What Permits Are Required for Foreigners Working in Vietnam?

Vietnam’s growing FDI inflows are bringing more foreign professionals into the country across technology, manufacturing, finance, and services. The legal framework governing foreign employment was comprehensively updated through Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, which replaced Decree 152/2020/ND-CP in full with no transition period. This guide covers the three core permits, eligibility for exemptions, and what changed for employers and employees from August 2025 onward.

Work Permit in Vietnam

Foreigners working in Vietnam for more than 3 months are required to hold a work permit. Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, work permits are valid for a maximum of 2 years and can only be extended once. After one extension, employees who wish to continue in the same role must apply for a new permit.

Employers apply for work permits on behalf of foreign employees. Following the merger of the Ministry of Labor with the Ministry of Home Affairs in March 2025, the issuing authority has shifted from DOLISA to the Provincial People’s Committee. Under the new decree, employers must submit the application within a window of 60 days and no less than 10 days before the employee’s intended start date. The processing time is 10 working days from receipt of a complete application, up from 5 days under the previous decree.

To obtain a work permit, several key requirements must be fulfilled:

1. The foreign employee must be at least 18 years old and have the full capacity to perform the job they are hired for.
2. Possessing relevant professional qualifications, expertise, and work experience needed to excel in their role is essential.
3. Good health, as certified by a Vietnamese health authority, is required. This ensures that the individual is fit to work and does not pose a public health risk.
4. Applicants must have no prior criminal record in Vietnam or their home country, maintaining the integrity and safety of the Vietnamese workforce.

Work Permit Exemption Certificate

Not all foreign workers in Vietnam are required to obtain a work permit. In certain cases, individuals may be eligible for a Work Permit Exemption Certificate. This exemption applies to:

• Company managers or executives who are involved in the decision-making and strategic direction of businesses in Vietnam. Capital-contributing members or owners of limited liability companies with a capital contribution value of at least VND 3 billion. Or members or the chairperson of the management board of joint-stock companies with a capital contribution value of at least VND 3 billion
• Chiefs of representative/project offices of international organizations or nongovernmental organizations in Vietnam
• Experts who are carrying out short-term for less than 03 months, specialized tasks that require a high level of expertise and are critical to the service or project

• Foreign nationals married to Vietnamese citizens and residing in Vietnam

• An intra-company transferee within 11 sectors in the schedule of commitments in services between Vietnam WTO

• Experts in priority sectors: Foreign workers confirmed by ministries, ministry-level agencies, or Provincial People’s Committees to be working in finance, science and technology, innovation, national digital transformation, or other priority economic development fields. This is a new category introduced under Decree 219/2025, not available under the previous decree.

The exemption certificate functions as a work permit and is the basis for applying for a Temporary Residence Card. It is valid for up to two years. Importantly, under Decree 219/2025, certain exemption categories no longer require a formal certificate but must instead submit a notification to the relevant authority at least 3 working days before the employee begins work. For guidance on which category applies, immigration compliance specialists can help assess the correct route and notification requirements.

Temporary Residence Card (TRC)

A Temporary Residence Card (TRC) is a document that allows foreigners to reside legally in Vietnam for an extended period, ranging from one to five years. The TRC is particularly beneficial for those who plan to live and work in Vietnam long-term, as it exempts the holder from needing a visa and allows multiple entries into the country.

Holders of a TRC can enjoy the convenience of not having to renew their visas and can enter and exit Vietnam according to their work needs within the duration of the card. This not only saves time but also the costs associated with visa applications and extensions.

For companies employing multiple foreign workers, payroll and compliance for expats in Vietnam involves additional obligations beyond the work permit itself, including PIT registration, SHUI contributions where applicable, and ongoing reporting to relevant authorities.

Documents Required for Work Permits and TRC

To apply for a work permit or a TRC, certain documents are required:

• A health certificate or medical examination certificate issued by a recognized medical agency or organization in Vietnam, which should not be older than 12 months at the date of submission.
• A criminal record check that must not exceed six months before being submitted, ensuring the applicant has no criminal history that would affect their eligibility.
• Other papers related to the foreign employee’s role and background, which may vary depending on each specific case.
• An authenticated copy of the passport and visa of the foreigner, confirming their identity and legal entry into the country.

Under Decree 219/2025, all documents issued outside Vietnam must be consularly legalized and notarized into Vietnamese, unless exempted by an international treaty. Vietnam acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention in late 2025, which simplifies document authentication from member countries. Given how quickly these requirements evolve, working with an HR administration and compliance team ensures applications are submitted with the correct documentation from the start.

Legal Consequences of Working Without Valid Permits 

Under Article 32 of Decree 12/2022/ND-CP, specific penalties apply for working or hiring without valid permits: 

Beyond fines, foreign employees without valid permits risk deportation and re-entry bans. Employers face reputational risk and heightened scrutiny from local labor authorities. With Decree 219/2025 introducing new notification requirements and expanded exemption categories, the compliance picture is more detailed than before. Work permits and residence cards are the employer’s legal responsibility in Vietnam, and the rules changed significantly with Decree 219/2025. Talentnet’s expat services cover the full permit cycle from initial application through renewal and TRC, so companies can focus on their operations rather than compliance administration.