Vietnam reopened its border to foreign visitors and workers from March 2023 while seeking to simplify entry procedures to boost the economy. After making amendments to the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam in July 2020, Vietnam has recently updated some relevant details, which foreigners and businesses should be aware of. The following is information about Work Visa in Vietnam:
Vietnam Work Visa and Permit
1. Types of visas
In order to enter Vietnam, a foreigner needs a visa issued by the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. A Vietnamese visa can be granted while in a third country or from within Vietnam. Citizens of the following countries can receive a free entry visa to Vietnam for the duration listed below:
- ASEAN countries: from 14 to 30 days;
- Chile: 90 days; and
- Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK (British citizens only): 15 days (the gap of at least 30 days in between two visa-free entries has been removed as per the new immigration law.)
In addition, Vietnam also updated the processes and procedures for the e-visa system, allowing a single-entry visit with a duration of up to 30 days, for 80 nationalities. As per the Immigration Law, the prescribed processing time for e-visa is three working days after completing registration and fee payment.
Vietnam recently added Van Don International Airport, which serves Ha Long Bay, to the list of airports that allow e-visa entry.
However, to work in Vietnam and remain for an extended period, foreigners need to apply for a longer-term three-month single or multiple entry visas. Please be advised that at the moment, tourists can only come on the e-visa system valid for 30 days. Foreigners entering on business visas must pick up the business visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate; this type of visa has to be sponsored by the employer.
Relevant visa types include:
Vietnam Work Visa and Permit
With a DT1 visa, investors can apply for a temporary residence card initially for two years.
2. Visa type conversion
The Immigration Law also allows the conversion of visa types for another purpose without having to leave Vietnam as required by the old regulation. The following cases are eligible for visa type change:
- Investors and representatives of a foreign organization investing in Vietnam;
- Dependents of Vietnamese citizens; and
- Being invited or guaranteed by agencies or organizations, and having a work permit or work permit exemption certificate.
A new visa will be granted following a converting visa application.
3. Additional case for visa exemption
The Immigration Law adds to the list one more case of visa exemption for foreigners entering border-gate or coastal economic zones, under the decision of the government. The coastal zone needs to meet the following conditions:
- Having an international airport and a separate space (definite boundaries and separated from the mainland);
- In lvnordance with the socio-economic development policy; and
- Does not pose a threat to national security, defense, social order, and safety.
This type of visa exemption is valid for 30 days.
4. Work permit procedures and requirements
A work permit is required when working in Vietnam for more than three months. This should ideally be applied 15 days by the employer with the provincial Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) before the foreign worker commences their employment. Work permit processing times take up to 10 business days. However, potential employers and employees should be advised that processing times may vary and government offices may ask for additional documents which which may increase processing times. We advise potential applicants to start the process well ahead of time, ideally three months ahead of work commencement.
A work permit cannot be applied directly by the workers/foreigners, but with the assistance of their employers from Vietnam.
A work permit is required to apply for a temporary residence card or a working visa in Vietnam. Under the new Labor Code 2019 that took effect in 2021, work permits are issued for a period of up to two years and restricted to only one renewal.
To be eligible for a work permit, the applicant must comply with the following conditions:
- At least 18 years of age;
- In good enough health to satisfy job requirements;
- A manager, executive director or expert with technical skills and knowledge necessary for the job; and
- Not currently subject to criminal prosecution or any criminal sentence in Vietnam or overseas or have a criminal record.
Currently, work permits for foreigners are valid for a maximum of two years and are not renewable. A new application must be made if the company wishes to continue employing the foreign worker.
A work permit may be terminated in the following circumstances:
- Expiration of work permit;
- Termination of labor contract;
- The content of the labor contract is not consistent with the work permit granted;
- If the foreign employee is fired by the foreign employer;
- Withdrawal of work permit by authorized state agencies;
- Termination of operation of the company, organization, and partners in Vietnam; and
- The foreigner is sentenced to prison, dies, or is proclaimed missing by the court.
In certain circumstances, a foreigner may work in Vietnam without a work permit, but they need to apply for a work permit exemption certificate. This certificate is equivalent to the work permit, valid for up to 2 years, and also serves as a basis to apply for a temporary residence card.
A notice must be submitted seven days in advance to the provincial MoLISA prior to working in Vietnam.
As per Article 154 Labor Code No.45/2019/QH14, the following categories are exempt from work permits:
- An owner or capital contributor of a limited liability company with capital contribution value met by the government regulations;
- Chairman of the Board of Directors or a member of the Board of Directors of a joint-stock company with capital contribution value met by government regulations;
- Heads of representative offices, chiefs of project offices, or someone working for a foreign non-government organization in Vietnam;
- Working in Vietnam for less than three months;
- Coming to Vietnam for less than three months in order to resolve an emergency or a technologically complex situation that could affect production, which Vietnamese experts or foreign experts currently in Vietnam are unable to resolve;
- Lawyers granted a professional permit in Vietnam;
- Cases under the provisions of an international treaty to which Vietnam is a signatory;
- Foreigners who marry Vietnamese people and live in the Vietnamese territory; and
- Other specific cases allowed by the government.
Vietnamese authorities are becoming stricter regarding work permits. Those who violate the regulations by working in Vietnam without a work permit may be penalized or, if unable to meet work permit requirements, deported back to their home countries within 15 days. In addition, the employer’s operations may be suspended for three months with a possible penalty of up to US$3,300.
5. Temporary residence cards
Foreigners who hold work permits valid for one year or more, as well as a holder of work visas, members of management boards of directors, heads of company branches, and Chief Representatives of representative offices of foreign enterprises in Vietnam, can be granted a Temporary Residence Card (TRC).
A TRC is issued by the immigration agency under the Ministry of Public Security, and is valid from one to ten years, depending on the visa type. As per the Immigration Law, the duration of each investor visa type of TRC is based on the amount of contributed capital, as follows:
- TRC – DT1 visas: up to 10 years;
- TRC – NG3, LV1-2, LS, DT2 and DH visas: up to 5 years;
- TRC – NN1-2, DT3, and TT visas: up to 3 years; and
- TRC – LD1-2, and PV1 visas: up to 2 years.
Investors using a DT4 visa (with a capital investment of less than VND 3 billion, or US$128,800) are not eligible for a TRC.
Expired TRCs will be considered for granting new cards. The validity of TRC is shorter than the remaining validity of the passport by at least 30 days.
Foreign employees with a TRC can enter and exit Vietnam without a visa within the valid terms of their TRC. The processing time typically takes five working days while the fee varies between US$80 to US$120 depending on the duration of the card.
6. Permanent residence cards
An expatriate who has a legal residence while earning a living in Vietnam may also apply for a Permanent Residence Card (PRC); however, they are subject to the following conditions:
- The expat works for the development of Vietnam and is awarded a medal or title by the government;
- The expat resides temporarily in Vietnam for three or more consecutive years and is sponsored by his parent, spouse, or child who is a Vietnamese citizen and has a permanent residence in Vietnam; and
- Foreign scientists or experts recommended by the head of a ministerial or government agency.
The processing time typically takes five working days with a fee of US$100. A PRC holder can stay in Vietnam without a visa however, a PRC must be re-issued every 10 years. Above is information about Work Visa in Vietnam. Thanks!