COMPLETE GUIDE WORK PERMIT APPLICATION & REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGNER OUTSIDE VIETNAM 2025

Tuesday, 04/02/25

According to data released by the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment on January 6, 2025, projects from 130 countries and territories remain active in Vietnam. Among them, the top five largest investors at the end of 2024 hail from Asia: Singapore, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Japan. These figures highlight Vietnam as an attractive destination for workers from around the world, especially in industries such as manufacturing and processing, real estate, electricity production and distribution, wholesale and retail trade, construction, transportation and logistics, and information and communication.

Furthermore, relaxed visa policies and new regulations under Decree 70/2023 have provided significant advantages for foreigners planning to work in Vietnam. These include:

No restrictions on the ratio of foreign employees compared to Vietnamese employees within organizations and enterprises.
No requirement for foreign workers to have professional qualifications matching the job description they will undertake in Vietnam.
Previously issued work permits can be used as a substitute for a document certifying work experience in the same position.

These changes have paved the way for easier and more accessible employment opportunities for foreigners in Vietnam.

Let’s update and streamline the entire process and requirements for obtaining work permits for foreigners, particularly those residing abroad, as of early 2025 with Visa5s.com

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO WORK PERMIT APPLICATION WHILE FOREIGNERS OVERSEAS

♦ What are the required conditions for foreigners to apply for a work permit in Vietnam?

Must have a university degree and at least 3 years of relevant experience for WP under "Expert" roles
Must have Company Charter & Appointment letter for WP under "Manager" roles
Must be in good health
Must have a clean criminal record, without any history of convictions or legal issues.
Must not fall under any category prohibited from working in Vietnam according to the law

♦ What are the required documents to apply for a work permit for a foreigner who is currently abroad and sponsor company?

Documents Handle By the Foreign Applicant:

No	Document	How to prepare
1	Certificate of Bachelor Degree/ Master Degree (Role: Expert)	Legalization at Vietnamese Embassy in abroad
2	Working experience certificate (Role: Expert)	Legalization at Vietnamese Embassy in abroad
3	Company Charter (Role: Manager)	Legalization at Vietnamese Embassy in abroad
4	Manager Appointment letter (Role: Manager)	Legalization at Vietnamese Embassy in abroad
5	Appointment letter from the head company (If apply for WP type “internal transfer”)	Legalization at Vietnamese Embassy in abroad
6	Health check certificate	If taking in Vietnam: Required the Original Health Check result from an authorized institution in Vietnam. If taking overseas: Required the Original Legalized Health Check
7	Certificate of Criminal record	If you do in abroad -> Get the legalization stamp at Vietnamese Embassy in abroad If you do in Vietnam -> No need legalization
8	4.0cm x 6.0cm	White background, Look straight, showing both ears, no hat, no glasses, wearing a shirt with collar

On the other hand, the below table is list of documents that need to be prepare from the Sponsoring Company:

No	Document	How to prepare
1	Form No. 11	Signed and sealed
2	Authorization Letter	Signed and sealed
3	Passport	Signed and sealed all pages, stamp on the edge
4	Job Position Approval Letter	Notarized copy

♦ What is the process for applying for a work permit in Vietnam for a foreigner who is currently abroad?

Currently, the work permit application process involves 3 key steps, with the following estimated timeframes:

Step 1: Job posting due to Decree 70/2023/ND-CP: 2–3 weeks
Step 2: Obtaining Approval letter for the job position: 3–4 weeks
Step 3: Obtaining Work permit: 1-2 weeks

COMMON CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS IN WORK PERMIT APPLICATIONS

♦ How do I complete the procedures for legalizing documents?

Answer: Regarding legalized document number 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 it means you need to go to Vietnamese embassy/ consulate in your country to legalize it. Normally, it will be follow these step:

Certified by Notary Public
Get the stamp of Ministry of Foreign Affair
Legalized by Vietnamese embassy/ consulate in your country

♦ How can I check the validity period of the documents required for a work permit to see if they are expired or need renewal?

Answer:

For the health check certificate, it is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
For the criminal record certificate, it is valid for 6 months from the date of issuance.
For other documents such as university degrees, experience verification, and appointment letters that have been consular legalized, they can be used in Vietnam indefinitely according to current regulations.

♦ How can I securely send documents to Vietnam without worrying about them getting lost?

Answer: To securely send documents to Vietnam, we recommend using DHL for international shipments. DHL is a reliable courier service offering tracking, insurance, and delivery confirmation, ensuring your documents are safely transported. Delivery times and costs may vary depending on your location, so we suggest visiting the DHL website or contacting their hotline for more detailed information tailored to your specific needs.

♦ How can I ensure that my documents meet the requirements to avoid delays in the processing time?

Answer: To ensure your documents meet the requirements and avoid delays, follow these steps:

Check official guidelines for the latest work permit requirements.
Ensure document validity (e.g., health checks, criminal records) within the specified timeframes.
Legalize or consularize foreign documents if required.
Translate documents accurately into Vietnamese if necessary.
Double-check the checklist to ensure all required documents are included.
Coordinate with your employer to ensure they provide necessary support.

♦ What is the employer's role in the work permit application process?

Answer:
The employer plays a key role in the work permit application process by ensuring that all necessary documents are collected, verified, and prepared in accordance with the requirements, including:

Translating or legalizing foreign documents.
Certifying copies of related documents.
Signing required work permit application forms.

After preparing all the required documents, the employer is responsible for submitting the application both online and offline to the relevant authorities.

In conclusion, obtaining a work permit legally offers significant benefits, including ensuring compliance with Vietnam’s labor laws, avoiding penalties, and providing a clear path for long-term employment in the country. For foreign workers currently abroad, working with your employer to complete the application process efficiently can save valuable time and reduce the risk of delays. We encourage both applicants and employers to start the process early around 2-3 months before the planned working date to ensure everything is in order.

For further information, Vietnam work permits can be done even if the foreign worker is overseas for already be in Vietnam. You can see more on some essential guide for work permit preparation while the expat is already in Vietnam, please click here!

For further support and expert guidance, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We are here to assist you every step of the way.

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COMPLETE GUIDE WORK PERMIT APPLICATION & REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGNER OUTSIDE VIETNAM 2025

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