Hiring foreign nationals in Vietnam isn’t complicated, but it does require careful preparation. As the employer, you’re responsible for navigating the permit process, meeting documentation requirements, and staying compliant after your hire is in place. This guide covers what you need to know before you bring someone on.
Who needs a work permit in vietnam
Almost every foreign national working in Vietnam needs a work permit. There’s no blanket exemption based on nationality, job type, or contract length (unless a specific exemption applies under the law). If you’re planning to hire someone from outside Vietnam, your default assumption should be that a permit is required.
The permit system covers four categories of foreign workers: managers, executives, experts, and technical workers. If your hire fits one of those descriptions, you’ll need to go through the standard application process.
Eligibility requirements
Before you can apply for a permit on someone’s behalf, you need to confirm they meet Vietnam’s eligibility criteria. Here’s a breakdown of what’s required.
Role categories
Vietnam’s work permit system recognizes four role types:
- Managers and executives in leadership positions within a company
- Experts who hold a university degree and have at least 2 years of relevant work experience, or at least 1 year in priority sectors such as technology and finance
- Technical workers who have completed at least 1 year of relevant training and have 2 or more years of experience, or who have 3 or more years of experience without formal training
Your hire needs to fit clearly into one of these categories. It’s worth documenting this carefully, because DOLISA (the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs) will expect you to justify the categorization.
Qualifications and documentation
Beyond role category, every applicant must meet these baseline requirements:
- Minimum age of 18
- A clean criminal record, evidenced by a criminal record certificate valid for no more than 6 months
- A medical certificate from an approved hospital, also valid for no more than 6 months
All foreign documents submitted as part of the application must be notarized and consularized. That means legalized by the relevant embassy before you submit them. Don’t leave document preparation to the last minute. Getting apostilles and embassy legalizations can take weeks, depending on the country.
The employer application process
In Vietnam, the employer files the work permit application, not the worker. That means the administrative burden sits with you, and the timeline is your responsibility to manage.
The 30-day labour demand requirement
Before you can apply for a work permit, you need to submit a “demand for foreign labour” to the local DOLISA office. This submission must happen at least 30 days before your intended hire date. It’s not a formality you can skip or file late.
This step exists so Vietnamese authorities can confirm that the role couldn’t reasonably be filled by a local worker. Make sure you’ve built this lead time into your hiring plan from the start.
Document preparation and processing time
Once you’ve cleared the 30-day labour demand requirement, you can file the full work permit application. Processing typically takes around 10 working days from the date of submission.
The permit itself is valid for a maximum of 2 years and can be renewed. Keep renewal timelines on your radar, especially if you’re planning to retain the worker long-term.
Work permit exemptions
Under Decree 70/2023/ND-CP, certain foreign nationals don’t need a standard work permit to work in Vietnam. The exemptions include:
- Investors or owners of limited liability companies who have contributed capital of VND 3 billion or more
- Chairpersons or board members of joint-stock companies with capital of VND 3 billion or more
- Intra-company transferees working within one of the 11 service sectors covered under Vietnam’s WTO commitments
- Short-term workers entering Vietnam for fewer than 3 months to provide technical or professional consulting, or to resolve technical issues that Vietnamese workers can’t handle
- Heads of representative offices or project directors of NGOs and international organizations
- Spouses of Vietnamese citizens
If your hire falls into one of these categories, they’re exempt from the standard permit process. But that doesn’t mean there’s no paperwork involved.
The work permit exemption certificate
Even if someone qualifies for an exemption, they still need a Work Permit Exemption Certificate, issued by DOLISA. This certificate is valid for up to 2 years, and your hire needs it in place before they start working.
Don’t assume that meeting an exemption condition is enough. The certificate is a legal requirement, and failing to obtain it puts both you and your employee at risk. File for it with the same lead time you’d give a standard permit application.
Employer obligations after hiring
Your compliance obligations don’t end once the permit is approved. There are two things to keep in mind once your hire is in place.
First, all employment contracts must be written in Vietnamese. If your hire doesn’t read Vietnamese, you’ll need a bilingual version of the contract as well.
Second, if a foreign employee leaves before their work permit expires, you’re required to cancel the permit with the relevant authorities within 15 days of their departure. Missing this deadline can create compliance issues down the line.
Hiring foreign talent through an Employer of Record
If you don’t have a legal entity in Vietnam, you can still hire there through an Employer of Record (EOR). The EOR acts as the legal employer on your behalf, handling work permit applications, employment contracts, payroll, and compliance. You manage the work; the EOR manages the paperwork.
This is often the faster and lower-risk route for companies that are expanding into Vietnam for the first time or that want to move quickly without setting up a local subsidiary. If you’re not sure how an EOR works, it’s worth understanding before you commit to a hiring structure.
For companies evaluating their options, comparing EOR services across providers can help you find the right fit for your headcount, budget, and compliance requirements.
Book a demo to see how RemotePass supports compliant hiring in Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a work permit in vietnam?
Processing typically takes around 10 working days after you submit the application. But you also need to account for the 30-day labour demand submission that has to be filed with DOLISA before you can apply. Factor in document preparation time as well, especially if foreign certificates need notarization and consularization.
Can a foreign worker apply for their own work permit in vietnam?
No. In Vietnam, the employer files the work permit application on behalf of the worker. The worker needs to provide their documents, but the legal responsibility for the application sits with you as the hiring company.
Do short-term contractors need a work permit in vietnam?
It depends. Foreign workers who are in Vietnam for fewer than 90 days per year and who are providing technical or professional consulting may qualify for an exemption under Decree 70/2023/ND-CP. However, they still need to report their activities to local authorities, and if they qualify for an exemption, they’ll need a Work Permit Exemption Certificate from DOLISA.
What happens if you don’t cancel a work permit after an employee leaves?
If a foreign employee leaves before their work permit expires, you’re required to cancel the permit within 15 days of their departure. Failing to do so is a compliance violation. It’s a straightforward administrative step, but it’s one that’s easy to overlook during an offboarding process, so it’s worth building it into your standard exit checklist.
