FULL GUIDANCE ON WORKING VISA APPLICATION & WORK PERMIT PROCESS VIETNAM 2025

STEP BY STEP

DESCRIPTION FOR EACH STEP

DOCUMENT VALIDITY AND PERIOD OF STAY

Step 1

Applying for Entry Approval Letter

1 to 3 months

Step 2

Applying for the Work Permit

Up to 2 years

Step 3

Applying for a working Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or Working Visa

Up to 2 years

STEP

DETAILED PROCEDURES & DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

PROCESSING TIME

STEP 1: APPLYING FOR THE ENTRY APPROVAL LETTER

Step 1.1

APPLYING FOR AN ENTRY APPROVAL LETTER

(to stamp the visa for Business, Work, or Investment purposes)

► Handling authority: The Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh or in Ha Noi city

► Required documents:

The required documents need to be provided to both the applicant and Vietnam’s sponsor company:

1. A notary-certified copy of the sponsor company’s business or investment or representative license in Vietnam, tax and stamp registration certificate;
2. Application forms must be signed and sealed by a legal representative of the company;
3. Bio page of the applicant’s passport;
4. Provide the proposed date of arrival and place of picking up the visa;
5. Other related documents

► Submission method: Online and Offline (in case having the request from the Immigration Department)

5-7 working days

Step 1.2

STAMPING VIETNAM’S VISA

(at the overseas Embassies or Consulates of Vietnam, the International Border Gates)

After your entry approval letter is already issued, you will receive a scanned copy of it via your email.

► Handling authority: The foreign must choose the place of stamping visa at one of following authorities, places:

1. At Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in the country where the foreigner is staying;
2. At Vietnam Embassy/Consulate in the country near the country where the foreigner is staying;
3. At the International port in Vietnam (airport, border gate).

► Required documents:

You need to prepare all the following documents to stamp your Vietnam visa:

1. Your original passport must be valid for six months from your intended arrival date, and must have at least one blank visa page;
2. 2 passport-sized photographs (4x6 cm);
3. The copy of the visa approval letter;
4. Complete the entry and exit application form;
5. Visa stamping fee depending on the visa single or multiple entry and visa duration

From 01 day to a week. If choosing getting visa stamp at Vietnam International Airport, it would be done within some hours.

But if choosing getting visa Vietnam Embassy/ Consulate overseas, it can take from 1 day to a week, depending on the working time if Vietnam Embassy/ Consulate in each country

STEP 2: APPLYING FOR A WORK PERMIT

Step 2.1 -

Implement labor recruitment according to Decree 70/2023/ NĐ-CP

► Submission time: At least 15 days in advance from the expected date of the report explaining the need to use foreign workers.

► Handling authority: The Employment Service Center or Department of Employment

► Submission method: Online

15 days

Step 2.2

Report explaining the need and change in demand for using foreign workers

► Submission time: At least 30 days in advance from the expected date of using foreign workers, the employer must be responsible for determining the need and changing the need to use foreign workers for each job position that Vietnamese workers have not been able to meet and send a report explaining the need to use foreign workers to the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

► Handling authority: The Department of Home Affairs.

► Documents required:

1. Forms for Work Permit Application
2. Recruitment post (step 1)
3. Company Business Registration Certificate
4. Vietnam Criminal Record Certificate or Foreign Criminal Record with Consular Legalization
5. Vietnam Health Examination Certificate or Foreign Health Certificate with Consular Legalization
6. Documents to prove for the position:

• FOR MANAGER: Company Charter & Appointment letter
• FOR EXPERT: University Degree with Consular Legalization & Working Experience Certificate with Consular Legalization

1. Newly taken 4x6cm photo, white background, no hat, no glasses, wearing a collared shirt
2. Passport
3. Other documents (if any)

► Submission method: Online and offline

10-15 working days

Step 2.3:

Apply for a Work Permit according to the Job Position Approval Letter in Step 2.2

► Submission time: At least 15 working days in advance from the date the foreign worker is expected to start working for the employer, the person applying for a work permit shall apply to the Department of Home Affairs.

► Handling authority: The Department of Home Affairs

► Submission method: Online and offline

5-7 working days

STEP 3: OBTAINING VIETNAM TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD FOR WORKING or VIETNAM WORKING VISA (LĐ TYPE)

Step 3.1:
Prepare Temporary Residence Card or Visa application documents

Prepare documents as required by the Immigration Office:

• Application form of Temporary residence card (NA6, NA8);
• Applicant’s original passport;
• A valid and suitable Vietnam visa / TRC (result of Step 1);
• Two (2) passport-sized photographs (2cm x3cm);
• A notarized true copy of work permit (result of Step 2);
• Residential registration certificate issued online or confirmed by the local police department;
• A notarized true copy of the company’s business registration.

Step 3.2:
Submit the Temporary Residence Card/Visa application

► Handling authority: The Immigration Office

► Submission procedure:

• Submit the document online on the Public Security Service portal's website: https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn, and then pay the government fee online.
• Submit the original of all documents prepared directly at the Immigration Office in the city/ province where the sponsored company is located.

► Submission method: Online and offline

5-7 working days

Step 3.3:
Get Temporary Residence Card/Visa results

► Validity: The applicant can get the new working Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or visa following the validity of your Work permit. The visa is valid for maximum of a year and TRC is valid for maximum of 2 years.  

► Method of receiving the result: Direct at the Immigration Office