A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION WORK PERMIT VIETNAM

Saturday, 16/08/25

Work Permits for foreigners in Vietnam are always a key concern for businesses looking to hire skilled international professionals for managerial, expert, or technical positions. To meet this demand, the Vietnamese Government has continuously updated regulations to simplify and clarify the process. Most recently, Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, which takes effect from August 7, 2025, introduces important changes in the procedures for applying, extending, and reissuing Work Permits for foreign employees. So, what are the updated requirements, documents, and steps that employers and foreign workers need to follow under this new Decree? In this article, Visa5s.com will provide you with a comprehensive guide to Work Permit procedures in Vietnam, ensuring full compliance with the latest regulations.

DEFINITION OF FOREIGN MANAGEMENT, EXPERT, TECHNICAL LABOR DUE TO DECREE 219/2025/ND-CP

► Definition of Management

According to Clause 24, Article 4 of the Law on Enterprises, management positions include:

🔹 Owner of a private enterprise
🔹 General partner
🔹 Chairman or member of the Board of Members
🔹 Company President
🔹 Chairman or member of the Board of Directors
🔹 Director or General Director
🔹 Other managerial positions as specified in the company’s charter

✨ A management position can also be the head or deputy head of an agency, organization, or enterprise.

► Definition of Experts: According to Clause 3 Article 3 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, Experts are defined as follows:

🟢 Hold a university degree or higher (or equivalent) and at least 2 years of relevant work experience in Vietnam;
🟢 Hold a university degree or higher in the relevant field + at least 1 year of work experience, applicable to experts working in:
💼 Finance
🔬 Science & Technology
💡 Innovation
🌐 National Digital Transformation
📈 Other priority socio-economic development areas (as determined by ministries, provincial People’s Committees, or under cooperation agreements of the Vietnamese Government)

► Definition of Technical laborers: According to Clause 4 Article 3 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, Technical laborers are defined as follows:

🔸 Completed at least 1 year of training + at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
🔸 Possess at least 3 years of relevant work experience for the intended position in Vietnam.

PROCEDURE ON GETTING WORK PERMIT NEW ISSUANCE FOR FOREIGN LABOR WORKERS FROM 07 AUGUST 2025

According to Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, to apply for a Work Permit (both new issuance and extension), foreign employees and their sponsoring companies only need to go through 2 steps, without having to undergo the 3-step procedure as required under Decree 70/2023/ND-CP previously.

DECREE 70/2023/ND-CP

DECREE 219/2025/ND-CP

Step 1: Applying for Job Posting

🔹 From Jan 1, 2024 onward, job vacancy announcements must be posted on the website of the Employment Department (under DOHA) or the Employment Service Center.
🔹 The Employment Service Center will review/approve the posting within 1–2 working days.
🔹 The posting remains online for 15 days.

Step 1: Job Recruitment Announcement

🔸 Applies for both new issuance and extension of Work Permits.
🔸 Applies to foreigners working under:

▫️ (a) Labor contract

▫️ (i) Participation in projects/contracts in Vietnam

▫️ (m) Labor contract with foreign diplomatic missions or foreign organizations in Vietnam

🔸 Must be completed at least 05 days before submission of the Work Permit application.

Step 2: Applying for a Job position approval letter

🔹 At least 15 days before the expected start date, the Company must submit an application to DOHA to explain the need for hiring foreigners and why local labor cannot meet requirements.
🔹 Within 10 working days, DOHA will review. If approved, they issue a Job Position Approval Letter.

Step 2: Applying for a Work Permit Issuance/Extension

🔸 Application must be submitted within 60 days but no later than 10 days before the foreign employee starts work.
🔸 Within 10 working days, the authority will issue the Work Permit.
🔸 If rejected, a written reply with reasons must be issued within 03 working days from receipt of complete application.

Step 3: Applying for a Work permit issuance

🔹 At least 15 working days before the start date, the Company must apply for a Work Permit with DOHA.
🔹 Within 05 working days, DOHA will issue the Work Permit.
🔹 If not approved, a written explanation is provided.

DOCUMENT CHECKLIST FOR VIETNAM WORK PERMIT ACCORDING TO DECREE 219/2025/ND-CP

Position

Manager position

Expert position

Technical labor position

Specific documents

📌 Company charter and documents showing managerial authority, OR appointment/assignment letter for a managerial position in accordance with Clause 24, Article 4 of the Law on Enterprises.

📌 Establishment license of the agency/organization, OR appointment/assignment letter for the head or deputy head of the agency/organization.

📌 University degree (or higher) / equivalent certificate AND work experience certificate with at least 3 years relevant experience.

📌 University degree (or higher) / equivalent certificate in finance, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, or socio-economic priority fields (or under Government agreements) AND work experience certificate with at least 1 year relevant experience.

📌 Note: If the foreign employee already worked in Vietnam, their existing Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption Certificate can replace documents proving years of work experience

📌 Certificate/diploma showing at least 1 year of training AND work experience certificate with at least 2 years relevant experience, OR

📌 Work experience certificate with at least 3 years relevant experience.

📌 Note: If the foreign employee already worked in Vietnam, their existing Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption Certificate can replace documents proving years of work experience.

General documents

📝 Work Permit application form (Form No. 03 – Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP).
📝 Criminal record (Vietnamese OR foreign, legalized, issued within last 6 months).
📝 Health certificate (issued within last 12 months).
📝 02 photos (4x6cm, white background, taken within last 6 months).
📝 Valid passport.

THINGS TO NOTE WHEN PREPARING THE DOCUMENT FOR WORK PERMIT APPLICATION

📌 All documents issued by foreign authorities (e.g., diplomas, certificates, experience confirmation, appointment letters, health certificates, criminal records, etc.) must be consular legalized and then translated into Vietnamese and certified.

📌 For foreign employees applying under the Internal Transfer category (intra-company transfer), additional documents are required:

✅ An Appointment Letter from the overseas parent company assigning the employee to the Vietnam subsidiary.
✅ An Employment Certificate proving that the employee has worked for the overseas parent company for at least 12 consecutive months immidiately before transferring to Vietnam.

DURATION OF VIETNAM WORK PERMIT

📌 The initial validity of a Vietnam Work Permit is up to 2 years.
📌 It can be extended once for an additional 2 years (applies to all employment types).
📌 After the extension period expires, if the foreign employee continues working in the same job position for the same employer, they must apply for a new Work Permit.
Required documents for a new Work Permit include:

📝 Documents under Clauses 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of Article 18 of Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP.
📝 A copy of the existing Work Permit.
📝 Proof that the foreign employee is a manager or executive director.

📞 Contact Visa5s.com for Professional Support
Applying for a Vietnam Work Permit in accrodance with the newst Decree 219/2025/ND-CP can be overwhelming – from understanding the legal process to preparing a full set of compliant documents. If you need:

Step-by-step guidance on procedures for new issuance, extension, or reissuance
Clarification on eligibility, required documents, and legal updates
Assistance with completing and submitting forms correctly
Support in liaising with authorities to avoid delays
Reliable follow-up until your Work Permit is approved

👉 Reach out to Visa5s.com today – our expert team is ready to provide accurate, fast, and hassle-free Work Permit services in Vietnam.

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A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION WORK PERMIT VIETNAM

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