Vietnam Work Permit and Visas

Types of work visas and permits in Vietnam

There are multiple types of Vietnam work permits and visas available for foreign nationals to consider. These include:

• The HN visa for workers attending meetings and conferences; valid for a maximum of three months
• The DT1-DT4 visa for investors in a Vietnam-based company; valid for up to five years, depending on the type of visa
• The DN1-DN2 visa for foreign nationals who plan to work for or with a company based in Vietnam; valid for a maximum of one year
• The DH visa for students and interns; valid for a maximum of one year
• The NG1-NG4 visa for diplomatic purposes; valid for a maximum of one year
• The LV1-LV2 visa for people working with authorities in Vietnam; valid for a maximum of one year
• The LD visa for foreign nationals wishing to work in Vietnam; valid for a maximum of two years

Who is eligible for a Vietnam work permit

In Vietnam, a work permit is an official certificate that allows its carrier to work legally within the country. The Ministry of Labor, Invalid, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) issues the work permit. All foreign nationals who wish to work while staying in Vietnam for longer than three months must obtain a work permit. The exceptions to this rule are workers who belong to special exemption categories, which include but are not limited to the following:

• Co-owner or capital contributor of a limited liability company (LLC)
• Chairperson or member of the board of directors of a joint-stock company
• Foreigners staying in Vietnam to offer services for less than three months
• Foreign workers who are internally reassigned within a company engaging in 11 service industries contained in the country's WTO commitments on services

To be eligible for a Vietnam work permit, the applicant must meet the following eligibility conditions:

• They must be at least 18 years of age;
• They must be in a good enough health condition to meet their job requirements;
• They must be a manager, executive director, specialist, expert, or technician who possesses the technical skills and knowledge necessary to perform their job;
• They must not currently be subject to criminal prosecution or any criminal sentence, whether in Vietnam or in any other nation; and
• They must not have a criminal record in any country.

Vietnam work visa requirements

To apply for a work visa in Vietnam, a foreign worker must first obtain a work permit. As the employer, you must submit the initial work permit application on your employee's behalf.

As the employer, you can only offer a job position to someone who meets the eligibility conditions listed above if there are no eligible, qualified Vietnamese citizens who wish to fill the position. You must publish the job position to job seekers in Vietnam either through an online portal or a newspaper. If you do not receive any qualified Vietnamese applicants within 30 days, you may offer the position to a foreign worker.

The requirements to apply for a work visa in Vietnam include

• Proof that the job position was advertised as required to Vietnamese job seekers
• A letter from the employer confirming the visa applicant's job position
• A completed application form
• A valid passport
• Three recent passport-sized photos (taken within the past year)
• Proof that the applicant has no criminal record that would prohibit them from obtaining a Vietnam work visa
• Copies of all relevant professional certifications
• The applicant's medical records and health certificates

How to apply for a Vietnam work permit and visa

The Vietnam work permit and visa are two separate documents. Here, we will explain how to apply for each.

Vietnam work permit

The Vietnam work permit and visa are two separate documents. Here, we will explain how to apply for each.

Vietnam work visa

To apply for a Vietnam work visa, you as the employer (and therefore the foreign worker's guarantor) should follow these steps:

Application processing time

Processing time for the work permit application is 15 working days if submitted in person or 12 days if submitted online.

After you submit all required documents for the Vietnam work visa, the processing time is typically five working days.

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FAQs

How much does a work permit cost in Vietnam?

The fee for a work permit in Vietnam varies. The three main levels are:

• For new applicants: ₫400,000 per permit (Vietnamese đồng/VND) ($20 USD)
• For re-issued work permits: ₫300,000 per permit ($15 USD)
• For renewal work permits: ₫200,000 per permit ($10 USD)

When applying for a work visa in Vietnam, fees may vary based on several factors, as illustrated in the table below.

Can US citizens work in Vietnam?

If an American worker wishes to find a job in Vietnam that will last longer than three months, they must obtain a Vietnam work visa, which first requires a Vietnam work permit. To qualify for a Vietnam work permit and/or visa, the US citizen must first obtain a job working for a company in Vietnam.

How long does it take to get a work permit in Vietnam?

For a work permit application, the expected processing time is 15 working days (if submitted in person) or 12 days (if submitted online).

The processing time for a Vietnam work visa is typically five working days after the employer has submitted all of the required documents on behalf of the employee.

What do you need for a work permit in Vietnam?

To qualify for a work permit in Vietnam, a foreign worker must meet several conditions, including:

• They must be at least 18 years old;
• They must be in a good enough health condition to meet the requirements of their job;
• They must be a manager, executive director, specialist, expert, or technician and possess the technical skills and knowledge necessary to perform their job duties;
• They must not currently be subject to criminal prosecution or any criminal sentence in Vietnam or overseas; and
• They must not have a criminal record in any country.

To apply for a work visa in Vietnam, the employer must provide documentation on behalf of the employee, including:

• Proof that the position was advertised to Vietnamese job seekers
• A letter from the employer confirming the visa applicant's job
• A completed application form
• A valid passport
• Three passport-sized photos that were taken within the past year
• Proof that the applicant has no criminal record that could prevent them from obtaining a work visa
• Copies of all relevant professional qualifications and certifications
• The applicant's health certificates and medical records

How long can you stay in Vietnam as a US citizen?

US citizens can apply online on the Vietnam Immigration website for a single-entry E-visa. This visa is valid for a maximum of 30 days, allows a single entry into the country, and cannot be renewed or extended from within Vietnam.

Work permits and work visas come with varying periods of validity, ranging from 30 days up to five years.

Is a Vietnam visa-free for US citizens?

There is no clause in the Vietnam visa policy that exempts US citizens from paying the required fees for a Vietnam work permit or work visa. See above for specific costs associated with work permits and visas.