In recent years, there has been an increase in skilled international workers traveling to Vietnam for employment. If your company is in the process of expanding operations to Vietnam, you’ll need to ensure that all of your team members have the necessary work visas and permits before they start working in the country.
Types of work visas in Vietnam
Like any other nationals from other countries, prospective employees will need to obtain a visa from Vietnam’s Embassy or Consulate in order to enter the country. Relevant types of visas include:
- HN visas for meetings and conferences
- DT visas for investors
- DN visas for individuals working with Vietnam businesses
- DH visas for students and interns
- NG1-NG4 visas for diplomatic purposes
- LV1-LV2 visas for individuals working with authorities in Vietnam
- LD visas for international workers
An LD visa will be necessary for employees who wish to live and work in Vietnam on a long-term basis.
Requirements to obtain Vietnam work visas
Vietnam has strict requirements to determine which individuals are eligible to obtain a work visa. There are 3 main categories of international workers who may apply for a Vietnam work permit:
- Managers, executives, or those in other high positions within a company
- Specialists and experts
- Technicians
Furthermore, companies in Vietnam can only offer one of these positions to a national from another country if there are no eligible local job seekers to fill the position. Based on the new amendment to Decree 152, issued in the form of new Labour Decree No. 70, the Vietnamese government has introduced a new requirement in respect of the labor market test. To prove that it’s necessary to hire an international employee, the company must announce recruitment for this position to job seekers in Vietnam via an online portal or a local newspaper. If there are no qualified Vietnamese applicants within 30 days, an international worker may be offered the job.
Proof of this announcement is required in a written document that must be submitted in the process of applying for an LD work visa. Other requirements include:
- A completed application form.
- A valid passport and a notarized copy of it.
- Health certificates and medical records of the applicant.
- 3 passport-sized photos taken within the last year.
- A criminal record to prove the applicant has no history of criminal activity that would prevent them from working in Vietnam.
- Copies of any relevant professional certificates.
Application process
To apply for a visa to work in Vietnam, employees should take the following steps:
- Get a letter from their employer that confirms their job within the company
- Gather 3 recent passport photos or have new photos taken
- Obtain a certificate of health from a hospital in Vietnam or the employee’s country of residence
- Complete the work visa application form and gather all of the necessary documents to be submitted to the Department of Labor in Vietnam
Employers in Vietnam also play a significant role in the work visa application process. The steps for the employer include:
- Obtaining a letter of preapproval for international labor usage from their Local Labor Department.
- Filing a work permit application with the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (DOLISA).
Applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the employee’s intended start date. However, the process can take much longer. It is recommended that companies apply 2 to 3 months in advance.
Upon approval of the application, the employee may travel to Vietnam. They will need to declare their status as a temporary resident at their local police authority. A temporary residence permit with a duration equal to that of the work visa will be issued within 5 working days.
Other important considerations
Currently, work permits in Vietnam are valid for up to 3 years and are not eligible for renewal. If your company plans to continue employing international workers beyond the duration of their permit, a new application must be submitted.
If your business has multiple locations that an employee may need to work at within the same province, you will need to report this on the work permit application. If any of your applicants will be working at multiple locations in different provinces, you may submit applications to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) instead.
Discover how G-P can help you manage your global teams.
At G-P, we’re committed to breaking down barriers to global business, enabling opportunity for everyone, everywhere, and helping companies tap into the fullest potential of their workforce. We help you maintain full compliance with local laws and ensure everything from hiring and onboarding to paying team members is quick and easy, regardless of where they are in the world.
Find out more about how our Global Growth Platform™ can help you grow your team across the globe.
–
At this moment, G-P does not offer support in the processing of work visas or permits in this particular location. For any other inquiries, contact us today.