If you’re a foreigner planning to live and work legally in Vietnam, you’ll need a work permit. However, under the newly issued Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP (effective from August 7, 2025), there are 20 cases that which foreign labor workers do not need apply for Work Permit, which is more opportunities for foreigners to be exempted from work permits. However, it does not mean that both employers and the foreign employees do not take any action. It is still necessary to apply for a work permit exemption in certain cases. In this article, Visa5s.com will walk you through the step-by-step process of applying for a work permit exemption, highlight the key changes, and explain what your company needs to prepare.
With the issuance of Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP, effective from August 7, 2025, the process for renewing work permits for foreign employees in Vietnam has undergone significant changes. This regulation replaces key provisions from Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP and Decree 70/2023/NĐ-CP, introducing stricter documentation requirements, clearer eligibility conditions, and more limited circumstances under which a work permit can be renewed. Renewing a Vietnam work permit is no longer a simple administrative task; it now requires full compliance with legal requirements such as continuity of the job position, a valid labor contract, and the timely submission of renewal applications. Failure to meet these conditions may result in application rejection, employment disruption, or the need to start the process over as a new application. In this article, Visa5s.com provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the updated Vietnam work permit renewal process under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.
Foreign workers who want to work legally in Vietnam are required to have a valid work permit, except in cases where exemptions apply under the law. However, if a work permit is lost, damaged, or even has a minor change in information – such as passport number, full name, or workplace location,... it can cause significant difficulties for both the employee and the employer. Recently, the Government issued Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, effective from August 7, 2025, which replaces Decree No. 70/2020/ND-CP and Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP. The new decree clarifies the cases for Reissuing (Replacement) Work Permits, helping businesses and foreign employees handle situations when a permit is lost, damaged, or information has changed. In this article, Visa5s.com will provide a detailed guide on the Work Permit Replacement procedure according to decree 219/2025/ND-CP, helping businesses and foreign employees complete the process quickly, conveniently, and in full compliance with regulations, ensuring that work in Vietnam continues smoothly.
Foreign nationals who plan to work and reside long-term in Vietnam must go through specific legal procedures related to long-term work visas, work permits, and temporary residence cards (TRCs). Understanding these requirements is essential for both employees and employers to stay compliant with Vietnam’s labor and immigration laws. Under the new regulations, health certificates issued abroad must meet the requirement of mutual recognition between countries. However, this recognition is still limited and lacks clear official guidance. Therefore, in most cases, foreign employees are strongly advised to undergo a medical check-up in Vietnam to ensure their documents are accepted for work permit applications. This article provides a step-by-step guide based on the most recent updates under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP (effective from 07 August 2025), helping both employers and expatriates stay informed and prepared throughout the application process.
Under Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP (effective August 7, 2025), foreign employees who wish to continue working in Vietnam must ensure their sponsoring company completes the work permit extension procedures in line with legal requirements. Applications must be submitted to the local Public Administrative Service Center no earlier than 45 days and no later than 10 days before the current permit expires. This means careful planning and strict compliance are essential. Regulations have become more stringent, and employers must prove that they have publicly posted job vacancies for at least 5 days to prioritize Vietnamese candidates, before hiring foreign workers. This obligation is set out in Clause 1, Article 11 of the Labor Code and applies to specific employment forms under Points a, i, and m, Clause 1, Article 2 of the Decree.
By understanding these updated conditions, both employers and foreign employees can avoid legal risks, ensure a smooth extension process, and maintain compliance with Vietnam’s labor laws.
Starting August 7, 2025, the new Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP comes into effect, streamlining the Vietnam work permit application into only two key steps: job posting and permit application. This updated regulation replaces all previous procedures, providing clearer and faster guidelines for businesses that hire foreign employees. For HR teams and employers, the decree brings significant clarity and reduces compliance risks when recruiting expatriates. For foreign professionals, obtaining a valid Vietnam Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption Certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs remains the only legal foundation to live and work in Vietnam with full compliance.
With these simplified steps, both employers and foreign workers can expect a more transpaddrent, predictable, and efficient process when applying for a Vietnam work permit in 2025 and beyond.
On August 7, 2025, the Government officially issued Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP regulating foreign workers in Vietnam, replacing previous regulations with major improvements. The new decree simplifies administrative procedures, integrates the work permit issuance process, shortens processing time, expands the scope of work permit exemptions, and strengthens decentralization of authority to local agencies. This marks an important step toward creating a more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly labor environment in Vietnam. In this article, Visa5s.com will provide an in-depth overview of: Cases and subjects eligible for work permit exemptions; Updated conditions and documentation for work permit exemptions applications; Practical guidance to ensure compliance with the latest regulations. Stay tuned as we break down all the key updates you need to know in 2025!
Under Vietnam labor law, any foreigner must obtain a Work Permit to work legally in Vietnam. There are various types of Work Permit including Work Permit for teachers, workers, legal representatives, directors,… In this article, we will provide the A to Z procedure to help foreign teachers (teaching English, French, Japanese, Chinese,…) apply for and obtain their Work Permit in Vietnam. While other kinds of Work Permit just require University degree as a proof for education background, a professional certificate in teaching is also a must for teaching cases. The government of Vietnam will deport any foreigner who is working in Vietnam without a work permit, or on an expired one. As for employers, an administrative penalty ranging from VND5 million to VND10 million will apply if they fail to, or insufficiently report, any employment of foreigners to the authorized agencies.
