Foreign Nationals Wanting to Work in Vietnam: Requirements and Procedures

Eligibility Requirements

To legally work in Vietnam, foreign nationals must satisfy the following per Article 151 of the 2019 Labor Code:

• Hold foreign citizenship, be at least 18 years old, and possess full civil act capacity.

• Meet health standards defined by the Ministry of Health.

• Demonstrate appropriate professional qualifications, technical skills, experience, or vocational training.

• Must not be serving a sentence, under criminal prosecution, or have a criminal record not expunged, under Vietnamese or foreign law.

• Possess a work permit issued by competent Vietnamese authorities, unless eligible for exemption.

Permissible Work Arrangements

According to Decree 152/2020, foreign nationals may work under various forms:

• Contracted employment with a Vietnamese enterprise.

• Intra-corporate transfer.

• Through service, economic, commercial, educational, or technical agreements.

• As service providers or bidders on projects.

• As NGO or international organization staff.

• As expatriate managers, directors, specialists, or technical workers.

• As members of foreign diplomatic households or similar categories.

Work Permit Process (Decree 219/2025 – Effective August 2025)

Key updates under the new regulation:

• Integrated requirements: Employers no longer need separate prior approval for foreign labor needs. This is now integrated into the work permit application form (Form No. 03).

• Required documents now include:

  • Employer’s explanation of foreign labor usage.

  • Health certificate from qualified facility.

  • Valid passport.

  • Criminal record check (issued within 6 months).

  • Standard photos (4×6 cm, white background).

  • Documentation confirming managerial, executive, expert, or technical role.

• Quick turnaround: Work permit must be issued within 10 working days of receiving a complete application; refusal must be formally documented within 3 days.

Summary Overview

Foreign nationals must satisfy legal, health, and professional benchmarks. Employers must follow streamlined procedures under Decree 219/2025 for timely approval. This regulatory clarity supports Vietnam's strategy to attract talented foreign workers.