Work Permit Guide for Foreigners in Vietnam in 2026

What is a work permit?

A work permit is a document issued by a competent Vietnamese authority allowing a foreigner to work legally in Vietnam for a defined period, up to 2 years, which may be extended as prescribed.

It is a key legal condition for a foreigner to sign a labour contract, take part in insurance and apply for a temporary residence card valid for the term of the permit.

Legal basis

The procedure for granting work permits to foreigners is currently carried out under the Labour Code No. 45/2019/QH14 (effective 1 January 2021) and Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP (effective 7 August 2025), which replaces Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP and Decree 70/2023/NĐ-CP.

Under the new rules, the authority to grant work permits lies with the provincial People's Committee or a decentralised body. Every legal basis should be checked against the original text and confirmed as current at the time of filing.

Who needs a work permit?

Foreigners working in Vietnam in the following forms must obtain a work permit unless they fall under an exemption:

• Performing a labour contract with an enterprise or organisation in Vietnam;
• Intra-company transfer (manager, executive director, expert, technical worker);
• Performing an economic, commercial or service contract;
• Service provider under a contract, or offering services;
• Working for a non-governmental or international organisation in Vietnam.

Conditions for a work permit

To be granted a work permit, a foreigner must meet the basic conditions:

• Be at least 18 years old and have full civil act capacity;
• Have suitable professional or technical qualifications, skills and work experience;
• Be in good health as required by the Ministry of Health;
• Not be serving a sentence or subject to criminal prosecution under the law;
• The job position has been approved as a demand for foreign labour.

Work permit application documents

An application file typically includes the following (a reference list that may vary by locality and case):

Documents issued by foreign authorities usually need consular legalisation and a notarised Vietnamese translation.

• Application form for a work permit;
• A valid health certificate;
• A judicial record (criminal record) or an equivalent document;
• Documents proving qualifications and experience (degrees, experience confirmation);
• The approval of the demand for foreign labour;
• Photos, passport and documents related to the job position.

The process

Step 1: The enterprise registers and explains its demand for foreign labour and awaits the approval document.

Step 2: Prepare, legalise and notarise/translate the worker's documents.

Step 3: Submit the work permit application to the competent authority and receive the result within the prescribed time.

Processing time and fees are for reference only and may change depending on the locality and the regulations in force at the time of filing.

Important notes

A worker should complete the work permit before starting work; working without a permit may lead to penalties and forced exit.

After obtaining a work permit, a foreigner may apply for a temporary residence card valid for the term of the permit to make residence and travel more convenient.

This article is for reference and does not replace legal advice for a specific case. Please contact us for detailed support.