Decision 346/QD-BNV was issued to announce the revised and supplemented administrative procedures related to the management of foreign workers in Vietnam. Accurately updating these contents helps FDI enterprises and employers comply with the provisions of the 2019 Labor Code, minimizing disruptions to legal documentation during operations.
What is Decision 346/QD-BNV?
Decision 346/QD-BNV, issued by the Ministry of Interior on March 24, 2026, announces the amended and supplemented administrative procedures related to foreign workers working in Vietnam in the field of employment. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces Decision 886/QD-BNV.
Information issued
The document, officially signed and issued by the Ministry of Interior on March 24, 2026, takes effect immediately from the date of signing and applies to administrative procedures arising from that time. Simultaneously, Decision 346/QD-BNV officially repeals Decision No. 886/QD-BNV dated August 11, 2025, of the Ministry of Interior concerning the announcement of administrative procedures in the field of employment.
Scope of regulation
This document amends the group of provincial-level administrative procedures related to the issuance, re-issuance, and extension of work permits and certificates confirming that foreign personnel are not subject to work permit requirements.
Applicable subjects
This decision applies directly to organizations and businesses that recruit foreign workers (including FDI enterprises, representative offices, and branches) and state management agencies that receive and process administrative procedures.
Administrative procedures have been amended according to Decision 346/QD-BNV.
The decision announces six provincial-level administrative procedures related to work permits and certificates confirming exemption from work permit requirements for foreign workers. These procedures are implemented by the Provincial People's Committee and are eligible for full online public service delivery.
Businesses can track the details of the 06 adjusted administrative procedures in the summary table below:
| No. | Name of administrative procedure | Applicable cases | Implementing agency | Delivery method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Issuing work permits | Foreign workers who are working in Vietnam for the first time or who are transferring to work for a new employer in positions such as specialists, managers, executives, or technical workers. | Provincial People's Committee | Online full process |
| 2 | Reissuing work permits | The work permit is still valid but is lost, damaged, or there is a change in personal information (passport number, nationality, etc.). | Provincial People's Committee | Online full process |
| 3 | Work permit renewal | The work permit is about to expire, and the company continues to need to employ workers in the same positions and roles for which the permit was issued. | Provincial People's Committee | Online full process |
| 4 | Issuing a certificate confirming that the applicant is not subject to the work permit requirement. | Internal workers, experts, managers, or individuals exempt from work permits under international agreements. | Provincial People's Committee | Online full process |
| 5 | Reissuing a certificate confirming that the applicant is not subject to the work permit requirement. | The certificate of exemption from work permit is still valid but is damaged, lost, or the details recorded on the document have changed. | Provincial People's Committee | Online full process |
| 6 | Renewal of the certificate confirming exemption from work permit requirements. | The worker was issued a certificate that was about to expire and is continuing to maintain employment in accordance with current regulations. | Provincial People's Committee | Online full process |
Clearly distinguishing between each type of procedure helps employers easily identify the correct legal basis and documentation process right from the initial stage.
New points in Decision 346/QD-BNV
A notable point of Decision 346/QD-BNV is the announcement of revised and supplemented administrative procedures regarding the required documents, conditions, and processing procedures for each group of foreign workers according to current regulations.
What should businesses do immediately after Decision 346/QD-BNV comes into effect?
Businesses should proactively review their entire list of foreign workers, check the current validity period of their permits, and compare supporting documents (qualifications, experience certificates, appointment letters). Preparing consular legalization documents 45-60 days in advance helps businesses minimize the risk of rejection or disruption to their production and business operations.
Changes to the application components
Application for a work permit
The application dossier components have been revised and supplemented according to the regulations of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, in which employers need to prepare all necessary documents for each category of applicants. The list of required documents must ensure accuracy between the document approving the need to employ foreign workers and the criminal record certificate, health certificate, and other documents proving qualifications.
Application for a certificate confirming exemption from work permit requirements.
The application for exemption from a work permit requires standardized documentation proving that the worker meets the standards for experts, managers, executives, or falls under specific circumstances as stipulated in international treaties and labor laws.
Changes to identification documents
Decision 346/QD-BNV provides more detailed guidance on the documentation required to prove the professional qualifications and job titles of foreign workers:
- Documents proving professional qualifications: The professional qualifications and certificates of experts or technical workers must demonstrate that their field of study and specialization are relevant to the job position and title they are expected to hold in Vietnam.
- Documents proving experience: Documents confirming work experience issued by foreign agencies or organizations must accurately reflect the period of employment, position held, and professional work content, serving as evidence of actual competence.
- Documents proving employment: For managerial or executive positions, supporting documents include company charters, appointment decisions, letters of assignment, or employment contracts clearly demonstrating the executive role and authority within the organizational structure.
Changes to the procedure
Application submission method
The procedure is being streamlined through the online public service system. Businesses register accounts and submit scanned copies of original documents through the National Public Service Portal or the provincial-level public service portal.
Receiving agency
Applications are submitted and processed at the Provincial Public Administrative Service Center or the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs/Management Board of Industrial and Export Processing Zones, as delegated or authorized by the Provincial People's Committee.
Processing time
The timeframes for reviewing applications and providing results are transparently announced for each type of administrative procedure, helping businesses proactively plan their recruitment and personnel rotation.
Those who are directly affected
- Foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises: This group is directly impacted due to the frequent transfer of management personnel and internal experts within the corporation. Updating to the new regulations on supporting documents helps FDI enterprises shorten the time required to prepare documents from the foreign side.
- Companies are recruiting foreign experts: International recruitment companies need to pay attention to the compatibility between professional qualifications and job descriptions to meet the requirements of the application review process.
- Representative offices and branches of foreign traders: This team needs to prepare accurate appointment documents and legal papers from the overseas headquarters to prove the manager's or representative office head's position.
- Organizations employing foreign workers: International schools and non-governmental organizations need to review the validity period of their staff's permits in order to proactively renew or reissue them within the specified timeframe.
Procedure for carrying out the process according to Decision 346/QD-BNV
Businesses need to prepare the correct documents and submit them through the National Public Service Portal or the Public Administrative Service Center as prescribed. The documents will be processed by the competent authority within the timeframe corresponding to each procedure.
The administrative procedure for foreign workers consists of four basic steps. First, the enterprise reviews the legality, translates, notarizes, and legalizes foreign-issued documents according to regulations. Next, the employer declares information and submits scanned copies of the application through the online public service system or submits them directly to the Provincial Public Administrative Service Center.
Upon receipt, the relevant agency will check the completeness and validity of the application dossier. If amendments or additions are needed, the receiving agency will issue a written notice stating the reasons. Once the dossier meets the requirements, the Work Permit or Certificate confirming exemption from Work Permit requirements will be delivered directly at the one-stop service center or via public postal service.
Tips to help businesses minimize the risk of having their applications rejected.
In addition to preparing the correct application documents, businesses need to review supporting documents, legalize them with consular authentication when necessary, and correctly identify the group of workers to avoid requests for additional documents or rejection of the application.
Identify the right group of workers.
Accurately classifying workers as professionals, managers, executives, or technical workers is a crucial first step. Each category has completely different requirements and documentation needs.
Prepare all necessary supporting documents.
All qualifications, professional certificates, and confirmations of overseas work experience must show consistent information regarding the duration, title, and match the job description for the intended position in Vietnam.
Note regarding consular legalization
Documents issued by foreign agencies or organizations (such as criminal record certificates, diplomas, and experience certificates) must undergo consular legalization and certified translation into Vietnamese, except in cases exempted by international treaties.
Common mistakes businesses make when carrying out procedures.
During the process of assisting businesses with Work Permit applications, MAN – Master Accountant Network has identified several common errors that lead to applications being requested for correction by the receiving agency:
- Job title information discrepancies: The job title on the labor demand approval document is inconsistent with the appointment document or employment contract.
- The health check-up facility does not meet standards: The health certificate was issued by a medical facility not included in the list of facilities qualified to conduct health examinations for foreigners as regulated by the Ministry of Health.
- Subjective shortcomings regarding the submission deadline: Submitting renewal applications too late, close to the expiration date of the old license, puts businesses in a disadvantageous position when additional documents from abroad are needed.
Expert perspective from MAN
Decision 346/QD-BNV continues to promote the improvement of administrative procedures and the provision of online public services. However, the actual assessment of dossiers at the local level requires high legal accuracy and consistency between documents.
Businesses should proactively review the list of foreign workers currently employed 45 to 60 days before their work permits expire. This timeframe allows businesses sufficient time to prepare necessary documents from overseas, especially for consular legalization and obtaining criminal record certificates.
Based on their experience providing legal advice to FDI projects, the team of experts at MAN – Master Accountant Network recommends that businesses update job descriptions and recruitment standards from the outset. Building a well-structured personnel profile will help businesses proactively comply with legal regulations and maintain stable operational progress.
Conclude
Decision 346/QD-BNV contributes to the transparency of administrative procedures for foreign workers in Vietnam. To ensure a smooth application process, FDI enterprises and recruitment organizations need to understand the regulations regarding required documents, online submission procedures, and proactively review the validity of legal documents.
Contact MAN – Master Accountant Network for consultation.
If your business needs advice on accounting, auditing, taxation, investment capital settlement, or other corporate financial services, the team of experts at MAN – Master Accountant Network is always ready to assist.
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Content moderation expert
This article has been compiled and professionally reviewed by Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO of MAN – Master Accountant Network, CPA Vietnam auditor with over 30 years of experience in accounting, auditing, taxation, and corporate financial consulting.
