LATEST UPDATES ON VIETNAM WORKING & LABOUR VISA 2024 - CHECKLIST AND PROCEDURES

Friday, 14/06/24

Vietnam has become an increasingly attractive destination for foreign workers and investors, thanks to its dynamic economy and welcoming business environment. As we step into 2024, it's essential to stay updated on the latest regulations and procedures regarding working and labour visas in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government has implemented several changes aimed at streamlining the visa process and ensuring compliance with international standards. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist and detailed procedures for obtaining a working or labour visa in Vietnam in 2024.

OVERVIEW OF WORKING & LABOUR VISAS IN VIETNAM

The Vietnamese government offers several categories of Visa for working in Vietnam tailored to different employment situations and professional needs. In this section, we will explore these visa types and outline the conditions that applicants must meet to qualify for them. Understanding these distinctions will help you determine the most appropriate visa for your employment circumstances and ensure a smooth Vietnam work visa process.

Types of Labour Visas	LD1	LD2
Definition	Specifically designed for foreigners who come to work in Vietnam under a contract with a Vietnamese company.
Eligibility Criteria	Issued to Vietnam foreign worker under a work permit exemption, unless an international treaty to which Vietnam is a member has other provisions.	This visa requires a valid Viet Nam work permit issued by the Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (DOLISA).
Validity of work visa	Maximum validity period: 1 year (12 months) Maximum period of stay: 1 year (12 months) Number of entries: single or multiple Work visa can be extended.

LATEST UPDATES FOR VIETNAM WORKING & LABOUR VISAS 2024

Vietnam has recently implemented several changes to its labor visa policies. These changes aim to streamline the process, making it more convenient for applicants, employers, and relevant authorities. Here are some of the key updates:

Online Submission: The sponsor company can now submit the labor visa applications online for Chinese nationality expert.

Submitting online offers several conveniences, such as:
- Tracking the submission and result dates on the system.
- Paying visa application fees online and receiving an email confirmation of payment from the system.
- Receiving results via postal if it’s inconvenient to collect them in person.

However, there are still some limitations:
- A digital signature token is required to log in to the company account on the Ministry of Police's public service system.
- An additional step is needed to scan documents for uploading, and files must be under 5MB each.
- Paper documents still need to be submitted directly to the Immigration Management Office.
- If receiving results by postal mail, there is an additional shipping fee.
- Paper submissions directly to the Immigration Management Office require a 3x4 cm photo, but the system requires a 4x6 cm photo to be uploaded.
- The system can be slow and unstable, often requiring 3 or 4 attempts to complete the submission.

Processing Time: The processing time for labor visas has been significantly improved. Previously, applicants from certain countries, such as Bangladesh, experienced longer processing times compared to other nationalities. The new policy ensures that all applications, regardless of the applicant's nationality, are processed within the same timeframe, leading to faster approvals and fewer delays. This means that no specific nationality will face longer waiting periods for labor visa approvals

CHECKLIST OF INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR A LABOUR VISA APPLICATION IN VIETNAM

Understanding the requirements and necessary documentation for securing a labor visa is crucial for a smooth transition and legal compliance.

First of all, you need to assess the current entry status and documents of foreigners in Vietnam according to the criteria below:

For the applicant:

Must have a valid passport
Must have a work permit or a work permit exemption according to labor law regulations
Must enter Viet Nam with the correct type of visa (DN, LD)
Must register temporary residence at an accommodation facility in Vietnam

For the sponsoring company:

Must have an active business registration license
Must have an account for online application submission (if applying for a working visa for Chinese nationals)
Must have a company employee directly submit and collect the results for the foreigner

Below is the detailed guidance on the documents required for a labor/working visa for foreigners in Vietnam

No	List of Documents Required from 2024	Detailed Preparation Guide
For Individuals
1	Passport	Original
2	Current Vietnam Visa	Original
3	Work permit or Work permit exemption certificate	Notarized copy
4	Viet Nam entry approval letter	Photocopy
5	Photo 3x4cm (For Chinese nationals only)	Look straight, showing both ears, no hat, and no glasses
6	Confirmation of temporary residence registration online	Photocopy
For Companies
7	Visa application form (NA5) for residence extension	Signed by applicant Signature and seal by company
8	Document introducing seal and signature (NA16)	Original Signature and seal by company
9	Introduction Letter	Original Signature and seal by company
10	The business registration certificate	Notarized copy

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR VIETNAM WORKING & LABOUR VISA IN 2024

How to get a work visa in Vietnam? That is the most frequently asked question when going through this procedure. Below, we would like to categorize specific common cases that foreigners often encounter during the process of applying for a work visa.

► APPLYING FOR A WORK VISA FOR FOREIGNERS RESIDING ABROAD

THE PROCESS STEPS

IMPLEMENTATION CONTENT

Step 1:

Getting the work entry permit from Viet Nam

The sponsoring company in Vietnam will need to register an online account on the public service portal of the Ministry of Public Security. After that, they will proceed to submit the online application for the labor entry permit document.
You can click here for more details about the procedure
Processing time: 5-7 working days
The company need to submit the original documents directly to the Immigration Department

Step 2:

Getting work visa on the passport

After obtaining the entry permit result on the system, the foreigner need to print it out and obtaining the visa through the three methods we mentioned below:

Visa stamped at the airport
Visa stamped at the embassy or consulate of vietnam abroad
Visa stamped at land border checkpoints

► APPLYING FOR A WORK VISA FOR FOREIGNERS RESIDING IN VIETNAM

THE PROCESS STEPS	IMPLEMENTATION CONTENT
Step 1: Submit the work visa application	We have 2 different ways to submit the work visa: For Chinese citizen Submitting your application online on the public service portal of the Ministry of Public Security Step 1: Log in to Public Service, select the 'Submit Online Application' category. Step 2: Find the procedure Visa Issuance, then submit the application following the provided instructions. Step 3: Fill in all required information on the system and attach the necessary documents as instructed. For other citizen Submitting your application directly at one of the three offices of the Immigration Department: Immigration Office in Hanoi: 44 P.Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Phuong Lien Ward, Dong Da, Hanoi. Immigration Office in Ho Chi Minh City: 196 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City Any the Immigration Office of the province/city police where the foreigner is registered for temporary residence
Step 2: Process the work visa application	Processing time: 5-7 working days For online procedure: the processing department will receive the application. If the application is complete and accurate, the department will provide a payment link for the fee. Once you have completed the fee payment, bring the original documents for direct submission and receive a receipt with the scheduled result return date. For offline procedure: If the dossier is complete and valid, the Immigration Department will receive the dossier, give a receipt, and set a date to return the results.
Step 3: Getting the work visa.	The company can collect the result directly at the above address. Only for online applications, the company can receive the result via courier. However, processing time for this method will be longer than normal.

In summary, the latest updates on Vietnam working and labor visas in 2024 include detailed checklists and procedures for applicants. Whether applying from within Vietnam or abroad, the process involves submitting the necessary documents either directly or online through the Ministry of Public Security's portal. Once the application is submitted, applicants need to follow up on the process and may receive instructions for fee payment. After payment, they can submit original documents and await the result. Companies can either collect the result directly or choose courier delivery for online applications, although this may extend processing time.

Staying informed about these procedures ensures a smooth experience when applying for working and labor visas in Vietnam.

RELATED ARTICLES TO VIETNAM'S WORK PERMIT, VISAS AND TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD

OUR INSTRUCTION

LATEST UPDATES ON VIETNAM WORKING & LABOUR VISA 2024 - CHECKLIST AND PROCEDURES

How can we help?

FAQs