Obtaining A Vietnam Work Permit

As of 2025, work permits in Vietnam are issued by the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA). The permits are valid for a period of 36 months (3 years). Upon expiration, foreign nationals must reapply for a renewal permit.

Requirements

To apply for a work permit, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must be at least 18 years old and possess adequate health conditions compatible with the demands of the job.
• You should have a high degree of specialized knowledge, qualifications, and technological expertise; as well as experience in management, business, and other professions that domestic labor cannot efficiently fulfill at present.
• If you are seeking to work in specialized roles in the education or health sectors, you need to comply with all specific requirements set by the relevant Vietnamese authorities.
• You must have no criminal record in your country of residence, Vietnam, or any other country; and you should not be subject to any arrest warrants or legal actions by local or international law enforcement agencies.

Exemption

Foreigners in Vietnam are generally required to hold a valid work permit, with the following exceptions:

• Working in Vietnam for less than 3 months.
• Serving on a company's board established under Vietnamese regulations.
• Acting as the head of a representative office or branch of an international company in Vietnam.
• Engaging in work that resolves urgent situations that local labor or current foreign workers in Vietnam cannot address.
• Practicing as lawyers authorized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice.

How to Apply

The application and renewal process for a work permit in Vietnam consists of two main steps:

Step 1: Complete the application form and submit it to the municipal office of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. The application package includes:

• A completed work permit application form.
• A work confirmation or application for job change from your employer.
• A judicial profile issued by the authority of your home country or by the municipal office of Justice in Vietnam (if you have lived in Vietnam for more than 6 months).
• An autobiographical profile with a recent photograph.
• A health certificate issued either in your country of residence or in Vietnam.
• Copies of qualifications, professional certificates, or confirmations of qualifications from authorized institutions.
• Three color photos (3x4 cm) taken within the last year.

Step 2: Visit the submission center to collect your work permit.

Processing Time and Fee

The processing time for work permit applications is typically 15 working days.

The fees for a work permit application in Vietnam vary by type:

• For new applicants: VND 500,000 per permit (approximately USD 22).
• For reissued work permits: VND 400,000 per permit (approximately USD 18).
• For renewal work permits: VND 300,000 per permit (approximately USD 13).