The cost of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026 has changed significantly due to the latest regulations aimed at helping businesses optimize their international human resources. Accurately understanding government fees and additional incidental costs is crucial for businesses to proactively manage their budgets and comply with current labor laws. In this article, our team of experts at... Master Accountants Network We will provide a detailed analysis of the fee schedule and important notes based on: Decree 219/2025/ND-CP To provide our customers with the most effective implementation plan.
Overview of the various costs involved in obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners.
Determining the total actual cost for a foreign worker to qualify for legal employment is not just about the fees paid to the authorities. Typically, a complete application includes many fees incurred during the legal paperwork process. To give businesses a comprehensive overview, here are the basic fees that commonly make up the cost of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners:
- Administrative fees are payable to the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs or the Department of Home Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City, depending on the specific type of application.
- Medical examination fees at hospitals that meet the standards specified by the Ministry of Health for foreigners.
- Fees for certified translation and consular legalization of documents from the worker's home country.
- The fee for obtaining a criminal record certificate in Vietnam or abroad varies depending on the length of residence.
- Fees for legal consulting services and representation in handling administrative procedures comprehensively from reputable agencies.
Updated government fees for work permits in Ho Chi Minh City 2026
State fees in Ho Chi Minh City are publicly listed and clearly differentiated between new issuance, re-issuance, or renewal. According to the latest policy, effective from the beginning of 2026, the city is actively encouraging businesses to complete procedures through the online system. Ho Chi Minh City public services To reduce administrative burden and optimize the cost of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners.
| Items to be implemented | Direct payment fee (VNĐ) | Online fee (VND) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing new work permits | 600.000 | 0 – 300,000 | Depending on the exemption/reduction policy for each period |
| Reissuing work permits | 450.000 | 225.000 | Reduced 50% fee when submitting through the public service portal. |
| Work permit renewal | 450.000 | 225.000 | Applies to applications submitted 5-45 days before the deadline. |
Note: The above fees are based on the current Resolution of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council. Businesses should note that the zero online fee may only apply during peak periods of the city's digital transformation stimulus program, helping to alleviate the cost burden of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners.
Mandatory costs when preparing employee documents.
Besides the fees payable to government agencies, document preparation costs often account for a large proportion of the total budget for obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners. The more thorough the document preparation, the more businesses can avoid additional costs arising from having to redo or revise documents multiple times.
Medical examination costs for foreigners
This is a mandatory requirement to prove that an employee is healthy enough to work. In Ho Chi Minh City, the health certificate must be issued by medical facilities that meet the requirements set by the Ministry of Health.
- Typical facilities include: Cho Ray Hospital, FV Hospital, Gia An 115 Hospital, or licensed international medical centers.
- Cost: Ranges from 2,000,000 VND to 3,500,000 VND. Some specialized examination packages for senior professionals may cost up to 4,500,000 VND if they include additional in-depth tests, directly impacting the total cost of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners.
Costs for consular legalization and document translation.
Documents issued abroad, such as diplomas and work experience certificates, must be legalized by the consulate to be valid in Vietnam. This is often the most variable cost of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners, as it depends on the fee schedule of each embassy or consulate.
- Legalization fee: From $50 to $150 per document (converted at the current exchange rate) depending on the country.
- Translation fees: From 150,000 VND to 300,000 VND per page. Rare languages such as Finnish and Arabic may have significantly higher fees.
Cost of obtaining a criminal record certificate
Foreign workers residing in Vietnam need a Criminal Record Certificate No. 1. Obtaining this document early is necessary to avoid increased costs for obtaining a Work Permit due to the need for urgent processing.
- Official fee: 200,000 VND/copy.
- Authorization fee: If the business uses an expedited service to meet deadlines, the fee can range from VND 1,500,000 to VND 2,500,000.
Changes in Decree 219/2025/ND-CP help optimize costs.
Decree 219/2025/ND-CP introduces many new points regarding the management of foreign workers, helping businesses save considerable time and money if they know how to properly apply the exemption regulations to optimize the cost of obtaining Work Permits for foreigners.
Regulations regarding medical certificates from abroad.
The new decree allows for the recognition of health certificates issued abroad if they meet equivalent standards and are legalized by consular authorities. This helps businesses reduce the costs incurred in obtaining Work Permits for foreigners when employees need to undergo further medical examinations after entering Vietnam.
Shorten the time required for reporting and explaining labor needs.
The current process for reporting and explaining the need for foreign labor (Form No. 01/PLI) is strongly integrated online. The assessment time is shortened, helping businesses minimize opportunity costs due to personnel delays in the overall cost plan for obtaining Work Permits for foreigners.
Incentives for technology and innovation professionals
Businesses operating in the fields of digital transformation and science and technology benefit from a post-audit mechanism instead of a pre-audit mechanism in some stages. This indirectly reduces administrative costs and cumbersome paperwork for the units.
MAN's professional Work Permit application process helps save you money.
To optimize the cost of obtaining Work Permits for foreigners, the network of experts at Master Accountant Network applies a standardized workflow, helping businesses eliminate cumbersome steps.
- Step 1: Free assessment of application documents to accurately determine the job position (Specialist, Manager, Executive Director) in order to apply the regulations of Decree 219 correctly.
- Step 2: Submit the report explaining the need to employ foreign workers online. National Public Service Portal, optimizing the waiting time to 10 business days.
- Step 3: Assist workers in completing their criminal record checks and health examinations at affiliated facilities with the most favorable fees, helping to reduce the cost of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners.
- Step 4: Complete the electronic application and have the business representative submit it online to receive the reduced 50% fee as stipulated in 2026.
- Step 5: Hand over the results and provide advice on related tax and social insurance obligations for foreign personnel, ensuring transparency in the cost of the complete Work Permit service for foreigners.
Why do businesses trust MAN's Work Permit services?
Master Accountant Network (MAN) is more than just a simple administrative procedure consulting firm. We approach applications from a risk management perspective and optimize the cost of obtaining Work Permits for foreigners for businesses.
- Financial commitment: All fees are detailed in the contract, with a commitment to no "unexpected" costs that would complicate the company's accounting.
- Legal expertise: Our team of experts always adheres to the implementation guidelines of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, ensuring a high processing rate for applications. Issuing work permits for foreigners. Meet the requirements on the first attempt, avoiding wasted costs on Work Permit applications for foreigners due to rejection.
- Multi-sector support: MAN excels at supporting newly established FDI businesses, helping to streamline procedures from work permits to temporary residence cards and personal tax identification numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Work Permit Costs in Ho Chi Minh City
Below is a summary of frequently asked questions regarding the cost of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners and the procedures that businesses often consider when applying for work permits for foreign personnel:
What is the total cost of a complete Work Permit application in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026?
Will the government fee be refunded if the application is rejected?
Is the cost of renewing a Work Permit lower than getting a new one?
Can businesses get a fee reduction when submitting applications online?
Are there any additional costs after receiving the work permit?
Conclusion regarding the cost of obtaining a work permit in 2026.
Understanding the various cost components of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners not only helps businesses manage their finances better but also demonstrates professionalism in complying with Vietnamese labor laws. With updates from Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, this process is becoming more streamlined and transparent through digital platforms. If your business is looking for a reliable partner to optimize your budget and time, contact MAN – Master Accountant Network for the most in-depth and dedicated support.
Contact information for MAN – Master Accountant Network
- Address: 19A, 43rd Street, Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
- Mobile/Zalo: 0903 963 163 – 0903 428 622
- Email: man@man.net.vn
Content production is overseen by: Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO of MAN – Master Accountant Network, CPA Vietnam auditors with over 30 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial consulting.
