Guide · Work permits
Work permits for foreign employees in Vietnam.
Who needs a work permit, what the dossier contains, how long it takes and how an EOR sponsors one without your own Vietnamese entity.
Updated 22 October 2026 · General information, not legal or tax advice
Short answer
How do work permits work in Vietnam?
Most foreign nationals working in Vietnam need a work permit issued to a Vietnamese employer. Since 7 August 2025 the rules are set by Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, which recognises four categories — manager, executive director, expert and technical worker — and merged the paperwork into a single application. A permit is issued within 10 working days of a complete dossier, is valid for up to two years and can be extended once for up to two more years. Because a permit is tied to a registered Vietnamese employer, an employer of record can sponsor one for a foreign company that has no entity of its own.
Who qualifies
The four work-permit categories.
| Category | Typical roles |
|---|---|
| Manager | Heads of a company, branch or department |
| Executive director | Heads of a unit who run its operations directly |
| Expert | Specialists with a degree and relevant experience |
| Technical worker | Skilled workers with technical training and experience |
Documents
What the dossier includes.
- A valid passport.
- A health certificate issued within the last 12 months.
- A criminal-record certificate issued within the last six months.
- Proof of qualifications and experience for the category applied for.
- Recent photographs and the employer’s application in the required form.
Foreign documents generally need consular legalisation and a certified Vietnamese translation. Gathering them — especially the criminal-record certificate from the home country — is usually what takes longest.
Timeline
From application to first working day.
| When to file | Between 60 and 10 days before the planned start date |
|---|---|
| Processing time | Up to 10 working days after a complete dossier |
| Maximum validity | Two years |
| Extension | Once, for up to two more years |
| Residence | Labour (LĐ) visa and temporary residence card, valid no longer than the permit |
Sources: Decree 219/2025/ND-CP; Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners (47/2014/QH13, as amended).
Exemptions
When a permit is not needed.
Managers, executive directors, experts and technical workers who are in Vietnam for fewer than 90 cumulative days in a calendar year are exempt from a work permit. The employer must still notify the labour authority at least three working days before the work starts. Other exemptions in Decree 219/2025/ND-CP cover specific cases such as certain capital contributors and intra-company arrangements; each must be confirmed before the person starts work.
After the permit
Insurance and tax for foreign employees.
A foreign employee with a work permit and a labour contract of 12 months or more joins social and health insurance but not unemployment insurance, so the employer pays about 20.5% and the employee about 9.5% of the contribution salary. Personal income tax follows residency: a tax resident pays the progressive rates, a non-resident a flat 20%. See personal income tax in Vietnam, 2026.
Questions
Vietnam work permits: FAQ
How long does a Vietnam work permit take?
Up to 10 working days after the authority receives a complete dossier, under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. Preparing documents usually takes longer than processing.
How long is a work permit valid?
Up to two years, and it can be extended once for up to two more years.
Can a foreign company without a Vietnamese entity get a work permit for its hire?
Not directly, because a permit is issued to a Vietnamese employer. An employer of record such as Nhân Kiệt can employ the person and sponsor the permit.
Do short visits need a work permit?
Managers, executive directors, experts and technical workers in Vietnam for fewer than 90 cumulative days in a calendar year are exempt, but the employer must notify the authority at least three working days before work starts.
Do foreign employees pay social insurance in Vietnam?
Yes, if they have a work permit and a labour contract of 12 months or more: social and health insurance, but not unemployment insurance.
Hiring in Vietnam? We handle all of this as your employer.
Nhân Kiệt employs your team, runs payroll, insurance, tax and work permits. Fee: US$99–199 per employee a month, plus VAT.
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