Understanding Work Permits in Vietnam: A Comprehensive Guide by Zora Consulting

A work permit is essential for foreigners to work legally in Vietnam. The Department of Labor and the Provincial/Municipal Department of Labor are authorized to issue a work permit in Vietnam. Work permits in Vietnam are also a prerequisite for obtaining a work Visa. So any potential expats that want to work in Vietnam on a work visa should have a work permit, or their work permit application should be in process.

There are a lot of complications surrounding work permits in Vietnam for expats and how they can apply for this document. If you are planning on working in Vietnam as an expat or want to hire workers from outside the country as a local business owner, it is essential to understand how work permits work.

A set of laws regulates work permits, and special requirements and procedures are involved in getting a work permit in Vietnam. Zora Consulting regularly helps expats in getting their work permits in Vietnam. We have created this article to help anyone who wants to understand work permits in Vietnam. By the end of this article, you will have a solid understanding of how work permits work in Vietnam, so keep reading.

What is a work permit in Vietnam?

As mentioned earlier, a work permit in Vietnam is an essential document for foreigners to work in the country. There is a common misconception that work permits are only necessary when foreigners want to work with a Vietnamese company. However, you also need a work permit to start working with an international company operating in Vietnam.

Work permits are meant to bring skilled individuals into Vietnam for roles that local workers don't have the skills to perform correctly. So, this permit will only be granted by the labour authorities when the applicant meets the requirements set by the law. Once employees receive a Vietnamese work permit, they are protected by the country's labour law and get the same rights as local workers.

A work permit has a valid duration of 2 years; however, the employer can choose to extend the permit if needed. It is important to note that a work permit usually becomes required if you plan to work in Vietnam for more than 3 months. This permit has to be acquired 15 days before the foreign worker starts working in Vietnam.

There is no fixed duration for how long it may take to obtain a work permit from Vietnamese authorities. Therefore, applying for the permit as early as possible is best to ensure the document is ready when their employment period starts. Not to mention a work permit is a requirement when applying for a temporary residence card and a work visa in Vietnam. So, beginning the work permit application process 3 months before the foreign worker's employment contract begins is recommended.

Zora Consulting knows the ins and outs of the work permit application process. We can increase your chances of getting a work permit in Vietnam and ensure you receive it in time.

What does the work permit application process in Vietnam look like?

There are multiple steps involved in completing a work permit application in Vietnam. Here are all the steps you have to go through in order to obtain your permit:

Step 1. Approval of demand: The first step of availing a work permit for an employee is for employers to apply for approval for using a foreign worker. An employer seeking to hire foreign employees will submit a registration form for demand on employing foreign workers along with a copy of business registration to the labour department in Vietnam.

Step 2. Health check: A health check is essential to the work permit application process. It shows the relevant authorities that the applicant is fit for the type of work they are being hired to perform.

Step 3. Compiling supporting documents: A health check is just one of many documents an expat needs to avail a work permit in Vietnam. Additional documents that must be attached with a work permit application include a notarized passport, police background check or criminal record, work experience (consular legalized copy), qualifications (consular legalized copy), rtemporary residence registration, and 2 portrait photos.

Sometimes, the labour department may ask for additional documents on top of the ones mentioned above.

Step 4. Submitting the application and documents: Once the employee has complied all the supporting documents and sent them to the Vietnamese employer, they will submit the work permit application to relevant authorities.

Step 5. Processing and approval: As mentioned above, the processing period for a work permit approval varies greatly. While some applications are approved within a few weeks, others remain in process for 2 or 3 months.

If an employee's work permit application gets approved, they will receive the work permit. If the application is rejected, the authorities will notify the employer, along with why the application was denied.

Criteria for getting a Vietnamese work permit?

If you fulfil the following criteria, it increases your chances of getting a Vietnamese work permit:

1. Having expertise and working experience relevant to the company's business areas
2. Having a bachelor's degree and 3 years of proven experience. (Foreign experts)
3. Having 5 years of proven experience (Technical workers)
4. Having good physical health to perform the job proven in the health check at hospital
5. Having a criminial record or police check of clean profile

Conclusion

Work permits are one of the most critical government approvals an expat needs to work in Vietnam. So, it is evident that the Vietnamese authorities put the applicants through tight surveillance before accepting their permit applications.

Zora Consulting can help ease the work permit application process for companies that want to hire foreign employees. Our experts can work directly with the employer as well as the employee to build a strong application to improve the chances of approval.