Foreign nationals working in Vietnam on a permanent basis for a Vietnamese company, organization, or individual are required to obtain a work permit. This document outlines the essential procedures, requirements, and important considerations for obtaining a Vietnam work permit.
Need help with your Vietnam work permit? We can guide you through each step.
What is a Vietnam work permit?
A work permit is an official document that allows foreign nationals to work legally in Vietnam. This certificate is issued by the Provincial People’s Committee or the Department of Home Affairs, depending on local regulations.
Information included on a work permit:
- Full name
- Passport number
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Name and address of the employing organization
- Job position
- Employment period
Important note: Foreign nationals without a work permit cannot work in Vietnam, except those eligible for work permit exemption. In exemption cases, foreigners must still obtain a work permit exemption certificate.
>> Read more: Our Vietnam work permit service can assist foreigners with all documentation and procedures to ensure a smooth application process.
How long is a Vietnam work permit valid?
According to Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, work permits are valid for a maximum of 2 years. They can be extended only once. The validity period is based on:
- Your employment contract duration
- The assignment document from your foreign employer
- Contract or agreement duration between Vietnamese and foreign partners
- Service provision contract period
- Business license validity period
- Other relevant legal documents
Worried about your work permit expiry date? We can help you renew on time so you can keep working legally in Vietnam.
Requirements for the Vietnam work permit application
According to the Labor Code 2019 No. 45/2019/QH14, foreign workers must meet four basic conditions:
- At least 18 years old with full legal capacity
- Good health condition meeting Ministry of Health standards
- No criminal record and not prohibited from working
- Must belong to one of four job categories: expert, manager, executive director, or technical worker
- Experts
- Technical worker
- Executive Directors
- Managers
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher and at least 3 years of relevant work experience, or
- Have at least 5 years of experience in the field related to your job in Vietnam
Option 1:
- Vocational training certificate (at least 1 year)
- At least 2 years of relevant experience
Option 2:
- At least 3 years of relevant experience (training certificate not required)
Important note: If you have sufficient experience but lack training certificates, contact VisaNow at HOTLINE 1900 63 63 50 for solutions.
>> Technical workers have specific documentation requirements. Learn more about Vietnam work permit for technical workers.
- Branch or representative office registration certificate
- Company charter
- At least 3 years of relevant experience confirmation
>> You’ll need to provide an employment experience certificate to prove your qualifications regardless of your position.
Company charter or organizational regulations Appointment document for managerial position Business registration certificate
>> For management positions, review our specific guides for work permit for directors and work permit for managers that outline the unique requirements for these roles.
>> Popular professions requiring work permits:
For those in specialized fields, we have detailed guides covering specific requirements. If you’re teaching, explore our comprehensive guides on work permit for teaching English and work permit for Yoga teachers to understand certification and qualification requirements for educators.
>> Work permits by nationality:
Requirements may vary slightly depending on your nationality. We provide country-specific guidance for major foreign worker groups in Vietnam, including Vietnam work permit for Filipinos, Vietnam work permit for Chinese, Vietnam work permit for Taiwanese, work permit for Koreans, and work permit for Japanese workers.
How to get a Vietnam work permit: 3-step process
The procedure for getting a work permit in Vietnam involves three main steps:
Step 1. Post Vietnamese recruitment announcement
This step proves your company tried to hire Vietnamese workers first but could not find suitable candidates.
- When to post: At least 5 working days before submitting work permit application
- Where to post:
- Employment Department website (moha.gov.vn)
- Provincial Employment Service Centers: vieclam.hanoi.gov.vn (Hanoi), vieclam.tphcm.gov.vn (HCMC), vieclam.dongnai.gov.vn (Dong Nai)
- What to include:
- Job position and title
- Job description
- Number of positions
- Qualification requirements
- Salary offer
- Working hours and location
- How to post: Online on the above websites (free). Keep the confirmation receipt.
- Who is exempt: Foreign contractors, short-term experts (under 90 days/year), intra-company transfers.
Step 2. Submit work permit application
- When to submit: You can submit your application either online or in person. For online submission, follow our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Vietnam work permit online through the dichvucong.gov.vn portal.
- Required documents:
- Application form for foreign worker employment and work permit (Form No. 03)
- Health certificate (valid for 12 months). Medical documentation is essential for your application. All applicants must undergo a health check for work permit in Vietnam at approved medical facilities.
- Valid passport copy (minimum 6 months validity)
- Criminal record certificate (valid for 6 months)
- 2 color photos (4x6cm, white background)
- Employment documents (contract or assignment letter)
- Qualification and employment experience certificate
- Where to submit:
- Online: dichvucong.gov.vnIn person: At Provincial Public Service Centers
- Main submission addresses: For applicants working in industrial zones or specific provinces, you can submit your documents at local offices. If you’re working in work permit in Tay Ninh (No. 01, Le Loi Street, Long An Ward), work permit in Dong Nai (No. 108 Ha Huy Giap, Tran Bien Ward), work permit in Ha Noi (18B Le Thanh Tong, Cua Nam Ward), or Ho Chi Minh City (159 Pasteur, Xuan Hoa Ward).
- Processing time: 10 working days after receiving complete documents
Important note about criminal records: You can let authorities automatically obtain this document through the online system. However, we recommend getting it yourself first to avoid delays. Foreign workers in Vietnam can request criminal records at Provincial Police offices (processing time: about 3 weeks).
Step 3. Receive your work permit
- How to receive: Online via dichvucong.gov.vn or at Public Service Centers
- When to receive: 1-2 days after processing is complete
- What to do if documents are incomplete: Authorities will notify you within 3 days to add missing documentsvide a written explanation of the reasons.
>> For detailed information about fees involved in the process, please refer to our guide on Vietnam work permit cost.
Let us make this work permit service easier for you:
- We prepare all your documents
- We submit your application
- We update you regularly
- We speak your language (English, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese)
When does a work permit become invalid?
Working in Vietnam without a work permit can lead to serious penalties:
- For foreign workers
- For employers hiring workers without valid work permits
- Deportation from Vietnam
- 30.000.000 to 45.000.000 VND for employing 1-10 foreign workers without work permits
- 45.000.000 to 60.000.000 VND for employing 11-20 foreign workers without work permits
- 60.000.000 to 75.000.000 VND for employing 21 or more foreign workers without work permits
- Business suspension for 1-3 months
To avoid these serious consequences, both employers and foreign workers should follow Vietnam’s work permit requirements carefully.
When does your Vietnam work permit become invalid?
A woYour work permit becomes invalid in these eight cases:
- Work permit expires (can extend once for maximum 2 years)
- Employment contract ends
- Contract content does not match work permit
- Worker performs different job than stated in permit
- Related contracts expire or terminate
- Foreign employer cancels assignment
- Vietnamese employer stops operations
- Authorities revoke the work permit
Important: Monitor your work permit validity carefully. Using workers with invalid permits results in severe penalties.
FAQs about Vietnam work permits
Who needs to apply for a work permit in Vietnam?
– Workers with employment contracts
– Intra-company transferees
– Workers under economic, commercial, financial, technical, cultural, sports, education, or healthcare contracts
– Service providers
– Managers, executive directors, experts, technical workers
– Project participants
Can a Vietnam work permit be extended after two years?
– Your employment contract
– Assignment document
– International agreement
– Business operation license
After the extension expires, you must apply for a new work permit if you want to continue working.
How long does the application take?
– 5 days for recruitment announcement
– 10 days for processing
– 1-5 days for preparation and result collection
Feel free to contact us at HOTLINE 1900 63 63 50 for assistance with your Vietnam work permit application.
