Regulations On Work Permits For Foreign Workers

Before a foreign national starts work in Vietnam, the employer should identify the relevant work permit or exemption route and coordinate it with the proposed role and immigration status. A visa and permission to work serve different purposes.

Start with the actual working arrangement

Record the employing or receiving entity, job title, duties, work location and intended period of work. Assess the proposed arrangement rather than assume that every foreign visitor performing business-related activity uses the same route.

Foreign-worker rules include Decree 219/2025/ND-CP and any applicable amendments or transition. Confirm the framework and forms that govern the application when it is submitted.

Review eligibility and supporting evidence

Common preparation concerns identity, health, professional qualifications, work experience and other evidence relevant to the position. Check consistency between the proposed duties and the documents used to support eligibility.

If an exemption may apply, assess the conditions and any required confirmation or notification. An exemption from a work permit should not be assumed to remove every filing or immigration obligation. Foreign-issued documents may also need translation or other formalities.

Coordinate submission and ongoing compliance

Confirm the competent authority, current dossier and appropriate filing sequence before fixing the start date. Allow time to resolve missing or inconsistent records. Do not treat an older processing estimate as a promise that work can begin on a particular day.

Once a permit or exemption position is established, monitor its scope and expiry alongside the employment and immigration records. Changes to the job, employer or working arrangement should be reviewed before implementation. A lawyer can help organise this review and identify the documents needed for a compliant application.