Work permit for executive directors in Vietnam: Updated guide

Foreign executive directors need to meet strict experience requirements and follow legal steps to get a work permit in Vietnam. The new Decree 219/2025/ND-CP has made the process simpler, but you still need to prepare carefully. Let’s walk through everything you need to know.

Vietnam work permit requirements for company directors

Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, foreign workers who want to work as executive directors need to meet 4 basic conditions and specific professional requirements.

Basic conditions you must meet:

• Be at least 18 years old and mentally capable
• Have the right professional skills and experience for the job
• Be healthy according to health standards
• Not be serving a criminal sentence or have a criminal record

Professional conditions for executive directors:

You must be one of these:

• Head of a branch, representative office, or business location
• Head who directly manages a specific area of an organization or company AND have at least 3 years of experience in a field related to the job you’ll do in Vietnam

Getting these conditions right will help you prepare the correct documents and avoid mistakes.

>> For international employees, having proper documentation of previous work experience is important. Learn more about getting a proper certificate of work experience that meets Vietnamese requirements.

Important tips for Vietnam work permits as an executive director

Based on helping thousands of companies, VisaNow shares key things to know when getting a work permit for executive directors under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.

• Big change in experience requirements: Executive directors must now have at least 3 years of experience in their field. This is new compared to the old rules. You can contact our advisors to get a complete checklist.
• Rules about company capital and type: Different types of companies (local or foreign-invested) have different capital rules. This affects your work permit process and approval chances.
• Work arrangement types: If you’re moving within the same company (for WTO service sectors), the process is different from regular employment contracts.
• Criminal record checks: The new decree has made things easier with automatic processing. However, VisaNow still recommends you prepare this document yourself to save time. Criminal record checks take about 3 weeks, while work permit processing takes 10 working days.

These tips will help you avoid unnecessary risks and speed up your application.

Required documents for Vietnam work permits for directors

Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, preparing documents for executive director work permits is now much simpler than before.

• Form 03 – Report explaining the need for foreign workers and work permit application including:
  • Reason for using foreign workers
  • Job posting confirmation
  • List of expected workers
  • Statement that no suitable Vietnamese workers were found
• Criminal record check or statement confirming no criminal sentence, issued within 6 months
• 2 color passport photos (4×6 cm size, white background, facing forward, no hat, no glasses, taken within 6 months)
• Passport scan that’s still valid or equivalent legal document
• Health check certificate from a qualified medical center (unless already connected in the national health system)
• Professional documents for executive directors:
  • Branch, representative office, or business location registration certificate
  • Company charter or organizational structure document
  • Appointment decision from the organization or company
  • Document confirming at least 3 years of relevant experience
• Introduction letter/power of attorney (if the person submitting documents is not the company’s legal representative)

The entire process of explaining needs and applying for a work permit is now done through one single set of documents. This saves time and effort for companies.

>> Important note: Documents issued by foreign countries must be legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized, unless exempt by international agreement.

>> For the medical requirement, you’ll need to undergo a health check for work permit in Vietnam at an authorized medical facility. Make sure your health certificate meets all the required standards.

Vietnam work permit application process for company directors

The process for getting a work permit for executive directors under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP has 3 main steps. The processing time is now much shorter than before.

Step 1. Post a job for Vietnamese workers

Time needed: At least 5 working days before sending your work permit application (down from 15 days under the old rules).

Where to post (choose 1 of these 2 websites):

• National Public Service Portal
• Or the provincial Employment Service Center website
  • Examples:
    • Hanoi: vieclamhanoi.net
    • Ho Chi Minh City: vieclamhcm.com.vn
    • Dong Nai: vieclam.dongnai.gov.vn

What to include in your job posting:

• Job title and position for executive director
• Job description and number of people needed
• Education and experience needed
• Salary, working hours, and location
• Other details about work type and contract length

Why you do this: To show you tried to find Vietnamese workers but couldn’t find anyone suitable for the executive director position.

Step 2. Send your work permit application

When to send: Between 60 days and 10 days before the executive director starts work.

How to send: Online through the National Public Service Portal using procedure code 194248 or 9151

Who reviews it: Provincial People’s Committee (currently done by Department of Home Affairs) until new instructions are issued

Processing time: 10 working days after receiving complete documents. If rejected, you’ll get a written explanation within 3 working days.

Note: For internal company transfers, you don’t need to explain why you need foreign workers.

Step 3. Get your results

How you get your work permit: The Department of Home Affairs sends results online through the National Public Service Portal (electronic result using Form 04) or through public postal service.

Work permit validity: Up to 2 years, based on the shortest period among: employment contract, work assignment document, international agreement, or business license.

What to do after receiving: For executive directors on employment contracts, sign the employment contract before starting work and send a copy if asked.

Knowing each step clearly will help you prepare better and track your application progress.

Vietnam work permit processing times for director positions

Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, the official processing time for executive director work permits is 10 working days after receiving complete documents. However, the real time to finish everything usually takes longer because of document preparation steps.

Stage	Official time	Real time
Post job	At least 5 days	5-7 days
Send application and get permit	– Send application between 60 days and 10 days before start date – Work permit processing is 10 working days	14-35 days
Total time	–	28-42 days

Compared to old rules: Decree 219/2025 has shortened the time significantly compared to Decree 152/2020 (from 9-12 weeks down to 4-6 weeks). This is mainly because the job posting period was reduced from 15 days to 5 days, and the process now combines need explanation with permit application.

Vietnam work permit fees for directors

The fee for getting a work permit for executive directors under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP stays the same at VND 600,000 per permit as before. However, some provinces may charge different amounts ranging from VND 400,000 to VND 1,000,000 depending on local rules.

Additional costs that may come up:

• Translation and notarization: Depends on number of pages and language
• Consular legalization: For documents issued by foreign countries (unless exempt by international agreement)
• Health check: VND 1,500,000 to VND 3,000,000 depending on the medical center
• Criminal record check: VND 200,000 if done in Vietnam, or according to your home country’s fees if done there

>> Understanding the costs involved is important for budgeting. Check our detailed breakdown of Vietnam work permit cost to prepare financially for the application process.

Frequently asked questions about work permits for directors

Professional Vietnam work permit services for company directors

VisaNow provides professional work permit support for executive directors, strictly following the latest rules in Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. With over 10 years of experience and helping more than 1,000 companies each year, we understand that getting work permits can be complicated and time-consuming, especially for companies without much experience in this area.

• Experienced expert team: Deep knowledge of labor laws and always updated on the latest changes
• 24/7 support: Ready to advise and answer questions even outside office hours, ensuring quick processing
• Optimized process: From drafting documents, guiding document legalization, to tracking and receiving results on your behalf
• Clear pricing: Transparent quotes from the start, no unexpected costs

This article has provided complete information about the work permit process for executive directors under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. If you need professional help to make sure your documents are prepared correctly according to new rules and to avoid rejection risks, VisaNow will support you from initial advice to completing the entire process. Contact +84 94 367 6226 now for detailed advice about your specific situation.