Work permit service in Vietnam

According to the regulations of Vietnamese law, foreigners must obtain a work permit to work in Vietnam. The work permit for foreigners in Vietnam is specifically stipulated in the following legal documents:

  • Decree 70/2023/ND-CP dated September 18, 2023, amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 152/2020/NĐ-CP dated December 30, 2020, of the Government regulating foreign workers working in Vietnam and the recruitment and management of Vietnamese workers working for foreign organizations or individuals in Vietnam.
  • The 2019 Labor Code, effective from January 1, 2021.
  • Decree 152/2020/ND-CP dated December 30, 2020, regulating foreign workers working in Vietnam and the recruitment and management of Vietnamese workers working for foreign organizations or individuals in Vietnam.
  • Circular No. 250/2016/TT-BTC of the Ministry of Finance, guiding fees and charges under the authority of decisions by the People’s Councils of provinces and centrally-run cities.

PENALTIES FOR NOT HAVING A WORK PERMIT

Foreigners working in Vietnam are required to have a work permit in accordance with the law. Working without a permit or an exemption confirmation can result in fines ranging from VND 15,000,000 to VND 25,000,000 or even deportation, as per the 2012 Labor Law.

If employers violate regulations by hiring foreign labor without a permit or an exemption confirmation, or if they employ foreign labor with an expired or invalid work permit, they may face fines of up to VND 75,000,000, depending on the number of workers involved.

To avoid penalties and potential consequences, companies need to complete the procedures for obtaining a work permit before foreign workers commence employment in the company.

After obtaining a work permit, foreigners can apply for a 2-year temporary residence card in Vietnam.

THE INFORMATION ON WORK PERMIT

Work permit is a necessary legal document when foreigners wish to work in Vietnam. Information on the work permit includes the foreign worker’s full name, passport number, date of birth, nationality, passport number, the name and address of the organization where they work, and the position held.

See a sample work permit below

Vietnam Work permit

THE INFORMATION ON WORK PERMIT

Currently, typical and prioritized job positions for work permits in Vietnam include managerial roles, executive directors, specialists, and technical workers. The requirements for obtaining a work permit vary for each job position, ensuring that foreign workers are suitable for their respective roles:

  1. Specialists:

    • A foreign worker needs to meet one of the following conditions: a) Hold a university degree or equivalent qualification, with at least 3 years of relevant work experience in Vietnam. b) Have at least 5 years of experience and be certified in a related professional field for the intended work in Vietnam.

  2. Managers:

    • Individuals responsible for business units under the Enterprise Law or those directly in charge of agencies, organizations, or businesses.

  3. Executive Directors:

    • Individuals falling into one of the following cases: a) Heads of branches, representative offices, or business locations of enterprises. b) Heads directly managing at least one area of an agency, organization, or business and are under the direct leadership and management of the head of the agency, organization, or business.

  4. Technical Workers:

    • Individuals falling into one of the following cases: a) Trained for at least 1 year and have at least 3 years of relevant experience for the intended work in Vietnam. b) Have at least 5 years of experience in a job relevant to the position they plan to undertake in Vietnam.