Work permit for foreigners in Vietnam 2026 (latest Decree 219/2025)

1. Is a work permit mandatory?

In principle yes. Foreigners working for enterprises or organisations in Vietnam must hold a work permit, unless exempt by law. Working without a permit is unlawful: the employee may be fined or even deported, and the employer is also penalised. Some people are “exempt”, but most still need a certificate confirming exemption from the work permit requirement or must fulfil a reporting obligation.

2. Major changes to work permits in 2025–2026

Under Decree 219/2025:

1. The competent authority is unified as the provincial People's Committee; the central managing body has moved to the Ministry of Home Affairs;
2. The process is simplified by merging the explanation of demand for foreign labour into the work permit application, removing the separate step of advertising for Vietnamese workers first;
3. A work permit may be renewed only once, for up to 2 years;
4. Permit holders may work in multiple provinces/cities(with prior notification);
5. Besides degrees and experience, practising certificates and work-experience confirmation letters are now accepted.

3. Who is exempt from a work permit?

Under Article 7 of Decree 219/2025, common exemptions: investors/capital contributors (an LLC owner, or a contributing member of VND 3 billion or more; the chairman or a board member of a joint-stock company contributing VND 3 billion or more); the person responsible for establishing a commercial presence (representative office, branch, business location); intra-company transferees (in the 11 WTO-committed service sectors, having worked for that foreign enterprise for at least 12 months); ODA project experts/consultants; senior experts entering for short terms under 30 days, etc.

Note: a person who both contributes capital and receives a salary or signs a labour contract may not be treated as exempt; most exemptions still require an exemption certificate or a report at least 3 working days before starting work.

4. Eligibility conditions

Foreign workers fall into four categories by position: expert, enterprise manager, executive director, technical worker, each with different education and experience requirements. The applicant must be at least 18, have full civil capacity, be medically fit and have no criminal record.

5. Documents to prepare

The explanation of demand for foreign labour and the application (Form 03); a copy of a valid passport; a health certificate; a criminal record check (if issued abroad, with consular legalisation or Apostille); documents proving qualifications, experience or a practising certificate (foreign documents require legalisation and notarised translation); recent photos, etc.

6. Process and timeline

1. The employer submits online via the National Public Service Portal (including the labour-demand explanation);
2. The provincial People's Committee reviews;
3. Issued within 10 working days of receiving a complete, valid dossier.

Only after obtaining the work permit can you apply for a temporary residence card (TRC).

Times and fees are indicative and subject to change.

7. Validity and renewal

Valid for up to 2 years, tied to the labour contract. On expiry it may be renewed once, for up to 2 years; after that a new work permit is usually required.

8. Can one permit cover work in multiple provinces?

Yes. A holder of a valid permit may work in multiple provinces, but the employer must report at least 3 working days in advanceeach time before going to another province, to the competent authority there: name, nationality, passport number, permit number, start/end dates, etc.

9. Risks of working without a permit

The employee: administrative penalties, permit revocation, and in serious cases deportation; the employer: fines, affecting future hiring and company reputation. Decree 219 also specifies the cases for revoking work permits and exemption certificates. Complete compliance before starting work.

10. After the permit, do I still need a TRC?

Usually yes. The work permit covers “lawful work”, while a temporary residence card (TRC) covers “lawful long-term residence”. A foreign employee with a permit can generally apply for a TRC matching the permit's validity.

11. DIY or professional service?

Work permits involve position classification, document legalisation, cross-province reporting and deadline management, and the new rules have just taken effect. Dong Nam A (visanhapcanh.com) provides end-to-end service in Vietnamese / English / Chinese, covering work permits, exemption certificates, temporary residence cards and FDI company registration.

• Hotline: 0962.220.666 / 0982.261.661
• Email: lienhe@dongnamavisa.vn

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)