Vietnam – Work Permits and Working Legally

Do expats need a work permit to work legally in Vietnam?

Vietnamese law requires any foreign national seeking lawful employment in the country to obtain a work permit, unless a recognised exemption applies. Anyone intending to remain in Vietnam for more than three months while engaged in work must hold this authorisation. The requirement extends across essentially all employment arrangements, encompassing standard contracts, consultancy engagements, and contractor roles alike.

In contrast to some countries where individuals shoulder the primary bureaucratic burden — filing their own forms, paying fees directly, and assembling documentation independently — Vietnam places the obligation of submitting the application on the sponsoring employer or an authorised representative. While close coordination between employer and employee is necessary, it is the Vietnamese hiring entity that bears formal legal responsibility for lodging the dossier.

A work permit is an official document authorising a foreign national to engage in paid employment in Vietnam, issued by competent bodies — now falling under the Ministry of Home Affairs and provincial People’s Committees. Holding a valid permit establishes the holder as a legitimate employee with recognised labour rights, and it is also a prerequisite for obtaining a Temporary Residence Card (TRC), which enables extended lawful residence in Vietnam.

Decree 219/2025 has expanded the list of exemption categories from 14 to 15, adding foreign workers contributing to finance, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and other priority sectors designated by central or provincial authorities. Other well-established exemptions cover employees working in Vietnam for under three months, internationally transferred staff, limited company members and owners, board members of joint-stock companies, and lawyers holding a professional permit from the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice.

Foreign nationals married to Vietnamese citizens who reside in Vietnam may also qualify for an exemption. However, it is crucial to understand that being exempt does not eliminate paperwork entirely — individuals in this position must still obtain a formal certification of work permit exemption from the relevant authority. The distinction between holding an exemption and being free from any procedural requirements is an important one that is frequently misunderstood.

Although Vietnam is an ASEAN member state, the bloc does not have a freedom of movement arrangement comparable to that of the European Union. Accordingly, all foreign nationals — regardless of their country of origin — fall under the same general permit framework, unless a specific bilateral treaty creates different terms. Readers should seek confirmation from the relevant authority as to whether any such treaty affects their individual circumstances.

What types of work permit are available in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, a work permit (giấy phép lao động) is an authorisation granted by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) or provincial bodies, permitting a foreign national to carry out paid work for a designated employer in a defined role and location. Rather than being divided into separately branded permit types, work permits are differentiated by occupational category — such as expert, manager, or technician.

Vietnamese labour policy prioritises the local workforce, meaning work permits are designed to be granted to foreign individuals occupying roles classified as expert, manager, or highly skilled technician. This approach is broadly analogous to sponsorship-focused or points-based systems elsewhere, where foreign labour authorisation is reserved for positions that cannot be filled by domestic workers.

To be recognised as an expert or specialist, an applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree or above and have a certificate confirming at least three years of relevant professional experience, or alternatively a certificate demonstrating at least five years of experience in the trained field applicable to the position. Under Decree 219, it has become easier to qualify on the basis of experience alone in designated priority economic sectors.

To qualify as a technical worker, an applicant must have completed at least one year of technical or vocational training and have accumulated three or more years of practical experience in that field, or hold a certificate evidencing a minimum of five years of relevant working experience.

For managers and executive directors, Decree 219 retains the requirement to lead a branch, representative office, or specific department at C-level, while introducing an additional condition of at least three years of prior experience in an equivalent position.

Intra-company transferees form a significant and growing category. Eligibility applies to foreign employees transferred within the 11 WTO service sectors covered by Vietnam’s commitments, who have been employed by the overseas entity for a minimum of 12 consecutive months, and whose receiving entity in Vietnam is an established commercial presence such as an FDI company, representative office, branch, or project office. This category is exempt from the standard permit requirement but necessitates a formal confirmation letter.

Vietnam does not offer a working holiday visa or a freelance self-employment category comparable to those found in countries like Australia or New Zealand. Foreign nationals wishing to operate an independent business must instead explore investor visa pathways. Work Visa LD1 applies to foreign workers in Vietnam who are exempt from holding a work permit, while Work Visa LD2 applies to those who are required to hold one.

As of 2025, a standard work permit has a maximum validity of two years and may be extended once for up to a further two years. When the extended permit expires, the employer must undergo the full application process again if the employment relationship is to continue. There is no permit category that leads automatically to permanent residency, which remains a separate and considerably more demanding process.

How do you apply for a work permit in Vietnam, and how long does it take?

Legally engaging a foreign employee in Vietnam requires employers to follow a clearly defined sequence of steps. Reforms introduced under Decree 219/2025 have consolidated this into a single, predominantly online procedure. As in prior years, the employer — not the worker — coordinates and submits the dossier. The following reflects the framework as it stands from August 2025 onwards.

1. Advertise the vacancy: Under Decree 219, employers must publicly advertise the position on any accessible platform — such as a company website, LinkedIn, or a newspaper — for a minimum of five days prior to submission. This replaces the earlier requirement to post on the Ministry’s official portal for 15 days. The advertisement serves as evidence that no suitably qualified local candidate was available.
2. Compile the application dossier: The employer or its authorised agent assembles the complete work permit dossier, which under Decree 219 merges what were previously two separate stages — the approval phase and the formal permit application — into one. The foreign worker must supply personal documents including their passport, health certificate, criminal record certificate, and evidence of professional qualifications for inclusion in the dossier.
3. Submit the application: A newly integrated system allows employers to apply simultaneously for a work permit and a criminal record certificate through the National Public Service Portal. Applications are directed to the Provincial People’s Committee (PPC) covering the province in which the foreign employee will be working. Timing requirements are strict: submissions must be made no fewer than 10 days and no more than 60 days before the worker’s intended start date.
4. Authority review and approval: The competent authority has 10 working days from receipt of a complete dossier to review and issue the work permit. Where an application is refused, written reasons must be provided within 3 days of the decision.
5. Apply for work visa and Temporary Residence Card: Once the work permit has been issued, the foreign worker becomes eligible to apply for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) through the Vietnam Immigration Department. The TRC removes the need to maintain a separate visa for extended stays.

The revised procedure has reduced the overall timeline to approximately three weeks in straightforward cases. In practice, however, the end-to-end process is often longer — typically around 12 weeks in total. The most time-intensive stage is usually the overseas legalisation of university degrees and experience letters, which must generally be authenticated in the country where they were originally issued.

Frequent sources of delay include document legalisation at embassies or consulates abroad, inaccurate translations, and discrepancies between job titles stated on the application and those reflected in submitted qualifications. Even minor inconsistencies can lead to rejection, delays, and disruption to business operations. Beginning document preparation as early as possible — ideally 60 to 90 days before the planned start date — is strongly recommended.

What documents do expats need to apply for a work permit in Vietnam?

Both the employing organisation and the foreign worker must contribute to the application dossier. The precise checklist varies depending on the applicant’s role category and is subject to regulatory change, so it is essential to confirm current requirements directly with the National Public Service Portal or the applicable Provincial People’s Committee before proceeding.

The foreign worker is typically required to provide:

• Passport: A valid passport copy is mandatory for identification. The document should carry sufficient remaining validity to cover the intended period of employment.
• Health certificate: A medical assessment from an approved hospital or clinic — generally issued within the preceding 6 to 12 months — is required. Examinations may be conducted either abroad or in Vietnam at any accredited facility. The certificate must confirm fitness for work, and foreign-issued health documents must be legalised.
• Criminal record certificate: A background check from the applicant’s home country, authenticated by the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, is required. Where the applicant has lived in Vietnam, a Vietnamese criminal record check is also acceptable.
• Professional qualifications: Certified copies of degrees, professional credentials, and work experience certificates — accompanied by notarised Vietnamese translations — are required, all of which must be officially legalised.
• Experience documentation: This may take the form of a legalised experience letter from a previous employer overseas, or a previously issued work permit or work permit exemption certificate from within Vietnam. Experience must be relevant to the proposed role and span at least three years.
• Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs conforming to Vietnamese official specifications.

The employer must submit supporting documents including:

• The completed official application form (Form 01/PLI or the current version under Decree 219)
• Documentation including the employer’s charter, establishment certificate, and appointment records
• Evidence of the vacancy advertisement, demonstrating at least five days of public posting as of 2025
• A written explanation of why the role cannot be filled by a Vietnamese national
• A draft or signed labour contract (note: under Decree 219, the labour contract is no longer required within the dossier for local hires unless specifically requested by authorities, though employers must retain the contract on file for inspection purposes)

All foreign-language documents, with the exception of the passport, must be translated into Vietnamese by a licensed translation service. Legalisation — whether by apostille or consular certification — must be completed in the country where each document was originally issued, before the Vietnamese embassy or consulate can certify it. This step alone can add several weeks to the overall process.

What does a work permit cost in Vietnam?

Work permit fees in Vietnam are set by the Provincial and Municipal People’s Councils and differ across all 63 localities. Because the fee structure is decentralised, there is no uniform national figure — the cost depends on where the employer and worker are situated. It is essential to verify the current fee schedule with the relevant provincial authority before submitting an application.

As a general point of reference, figures applicable to Ho Chi Minh City as of 2024 offer a useful baseline: the fee for an initial work permit application stands at VND 400,000 (approximately USD 16), reissuance costs VND 300,000 (approximately USD 12), and renewal costs VND 200,000 (approximately USD 8). These figures may have been updated and should be confirmed directly with the local authority or through the National Public Service Portal. Notably, under Resolution 07/2024/NQ-HDND, work permit fees in Ho Chi Minh City are waived when applications are processed fully or partially through the city’s online public service system, a provision effective from May 2024.

The government application fee represents only a fraction of the true cost of obtaining a work permit. Additional expenses include consular legalisation and notarised translation fees, criminal record check charges, medical examination costs, transportation, and other incidental expenditures. In practice, legalising and translating a full set of documents can run to several hundred US dollars, particularly when documents originate from more than one country.

Vietnamese employers are generally expected to bear the costs of the work permit process, given that the legal obligation to submit the application rests with the sponsoring organisation. Unlike some jurisdictions that expressly prohibit passing recruitment or permit costs to the worker, Vietnam’s regulations focus the administrative responsibility on the employer side, leaving less clarity around cost-sharing for ancillary expenses. Workers are advised to obtain written confirmation of who bears which costs before accepting a role, and to exercise caution about any arrangement requiring them to personally fund legalisation or government fees as a condition of employment.

Can expats change jobs or employers while on a work permit in Vietnam?

A Vietnamese work permit is bound to a particular employer, position, and place of work. It does not confer general authorisation to work for any Vietnamese entity or in any capacity — a point that distinguishes it from open work authorisation arrangements found in certain other countries, where permit holders may move freely between employers within defined sectors.

Foreign workers whose work permits have been extended and who wish to continue in the same role and job title with the same employer must nonetheless apply for a new work permit if they intend to go on working in Vietnam beyond the extended period. Changing to a different employer before an existing permit has expired equally requires a fresh application — there is no mechanism to transfer or amend an existing permit to reflect a new employer’s name.

This means that any change of employer triggers the entire application process from the beginning with the incoming organisation. The new employer must restart all steps — advertising the position, preparing the dossier, and submitting it to the provincial authority. The foreign worker must not commence employment with the new employer until valid authorisation has been obtained.

If a work permit has been issued and the employee subsequently needs to carry out work across multiple provinces, the employer must notify the local authority in each additional province at least three days before the employee’s scheduled presence, providing key details including the work permit number and the relevant start and end dates. This multi-location notification requirement means that temporary work in a different province for the same employer does not necessitate a new permit — advance notification suffices.

Grounds for revoking both work permits and confirmation letters include expiry, misuse, criminal prosecution, business closure, or withdrawal by the sending organisation. Workers should therefore keep track not only of their own permit status but also of the legal standing of their employer, since a company’s closure or licence cancellation can render an existing permit void.

What are the penalties for working illegally in Vietnam?

Working in Vietnam without a valid work permit carries serious consequences: fines of VND 15–25 million for workers, penalties of VND 30–150 million for employers, and mandatory deportation for those found in violation. These consequences apply equally to those who have never held a permit and to those whose permit has lapsed — no grace period exists.

Foreign workers operating without a valid permit or with an expired one face fines of VND 15–25 million (approximately USD 590–980) under Clause 3, Article 32 of Decree 12/2022/ND-CP. In addition, Clause 5 of the same article mandates deportation as a supplementary sanction.

Employers face a graduated penalty structure linked to the number of undocumented workers involved: VND 30–45 million for between 1 and 10 workers, VND 45–60 million for 11 to 20 workers, and VND 60–75 million for 21 or more workers, with organisations subject to double the rates applicable to individuals.

Vietnamese authorities have intensified inspections and enforcement activities in recent years, reflecting a firmer approach to labour compliance. Both employers and foreign workers may face significant repercussions for breaches, including financial penalties ranging from VND 30 million to VND 75 million for employing foreign nationals without a valid permit, as well as reputational harm that can affect investor confidence and compliance standing with the authorities.

Performing work on a business or tourist visa is unlawful and can result in fines, deportation, or re-entry bans. A record of immigration violations — including illegal employment — can adversely affect future visa and residency applications and, in serious cases, may lead to a formal prohibition on returning to Vietnam. An expired permit is treated identically to no permit at all, with the same penalties applied and no grace period allowed.

Where can expats find reliable and up-to-date information on work permits in Vietnam?

Given the frequency with which Vietnam’s work permit regulations evolve — most recently through the sweeping changes introduced by Decree 219/2025 — it is vital to consult authoritative sources rather than relying on outdated guides or unofficial websites. The key official references that expats and their employers should turn to are outlined below.

• National Public Service Portal: The National Public Service Portal (dichvucong.gov.vn) serves as the primary online gateway for submitting work permit applications and monitoring their progress. Regulatory developments during 2024–2025 have placed increasing emphasis on this portal for both submission and tracking purposes.
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA): From 1 March 2025, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and its provincial Departments of Labour (DOLISAs) were absorbed into the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), which now has national oversight of work permit policy. Its official website should be consulted for the latest guidance and current forms.
• Provincial People’s Committees (PPCs): Under Article 4 of Decree 219, the authority to issue, reissue, extend, and revoke work permits and exemption certifications now sits with Provincial People’s Committees. For practical purposes, expats and employers should engage directly with the PPC or its delegated agency in the province where work will be performed.
• Vietnam Immigration Department: For Temporary Residence Cards, visa conversions, and queries relating to immigration matters, the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security is the appropriate authority.
• Embassies and consulates: Some embassies and consulates based in Vietnam offer certification services for their citizens’ personal documents. Expatriates should contact their respective embassy or consulate for further guidance on legalisation requirements for documents issued in their home country.

Official government websites and the National Public Service Portal publish application checklists and downloadable forms. Fee schedules and processing times listed on third-party platforms — including immigration service providers and law firms — can become outdated quickly. Any specific figure — whether a fee, processing time, or document requirement — should always be verified directly with the issuing authority, particularly given that work permit fees are governed by Provincial and Municipal People’s Councils and vary across all 63 localities.

For more complex situations — such as intra-company transfers, applications spanning multiple work locations, or cases involving non-standard qualifications — consulting a qualified Vietnamese immigration lawyer or a registered HR compliance specialist is strongly advisable. The regulatory landscape has grown considerably more technical in recent years, and professional guidance can help avoid costly delays and outright rejections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start work in Vietnam while my work permit application is being processed?

No. A valid work permit — or a confirmed exemption — must be in hand before employment begins. Commencing work before the permit has been issued, even where an application is already under review, constitutes illegal employment and exposes both the worker and the employer to fines and potential deportation. Allow sufficient time for document preparation well before your intended start date.

How long is a Vietnam work permit valid, and can it be renewed?

As of 2025, a standard work permit carries a maximum validity of two years and may be renewed once for up to a further two years. Once the renewed permit expires, any continuation of employment requires the employer to initiate an entirely new work permit application following the full procedure. Indefinite renewals are not available.

Do I need a work permit if I am only working in Vietnam for a short period?

Managers, executive directors, experts, and technical workers entering Vietnam for fewer than 90 cumulative days within a calendar year are exempt from the work permit requirement under Decree 219/2025. Even so, employers must notify the relevant authority at least three working days before work begins, even in exempt cases. Performing work on a tourist or business visa beyond these thresholds is not permitted.

What happens if my employer goes out of business while I am on a work permit?

Business closure is an established ground for revoking a work permit. Should your employer cease operations, your permit will be invalidated, and you will need either to find a new employer prepared to sponsor a fresh application or to depart Vietnam. Keeping an eye on the legal and financial health of your employing entity is therefore prudent.

Is there a difference between a work permit and a work visa in Vietnam?

A work permit is an authorisation issued by labour authorities that permits a foreign national to perform paid work for a specific employer in a defined role and location; it is required for most non-Vietnamese workers remaining in the country for more than 90 days. A work visa is an entry and residence document issued by immigration authorities that allows a foreign national to enter and stay in Vietnam for employment purposes, with its validity linked to the purpose of stay. The work permit must generally be secured before the work visa can be issued.

Can I work for more than one employer in Vietnam on a single work permit?

A single work permit is sufficient where a foreign employee works across multiple locations for the same employer, provided those locations are declared in the application. Working for multiple distinct employers, however, is not covered by a single permit — each employment relationship typically requires a separate application. Taking on additional work outside the scope of an existing permit creates a risk of violation.

Are there any nationality-based exemptions from Vietnam’s work permit requirements?

Vietnam does not apply a blanket nationality-based exemption from work permit requirements. All foreign nationals are governed by the same framework under the Labour Code 2019 and Decree 219/2025, irrespective of their passport. Exemptions are determined by role type, employment structure, length of stay, or particular circumstances — not by nationality. Some bilateral agreements may create limited exceptions; the relevant Vietnamese embassy or a qualified legal adviser should be consulted for guidance specific to your situation.

Can I legally pass work permit costs on to the employee in Vietnam?

The legal obligation to process a work permit rests with the employer, placing the administrative burden squarely on the sponsoring organisation. While Vietnamese regulations do not contain an explicit statutory ban on sharing ancillary costs — such as document translation or medical examinations — between employer and employee, reputable organisations typically absorb these expenses as part of the hiring process. Workers should be wary of any arrangement requiring them to personally fund government fees or legalisation costs as a precondition of employment.