Vietnam work permit
is a mandatory legal document issued by the competent Vietnamese authorities, allowing foreign nationals to work legally in the country. For any international business operating in Vietnam, or for any skilled foreign worker seeking employment, navigating the complexities of the work permit application process is crucial for compliance and legal security. Vietnam work permit is closely connected with the overall process of company incorporation in Vietnam and foreign business setup compliance.
TICA TrustLegal, with its deep expertise in Vietnamese corporate and investment law, provides comprehensive support toensure your business and employees meet all legal requirements for obtaining this vital document. This guide outlines the requirements, procedures and exemptions for the Vietnam work permit under the latest regulations.
1. What is a Vietnam work permit?
A Work Permit is an official certificate issued by the Ministry of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) or the Provincial Department of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA). It serves as legal proof that a foreign employee is authorized to work in Vietnam.
Holding a valid Work Permit allows the foreign employee to legally reside and work, protects their legitimate rights in labor relations, and is a prerequisite for obtaining a Work Visa or Temporary Resident Card (TRC).The Work Permit duration is granted based on the term of the labor contract, assignment, or agreement, but is limited to a maximum of 2 years and can only be renewed once for a further 2-year term.
What is a Vietnam work permit?
2. Conditions for foreign workers and work permit requirements
According to the Vietnamese Labor Code 2019 and Decree 152/2020/ND-CP (and its potential updates, e.g., Decreen219/2025/ND-CP), a foreign national must meet several general and specific conditions to qualify for a Vietnam work permit:
2.1 General conditions for the Employee
- Be at least 18 years of age and possess full civil act capacity.
- Have professional qualifications, technical expertise, skills, and adequate work experience.
- Have health suitable for the job requirements (certified by a competent health facility).
- Not be serving a criminal sentence or subject to criminal prosecution under Vietnamese or foreign law.
2.2 Eligible job assignments (Proving status)
Foreign employees must be categorized as one of the following to be eligible for a Vietnam work permit:
| Job assignment | Qualification requirement highlights |
| Manager | Decision of appointment and evidence of participation in the management/executive control of the company. |
| Chief Executive Officer (Executive Director) | Decision of appointment and evidence of direct management/supervision of key company divisions/departments. |
| Expert | Bachelor’s degree or higher (or equivalent) + at least 3 years of experience relevant to the expected job position in Vietnam; OR At least 5 years of experience + practice certificate relevant to the job. |
| Technical Worker | Trained in a technical field or another major for at least 1 year + at least 3 years of working experience in the trained field; OR At least 5 years of experience related to the job. |
The documentation proving these statuses often requires Consular Legalization and notarized translation into Vietnamese.
3. Work permit exemption cases
Not every foreigner working in Vietnam requires a Work Permit. Key exemption cases include:
- Owners or members of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or shareholders of a Joint Stock Company with a capital
contribution of VND 3 billion or more. - Foreign experts, managers, executives, and technical workers entering Vietnam to work for a total period of less
than 90 days in one calendar year. - Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens and residing in Vietnam.
- Foreign lawyers licensed to practice law in Vietnam.
- Service providers who have worked for an overseas company with no commercial presence in Vietnam for at least 2
years and enter Vietnam to provide services under a contract for a period of less than 90 days.
4. How to get a Vietnam work permit (5-Step Process Updated 2026)
The process of obtaining a Vietnam work permit is handled by the sponsoring employer and must follow a strict legal procedure under Vietnamese labor regulations. Below is a step-by-step guide based on the latest updates for 2026.
Step 1: Obtain approval for hiring foreign workers
Before submitting a work permit application, the employer must obtain approval from the Department of Labor (DoLISA or MOLISA).
- The employer must submit a report explaining the demand for foreign workers at least 30 days before the expected employment date.
- In most cases, the employer is required to post job vacancies on recruitment platforms for at least 5 days to demonstrate that no suitable Vietnamese candidates are available.
The result of this step is an official approval letter for the use of foreign labor.
Step 2: Prepare and legalize required documents
The foreign employee must prepare a complete set of documents, including:
- Valid passport
- Health check certificate issued within the last 12 months
- Criminal record certificate issued within the last 6 months
- Degrees and professional qualifications
- Proof of relevant work experience
All documents issued outside Vietnam must be consular legalized, translated into Vietnamese, and notarized in accordance with legal requirements.
Step 3: Submit the Vietnam work permit application
The employer submits the work permit application dossier to DoLISA or MOLISA.
- The application must be submitted at least 15 days before the intended working date.
- The standard processing time is approximately 5 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid
application.
Step 4: Receive work permit and sign labor contract
Once the work permit is issued:
- The employer and the foreign employee must sign a formal labor contract in accordance with Vietnamese labor law.
- A copy of the signed labor contract must be submitted to the issuing authority.
Step 5: Apply for Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or visa
After obtaining a valid work permit, the foreign employee can proceed with procedures for long-term stay in Vietnam, including:
- Applying for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
- Converting or extending visa based on employment purpose
In practice, most delays in obtaining a Vietnam work permit are not caused by processing time at the authorities, but by incomplete or improperly legalized documents. Preparing documents early and ensuring compliance with legalization requirements can significantly shorten the overall timeline.
5. Vietnam work permit cost and timeline (2026 update)
The total cost of obtaining a Vietnam work permit includes government fees and related administrative expenses. The overall processing time depends largely on document preparation. Estimated total cost: approximately USD 500 – 1,500 perwork permit. Estimated cost breakdown:
| Category | Estimated Cost |
| Government issuance fee | VND 400,000 – 600,000 (varies by province) |
| Health check | VND 1,000,000 – 2,500,000 |
| Criminal record | Around VND 200,000 (Vietnam); higher if issued abroad |
| Legalization and translation | VND 200,000 – 500,000 per document |
| Professional service fee | USD 300 – 1,000+ (optional) |
Processing timeline:
- Approval of foreign labor demand: 10 to 15 working days
- Work permit processing: approximately 5 working days
- Document preparation and legalization: 1 to 3 weeks
Estimated total processing time: 3 to 6 weeks in practice.
6. Secure your compliance with TICA TrustLegal
Getting a Vietnam work permit is an administrative and legal challenge that demands both specific expertise and attention to detail. Any discrepancy
in the required documents, especially those needing consular legalization and translation, can lead to significant delays or outright rejection.
TICA TrustLegal specializes in comprehensive corporate and investment compliance. While our core authority is in legal services like the Business License Change Service (ERC/IRC), our dedicated legal team leverages this deep regulatory understanding to provide seamless support for labor compliance.
Secure your compliance with TICA TrustLegal
We offer specialized legal support for work permit applications by:
- Expert review: Assessing the foreign worker’s profile to determine the best legal status (Manager, Expert, Technician) and likelihood of approval.
- Full-service documentation: Preparing, reviewing, and ensuring the accuracy and proper legalization/translation of all required documents.
- Time & Cost efficiency: Minimizing delays and handling all submissions to the competent government authorities on your behalf.
Don’t risk costly fines or business interruptions due to non-compliance. Contact TICA TrustLegal today for expert legal guidance to secure your Vietnam work permit and ensure your business operations remain fully compliant with Vietnamese law.
ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE WITH BUSINESS LEGAL PROCEDURES?
- WORKING OFFICE: 110/20/14 No. 30, Ward 6, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Hotline / Zalo / WhatsApp: +84 354 658 272
- Email: tica.trustlegal@gmail.com
