Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most attractive markets for regional hiring, business expansion, and specialist talent deployment. But before a foreign employee can legally work in Vietnam, employers need to understand the difference between a work permit, work visa, and temporary residence card.
For most foreign employees, a Vietnam work permit is the core document that allows legal employment. It is usually required before the employee can apply for a work visa or temporary residence card. Vietnam’s government portal states that a foreign employee with a valid work permit is considered legally employed and protected under Vietnamese labour law.
For employers, the main risk is not just visa delay. Incorrect documentation, mismatched job titles, late submissions, or expired permits can affect onboarding timelines and expose the company to compliance penalties.
This guide explains Vietnam work permit requirements, LD1 and LD2 visas, exemption cases, application steps, and the 2026 updates employers should know before hiring or transferring foreign employees into Vietnam.
Vietnam Work Permit vs Work Visa vs Temporary Residence Card
A common mistake is treating a work permit and a work visa as the same document. They serve different purposes.
1. Vietnam Work Permit
This is the employment authorization document. It confirms that a foreign employee is allowed to work legally in Vietnam for a specific employer, role, and period.
2. Vietnam Work Visa
This is the immigration document that allows the foreign employee to enter or stay in Vietnam for work purposes. The main employment visa categories are LD1 and LD2.
3. Temporary Residence Card
This supports longer term residence in Vietnam. A work permit is commonly used as a basis for applying for a working visa or temporary residence card, and work permits are generally issued for up to two years with one renewal allowed.
What Changed Under Decree 219/2025/ND CP?
Employers should update this article to reflect Decree 219/2025/ND CP, which came into effect on August 7, 2025. The decree was designed to streamline administrative procedures and improve transparency in Vietnam’s foreign worker management process.
Key changes include:
- The employer’s explanation for hiring foreign workers is now included in the work permit application dossier, using Form No. 03.
- Competent authorities must decide whether to issue the work permit within 10 working days after receiving a valid dossier. If the permit is not issued, a written explanation must be provided within three working days.
- Provincial People’s Committees now have authority to issue, reissue, extend, and revoke work permits.
- Expert requirements have become more flexible. Experts may qualify with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and at least two years of relevant experience. In priority sectors such as finance, science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, one year of relevant experience may apply.
- Technical workers may qualify with at least one year of training and two years of relevant work experience, or three years of relevant work experience.
- Foreign managers, executives, experts, or technical workers may be exempt from a work permit when entering Vietnam to work for less than 90 days in a calendar year, subject to the applicable conditions.
Who Needs a Work Visas and Permits in Vietnam?
All foreign nationals intending to work in Vietnam for a period exceeding three months are required to have a valid work visas and permits, with the exception of those exempted in special circumstances. These involve both short-term and long-term assignments in which the individual is working with or for a Vietnamese business.
Exemptions may be for groups such as Vietnamese company board members, internship students, or foreign experts who visit for projects of less than three months. Even these must be documented and approved.
In short, if you are hiring or transferring foreign employees to work in Vietnam, it is safest to assume a work permit is required unless proven otherwise, as work authorization also determines an employer’s responsibilities around statutory contribution in Vietnam.
Types of Work Visas and Permits in Vietnam
The Vietnam immigration system offers several options depending on the purpose and length of stay. Choosing the right one is important in order to maintain compliance and avoid loss of time.
| Visa / Permit | Purpose / Use Case | Notes / Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Work Permit | Required for foreigners working in Vietnam for more than 3 months | Valid for up to 2 years and renewable once for another 2 years. After that, companies must apply for a new license if the employee continues working. |
| Work Visa (LĐ1, LĐ2) | For foreigners entering Vietnam for employment: – LĐ1 applies to those with a work permit exemption certificate, – LĐ2 applies to those who require a work permit. | Duration depends on the work permit, up to 2 years. Typically issued for 3 months (short-term) or up to 1 year. A work visa is issued after a work permit is approved, not converted from it. |
| Temporary Residence Card (TRC) | For long-term residence of foreign workers and their dependents. | Valid for 1–3 years, linked to the work permit. |
| Business Visa (DN1, DN2) | For short-term business activities like meetings or negotiations. | Does not authorize direct employment. |
| Exemptions | Applies to certain cases such as internal transfers, board members, or experts working under 30 days per trip and no more than 90 days a year. | Must be registered with authorities at least 10 days before work starts and approved by DoHA. |
Matching the employee’s role, contract duration, and sponsor company with the correct visa or permit ensures smoother processing.
Eligibility and Requirements
Both employer and employee must be eligible under Vietnam’s law to be granted a work permit.
Employer requirements include:
- Being a legally registered business entity in Vietnam
- Demonstration of genuine need for foreign talent for jobs that cannot be filled locally
- Obtaining permission from Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) to recruit foreign staff
Employee requirements include:
- A valid passport with at least six months’ validity
- Relevant professional qualifications or certifications
- At least three years of work experience in a relevant field — experience and degree must match the proposed position
- A job offer or contract aligned with the employer’s approved application
- A medical certificate issued within 12 months before submission
- A criminal record certificate issued within 6 months before submission
- Any additional documents required based on the employee’s nationality or industry
Together, these provide assurance that employers and employees are apt for legal work in Vietnam.
Application Process & Timeline
The process can feel complex, but when broken into stages, it becomes manageable. Each step needs to be followed in sequence to avoid delays.
- Employer applies to DoHA (Department of Home Affairs) for approval to hire foreign workers at least 15 days before the expected employment start date, in line with Decree 70/2023/NĐ-CP (effective January 1, 2024).
- Employer submits the work permit application along with supporting documents after receiving DoLISA’s approval.
- An employee applies for a work visa (LĐ1 or LĐ2) at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, or processes it within Vietnam, depending on their situation.
- Upon arrival, the employee may apply for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) if a long-term stay is required.
- The employee can only begin working after the work permit has been officially issued, unless they fall under a work permit exemption case and have already filed the required notification with the authorities.
On average, the full process takes four to six weeks, though timelines may vary based on industry, nationality, and document review speed. Preparing documents early and ensuring accuracy helps minimize delays.
Hiring or transferring employees into Vietnam?
Work permits, visa sponsorship, payroll, contracts, and local compliance can slow down hiring if each step is handled separately.
Glints TalentHub helps employers hire, onboard, pay, and manage talent in Vietnam through one compliant talent operations solution, so your team can keep the hiring process moving without setting up everything from scratch.
Common Pitfalls and What to Watch
There are common pitfalls which face firms and slow or complicate the process. In most instances, some of the most common of them are incomplete documentation, late submissions, or inconsistencies between the candidate’s qualifications and the job description.
Other common mistakes include misinterpreting the intent behind work visas and permits, which do not allow foreign nationals to work per se, and not renewing permits or TRCs in time. Delays will also be encountered if documents are not translated correctly and notarized as required by Vietnamese officials.
By being cognizant of these concerns, firms can minimize delays and keep their recruitment schedule on course.
2026 Updates Under Decree 219/2025/ND CP.
Vietnam continues to update its immigration framework in response to labor market conditions and foreign investment trends.
Recent developments include:
- More rigorous screening of petitions to ensure that positions genuinely require foreign expertise
- Increased requirements for professional qualifications and proof of work experience
- Greater emphasis on training and transitioning roles to local employees
- Accelerated online filing and tracking systems for petitions in larger cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
These changes reflect Vietnam’s effort to attract high-quality talent while developing its domestic workforce.
Why Partner with Glints TalentHub in Vietnam
Work visas and permits in Vietnam process can prove time-consuming for many HR teams. Having a known expert on your side means easier compliance and more time for growth.
Glints TalentHub as employer of record supports employers from start to finish, from hiring and licenses to onboarding, payroll, and compliance. With local expertise and a strong presence in Southeast Asia, we reduce the risk of rejection or fines and accelerate your ability to hire the right talent. Compliance becomes no longer a hindrance, but instead a gateway to better teams in Vietnam with Glints TalentHub.
👉 See our Vietnam Hiring Guide
Action Checklist for HR and Hiring Teams
Before starting the process, HR teams should:
- Confirm which roles require work permits
- Prepare approval requests to DoLISA early
- Match employee qualifications with role requirements
- Collect and translate all required documents in advance
- Monitor renewal and expiry deadlines for permits and TRCs
- Partner with Glints TalentHub for professional support throughout the process
Having a clear checklist helps HR teams stay on track and gives a smoother onboarding experience for new hires.
Vietnam offers great opportunities for companies with plans for expansion in Southeast Asia. To capitalize on those opportunities, however, compliance with the work visas and permits in Vietnam rules is required. While the procedure seems to be complex, with proper preparation and assistance, it is a much easier task.
By understanding visa categories, qualifying criteria, and application procedures, you can confidently hire the appropriate talent. And with Glints TalentHub on your side, you can expand your business while letting compliance experts take care of it.
FAQ about Work Permit and Visa in Vietnam
Do foreign employees need a work permit in Vietnam?
In most cases, yes. Foreign employees working in Vietnam generally need a valid work permit unless they fall under a specific exemption category. Vietnam’s government portal states that a foreign employee with a work permit is considered legally employed in Vietnam.
What is the difference between an LD1 and LD2 visa in Vietnam?
LD1 is generally for foreign workers who have a work permit exemption certificate. LD2 is generally for foreign workers who require a work permit. The current article already explains this distinction, but the section should be formatted more clearly for readers.
How long is a Vietnam work permit valid?
A Vietnam work permit is generally valid for up to two years and may be extended once for up to two more years. After that, the employer usually needs to apply for a new work permit if the foreign employee continues working in Vietnam.
How long does Vietnam work permit approval take?
Under Decree 219, competent authorities must decide whether to issue the work permit within 10 working days after receiving a valid application dossier.
Can a foreign employee work in Vietnam on a business visa?
A business visa may support short term business activities such as meetings or negotiations, but it should not be treated as full employment authorization. The current article already notes that business visas do not authorize direct employment.
This article is brought to you by Glints TalentHub. Leading companies are actively building their borderless teams in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and beyond. However, the prospect of going borderless can be daunting due to complex regulations and cultural ambiguities. With Glints TalentHub, you’ll have a dedicated team of in-market legal, HR, and talent experts by your side at every step of the way.
Glints TalentHub offers an end-to-end, tech-enabled talent solution that encompasses talent acquisition, EOR, and talent development. We empower businesses to leverage the strengths of regional talent efficiently to build high-performing, cost-efficient teams.
Schedule a no-obligation consultation with our experts to receive a tailored proposal today!
