If you are a Filipino looking for work in Vietnam, you need a work permit to work legally. This permit shows you have the right skills to work in Vietnam. In this guide, we will show you everything you need to know about getting your work permit for Filipino citizens. You will learn what you need to qualify for a work permit, what papers to prepare, and how to apply in four easy steps. We also tell you where to send your application, how long your permit will last, and how much it will cost.
This guide is made for Filipino citizens, with clear information about what you need for a work permit for Filipino citizens. We add answers to common questions and details about how VisaNow can help make the process easier for you. Whether this is your first job in Vietnam or you want to keep working here, this guide will help you get your work permit for Filipino citizens without stress. With our help, you can feel sure about working legally in Vietnam.
Requirements for Filipinos applying for Vietnam work permits
To get a Vietnam work permit for Filipinos as a Filipino citizen, you need to meet these basic conditions:
- You must be at least 18 years old with full civil capacity
- You need to have professional qualifications, skills, experience, and good health
- You must not have a criminal record or be under criminal investigation
- You need to fit one of the job positions that allow foreigners to work in Vietnam
Here’s a helpful table showing what’s needed for different job positions:
| Position | Requirements |
| Expert | – Bachelor’s degree or higher and at least 3 years of experience in your field – Or at least 5 years of experience with a practice certificate |
| Manager | – Must be the head of a company/organization or deputy of the head – Need company charter, business registration certificate, and appointment decision |
| Executive Director | – Head of a branch, representative office, or business location – Or head who directly manages a department in a company/organization |
| Technical Worker | – At least 1 year of training and 3 years of experience – Or at least 5 years of experience in the job you’ll do in Vietnam |
>> To document your professional background properly for a work permit for Filipino citizens, you’ will need a work experience confirmation form that validates your qualifications for a work permit in Vietnam.
After checking these conditions, you can move forward by gathering the necessary documents for your Vietnam work permit for Filipinos application.
VisaNow provides complete support including document preparation, translation, submission, and follow-up. We handle everything from posting job vacancies to collecting your finished work permit for Filipino citizens.
Document checklist for Filipino work permit applications
To apply for a work permit for Filipino citizens in Vietnam, you will need three sets of documents. Make sure to prepare them carefully to avoid delays.
- Documents for announcing job vacancies
- Documents for explaining foreign labor needs
- Documents for work permit application
- Request letter for hiring a foreign worker
- Valid business registration certificate
- Company information including:
- Contact person details
- Official email and phone number
- Total current workforce (both Vietnamese and foreign)
- Foreign worker information:
- Valid passport scan
- Documents proving qualifications for the position:
- For experts: University degree and 3+ years experience certificate
- For technical workers: 1-year training certificate and 3 years experience, or 5 years experience proof
- For managers/directors: Investment documents, company charter, appointment decisions
- For extensions: Original current work permit and confirmed contract
>> When hiring Filipino workers in Vietnam, employers must submit dossier of demand for foreign workers in Vietnam to the proper authorities before moving forward with the work permit for Filipino citizens process.
- Business registration certificate (copy)
- Request letter for foreign labor needs:
- First-time application for a Vietnam work permit for Filipinos : You will need to provide an explanation of the need to hire foreign workers
- Changes to previous applications: You’ll need to submit an explanation for changes in the need to employ foreign workers.
- Introduction/authorization letter (if someone other than the legal representative submits the application)
- Work permit application form (Form 11/PLI)
- Work permit health check vietnam issued within the last 12 months
- Criminal record check or certificate issued within the last 6 months
- 2 color photos (4x6cm, white background, no glasses, taken within 6 months)
- Notarized copy of valid passport
- Documents related to foreign worker
- Documents proving job position qualifications
- Approval letter for using foreign labor (except for exempt cases)
>> When preparing your work permit for Filipino citizens application package, be sure to use the correct Vietnam application forms as outdated or incorrect forms may lead to rejection.
These documents form the foundation of your application. Next, we will look at the step-by-step process to get your Vietnam work permit for Filipinos.
4 simple steps to get your Vietnam work permit as a Filipino
Step 1. Announce Vietnamese job vacancy
You need to post the job on the Ministry of Labor website or local Employment Service Center website at least 15 days before applying for approval to hire foreign workers.
The job announcement must include: job position, job title, job description, number of workers needed, qualifications, experience requirements, salary, working time, and location.
After posting and not finding suitable Vietnamese candidates, you can move to the next step in the work permit for Filipino citizens process.
Step 2. Explain and get approval for using foreign workers
At least 15 days before the planned start date, employers must submit a written explanation for needing foreign workers to the Ministry of Labor or Provincial Department of Labor.
The explanation should clearly state why Vietnamese workers can’t fill the position and why a Filipino worker is needed for the Vietnam work permit for Filipinos.
The approval process takes about 10 working days, after which authorities will issue an approval or rejection letter.
VisaNow can help you properly set up and post your job announcement to meet all legal requirements. We’ll make sure your listing is correctly placed and formatted to avoid any issues with your application.
Step 3. Submit work permit application
Submit your work permit for Filipino citizens application to the Labor Department in the province where you’ll work, at least 15 days before your planned start date.
If your application is complete and valid, you’ll pay the work permit fee and get a date to collect your permit.
If anything is missing, you’ll be asked to provide more information or documents.
The processing time is usually 5 working days from when your application is accepted.
Step 4. Receive a Vietnam work permit
Within 5 working days after accepting your complete application, the Labor Department will issue your Vietnam work permit for Filipinos.
The permit follows Form 12/PLI format and will include your photo, personal information, job position, and validity dates.
If your application is rejected, you’ll receive a written explanation stating the reasons.
Where to submit Vietnam work permits for Filipino workers?
To apply for a work permit for Filipino citizens in Vietnam, you need to submit your application through the Online Public Service Portal of the province or city where you’ll work.
The application process is now fully online, which means you can complete all steps from anywhere with internet access. You don’t need to visit a physical office to submit your documents for a Vietnam work permit for Filipinos.
After completing the online submission, you might be asked to bring original documents later for verification, depending on local requirements.
>> Why choose VisaNow? Our team can guide you through the entire online submission process for your work permit for Filipino citizens. We know the system well and can ensure your application is correctly submitted to avoid delays and complications.
If you find the online system difficult to navigate, VisaNow can help you with the entire submission process. Our team knows the system well and can make sure your application is correctly submitted.
Duration of Vietnam work permits for Filipinos
Getting a work permit for Filipino citizens in Vietnam takes about 9-12 weeks if all your documents are correct and complete. This timeline might be longer if there are issues with your documents.
The full process typically follows this schedule:
| Application stage | Estimated processing time |
| Posting job recruitment notice | 20-25 working days |
| Foreign labor demand approval | 15-20 working days |
| Work permit issuance | 12-17 working days |
| Consular legalization time | Depending on each country |
| Total estimated time | 9-12 weeks |
How much does a Vietnam work permit cost for Filipinos?
The fees for a work permit for Filipino citizens in Vietnam vary depending on the province where you apply.
These official fees don’t include additional costs such as:
- Document translation and notarization
- Criminal background check processing
- Medical examination costs
- Document legalization at the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines
- Transportation costs
>> For a complete breakdown of costs involved in obtaining a work permit for Filipino citizens, check out the state fee for work permit in Vietnam, which covers both government fees and potential additional expenses.
Frequently asked questions about Vietnam work permits for Filipinos
Can I change jobs with my current work permit?
Do Filipino teachers need a work permit to teach in Vietnam?
How long does a Filipino work permit remain valid in Vietnam?
VisaNow professional work permit services for Filipino workers
Getting a Vietnam work permit for Filipinos involves many steps and documents. VisaNow offers professional services to make this process simple and stress-free for Filipino workers.
Our team has over 6 years of experience helping more than 1,000 companies each year with work permits. We understand the challenges Filipinos face when applying for work permit for Filipino citizens in Vietnam and know exactly how to solve them.
For assistance with your Vietnam work permit for Filipinos application, consider our Vietnam work permit service, which covers every step from initial document preparation to final permit collection, with dedicated support even outside office hours.
This guide covers the main aspects of getting a Vietnam work permit for Filipinos. For personalized help with your specific situation, contact VisaNow at HOTLINE 1900 63 63 50.
