority receives a complete and valid application.
  2. Notes
  • The Certificate of Not Being Subject to a Work Permit may also be reissued in cases of loss, damage, or changes to the following details: full name, nationality, passport number, workplace, or employer’s name (without changing the employer’s identification code).
  • The Certificate of Not Being Subject to a Work Permit can also be extended in accordance with regulations.
  1. Cases and Procedures for Revocation of Work Permits
  • Work permit expires → Within 15 days from the date the work permit expires, the employer must collect the work permit and submit it to the competent authority that issued it, together with a written report on the revocation case. If the work permit cannot be retrieved, the reason must be clearly stated.
  • The employer or foreign worker fails to comply with regulations on issuance, re-issuance, or extension of work permits → The competent authority that issued the work permit shall issue a decision to revoke the work permit, send a notice to the employer requesting the return of the work permit, and inform the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) for coordination in management.
  • The foreign worker violates Vietnamese laws during employment in Vietnam and is prosecuted or subject to criminal liability → The competent authority that issued the work permit shall issue a decision to revoke the work permit, send a notice to the employer requesting the return of the work permit, and inform the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) for coordination in management.
  1. Cases and Procedures for Revocation of Certificates of Not Being Subject to a Work Permit Requirement
  • The foreign worker works inconsistently with the contents stated in the issued certificate of not being subject to a work permit requirement.
  • Written notification from the foreign employer stating that the foreign worker will no longer work in Vietnam.
  • The employer in Vietnam or abroad ceases operations.
    → Within 15 days from the date the certificate of not being subject to a work permit requirement expires, the employer must collect the certificate and submit it to the competent authority that issued it, together with a written report on the revocation case. If the certificate cannot be retrieved, the reason must be clearly stated.
  • The employer or foreign worker fails to comply with regulations on issuance, re-issuance, or extension of the certificate of not being subject to a work permit requirement.
  • The foreign worker violates Vietnamese laws during employment in Vietnam and is prosecuted or subject to criminal liability.
    → The competent authority that issued the certificate shall issue a decision to revoke it, send a notice to the employer requesting the return of the certificate, and inform the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) for coordination in management.
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FAQ about Vietnam Work Permit

What are documents required for Vietnam Work Permit?

1.A written request for the issuance of a work permit from the employer, prepared in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. 2.A health certificate issued either in Vietnam or abroad in compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health. 3.A criminal record certificate confirming that the applicant is not a criminal offender or under criminal prosecution under the laws of Vietnam and foreign countries. This document must remain valid within 06 months up to the date of application submission. 4.A document confirming that the foreign worker is a manager, executive director, expert, or technical worker. For certain occupations or positions, proof of the foreign worker’s professional or technical qualifications may be replaced by one of the following: a) A certificate of recognition as an artisan in traditional crafts issued by a competent foreign authority; b) Documentation proving the professional experience of a foreign football player; c) An aviation transport pilot license issued by a competent Vietnamese authority for foreign pilots; d) An aircraft maintenance license issued by a competent Vietnamese authority for foreign workers engaged in aircraft maintenance. 5.A written approval from the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee on the employment of foreign workers. 6.Two color photographs (size 4cm x 6cm, bareheaded, front-facing, showing full face and both ears, without glasses, with a white background), taken within 06 months prior to the application date. 7.A copy of the passport or a valid travel document equivalent to a passport, in accordance with the law.

What are features and benefits of Vietnam Work Permit?
+ Foreign national is not permitted to apply for Vietnam Work Permit by his/her own. Work Permit will be issued under your employers’ guarantee.
+ Vietnam Work Permit is issued to all foreign labors working in Vietnam and supplying all documents required to apply for Work Permit.
+ The processing time: 7 working days
+ The duration of a work permit shall not exceed 02 years. It is one of the most important conditions for foreign labors to obtain a long-term visa or 1-2 year temporary residence card.
+ Vietnam Work Permit need reissued when foreign labors change any information on their passport
+ Reissuance of Work Permit will be allowed if the employer and employee continue to work together.
Who are employers of foreign workers?
a) Enterprises operating pursuant to the Law on Enterprises and the Law on Investment or international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is a signatory;
b) Foreign or domestic contractors participating in tendering, carrying out a contract in Viet Nam;
c) Representative offices and branches of an enterprise, agency or organization permitted to be established by the competent authority;
d) State agencies, political, socio-political, socio-occupational-political, social and socio-occupational organizations;
dd) Foreign non-governmental organizations and international organizations in Viet Nam;
e) State professional units established pursuant to the law;
g) Foreign project offices or offices of international organizations in Viet Nam;
h) Operating offices of a foreign investor pursuant to business cooperation contracts or foreign contractors permitted for registration pursuant to the law;
i) Organizations practising law in Viet Nam in accordance with the law;
k) Cooperatives and co-operative groups established and operating pursuant to the Law on Cooperatives;
l) Associations and business associations established in accordance with the law;
m) Business households and individuals permitted to do business in accordance with the law.
Who are exempted from Vietnam Work Permit?

According to Decree No.11/2016/ND-CP, cases of foreign workers exempted from Vietnam Work Permit includes:

1. Foreign citizen working in Vietnam not subject to the grant of work permit stipulated in Labor Code:

+ As contributing member, or owners of limited liability company.

+ As a member of the Board of Directors of the Joint Stock Company

+ As a Head of Representative Office, project of international organization, non-governmental organizations in Vietnam.

+ Coming to Vietnam with a period of less than 03 months to offer services

+ Coming to Vietnam with a period of less than 03 months to handle the problem, technical situation and complex technology arising that affect or threaten to affect the production and business that the Vietnamese and foreign experts currently in Vietnam cannot be handled.

+ As a foreign lawyer who has been licensed to practice law in Vietnam under the Law on Lawyers

+ Under the provisions of international agreement in which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

+ As students who are studying and working in Vietnam, but the employer must give a notice 07 days in advance to the provincial state management agency on labor

2. Other cases of foreign workers exempt from work permits, including:

a) Foreign workers who are internally transferred within an enterprise operating in the 11 service sectors in the list of Viet Nam’s commitments on services to the World Trade Organization, including: business, communication, construction, distribution, education , environment, finance, healthcare, tourism, cultural entertainment and transport;

b) Foreign workers entering Viet Nam to provide advisory services and technical expertise or perform other tasks serving research, construction, appraisal, monitoring and evaluation, management and implementation of programs/projects funded with official development assistance (ODA) as specified and agreed in international agreements on ODA between competent authorities of Viet Nam and other countries;

c) Foreign workers who are issued with a license for the practice of journalism in Viet Nam by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in accordance with the law;

d) Foreign workers who are teachers of foreign organizations that are sent to Viet Nam by such organizations to teach and research in international schools under the management of foreign diplomatic missions or international organizations in Viet Nam or permitted by the Ministry of Education and Training to teach and research in Viet Nam’s education and training  institutions;

dd) Volunteers certified by foreign diplomatic missions or international organizations in Viet Nam;

e) Foreign workers coming to Viet Nam to work as experts, managers, executive directors or technical employees with a period of less than 30 days and no more than 90 cumulative days in 01 years;

g) Foreign workers entering Viet Nam to implement international agreements to which central and local state agencies are signatories  as prescribed by the law;

h) Students studying in foreign schools and institutions having agreements on internship in agencies, organizations and enterprises in Viet Nam;

i) Family members of diplomatic agents of foreign diplomatic missions in Viet Nam permitted for working by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, except where international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is a signatory that contains provisions different from this;

k) Foreign workers who have official passports to work for state agencies, social organizations and socio-political organizations;

l) Other cases decided by the Prime Minister at the proposal of the Ministry of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs.

What are conditions for issuance of Vietnam Work Permit?
+ There is capacity for civil acts fully accordance with the law
+ There is health fit with the job requirements
+ Being manager, executive director, expert or technician
+ Not offenders or being prosecuted for criminal liability accordance with the law of Vietnam or foreign law
+ Being approved in writing by the competent state agencies on the use of foreign workers
What is “Expert” according to Decree no. 11/2016/ ND-CP?

According to Decree no. 102/2013/ND-CP, Specialist means a foreign worker who is recognized by a foreign country as specialist or who possesses an engineer, bachelor or equivalent or higher degree and has worked for at least 5 years in his/her trained discipline.

This definition of “Expert” is changed according to Decree No.11/2016/ND-CP:

Foreign employees are deemed as specialists when they satisfy one of the following requirements:

+    When the said employee is in possession of a written document that verifies their position as a specialist of an office, organization or enterprise overseas.

+    When the said employee has a minimum of a university degree or a certificate of equivalent value, and no less than three years’ experience working in a specialized field appropriate to his or her expected position in Viet Nam. Other special cases shall be examined and decided by the Prime Minister.

What are “Manager and CEO” according to Decree No. 11/2016/ND-CP?

According to Decree No.11/2016/ND-CP, the definitions of "Manager and Chief Executive Officer" are clear:

+ Manager position: Manager of an enterprise means a manager of a company or a manager of a private enterprise, comprising the owner of a private enterprise, an unlimited liability partner, the chairman of a members’ council, a member of a members’ council, the chairman of a company, the chairman of a board of management, a member of a board of management, a director or general director, and an individual holding another managerial position, who is authorized to enter into transactions of the company in the name of the company as stipulated in the charter of the company

+ A chief executive officer (CEO) is the leader who directly manages subordinate units of an office, organization or enterprise.

What should you do if your application for Work Permit is refused?

Nowadays, the proportion of unskilled foreign labors is increasing more and more. Therefore, Vietnam Government sets the stringent standards to decrease the number of unskilled foreign labors and those who do not have clear criminal record, promoting all companies in Vietnam to take advantage of Vietnamese labors. This is reason for many Vietnam Work Permit refusals. The Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs or the Management Board of Industrial Zone, processing and export area where the Enterprise’s (Employer’s) head-office is located will refuse in some case such as your company employs the number of foreign labors exceed the permitted rate, the job position is not matched to your business fields or foreign labors cannot meet the professional qualifications or experience required for the position. Even the cases that employers of foreign workers violated regulations on using and managing labors will be refused.

Refusal does not mean that employers cannot apply for Vietnam Work Permit again. We need to review the reason of refusal given in the replying letter from The Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs or the Management Board of Industrial Zone, processing and export area. We should follow their suggestion and give solution for each problem with application.

Each document offer the duration of 6 months, except for Health Check (valid to 12 months) thus you should take this time to prepare carefully dossiers to obtain Vietnam Work Permit timely.

News about workpermit in Vietnam

Vietnam work permit
07 Oct 2015
2
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Procedures to Apply for Vietnam Work Permit

In most cases, a work permit is required when working in Vietnam for more than three months. Where a work permit is not compulsory, a notice must be submitted seven days in advance to the provincial Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA) prior to working in Vietnam. Currently, work permits for foreigners are valid for a maximum of two years. In order to...

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