Vietnam Work Permit FAQ: Eligibility, Cost & Exemptions

Updated Oct 4, 2026

Bringing a foreign hire into Vietnam, or wondering whether you even need a permit? These are the questions employers and expats ask us most under the new Decree 219/2025 — eligibility, exemptions, documents and timelines. We check the case and prepare the file while the authority issues the permit, and we're glad to look at your specific situation.

Does my foreign employee actually need a work permit?

Foreigners working within Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP must establish the permit or exemption route before starting work. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) Work permission and residence are checked separately. LĐ2 covers workers who require a permit; LĐ1 covers workers with an exemption confirmation, subject to treaty exceptions. (51/2019/QH14) We check the role, exemption basis and residence category before filing; the competent authority decides whether to issue.

I'm a foreign owner/investor in my own Vietnam company — do I need a work permit?

An owner or capital-contributing member of an LLC with a contribution of VND 3 billion or more, or the chairman or a board member of a joint-stock company with a contribution at that level, is exempt from a work permit (Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, Art. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) Below VND 3 billion, these roles fall within Article 2(1)(l) of Decree 219; check whether another exemption applies before choosing the procedure. Below VND 3 billion, the decree lists the same owners and board members as work-permit cases (Art. 2(1)(l)), so you apply for a permit. If you are exempt, the formality is light but required: the company notifies the authority at least 3 working days before you start working (Art. 9(4)). Plan each member's contribution with the VND 3 billion line in mind when you set up the company.

My employee is exempt — so there's nothing to do, right?

An exemption removes the permit, not the paperwork, and there are two tracks. Notice only: for the cases in Article 9(4) of Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP — owners and board members with a contribution of VND 3 billion or more, managers, executive directors, experts and technical workers working under 90 days in a calendar year, the person setting up a commercial presence, people entering for under 3 months to sell services or to fix a complex technical incident, licensed foreign lawyers, and foreigners married to a Vietnamese citizen and living in Vietnam, among others — the employer notifies the authority at least 3 working days before work starts. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) Exemption certificate: every other exempt case, such as intra-corporate transferees, needs a written certificate, applied for 60 to 10 days before the start date and issued within 5 working days of a complete file (Art. 9(1)–(3)). Skipping the step exposes both the worker and the employer to penalties.

I'm sending someone to Vietnam for just a few weeks — do they need a work permit?

Only if they fit an exemption. The short-stay exemption in Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP covers managers, executive directors, experts and technical workers whose total working time in Vietnam is under 90 days in a calendar year, 1 January to 31 December (Art. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) 7(13)(a)); for them the employer files a notice at least 3 working days before work starts (Art. 9(4)). There is no general 'under 30 days, no more than 3 times a year' exemption in the decree. Anyone else on a short assignment must fit another case — for example entering for under 3 months to sell services or to fix a complex technical incident (Labour Code 45/2019/QH14, Art. 154(4)–(5)) — or needs a work permit. Tell us the role, length and dates so we place the person in the right track.

I'm married to a Vietnamese citizen — am I exempt from the work permit?

A foreigner married to a Vietnamese citizen and living with them in Vietnam is generally exempt from a work permit under Decree 219/2025. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) For this category the sponsor files a prior notification with the authority — at least 3 working days before you start work — rather than obtaining a confirmation letter, and your marriage documents must be valid. Each situation differs, so let us confirm your case before you start work.

I'm an intra-company transferee from the overseas parent to the Vietnam branch — what applies?

Intra-corporate transferees are exempt only if all conditions are met: a manager, executive director, expert or technical worker sent temporarily by a foreign enterprise to its commercial presence in Vietnam, within the 11 service sectors of Vietnam's WTO services schedule, and employed by that enterprise for at least 12 consecutive months beforehand (Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, Art. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) 7(13)(b)). This case is on the certificate track: the employer applies for a written exemption certificate 60 to 10 days before the start date (Art. 9(1)–(3)), with proof of the person's status and the foreign employer's assignment letter confirming the 12 months (Art. 8). If a condition is missing, you apply for an ordinary work permit instead. We review the file to pick the right route.

How do I know if I'm eligible for a work permit?

Qualifications and experience depend on the role under Decree 219, Article 3. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) Experts generally need a degree or equivalent and at least 2 years of relevant experience; the 1-year route has specific degree-field and priority-sector conditions. Technical workers need at least 1 year of training and 2 years of relevant experience, or at least 3 years of relevant experience. Managers and executive directors have separate criteria. An eligible criminal-record certificate or confirmation from a foreign country or Vietnam issued within 6 months before filing; the linked procedure is an exception (Decree 219, Article 18(4)). A foreign health certificate is usable only with a mutual-recognition treaty or agreement and within 12 months of issue; a domestic certificate must come from an eligible facility, with an exception for connected health data.

What documents do I need to prepare?

A new-permit dossier includes the employer’s combined labor-demand report and application, health certificate, valid passport, an eligible criminal-record certificate or confirmation issued no more than 6 months before filing (unless obtained through the linked procedure), two 4×6 white-background photos and evidence of the work form and position under Articles 18–19 of Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) A foreign health certificate is usable only with a mutual-recognition treaty or agreement and within 12 months of issue; a domestic certificate must come from an eligible facility, with an exception for connected health data. From 11 September 2026, public documents covered by the Convention from countries where it applies with Vietnam use Apostille, subject to applicable exemptions or rules requiring no certification. Documents outside its scope or between countries without a Convention relationship are assessed under consular certification/legalization rules and exemptions. Apostilled public documents in another language require a Vietnamese translation, notarized or certified unless sector-specific law provides otherwise (Decree 293/2026/NĐ-CP, Article 27(1)). (293/2026/NĐ-CP) Work-permit translations and certification are also checked under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, Article 5. The HCCH table records objections to Viet Nam’s accession from Germany, Austria and Czechia; the Convention enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 2027. (HCCH — status table) (HCCH — Viet Nam objections) Documents from these countries still require an exemption or exception check before determining consular procedures.

Where is the work permit lodged now?

The provincial People’s Committee has authority and determines delegation under Article 4 of Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) Check the decision for the work location before naming the issuing office. Filing is through the public administration center or online under Articles 6 and 22; the labor-demand report and application are combined.

How long does a work permit take?

The competent authority considers labor demand and issues the permit within 10 working days of receipt of a complete dossier under Article 22(3) of Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) Document preparation takes additional time. From 11 September 2026, public documents covered by the Convention from countries where it applies with Vietnam use Apostille, subject to applicable exemptions or rules requiring no certification. Documents outside its scope or between countries without a Convention relationship are assessed under consular certification/legalization rules and exemptions. Apostilled public documents in another language require a Vietnamese translation, notarized or certified unless sector-specific law provides otherwise (Decree 293/2026/NĐ-CP, Article 27(1)). (293/2026/NĐ-CP) Work-permit translations and certification are also checked under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, Article 5.

How long is a work permit valid, and can it be renewed?

A work permit is valid for a maximum of 2 years and may be renewed once (also up to 2 years) under Decree 219/2025. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) After that single renewal, you generally have to apply for a brand-new permit. Start the renewal before the current permit expires to avoid a gap in employment and in your residence card — we track the deadline and prepare the file for you.

How does the work permit connect to a temporary residence card (TRC)?

Work permission and residence are checked separately. LĐ2 covers workers who require a permit; LĐ1 covers workers with an exemption confirmation, subject to treaty exceptions. (51/2019/QH14) We check the role, exemption basis and residence category before filing; the competent authority decides whether to issue.

What happens if I change employer?

A work permit is tied to one specific employer and job position, so moving to a new company generally means applying for a new permit sponsored by the new employer — it is not a simple name transfer. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) Your employment-based residence card also has to be updated to match. Tell us before you switch jobs so your legal status isn't interrupted.

What happens if a foreigner works without a work permit?

It's a risk for both sides. Under Decree 12/2022 (Article 32), a worker without a permit (or an exemption confirmation) can be fined VND 15–25 million and be forced to exit or be deported. The employer can be fined VND 30–75 million if an individual, but VND 60–150 million if a company (organizations pay double), scaled by the number of workers involved. For exemptions requiring notice only under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, Article 9(4), complete that notice; otherwise complete the applicable permit or exemption confirmation before starting work. (219/2025/NĐ-CP)

I'm still abroad — can I get the work permit before moving to Vietnam?

A new-permit dossier includes the employer’s combined labor-demand report and application, health certificate, valid passport, an eligible criminal-record certificate or confirmation issued no more than 6 months before filing (unless obtained through the linked procedure), two 4×6 white-background photos and evidence of the work form and position under Articles 18–19 of Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP. (219/2025/NĐ-CP) A foreign health certificate is usable only with a mutual-recognition treaty or agreement and within 12 months of issue; a domestic certificate must come from an eligible facility, with an exception for connected health data. From 11 September 2026, public documents covered by the Convention from countries where it applies with Vietnam use Apostille, subject to applicable exemptions or rules requiring no certification. Documents outside its scope or between countries without a Convention relationship are assessed under consular certification/legalization rules and exemptions. Apostilled public documents in another language require a Vietnamese translation, notarized or certified unless sector-specific law provides otherwise (Decree 293/2026/NĐ-CP, Article 27(1)). (293/2026/NĐ-CP) Work-permit translations and certification are also checked under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, Article 5.