Key Takeaways

  • In most cases, you need both a work permit and a work visa (or Temporary Residence Card) to work in Vietnam.
  • Work permits last up to 2 years, or the length of your contract, whichever ends sooner.
  • To qualify for a work permit you need a job offer or contract for an approved role, such as a manager or technician.
  • Work permit applications require multiple documents, including a job contract, passport, health check, police clearance, qualifications, and proof of experience.

Vietnam is a vibrant place to work and live, with friendly people, great food, and exciting cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The cost of living is affordable, and there’s plenty to explore on your time off. Whether you’re drawn by the booming tech scene, international education sector, or NGO work, understanding the Vietnam work visa process is the first essential step to starting your journey. 

When Do You Need a Work Visa in Vietnam?

If you’re not a Vietnamese citizen and intend to work in Vietnam, in most cases, you will need a work permit issued by the provincial People’s Committee where your employer is based, or an agency it delegates to (Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, Article 4), along with a work visa or a Temporary Residence Card that is directly tied to your permit.

Working in Vietnam without the correct authorisation is illegal. Employers who hire foreign workers without the proper documents may be fined VND 30 million to 75 million as individuals, depending on the number of workers, or double that (VND 60 million to 150 million) as organizations, under Decree 283/2026/ND-CP, in force since September 10, 2026 (organizations pay twice the individual rate), while foreign workers themselves can face fines of VND 15 to 25 million, and may also be subject to deportation.

Even if you qualify for an exemption, you must usually get written confirmation or a work permit exemption certificate from the labor department. In a few cases, such as working in Vietnam for fewer than 90 days in a calendar year, no certificate is needed, but your employer must notify the authority at least 3 working days before you start. Working without the required certificate or notice is still considered illegal.

Who is exempt? There are some exemptions to the work permit, although you may still need a visa and written confirmation from the authorities:

Diplomats and Government Workers

Foreign nationals who hold an official passport and enter Vietnam to work for a state agency, a political organization or a socio-political organization don’t need a work permit, nor do relatives of foreign diplomatic mission members who are permitted to work under a treaty. You may still need an appropriate visa.

Intra-Company Transfers

If your company sends you from overseas to its Vietnam office, you may be exempt, provided that office operates in one of the 11 service sectors covered by Vietnam’s WTO commitments. An exemption certificate is still required from local Vietnamese authorities. You must enter on a suitable visa and you also must have worked at the company for at least 12 consecutive months beforehand.

Investors and Company Owners

Investors or board members of Vietnamese companies don’t need work permits, if their capital contribution is at least VND 3 billion. In that case the company must notify the labor authority at least 3 working days before they start. Below that amount, a work permit is generally required. Instead, you apply for a DT visa (Investor Visa). There are 4 subclasses (DT1–DT4) depending on how much you’ve invested. You must be properly registered as an investor and hold an investment certificate.

Types of Work Visas and Permits in Vietnam

Vietnam has several visa types depending on the reason for your stay. For working in Vietnam, a business visa or a work visa are the two most common types.

A business visa (DN visa) is for foreigners doing business with companies based in Vietnam, whereas a work visa (LD visa) is for those who are actually employed by a Vietnamese company or office.

LD visas are valid for up to 2 years (Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, Article 9), matching the length of your work permit or contract.

  • LD1 is for people who are exempt from needing a work permit.
  • LD2 is for those who do need a work permit, and this is the most common work visa.
  • DN visas last up to 12 months and may allow multiple entries.

You can apply for a business visa yourself, either online as an e-visa or directly through a Vietnamese embassy. A work visa, however, must be arranged by your employer in Vietnam. Once it’s approved in Vietnam, you’ll need to have it stamped at the Vietnamese embassy of the country you are moving from. If you already hold a work permit and are in Vietnam, you may be able to apply for the work visa or Temporary Residence Card without leaving the country (KPMG analysis of Law 23/2023/QH15).

A work visa requires you to also have a valid work permit (or, for an LD1 visa, a work permit exemption certificate), whereas a business visa does not. Work visas also tend to have a longer validity period, of up to 2 years.

Another important distinction is that a work visa allows you to apply for a Temporary Residence Card, but this isn’t an option if you’re on a business visa.

Other Visa Types

Investor Visas (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4)

DT visas are for foreigners who are officially registered as an investor or business owner in Vietnam. These visas let you live and run your business in Vietnam without a work permit, where your capital contribution is at least VND 3 billion. Below that amount, a work permit is generally required.

The size of your investment will determine the subclass of DT visa (DT1 for large investments down to DT4 for smaller investments) and the visa’s length (up to 5 years for the largest investors). Investors can also get long-term residence cards (up to 10 years).

Tourist Visa/e-Visa

Vietnam offers tourist e-Visas valid for up to 90 days, for single or multiple entries, to citizens of all countries and territories (Ministry of Foreign Affairs notice on Resolutions 127 and 128/NQ-CP). Some remote workers use tourist visas to stay in Vietnam while working online for overseas clients, but working for a Vietnamese company on a tourist visa is illegal.

Conference Visa (HN Visa)

For individuals attending short-term conferences, seminars, or other professional events in Vietnam.

Government Affiliation Visas (LV1 / LV2 Visas)

Issued to foreign nationals working directly with Vietnamese government bodies in official capacities.

Student and Internship Visa (DH Visa)

For students and interns, to allow them to participate in educational programs or training. This visa does not grant permission for full employment.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Vietnam

Foreigners cannot apply for a work permit in Vietnam on their own, a company must sponsor them. To qualify, you need a job offer or contract for an approved role, such as manager, expert, or technician.

Before applying, where you will work under a local labor contract (and in certain other cases, such as bidding packages or projects), the employer must advertise the job to Vietnamese candidates for at least five working days (Tilleke & Gibbins analysis of Decree 219). The employer then submits a single application, which includes an explanation of why a foreign worker is needed, to the provincial People’s Committee (or the agency it delegates to) no earlier than 60 days and at least 10 days before your start date. The authority decides within 10 working days of receiving a complete application and issues the work permit itself, with no separate approval letter.

  • Employer’s request and explanation of the need for a foreign worker (Form No. 03)
  • Proof of the work arrangement, such as a labor contract or an assignment letter from the overseas employer
  • Valid passport
  • Two passport-sized photos (4×6 cm, white background)
  • Health check certificate (issued within the last year), from a licensed facility (certificates issued abroad are accepted only where Vietnam has a mutual recognition agreement with the issuing country)
  • Police clearance certificate (from your home country or Vietnam), issued within the last six months
  • Proof of qualifications (degree, professional certificate, or training)
  • Proof of experience (generally 1 to 3 years, depending on the role, for example 2 years for experts and 3 years for executive directors)

The application requires several key documents. Additional documents may be required in special cases.

UPCOMING CHANGE

Decree 393/2026/ND-CP, issued on October 20, 2026, takes effect on December 5, 2026 and replaces Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. According to a Vialto Partners summary, it lowers the experience requirement for executive directors from three years to two, accepts health certificates issued abroad, and limits the intra-company transfer category to managers, executive directors and experts with at least 12 consecutive months at the overseas company, which excludes technical workers. Applications are to be filed at least 10 working days and no more than 60 days before the start date. The rules described above apply until then.

Vietnam Work Permit Costs and Fees

The fee for getting a work permit in Vietnam varies depending on the local authority handling the application. Each province sets its own fee, so check the current amount with the authority handling your application. These rates can change from time to time based on local regulations.

Foreign employees don’t need to pay the work permit fee themselves. The employer has a responsibility to cover the cost.

Work Visa Sponsorship

To hire a foreign employee, companies must provide a legitimate job offer and comply with labour laws, ensuring fair pay and working conditions. For positions requiring a work permit, employers must explain why a foreign worker is needed in the work permit application to the provincial People’s Committee and, where the worker will be hired under a local labor contract, first advertise the job to Vietnamese candidates.

Secure Your Vietnam Work Visa and Start Your Dream Job Today!

Securing a work visa in Vietnam is your gateway to exciting career opportunities in a dynamic and rapidly evolving market. With a thriving economy and a welcoming culture, Vietnam offers incredible potential for professionals from all backgrounds.

By securing a job offer, gathering the necessary documents, and following Vietnam’s work visa regulations, you can smoothly transition into your new professional journey. With the right preparation, you’ll be ready to embrace the exciting opportunities that Vietnam has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

A work permit is your permission to work, whereas a work visa  allows you to enter Vietnam and stay for work. You normally need both. If you get a Temporary Residence Card, it replaces the visa during its validity.

Yes, in most cases. If you plan to work or run a business in Vietnam, you need a work permit before starting. Some people (like certain investors or spouses of Vietnamese citizens) may be exempt, but they still need the correct visa or exemption letter.

No. Any legally registered company in Vietnam can hire foreigners if they follow the process properly and no extra licence is needed.

If you start a new job you will need a new work permit, as your old one is tied to your old employer and is not transferable. You’ll need your new employer to apply for a new work permit.

No, you can’t work in Vietnam on a tourist visa—it’s only for travel. While many remote workers use tourist or e-visas to stay in the country while working online for foreign companies, this isn’t legal if you’re working with Vietnamese clients or businesses. Vietnam does not have a specific visa for remote work. To do any work for a Vietnamese company, you need a work permit and an LD visa. If you're freelancing locally, you’d need to be sponsored or register as a business owner, which could qualify you for an investor visa.

Yes. They can apply for dependent visas or residence cards. These are valid for the same length as your work permit. However, spouses can’t work on a dependent visa and will need their own work permit and work visa to take a job.

Relocate to Vietnam

Vietnam stands out as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies, making it an exceptional choice for relocating international teams. With thriving tech hubs in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, ultra-competitive living costs, and a young, dynamic workforce, your employees can enjoy a high quality of life while tapping into one of the region’s most energetic business environments.

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