Work permit for foreign workers in Vietnam (Giấy phép lao động) with LĐ temporary residence card
Foreign managers, executive directors, experts and technical workers employed in Vietnam generally need a work permit issued by the provincial People's Committee under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on 7 August 2025 and replaced Decree 152/2020 as amended by Decree 70/2023. The employer's explanation of its need for a foreign worker is now part of the work permit application, not a separate earlier step. Once the permit is issued, the worker can hold an LĐ work visa and apply to the provincial immigration office for a temporary residence card.
Life in Vietnam
Money
3
Currency
Vietnamese Dong
VND
Vietnamese Dong
Cost of living
30
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2024
Tax
5–35%
Income tax (national)
VAT 10%
New 5-bracket schedule (Law 109/2025/QH15) from 2026; 35% above VND 100 million per month.
Living
1
Happiness
#43 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign managers, executive directors, experts and technical workers hired by, or sent to, an employer in Vietnam.
Eligibility
Qualifying role
The worker must be a manager, executive director, expert or technical worker, and the application must include proof of this.
Employer need approved
The employer files a report on Form No. 03 explaining why it needs a foreign worker. The authority approves this need and issues the permit in one combined decision.
Recognised form of work
The work must fit a recognised form, such as a labour contract, an intra-company transfer, a contract or agreement, a contractual service supplier, a service negotiator, a posting from a foreign employer, or a board member or owner role.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementIntra-company transfer: 12 months' prior employment
- Document checklistEmployer report explaining need for a foreign worker and requesting a work permit (Form No. 03)
- FeesWork permit issuance (Hanoi, fast-track procedure for experts and high-tech workers)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 6 more requirements
- 9 documents
- 4 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Official sources
- Government portal: Decree 219/2025/ND-CP on foreign workers in Vietnam
- Official Gazette entry: Decree 219/2025/ND-CP
- Government newspaper: new rules on work permits for foreign workers (7 Aug 2025)
- Government newspaper: work permit procedure (Jan 2026)
- Government Q&A: new permit when changing form of work
- Government newspaper: planned amendment to Decree 219 (Aug 2026)
- Government newspaper: maximum work permit term of 2 years (older)
- Ministry of Public Security: temporary residence card procedure
- Government newspaper: Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC immigration fees
- Hanoi People's Committee: Decision 550 appendix (fast-track permits)
