Vietnam Work Permit

Work permit for foreigners working in Vietnam

Hotline: 0868 25 75 32

Vietnam Work permit is a permit issued by the Departments of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of provinces and cities to foreign workers working in units that employ foreign workers with headquarters located in the area.

Confirmation of NOT being subject to the issuance of a Work Permit, also known as Work Permit Exemption Certificate, also issued by the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of provinces and cities. This permit is issued to foreigners working in Vietnam on the “NO” list who are working at foreign employers headquatered in those provinces and cities.

Work Permit and Confirmation NOT subject to Work Permit are both confirmations that allow foreigners to work in Vietnam legally. Work permit and Confirmation of not being subject to a work permit are valid for a maximum of 2 years from the date of issue.

Why Choose the Work Permit Consulting Service for Foreign Workers from Vietnam-legal.com?

For years, we have provided comprehensive consulting services for obtaining work permits, visas, and temporary residence cards for foreign workers. However, after many years of experience and multiple changes in policies regarding foreign labor management in Vietnam, we have realized the following: Many businesses and organizations hire workers who are either not suitable or not eligible for a work permit and temporary residence card; many organizations lack a dedicated person to complete the paperwork; some organizations attempt to handle the paperwork themselves, but it is rejected or denied repeatedly due to non-compliance with requirements. Additionally, because the authority to issue work permits and confirmations of exemption from work permit requirements lies with the Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs of the province or city where the business or organization (employing foreign workers) is located, we mainly provide comprehensive consulting services in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. For clients in other provinces and cities nationwide, our Global Consulting Company offers individual consulting services so that all businesses and organizations can access our services when needed.
You can contact us via email or call the hotline +84 868 25 75 32 to request individual services or a full consultation package.

No. Service Name Applicable Nationwide Applicable in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
1 Candidate evaluation before recruitment (Screening and reviewing candidates’ profiles to see if they fit the job position, job title the employer requires, and comply with state regulations) Yes Yes
2 Consulting and guiding on how to prepare documents, steps to follow, and timeline based on each candidate’s case Yes Yes
3 Legalization of documents and necessary paperwork Yes Yes
4 Translation and notarization of documents as required Yes Yes
5 Preparing the application step by step Yes Yes
– Draft recruitment announcement
– Prepare documents for approval of job position
– Prepare application for work permit issuance/renewal/replacement or confirmation of exemption from work permit
6 Submitting and collecting results on behalf of the client at government agencies No Yes
7 Drafting labor contracts (for candidates under labor contracts), advising on procedures after completing work permit application Yes Yes
8 Reporting the status of foreign labor usage (every 6 months) Yes Yes
9 Reporting the status of foreign labor usage (annually) Yes Yes
10 Consulting and supporting the registration of the company’s public service account Yes Yes
11 Consulting for visa entry/E-visa Yes Yes
12 Consulting for temporary residence card/long-term visa Yes Yes
13 Consulting for temporary residence card for family visit (foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens) Yes Yes
14 Submitting and collecting results on behalf of the client at government agencies No Yes

Application for Issuance of a New Vietnamese Work Permit Based on Job Position (Updated in accordance with the provisions of Decree 70/2023/ND-CP issued on September 18, 2023, effective from September 18, 2023)

Manager is a person who manages a business according to the provisions of Clause 24, Article 4 of the Law on Enterprises (Business managers are private business managers and company managers, including private business owners, general partners, Chairman of the Board of Members, members of the Board of Members, Chairman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, members of the Board of Directors, Director or General Director and individuals holding other management positions as prescribed in the company’s Charter) or being the head or deputy head of the head of an agency or organization.

Application for a Work Permit for the position of Manager:

  1. Experience certificate with the position of “Manager” (If it is issued in foreign country, it will be required to get consular legalization and translate into Vietnamese)
  2. Health check
  3. Criminal record from foreign country OR in Vietnam (If it is issued in foreign country, it will be required to get consular legalization and translate into Vietnamese.
  4. Approval letter from Provincial People’s Committee Chairman to permit the company/ organization where you work to employ foreign labor for suitable job position
  5. 02 pictures size 4×6 cm, white background
  6. Notarized copy of passport
  7. Copy of business license of the company/ organization

Procedures for handling Vietnamese work permit procedures for foreigners

1. Profile

  • Document certifyingthat you are a manager, executive director, expert or technical worker or documents proving eligibility to work in the corresponding position. If papers and documents are issued abroad, they need consular legalization and notarized translation into Vietnamese.
  • Health certificate 
  • Criminal record/Certificate of innocence. If issued abroad, it must be consularized and notarized translated into Vietnamese.
  • Official dispatch approvingthe need to employ foreign workers.
  • 02 color photos 4cm x 6cmwith white background.
  • Certified copy of passportor copy of passport certified by the employer that is still valid according to the provisions of law.
  • Copy of Business Licenseof the Enterprise/Organization where the foreign worker is working.

2. Processing time

5 working days from the date the state agency receives all valid documents

FAQ about Vietnam Work Permit

What are documents required for Vietnam Work Permit?

According to Decree No. 11/2016/ND-CP, documents required to apply for Vietnam Work Permit includes:

1. Request for issuance of a work permit from the employer in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs.

2. Health certificate or medical certificate issued by a competent foreign or Vietnamese health care agency or organization valid for 12 months from the date of signing to the application date.

3. Judicial record or written document confirming the foreign worker is not an offender or being prosecuted for criminal liability issued by the foreign country. If the foreign worker resides in Viet Nam, only judicial record issued Viet Nam is required.

The judicial record or written document confirming the foreign worker is not an offender or being prosecuted for criminal liability must be issued within 06 months from the issuance date to the application date.

4. Proof showing he/she as a manager, executive, expert or technician

For some occupations and jobs, proof of professional qualifications and skills of foreign workers shall be replaced by one of the following documents:

a) Certificate of recognition for artisan traditional crafts by the competent authorities of foreign countries;

b) Proof of experience of foreign football players;

c) Aircraft pilot license by the competent authorities of Viet Nam for foreign pilots;

d) Aircraft maintenance license by the competent authorities of Viet Nam for foreign workers working as aircraft maintenance.

5. 02 color photos (size 4cm x 6cm, white background, front, bareheaded, without sunglasses), taken within 06 months prior to the application date.

6. A certified copy of passport or valid papers or international travel documents in accordance with the law.

7. Documents relating to the foreign worker

a) Foreign worker stipulated under Point b, Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Decree must provide an appointment letter of the foreign enterprise assigning the foreign worker to work in the commercial presence of the foreign enterprise within the territory Viet Nam and proof of employment for the enterprise for at least 12 months prior to working in Viet Nam;

b) Foreign worker stipulated under Point c, Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Decree must provide a contract or agreement between Vietnamese and foreign partners, which must include an agreement on the foreign worker working in Viet Nam;

c) Foreign worker stipulated under Point d, Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Decree must provide a service contract between Vietnamese and foreign partners and proof of employment for the foreign enterprise which does not have a commercial presence in Viet Nam for least 02 years;

d) Foreign worker stipulated under Point dd, Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Decree must provide an appointment letter of the service provider assigning the foreign worker to come to Viet Nam to negotiate on service provision;

dd) Foreign worker stipulated under Point e, Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Decree must provide a certificate of the foreign non-governmental organization and international organization permitted to operate in accordance with Viet Nam law;

e) Foreign worker stipulated under Point h, Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Decree must provide a written appointment letter of the service provider assigning the foreign worker in Viet Nam to establish a commercial presence of the service provider;

g) Foreign worker stipulated under Point i, Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Decree engaging in activities of the foreign enterprise, which have established a commercial presence in Viet Nam, must provide proof that the foreign worker has engaged in activities of the foreign enterprise.

What are features and benefits of Vietnam Work Permit?Who are employers of foreign workers?Who are exempted from Vietnam Work Permit?What are conditions for issuance of Vietnam Work Permit?What is “Expert” according to Decree no. 11/2016/ ND-CP?What are “Manager and CEO” according to Decree No. 11/2016/ND-CP?What should you do if your application for Work Permit is refused?

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