The new Decree 219/2025/ND-CP has made things much easier for foreign managers who want to work in Vietnam. The process is now simpler and faster than before. This guide from VisaNow will walk you through everything you need to know – from what documents to prepare to how long it takes and how much it costs. Let’s get started.
At VisaNow, we can help make the whole process easier for you. Just call us at +84 94 367 6226 and we’ll take care of the hard parts while you focus on your job.
Vietnam work permit requirements for managers
To get a work permit as a manager in Vietnam, you need to meet these 4 basic conditions:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have the right skills and experience for the job
- Be healthy enough to work
- Have no criminal record and not be serving any sentence
What counts as a manager in Vietnam? You’re considered a manager if you manage a business according to Vietnam’s Enterprise Law. This includes people who run companies or serve as the head (or deputy head) of an organization or agency.
Here’s something important: Unlike other positions, managers don’t need to prove their education level or specific years of experience. But you do need documents that show you’re in a management role at your company.
Once you know you meet these conditions, the next step is to prepare your documents.
>> To properly document your professional history, you’ll need the certificate of work experience that proves your qualifications for a management position work permit in Vietnam.
5 important things to know about manager work permits
VisaNow wants to share these important tips about getting work permits for managers under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP:
- Show clearly that you’re a manager: Your company needs documents that prove your position, role, and responsibilities as a manager. Make sure these are detailed and convincing.
- Know about charter capital: Different types of companies (domestic or foreign-owned) have different rules about charter capital. This directly affects whether you can get a work permit.
- Understand the type of work: If you’re transferring within the same company under WTO service sectors, the process is different from a regular work contract.
- Big change from the old rules: The process used to be two separate steps (explaining why you need a foreign manager, then applying for the permit). Now it’s just one application. This saves a lot of time and money.
- Be careful with health certificates: Since everything is online now, the Department of Internal Affairs won’t accept health certificates with mistakes or handwritten corrections. Your certificate must say “Healthy enough to work” and have all the doctors’ signatures. Right now, there’s no confirmation that foreign health certificates are accepted in Vietnam, so VisaNow recommends getting your health check done in Vietnam.
Make sure to pay attention to these details to avoid problems with your application.
Required documents for Vietnam work permits for managers
The new Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP has made the paperwork much simpler. Now everything is in one application instead of two separate ones. This saves you time and makes things less complicated.
Here’s what you need to prepare:
- A form explaining why your company needs a foreign manager and asking for the work permit (Form 03)
- Your criminal record check (must be less than 6 months old)
- 2 color photos (4×6 cm, white background, face forward, no hat, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months)
- A copy of your valid passport
- A health check certificate from a Vietnamese medical center (valid for 12 months from the date of the check)
- Documents proving you’re a manager:
- Your company’s charter or operating rules
- Your company’s business registration certificate
- A document showing your appointment as a manager
- A letter of introduction or power of attorney (if someone else is handling the paperwork for you)
About documents from your home country: If any of your documents come from outside Vietnam, you’ll need to get them translated into Vietnamese and certified. Some countries have special agreements with Vietnam that make this easier.
The paperwork can be tricky, even with the new simplified process. VisaNow has over 10 years of experience helping companies prepare everything correctly according to Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP. Call +84 94 367 6226 and we’ll make sure your documents are complete and accurate.
Procedures for Vietnam work permits for managers
The new Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP has improved the process a lot. Now you can do everything online through Vietnam’s National Public Service Portal. Here are the 3 main steps:
Step 1. Post a job opening for Vietnamese workers
Your company needs to show that you tried to hire a Vietnamese person for the position first.
- How long: At least 5 working days (this used to be 15 days – now it’s much faster!)
- Where to post:
- Vietnam National Public Service Portal
- Your province’s Employment Service Center website
- For example:
- Hanoi: vieclamhanoi.net
- Ho Chi Minh City: vieclamhcm.com.vn
- Dong Nai: vieclam.dongnai.gov.vn
- For example:
- What to include in the job post:
- Job title and position
- Job description and how many people you need
- Skills and experience needed
- Salary, work hours, and location
Step 2. Send in your work permit application
This is the biggest change in the new rules. Now you can explain why you need a foreign manager and apply for the work permit all in one go – no more doing it in two separate steps!
- When to apply: Between 60 days and 10 days before your manager starts work
- Where to apply: National Public Service Portal (dichvucong.gov.vn), procedure code: 194248 or 9151
- How long it takes: 10 working days after they receive your complete application
Good to know: If your manager is transferring within the same company, you don’t need to explain why you’re hiring them.
Step 3. Get your work permit
After they review your application, the Department of Internal Affairs will send you the result online through the National Public Service Portal or by mail.
- If they reject your application: They’ll send you a letter explaining why within 3 working days.
- What happens after you get the permit: If your manager needs to sign a work contract, make sure to do that before they start working. Keep a copy in case you need it later.
- How long the permit lasts: Up to 2 years. You can renew it once for another 2 years maximum.
The new forms and document rules under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP can be confusing for many companies. VisaNow’s team has over 10 years of experience and knows exactly what to do. We’ll help you prepare everything correctly and avoid mistakes. Call +84 94 367 6226 for detailed advice about your specific situation.
Processing time for Vietnam work permits for managers
Under the new Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, the government takes 10 working days to process your work permit after they receive all your documents.
But the whole process from start to finish usually takes 4-6 weeks.
| Stage | Time under new rules (Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP) | Time under old rules (Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP) |
| Job posting | 5-7 days | 21-28 days |
| Review and issue work permit | 14-35 days | 28-42 days |
Here’s what you need to know about timing: Since everything is done online now, the processing time starts when the Department of Internal Affairs officially receives your documents – not when you first upload them. The timeline above might be longer if you need to fix or add any documents.
Besides time, you’ll also want to know about costs.
The process might take longer if there are issues with your documents or if additional information is needed. Working with VisaNow can help avoid these delays, as we know exactly what officials are looking for in each document.
Work permit costs in Vietnam for managers
The fee for getting a new work permit for managers is VND 600,000 per permit. This hasn’t changed with the new Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP. But different provinces can set different fees, so it usually ranges from VND 400,000 to VND 1,000,000.
Other costs you’ll need to pay:
- Criminal record check (VND 200,000 if done in Vietnam)
- Translation and document certification
- Consular certification for foreign documents
- Health check at approved medical centers (around VND 1,500,000-3,000,000)
>> Read more: To understand the full financial commitment involved in obtaining a work permit for manager position, review the cost for Vietnam work permit, which includes both government fees and potential additional expenses.
Frequently asked questions about work permits for managers
Can I change employers with my existing manager for a work permit?
Are there any exemptions for managers from certain countries?
How long is a manager’s work permit valid?
Vietnam work permit service for managers
VisaNow offers professional work permit services for foreign managers with a process designed around the new Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. We have over 10 years of experience and have helped more than 1,000 companies every year get work permits.
Why choose VisaNow for your manager work permit?
- Expert team with deep knowledge of the latest rules, available 24/7
- Clear process with no hidden costs, saving you maximum time
- Support for managers from any country with free document pickup and delivery
- Complete advice about related matters like residence cards and long-term visas
We’re here to support and guide your company through the entire process of getting a Vietnam work permit for your foreign manager.
Getting a work permit for managers is simpler now, but you still need to understand the rules. VisaNow is here to help your company every step of the way, making sure your application is processed quickly and correctly. Call +84 94 367 6226 now for detailed advice and a quote for our manager work permit service.
