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Vietnam has become one of the fastest-growing business and talent centers in Southeast Asia. Thanks to its low labor costs and improving economy, more and more companies are looking to set up shop or transfer employees there. But before you can hire foreign professionals, you’ll have to navigate work visas and permits in Vietnam’s regulations. Without the right paperwork, employees can’t work legally, and your firm can be fined or closed down.
This article walks you through who needs a work permit in Vietnam, what types of visas there are, eligibility criteria, the application process, pitfalls, recent updates, and how Glints TalentHub can help you along the way.
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 brief, if you are hiring or transferring foreign employees for work in Vietnam, assume that they need a work permit unless you can prove otherwise.
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.
Both employer and employee must be eligible under Vietnam’s law to be granted a work permit.
Employer requirements include:
Employee requirements include:
Together, these provide assurance that employers and employees are apt for legal work in Vietnam.
The process can feel complex, but when broken into stages, it becomes manageable. Each step needs to be followed in sequence to avoid delays.
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.
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.
Vietnam continues to update its immigration framework in response to labor market conditions and foreign investment trends.
Recent developments include:
These changes reflect Vietnam’s effort to attract high-quality talent while developing its domestic workforce.
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 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
Before starting the process, HR teams should:
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.
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!
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