VIETNAM WORK PERMIT CONDITIONS - NEWEST UPDATES DECREE 219/2025/ND-CP

Tuesday, 23/09/25

Vietnam continues to attract foreign professionals, managers, and technical experts seeking career opportunities in a fast-growing economy. To ensure compliance and smooth employment, the Vietnamese government has issued Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, effective from August 7, 2025, which introduces the latest conditions for work permits and exemptions.

This updated regulation replaces previous frameworks, making the process clearer and more practical for both employers and expatriates. Whether you are applying for a new work permit, an extension, or exploring cases of work permit exemption, understanding these new conditions is the first step to a successful stay and career in Vietnam.

WHO NEEDS A WORK PERMIT IN VIETNAM?

Foreign nationals must obtain a Work Permit if they:

Plan to work in Vietnam for more than 90 days, unless an exemption applies;
Engage under a labor contract, intra-company transfer, service/assignment agreement, or equivalent;
Are exempted in cases such as short-term (under 90 days) expert assignments or priority sectors like finance, innovation, and digital transformation, when approved by ministries or local authorities

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR FOREIGNERS TO WORK IN VIETNAM

As of August 2025, foreigners who intend to work legally in Vietnam are required to prepare a complete application dossier in accordance with the updated procedures stipulated in Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP. Regardless of the job title or visa type, the following core documents are generally mandatory

Application form (Form No. 03)
Legalized and certified academic degrees (e.g., university diplomas or equivalent qualifications)
Proof of at least 2 years of relevant work experience
A valid health check certificate (issued within the last 12 months)
A criminal background check, either from your home country or from Vietnam, depending on your location of being
And other documents prepared by the sponsoring company in Vietnam….
All documents must be consularly legalized, translated, and notarized, except where exemptions apply
Two 4×6cm color photos, white background, no glasses

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VIETNAM’S WORK PERMIT

The Work Permit in Vietnam is an official document issued by a competent government authority that allows a foreigner to work legally in the country. It is a mandatory requirement for foreign workers to be employed lawfully in Vietnam and also serves as a basis for applying for a Temporary Residence Card.

Purpose of Work Permit/ Work Permit Exemption

Foreigners working in Vietnam for more than 90 days in a year.
Foreigners working in Vietnam without a valid Work Permit or an approved Work Permit Exemption Certificate may be subject to administrative penalties, including deportation, in accordance with Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP issued by the Vietnamese Government.

Where to Apply for a Vietnam Work Permit

Under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, the authority to issue, extend, and reissue Work Permits for foreign employees lies with the Provincial People’s Committee (PPC).

However, in practice, foreign workers or their employers submit applications to the authorized agencies as delegated by the PPC, including:

The Department of Home Affairs in the province or city where the foreign employee will work.
The Management Board of industrial zones, export processing zones, high-tech parks, or economic zones, if the employer operates within such areas.

This authorized delegation ensures that Work Permit applications are processed efficiently at the local level.

Vietnam Work Permit Validity & Extension According to Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP

For Work Permit:

A Work Permit is valid for a maximum of 2 years from the date of issuance or extension, aligned with the duration of the labor contract or the foreign worker’s assignment in Vietnam.
A Work Permit may be extended only once, for up to an additional 2 years, based on the employer’s request and approval from the competent authority.

➤ The total validity period of a Work Permit (including the extension) shall not exceed 4 years.

After reaching the 4-year limit (including the extension), the foreign worker must apply for a new Work Permit; further extensions are not permitted.

For Work Permit Exemption Certificate (WPEC):

The Work Permit Exemption Certificate is valid for a maximum of 2 years from the date of issuance.
The Work Permit Exemption Certificate can be extended and re-issue as a normal Work Permit.

VIETNAM WORK PERMIT REQUIREMENTS & CONDITIONS – EFFECTIVE AUGUST 2025

If you plan to work in Vietnam as a foreigner under certain roles and/or stay longer than 90 days in a year, you may require a Work Permit or a Work Permit Exemption under Decree 219/2025.

CONDITIONS FOR EMPLOYERS IN VIETNAM

CONDITIONS FOR FOREIGN WORKERS IN VIETNAM

To hire foreign workers legally, employers must:

Be a legal entity under Vietnamese law — including Limited Liability Company (LLCs), Joint Stock Company (JSCs), representative offices.
Take full responsibility for the application and legal status of the foreign worker, including issuing a labor guarantee and handling documentation.
Employer must include a written explanation (Form No. 03) of the need to hire a foreign worker as part of the application dossier to the competent authority.

Foreign nationals must meet the following criteria:

Work in the correct job role as stated in the Work Permit /Work Permit Exemption certificate issued by authorities.
Be legally competent and have no restrictions on civil acts under Vietnamese law.
Match the job requirements in terms of experience and qualifications as stated in the Decree.
Have a clean criminal record, confirmed by a police clearance from Vietnam or their home country.
The applicant has good health fit with the job requirements in Vietnam.

DETAILED CONDITIONS – VIETNAM WORK PERMIT REQUIREMENTS BY JOB POSITION

Job Positions applying for a work permit in Vietnam as Foreign Managers, Executive Directors, Foreign Specialists/ Expat, you can find out at How to Apply for Vietnam Work Permit.

👉 Need guidance on Vietnam Work Permit 2025?

Contact Visa5s.com today for step-by-step support, updated document checklists, and expert consultation to ensure your application is smooth and successful.

ARTICLES RELATED TO VIETNAM'S WORK PERMIT AND TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD

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VIETNAM WORK PERMIT CONDITIONS - NEWEST UPDATES DECREE 219/2025/ND-CP

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OUR INSTRUCTION

VIETNAM WORK PERMIT CONDITIONS - NEWEST UPDATES DECREE 219/2025/ND-CP

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VIETNAM WORK PERMIT CONDITIONS - NEWEST UPDATES DECREE 219/2025/ND-CP