Some foreign workers can work in Vietnam without a standard Vietnam work permit application through a work permit exemption. VisaNow will share detailed information about who can get this exemption and how to apply for it.
What is a work permit exemption in Vietnam?
Work permit exemption means some foreign workers do not need to get a work permit. Instead of applying for a work permit, they follow a different process to get a certificate that confirms they are exempt.
>> If you need assistance with the standard work permit application process instead, check out our Vietnam work permit services for comprehensive guidance and support.
Who can get work permit exemption in Vietnam?
According to Article 154 of the Labor Code 2019 and Article 7 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, there are 20 cases that do not need a work permit:
- Head of representative office, project leader, or person in charge of international organizations in Vietnam.
- Coming to Vietnam for less than 3 months to offer services.
- Coming to Vietnam for less than 3 months to fix complex technical problems that local experts cannot solve.
- Foreign lawyers with a valid license to practice law in Vietnam.
- Cases covered by international treaties that Vietnam has signed.
- Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens and living in Vietnam.
- Company owners or members who invested VND 3 billion or more in a limited liability company.
- Chairman or Board members who invested VND 3 billion or more in a joint-stock company.
- Coming to Vietnam to provide consulting services for development assistance programs.
- Foreign journalists with confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Teachers or managers sent to work at schools established by foreign embassies.
- Foreign students with internship agreements or work invitation letters in Vietnam.
- Family members of foreign diplomatic staff allowed to work under international agreements.
- People with official passports working for government agencies.
- Person establishing commercial presence in Vietnam.
- Volunteers working without salary under international agreements.
- Coming to Vietnam under international agreements signed by Vietnamese authorities.
- Managers, directors, experts, and technical workers in these situations:
- Working less than 90 days per year
- Transferred within a foreign company that has been operating in Vietnam for at least 12 months
- Approved by the Ministry of Education and Training to:
- Teach or transfer international education programs
- Work as school principals or managers
- Approved by government ministries to work in finance, science, technology, digital transformation, or priority economic sectors.
>> If you don’t qualify for an exemption and need specific information, see our guides on work permit for managers and work permit for directors.
Confused about which category you fit into? Why choose VisaNow? We can help determine your eligibility for work permit exemption and handle all the paperwork for you. Contact us at +84 94 367 6226 for a free consultation.
How long is the exemption valid?
The exemption certificate has two types of validity periods:
- Valid according to one of these documents, but not more than 2 years:
- Your labor contract period
- Assignment letter from your foreign employer
- Contract between Vietnamese and foreign partners
- Service contract period
- Business license validity
- International agreement period
- For special cases, the validity is set by government ministries but not more than 2 years. This applies to:
- Teachers and school managers approved by the Ministry of Education
- Experts approved by ministries to work in finance, technology, innovation, or priority economic sectors
>> Read more: If you’re a technical worker looking for standard work permit information, explore our guide on Vietnam work permit for technical workers to understand the specific requirements for your profession.
How to apply for work permit exemption
- Case 1. Getting an exemption certificate
- Case 2. No certificate needed, but you must notify
Most foreign workers who qualify for exemption need to get a certificate. Here is the process:
Step 1. Prepare your documents
You need these documents:
- Application form for work permit exemption (Form 01 from Decree 219/2025/ND-CP)
- Health check certificate from an authorized medical center (valid for 12 months)
- Two color photos, 4×6 cm (white background, no hat, no glasses)
- Valid passport copy
- Documents proving you qualify for exemption (such as: labor contract, assignment letter, international agreement, or proof that you are a manager, director, expert, or technical worker)
Submit your documents at least 10 days before you start work (but no more than 60 days before). You can submit at:
- The Department of Home Affairs
- Provincial Public Administrative Service Center
- National public service portal (dichvucong.gov.vn)
- By post
- Through an authorized service provider
Step 2. Get your certificate
Within 5 working days after receiving your complete documents, the authority will issue your certificate. If they reject your application, they must explain why within 3 working days.
You can receive your certificate:
- In person at the office
- By post
- Download from the public service portal
Your certificate is valid for up to 2 years.
Some cases do not need a certificate but must notify the authorities. These include:
- Coming for less than 3 months to offer services
- Coming for less than 3 months to fix technical problems
- Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens
- Board members with VND 3 billion investment
- Foreign journalists
- Family members of diplomatic staff
Step 1. Prepare notification
Your employer prepares a written notification with:
- Your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number
- Employer name
- Work location and work period
Step 2. Send notification
Your employer sends the notification to the Department of Home Affairs at least 3 working days before you start work. Can send:
- Directly to the office
- Through the public service portal
- By post
Step 3. Processing
The authority receives the notification. They do not issue a certificate or send a reply (unless they need more information).
Important note:
If you have an exemption certificate and need to work in multiple provinces for the same employer, your employer must notify each province’s authority at least 3 days before you start work there.
>> For educators, we have specialized guides for work permit for teaching English and work permit for Yoga teachers with detailed document requirements for these professions.
Where to submit your application?
Submit your documents at the Public Administrative Service Center in the province where you will work. The Provincial People’s Committee (or Department of Home Affairs) will process your application.
You can submit:
- In person
- By post
- Through a service provider
- Through an authorized representative
How much does work permit exemption cost in Vietnam?
There is no fee for work permit exemption applications.
FAQs about work permit exemption
Can foreign workers in export processing zones or industrial parks get exemption?
Can foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens work without a work permit?
What are the penalties for employers if foreign workers do not have valid exemption documents?
– 30,000,000 – 45,000,000 VND (1-10 workers)
– 45,000,000 – 60,000,00 VND (11-20 workers)
– 60,000,000 – 75,000,000 VND (21 or more workers)
Additional penalty: The foreign worker may be deported.
Why choose VisaNow? We can take care of your work permit exemption process from start to finish. Our experts know all the rules and requirements, saving you time and preventing costly mistakes. Contact us today at +84 94 367 6226!
