Work Permit in Vietnam: A Complete Guide for Employers Hiring Foreign Employees

Vietnam continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for foreign investment, driving demand for international talent across multiple industries. For employers, understanding Vietnam’s work permit framework is critical to ensure compliance and facilitate a smooth onboarding process for foreign employees.

This article provides a clear overview of the work permit requirements, procedures, timelines, and practical considerations for hiring foreign talent in Vietnam. 

What is a Work Permit in Vietnam?

A work permit is an official document issued by Vietnamese authorities that allows foreign nationals to work legally for an employer in Vietnam. It is a mandatory requirement for foreign employees and serves as the legal basis for employment and compliance with local labor regulations. 

A foreign employee who has been issued a work permit is recognized as legally employed, with their lawful rights and interests protected within the employment relationship.

A work permit is typically valid for up to two years, depending on the employment arrangement, and may be eligible for renewal in accordance with applicable regulations. 

Who needs a work permit in vietnam

In Vietnam, most foreign employees must obtain a work permit to work legally - particularly for long-term or specialized roles in both foreign-invested (FDI) and local companies.

For employers, work permits are typically required when hiring or assigning:

• Professionals, managers, and technical specialists employed by FDI or local companies in Vietnam
• Foreign employees under labor contracts with Vietnamese entities
• Intra-company transferees assigned from overseas offices to Vietnam
• Experts and technicians with niche skills engaged in long-term projects or on-site assignments

For employers, identifying these roles early is critical to plan timelines, prepare documentation, and ensure compliance when hiring foreign talent.

Key Requirements for a Vietnam Work Permit

For the foreign employees:

1. Be at least 18 years old and have full civil act capacity. 
2. Demonstrate that their health condition meets the requirements of the position. 
3. Have no criminal record, ongoing prosecution, or unserved sentence in Vietnam or abroad 
4. Have relevant technical or occupational qualifications and professional experience. Specifically, expatriates in Vietnam must be able to provide document proving status as follow: 

• For Foreign Experts: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with at least 3 years of relevant experience; or At least 5 years of relevant work experience with a valid professional/practice certificate (consular legalized, if applicable) 
• For Technical Workers: At least 1 year of technical training and 3 years of relevant work experience; or At least 5 years of relevant work experience 
• For Managers and Executives: Official appointment letter/decision; and At least 5 years of relevant management experience

For the employer (sponsoring employer):

• The company must be legally established and operating in Vietnam (including enterprises, branches, representative offices, etc.). In cases where the company does not yet have a legal entity in Vietnam, work permits may be arranged through a licensed HR or global mobility service provider acting as the legal employer. 
• Obtain approval for foreign labor demand from the competent authority 
• Ensure the role requires specialized skills, qualifications, or experience not readily available in the local workforce 
• Prepare and submit a complete work permit application dossier 

Required Documents for a Vietnam Work Permit

A standard work permit application in Vietnam typically includes the following documents: 

1. Work permit application form (Form No. 03 under Decree No. 152/2020/NĐ-CP) 
2. Valid passport  
3. Valid health certificate issued within 12 months prior to submission 
4. Criminal record certificate issued within 6 months prior to submission 
5. Two passport-sized photos (4x6 cm, white background, taken within the last 6 months) 
6. Documents confirming the employment arrangement (e.g. labor contract, internal assignment letter) 
7. Documents evidencing that the foreign worker qualifies as a manager, executive director, expert, or technical worker, as stipulated in Article 19 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP

Foreign-issued documents must be consular legalized and translated in accordance with Vietnamese regulations. 

Work Permit Application Procedure in Vietnam

Under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, the work permit application and the labor demand explanation are submitted simultaneously within a single procedure.  The process can be summarized into three key steps: 

1. Step 1: Prepare the application dossier  A complete application dossier must be prepared in accordance with regulatory requirements, as outlined in the previous section. 

2. Step 2: Submit the application 

Applications can be submitted via the National Public Service Portal or through authorized service providers (acting on behalf of the employer) such as Manpower Vietnam.  Submission must be made within 60 days prior to the expected start date, and no later than 10 days before the foreign employee begins work. 

3. Step 3: Receive the result 

The competent authority will process the application and issue the result within 10 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier. 

• If approved, the work permit is issued 
• If rejected, a written response will be provided clearly stating the reasons 

Common Challenges When Applying for a Work Permit in Vietnam

Managing work permits for foreign employees in Vietnam goes beyond administrative procedures and often presents significant operational and compliance challenges for employers.  In practice, organizations commonly face: 

• Complex and evolving regulatory requirements, with frequent updates across work permits, visas, and residence regulations. 
• Heavy documentation requirements, particularly for foreign-issued documents that must be legalized, translated, and aligned with strict criteria. 
• Multi-step processes across authorities, requiring coordination between labor departments, immigration authorities, and internal stakeholders’
• Time pressure on workforce deployment, where delays in work permit approval directly impact project timelines and business operations. 
• Limited internal resources, especially for companies managing large volumes of expatriates or complex international assignments. 

Even minor inconsistencies in documentation or delays in preparation can lead to rejection or prolonged processing, creating risks for both compliance and operations. 

How Global Mobility Services from Manpower Can Help?

To address these challenges, organizations require a structured and reliable approach to managing mobility and compliance. 

Manpower Vietnam provides end-to-end global mobility services, enabling businesses to deploy foreign talent efficiently while minimizing administrative burden and compliance risks. 

• Work permit and visa processing: Handling documentation, submission, and coordination with authorities to reduce administrative workload and prevent delays 
• Temporary Residence Card (TRC) support: Managing post-approval residence procedures to ensure continuity and compliance 
• Document preparation and compliance advisory: Ensuring accurate, fully compliant documentation, including legalization of foreign-issued documents 
• Payroll and tax  processing Supporting payroll transitions and personal income tax compliance in line with local regulations 
• Relocation and onboarding support: Facilitating housing, healthcare, and settlement to enable faster integration into the local working environment 

With around 700 successful work permit and visa cases each year across industries and business scales, Manpower is confident in delivering reliable and efficient solutions for your unique needs. 

Conclusion

Managing work permit Vietnam procedures is a critical factor in ensuring compliant, timely, and uninterrupted workforce deployment.   

With deep local expertise and a structured mobility approach, Manpower Vietnam enables organizations to manage the work permit application and overall process more efficiently, reducing complexity, minimizing risks, and ensuring consistent workforce delivery at scale.