Work Permit

Consulting Service for Work Permit Application for Foreigners in Vietnam

Friday, 26 June 2026

What is a Work Permit?

A Work Permit is a legal document issued by a competent state authority of Vietnam, granting a foreign national the right to work legally within the territory of Vietnam.
It is a mandatory requirement for the majority of foreign employees and serves as a key instrument to ensure compliance with Vietnamese labor laws.

The work permit contains essential information about the foreign worker, including full name, nationality, passport number, job position, and the period of validity.

Possessing a valid work permit provides significant legal and practical benefits and is a prerequisite for lawful employment.

·         For foreign workers, the work permit is not only proof of legal employment but also the basis for protecting their legitimate rights, including salary, insurance, and other employment benefits.

·         For organizations and enterprises, compliance with work permit regulations helps them avoid serious legal risks, such as administrative penalties or the deportation of foreign employees.

General Conditions for Foreign Workers to Obtain a Work Permit

A foreign individual may be granted a work permit if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

·         Aged 18 years or older and possessing full civil capacity;

·         Having professional qualifications, skills, and work experience, and being in good health as required by the Ministry of Health;

·         Not currently serving a criminal sentence, not having an unexpunged criminal record, and not under criminal investigation under the law of Vietnam or of their home country;

·         The application must be submitted to the competent authority for issuance of a work permit or certification of exemption from the requirement.
In certain cases, the employing organization may not be required to apply for a work permit or exemption certificate, but only needs to submit a written notification to the competent authority.

Categories of Foreign Workers Eligible for Work Permits under Vietnamese Law

1. Permitted Occupations and Professional Roles

According to Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 7, 2025, foreign nationals working in Vietnam may be employed in the following types of jobs or positions:

·         Performing work under a labor contract;

·         Internal transfer within the same enterprise;

·         Executing contracts or agreements in fields such as economics, commerce, finance, banking, insurance, science and technology, culture, sports, education, vocational education, or healthcare;

·         Service providers under contract;

·         Service sellers negotiating service provision in Vietnam;

·         Working for a foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) or international organization lawfully operating in Vietnam;

·         Volunteers;

·         Persons responsible for establishing a commercial presence in Vietnam;

·         Managers, executive directors, experts, and technical workers;

·         Participants in implementation of tenders or projects in Vietnam.

2. Common and Priority Job Positions Eligible for Work Permits

Currently, the most common and prioritized positions for foreign workers in Vietnam include:

·         Manager,

·         Executive Director,

·         Expert, and

·         Technical Worker.

These are roles in which Vietnamese labor resources may not yet fully meet the technical or managerial requirements, hence the need to employ foreign professionals in such capacities.