How to Get a Work Permit in Viet Nam

Information on how and where to apply to the authorities, and the paperwork required...

Foreigners need to apply for a work permit from the local labour authorities of the province or city where their employer is located before signing an employment contract.

A work permit should be obtained within three months of arrival in Vietnam. It is also possible to apply for a work permit in advance of arrival in the country. The employer usually helps organise the application on the employee’s behalf.

• Hanoi Department of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs (in Vietnamese)  
  At: 75 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi
  Tel: (04) 38358868 
  Fax: (04) 37732434
• Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs (in Vietnamese)
  At: 159 Pasteur, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
  Tel: (08) 38291302
  Fax: (08) 38294032
  email
• Danang Department of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs (in Vietnamese)
  At: 342 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Danang
  Tel: (051) 3827616
  Fax: (051) 3822957
  email

Documents Required

• Work permit application form - Form 1 (in English and Vietnamese)
• Work permission application letter - Form 7 (in English and Vietnamese)
• Valid visa
• Criminal record issued by the applicant’s home country. Foreigners who have lived in Vietnam for more than six months must also obtain a criminal record from the Vietnamese Department of Justice
• A copy of certificates, diplomas and degree qualifications
• Health check from a public hospital valid for at least six months
• Curriculum vitae
• Three recent passport-sized photos
• Fee

Note: All documents provided by overseas agencies should be notarised by an overseas Vietnamese Embassy or Vietnam-based overseas Embassy.

The local Department of Labour and Social Welfare usually responds to work permit applications within 15 days on receipt of the completed documents.

Extensions

As of 1 May 2013, the new Labour Code - No. 10/2012/QH13 has resulted in a reduction in the maximum length of a Vietnamese work permit from three years to two years. If no suitable Vietnamese employee can be found at the end of this time the permit may be extended for a further two years. In certain circumstances a second extension to the work permit may be allowed, subject to approval by the Chairman of the provincial level People's Committee.

To extend a work permit the following documents should be sent to the local Department of Labour and Social Welfare at least 30 days before the permit expires:

• Application form - Form 8 (in English and Vietnamese)
• A copy of the work contract
• Expired work permit
• Fee

The work permit extension is usually issued within 10 days.

Replacements

To apply for a replacement work permit due to loss or damage, the following documents are required:

• Application form - Form 9 (in English and Vietnamese)
• Application form from employer - Form 7 (in English and Vietnamese)
• Old work permit (if replacement application is due to damage to the original)
• Fee

The work permit replacement is usually issued within three days.