Obtaining work permits is vital for businesses in Vietnam that wish to hire and compensate international staff. It is important for both employers and foreign professionals to grasp these prerequisites to stay aligned with Vietnam’s employment regulations.

A work permit not only validates a foreigner’s legal working status but also grants access to a range of social security benefits and safeguards. Although sometimes intricate, the process is intended to strike a balance between attracting foreign talent to boost the economy and preserving employment opportunities for local citizens. This concise guide outlines the steps involved in applying for a work permit.

The requirements for foreign workers working in Vietnam

According to the 2019 Labor Code, Article 151.1, the conditions for foreigners to work in Vietnam are as follows:

• Be at least 18 years old and have full legal capacity.
• Possess the necessary technical expertise, professional qualifications, or relevant work experience, along with the required health standards as outlined by the Ministry of Health.
• Must not be serving a sentence, have unresolved criminal records, or be under criminal prosecution under either Vietnamese or foreign law.
• Hold a valid work permit issued by the relevant authorities in Vietnam, except for cases outlined in Article 154 of the Code.

Foreign employees working in Vietnam must satisfy these conditions, comply with the Labor Code, and are afforded protection under Vietnamese law unless international treaties to which Vietnam is a party state otherwise.

See more: registering a foreign company in Vietnam

Vietnam Work Permit Validity and Extension

According to Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP, a work permit in Vietnam is valid for up to 2 years and can be extended once for an additional 2 years by following the prescribed extension procedure. Once the extended work permit expires, the employer must follow the same process to apply for a new work permit if they wish to continue employing the foreign worker.

How NVCS can help

Applying for work permits in Vietnam can be challenging without sufficient local knowledge or experience, as the process involves multiple steps and documents, which may be affected by changes in legal regulations. NVCS’s experts, based in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, can assist you with our Vietnam work permit services by:

• Keeping you informed of the latest regulations regarding Vietnam work permits;
• Reducing the amount of documentation required for your application;
• Guiding you on how to prepare and where to obtain the necessary documents;
• Verifying the legality and coherence of your documents;
• Handling all procedures with the Vietnam Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs on your behalf;
• Providing updates on your work permit status;

Contact us now!

• Lawyer: Mr. Tony
• Phone: +84 919 195 939
• Email: tuulawyer@nvcs.vn
• Website: nvcs.vn