Overview of the work permit application process for foreigners.

Obtaining a work permit for foreigners is a mandatory legal procedure for international workers to legally work in Vietnamese businesses. Along with the implementation... Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, The process of assessing needs and reviewing applications for experts has undergone significant changes. This article provides detailed guidance on the latest conditions, required documents, and procedures to help businesses expedite the process and ensure compliance with current labor laws.

Regulations regarding the application for work permits for foreigners.

In the context of deep international economic integration, the use of high-quality personnel from abroad has become an essential need for many organizations. Work permits serve as a legal safeguard, maximizing the protection of international workers' rights regarding insurance, wages, and workplace safety.

The current Vietnamese legal system has perfected its guiding documents to facilitate businesses while also tightening labor quality management. The core legal grounds for applying for work permits for foreigners include:

• Labor Code 2019 Regarding the framework for managing foreign workers in Vietnam.
• Decree 219/2025/ND-CP provides detailed guidance on the issuance, renewal, and revocation of work permits.
• Circulars issued by the Ministry of Interior and Labor providing guidance on the list of priority job positions for international personnel.

Employers should note that most international workers are required to obtain a work permit, except in special cases where exemptions are granted under specific legal regulations.

Conditions for successfully obtaining a work permit for foreigners.

To be granted a work permit, foreign workers must meet stringent standards regarding both professional competence and legal status. Applying for a work permit for foreigners under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP requires the following basic conditions:

• Age and capacity: Must be at least 18 years old and possess full legal capacity as stipulated by law.
• Expertise: Requires a university degree or higher and at least 3 years of relevant work experience in a Vietnamese company.
• Technical workers: Must have at least one year of specialized training and at least three years of experience in a directly related field.
• Management position: The CEO or manager must have written confirmation of practical management experience from previous international organizations.
• Personal documents: A health certificate meeting the requirements and criminal record certificate Proof that you have no prior criminal record or are not currently under investigation.
• State approval: Businesses must obtain written approval from the competent authority regarding the employment of foreign workers before proceeding with the procedures.

Documents required for a work permit application for foreigners.

Preparing complete and accurate documentation is crucial to the speed of processing by the authorities. When applying for a work permit for a foreign national, businesses need to assemble a dossier including the following documents:

• Application for a permit: Use the latest form No. 11/PLI to submit to the labor management agency.
• Health certificate: Valid for 12 months from the date of application, issued by qualified hospitals as regulated by the Ministry of Health.
• Criminal record certificate: Issued no more than 6 months prior to the date, either abroad or in Vietnam if the employee is legally residing there.
• Qualifications and Certificates: University degrees and relevant professional licenses have been fully legalized by the consular office.
• Experience verification documents: Documents from foreign companies confirming the actual working time in a similar position for the employee.
• Personal documents: A copy of a valid passport and two 4x6cm passport-sized photos with a white background, showing a clear face and without glasses.

Procedures for applying for a work permit for foreigners.

The current licensing process is heavily digitized through online public service portals, reducing travel time for businesses when applying for work permits for foreigners.

Job posting for work permit application for foreigners.

Before applying for a formal license, businesses must demonstrate their inability to recruit suitable domestic personnel. The specific procedure is as follows:

• Post job openings on the Employment Bureau's portal or local website for a minimum of 15 days.
• After the recruitment period ends, the company submits a report explaining the need to obtain a work permit for a foreign national for that position.
• The explanation must be submitted at least 15 working days before the expected date of officially employing foreign workers at the office.

Steps for submitting an application for a work permit for foreigners.

Once the request has been approved, the business proceeds to submit the application for a work permit for the foreign worker in the following order:

• Reception location: National Public Service Portal or the one-stop service department of the local Department of Interior and Labor where the business is located.
• Processing time: The competent authority will review and respond with the results within 5 to 7 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid application.
• Results: Work permits will be issued electronically with a QR code or in paper form, depending on the specific requirements of the business.

Cases where a work permit is not required for foreigners.

The law also stipulates that certain specific groups of individuals do not need to apply for a work permit for foreigners, but they must still submit a report confirming their exemption.

The table below lists typical cases that are exempt under the latest regulations:

Note: Businesses must still complete the procedure to confirm they are not subject to licensing requirements at least 10 working days in advance to ensure legal compliance when employing workers.

Fees for applying for a work permit for foreigners.

Budgeting helps businesses be more proactive in their recruitment budget planning. The total cost of applying for a work permit for a foreigner will include the following items:

• Budget payment fee: This fee ranges from 400,000 to 1,000,000 VND depending on the locality (source: dichvucong.gov.vn).
• Consular legalization fee: A fee paid at a diplomatic mission to verify the legality of qualifications and confirm experience.
• Document translation fee: The cost of notarized translation of documents from the original language into Vietnamese as per regulations.
• Medical examination fees: Typically range from 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 VND at authorized hospitals.

Things to note when applying for a work permit for foreigners.

Many work permit applications for foreigners are often delayed due to basic errors. Businesses need to pay attention to the following issues to ensure a smooth process:

• Passport validity: The passport must be valid for a period longer than the expected validity period of the work permit being applied for.
• Document consistency: All information on diplomas, work experience certificates, and passports must completely match personal information.
• Legalization process: Foreign documents must be legalized by the consular office before they are valid for use in Vietnam.
• Penalties: Businesses employing workers without permits can be fined up to VND 75 million, and workers face the risk of deportation.

Conclusion regarding the procedure for applying for a work permit for foreigners.

Procedure Applying for a work permit for a foreigner This requires thorough preparation and a deep understanding of the new regulations in Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. Adherence to the correct procedures not only helps businesses optimize time and costs but also affirms their reputation and professionalism in international human resource management. To ensure successful application submission on the first attempt, organizations should regularly update information from online public service portals and the latest guidance documents from relevant authorities.