Issuing work permits for foreigners in Vietnam.

Issuing work permits for foreigners in Vietnam. This is a procedure that businesses need to follow when employing foreign workers who are required to have a work permit. Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, effective from August 7, 2025, redefines the documentation, procedures, timeframes, and authority related to foreign workers working in Vietnam. See Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.

For FDI businesses, preparing documentation goes beyond simply gathering papers. Businesses need to accurately identify the job position, job code, type of work, and corresponding supporting documents before submitting the application. (MAN has compiled additional information.) Contents related to work permits This allows businesses to easily cross-reference information when applying for new licenses, renewals, or related procedures.

Eligibility and conditions for granting work permits

According to Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, foreign workers in Vietnam in managerial, executive, expert, or technical positions must meet the corresponding conditions and follow the permit application procedures unless they fall under the cases exempt from permit requirements. The Decree was issued by the Government and came into effect on August 7, 2025.

Decree 219/2025/ND-CP on the Government's Electronic Information Portal

Who is required to obtain a work permit?

Businesses first need to determine whether foreign workers are required to obtain a work permit. This determination is based not only on nationality but also on considering the job position, type of employment, and the specific legal circumstances of the worker.

Four job categories are defined by criteria: managers, executives, specialists, and technical workers. Applications must include documentation demonstrating suitability for the position applied for.

One point to note is that internally used job titles do not necessarily correspond to the prescribed job positions. Form No. 03 requires information on the expected employment and the level 3 occupational code according to Appendix I of Decision No. 34/2020/QD-TTg.

Official source: Guidelines on the basis for determining occupational codes for foreign workers.

Job positions for foreign workers

Managers, executives, specialists, and technical workers have different sets of supporting documents. Businesses should determine the correct legal status before selecting qualifications, experience certificates, or job title documents.

Particularly in FDI enterprises, a title such as factory manager, department head, or production supervisor should not be automatically equated to a legal position based solely on the title. The actual work, job code, and supporting documents need to be consistently verified.

Cases not subject to work permit requirements

Decree 219/2025/ND-CP stipulates several cases where foreign workers are not required to obtain a work permit. Some notable cases include: workers in the management, executive director, expert, or technical worker groups entering Vietnam for work for a total of less than 90 days in a year; owners or contributing members with capital of VND 3 billion or more in limited liability companies; and other categories subject to specific conditions.

Not requiring a license does not mean all cases follow the same procedure. Some cases do not require a confirmation certificate but must notify the competent authority as prescribed. Businesses need to correctly identify their case before choosing a procedure.

Documents required for obtaining a work permit for foreigners.

The application dossier for a work permit under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP includes Form No. 03, a health certificate, a passport, a criminal record certificate or equivalent confirmation document, two color photos, documents proving the type of work, and documents proving the position of manager, executive director, expert, or technical worker.

Businesses can conduct further verification. MAN work permit application guide When preparing documents on a case-by-case basis.

General documents to prepare

The current application process integrates the report explaining the need for foreign labor into the application for a work permit. This document uses Form No. 03 in the Appendix issued with Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.

The essential documents include:

• The employer's document reporting and explaining the need to employ foreign workers and requesting a work permit must follow Form No. 03.
• A medical certificate is required.
• The passport is still valid.
• A criminal record certificate or equivalent confirmation document as prescribed by law.
• Two color photos, size 4 cm × 6 cm.
• Documents proving the type of employment.
• Documents proving that the employee is a manager, executive director, specialist, or technical worker.

Criminal record certificates or equivalent confirmation documents issued by Vietnam or abroad must meet the prescribed validity period requirements. If issued by Vietnam, the issuance date must not be more than 6 months prior to the application submission date, except in cases where integrated administrative procedures have been implemented as per regulations.

Documents required for each job position.

Documents proving employment must match the job category registered by the enterprise. The National Public Service Portal currently publishes separate categories of documents for managers, executives, experts, and technical workers.

Look up the procedures for obtaining a work permit on the National Public Service Portal.

Manager

For managers, the documentation may include the company's charter and proof of managerial status, or appointment/transfer documents for the corresponding position. In specific cases, the required supporting documents for each category of applicant must be compared.

CEO

For the CEO position, businesses need to prepare documentation proving the title and organizational structure appropriate to the specific case. Documents that may be used include certificates of registration for branches, representative offices, or business locations, company charter, or documents detailing the organizational structure as applicable.

Expert

For professionals, the application may include diplomas, certificates, or other documents proving qualifications, and a confirmation from an overseas employer regarding work experience, subject to applicable conditions. If the applicant has previously worked in Vietnam, certain work permits or certificates exempting the applicant from work permit requirements may be used as substitutes for proof of experience, provided the applicant meets the eligibility criteria.

Technical workers

For skilled workers, the application may include diplomas, certificates, or other documents proving the required training and work experience. If the applicant has previously worked in Vietnam, a work permit or a certificate confirming exemption from work permit requirements may be used as a substitute for work experience documentation, provided the applicant meets the eligibility criteria.

Documents proving the type of employment

Documents proving the form of employment are determined according to the specific circumstances of the employee. The National Public Service Portal lists categories such as internal transfers within enterprises, performance of contracts or agreements, service providers under contract, service offerings, transfers from abroad to Vietnam, and participation in tenders and projects.

Some cases have specific documentation requirements. For example, employees transferring within a company need a document from their foreign employer assigning them to Vietnam and documentation proving prior employment under applicable conditions. Contracted service providers must also prepare a service contract and documentation proving the required working hours.

The key point to control is that the form of work and the job position are two different sets of information. These two pieces of information need to be consistent with the contract, transfer decision, employee assignment document, and professional qualifications.

Documents issued by foreign countries

For documents issued abroad, businesses need to check the applicable requirements for each type of document before including them in the application. It is not advisable to assume that qualifications, experience certificates, medical certificates, and documents proving the type of work have the same requirements for use or recognition.

Medical certificates issued by foreign medical facilities are subject to specific conditions as stipulated in Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. Businesses should check the applicable conditions before using this document in their application files.

Procedures for issuing work permits to foreigners.

Employers must submit the application within 60 days, but no less than 10 days before the foreign worker is expected to start work. After receiving a complete application, the processing time is 10 working days if approved and a permit is issued; if not approved or a permit is not issued, a written response must be provided within 3 working days.

Based on the procedure: National Public Service Portal

Application submission deadline

The deadline for submitting documents is within 60 days, but no less than 10 days, of the date the foreign worker is expected to start work. Businesses should calculate backward from the expected start date to proactively prepare the necessary documents.

This timeframe is different from the deadline set by the competent authority for processing the application. Businesses should not assume that submitting the application 10 days in advance means the entire preparation and processing will be completed within 10 days.

Steps to follow

The process can be summarized in the following steps:

• Determine whether the worker is required to obtain a work permit.
• Identify the job position, job code, and type of employment.
• Prepare the appropriate supporting documents for your specific case.
• Submit your application within 60 days, but no less than 10 days before your scheduled start date.
• The competent authority receives and processes the application.
• Receive a written response if the application is not approved or the license is not granted.

It is important to distinguish between the date of application submission and the date the competent authority receives a complete application. The processing time is calculated according to the prescribed procedures from the date the application meets all requirements.

How to submit your application

Applications can be submitted through the methods published on the National Public Service Portal, including online and other submission methods depending on the procedure, locality, and implementing agency.

For FDI businesses, the submission method is only part of the process. The deciding factor remains that the application must be appropriate for the position, type of work, and supporting documents of the employee.

Processing time

The processing time is 10 working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete application for a work permit in case of approval and issuance of the permit. If the application is not approved or the permit is not issued, the competent authority must provide a response stating the reasons within 3 working days from the date of receiving the complete application.

The Ministry of Interior also explained how to determine the time limit for processing applications. Guide to the procedures for obtaining a work permit.

Recipient and competent authority

According to Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, provincial People's Committees have the authority to issue, reissue, extend, and revoke work permits, and may also decide to delegate these procedures to competent agencies.

Therefore, businesses should check the agency currently in charge in the area where the employee is expected to work, rather than relying solely on the agency name that appears in previous articles.

Work permit issuance fee

The fee for issuing a work permit is not a uniform rate applied nationwide. Businesses need to check the applicable fee in the locality where the procedure is carried out, according to the regulations in effect at the time of application.

Notes on preparing and submitting your application

The risks associated with work permit applications often lie in inconsistencies between job position, occupation code, type of work, and supporting documents. Businesses should review the suitability of the entire application before submission, rather than simply checking if all documents are present.

Verify the consistency between the location and supporting documents.

Job position information in the employee's file needs to be specifically identified according to the applicable Level 3 occupational code. Businesses should not rely solely on the job title in the employment contract or appointment decision.

For FDI enterprises, the comparison between internal job titles, actual work, job codes, and supporting documents is particularly important when the English job title or internal job title does not match the job name in the occupational classification system.

Checking documents issued by foreign countries.

Worker documents issued abroad need to be examined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type of document and its intended use. Businesses should not apply a single approach to diplomas, work experience certificates, medical certificates, and other documents proving the type of work.

Controlling paperwork deadlines

A criminal record certificate or equivalent confirmation document is one of the documents requiring verification of its validity period. If the certificate is issued by Vietnam, the issuance date must not be more than 6 months prior to the application submission date, except in cases where integrated administrative procedures have been implemented as per regulations.

Medical certificates should also be checked for validity and usage conditions depending on the type of certificate and the issuing authority.

Control the timing of application submissions.

Businesses need to distinguish between two timeframes: the time when applications can be submitted and the time limit for processing by the competent authority. Applications must be submitted within 60 days, but no less than 10 days before the employee's expected start date; the processing time for issuing the permit is 10 working days from the date of receipt of a complete application.

Common mistakes when preparing documents

Errors that require special attention include incorrectly identifying the job position, providing inappropriate professional information, using supporting documents that do not correspond to the applied position, or failing to check the validity period of the documents.

Businesses should check three sets of information before submitting applications: whether the employee is subject to work permit requirements; whether the job position and type of work have been correctly identified; and whether the supporting documents are appropriate and still valid.

If businesses need to refer to the actual procedures for handling documents, they can check this out. How to obtain a work permit for foreigners and Work permit services for foreigners of NATO.

Professional information

The content is compiled and reviewed in accordance with current legal regulations, focusing on procedures for businesses employing foreign workers. When applying this to actual cases, businesses need to verify the job position, type of work, employee documents, and the relevant local authority.

MAN – Master Accountant Network provides services related to work permits, investment certificates, and procedures for FDI businesses. View MAN's investment certificate services..

Conclude

The process of granting work permits to foreigners in Vietnam requires preparation based on the specific job position, type of work, and supporting documents for each individual case. Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, effective from August 7, 2025, is an important legal basis for this procedure.

For FDI businesses, the crucial aspect is not only the list of required documents but also the consistency between job positions, job codes, work arrangements, and supporting documentation. Reviewing these elements before submission helps businesses be more proactive in managing the process of employing foreign workers. When specific documents need to be prepared, businesses should check the procedures published locally and directly compare them with current legal documents before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions about Work Permits for Foreigners

How long does it take to get a work permit for a foreigner?

The processing time is 10 working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete application for a work permit. If the application is not approved or the permit is not issued, the competent authority must provide a response stating the reasons within 3 working days.

What documents are required for a work permit application?

The basic application dossier includes Form No. 03, a health certificate, a passport, a criminal record certificate or equivalent confirmation document, two color photos, documents proving the type of employment, and documents proving that the employee holds a managerial, executive director, expert, or technical position.

Which foreigners are not required to obtain a work permit?

Decree 219/2025/ND-CP stipulates several cases that are not subject to the requirement of obtaining a work permit, including some cases where employees work less than 90 days a year and some owners or contributing members who meet the conditions regarding the value of their capital contribution. Each case needs to be compared with the specific conditions of the Decree.