Vietnam Introduces New Work Permit Regulations for Foreign Employees

August 13, 2025

Vietnam has introduced a new legal framework governing work permits for foreign employees under Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on 7 August 2025.

The new decree replaces Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP and Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP, introducing a number of changes aimed at simplifying administrative procedures, supporting businesses, attracting international talent and strengthening immigration compliance.

For employers and foreign professionals working in Vietnam, the new regulations are expected to make the work permit process more efficient while introducing several new compliance requirements.

What Has Changed?

Decree 219 updates several important aspects of Vietnam's work permit framework, including:

• Work permit application procedures
• Eligibility requirements for experts, executives and technical workers
• Work permit exemptions
• Processing timelines
• Documentation requirements
• Multi-location work permits
• Standardised job classifications

Many of these changes reduce administrative complexity while improving consistency across the work permit process.

Key Changes Under Decree 219

Simplified Labour Approval Process

One of the most significant changes is the integration of the labour demand approval process into the work permit application.

For most applications, employers no longer need to obtain separate labour usage approval before submitting a work permit application.

However, foreign employees hired under local employment contracts remain subject to the job posting requirement before work permit applications can proceed.

Updated Definitions for Experts, Executives and Technical Workers

The decree introduces revised qualification requirements for several work permit categories.

For Experts, the minimum work experience requirement has been reduced from three years to two years.

Additional flexibility is introduced for professionals working in priority sectors such as:

• Finance
• Science
• Technology
• Innovation
• National Digital Transformation
• Other priority sectors identified by the Vietnamese Government

Requirements for Technical Workers have also been simplified through reduced qualification and experience thresholds.

The definition of Executive has been expanded to include individuals responsible for managing business units within an organisation, although additional experience requirements apply to this category.

Expanded Work Permit Exemptions

The previous exemption allowing business travellers to work in Vietnam for 30 days per visit with a maximum of three visits per year has been removed.

Instead, foreign nationals may qualify for a work permit exemption where their total working period in Vietnam does not exceed 90 days within a calendar year.

Notification procedures continue to apply for exempted cases.

Faster and More Transparent Processing

Decree 219 introduces clearer processing timelines covering:

• New work permit applications
• Renewals
• Reissuance
• Cancellation
• Work permit exemptions

These changes are expected to improve predictability for employers planning international assignments.

Multi-Province Work Permit Applications

Foreign employees working across multiple provinces will now submit applications through the authority where the employer's registered office is located.

This removes the need to manage separate applications across multiple jurisdictions.

Reduced Documentation Requirements

Employers are no longer required to submit labour contracts or biannual employment reports unless specifically requested by the authorities.

The reduction in supporting documentation should simplify the overall application process.

Introduction of Standardised Job Codes

Work permit applications will now require applicants to use official job codes rather than manually describing job titles.

The new approach aims to improve consistency, strengthen regulatory oversight and standardise work permit classifications.

What This Means for Employers

The new regulations are expected to reduce administrative burden for many employers while creating a more efficient framework for recruiting and managing foreign employees in Vietnam.

Businesses should nevertheless review their existing immigration processes to ensure continued compliance with the updated requirements.

Areas requiring attention include:

• Work permit eligibility
• Updated application forms
• Job code classifications
• Work permit exemption eligibility
• Internal immigration compliance procedures

What This Means for Foreign Employees

Foreign professionals planning to work in Vietnam should review the updated eligibility requirements before preparing work permit applications.

The revised definitions for Experts and Technical Workers may create additional opportunities for applicants who previously did not satisfy experience requirements.

At the same time, foreign employees should ensure that immigration documentation remains consistent with the updated regulatory framework.

Looking Ahead

While Decree 219 provides significant clarification, additional implementation guidance is expected through a supporting Circular, which should provide further details regarding documentation requirements, application procedures and transitional arrangements.

Employers and foreign employees should continue monitoring future guidance to ensure full compliance.

Supporting Global Mobility in Vietnam

Changes to immigration and employment regulations can have a direct impact on workforce planning, international assignments and business operations.

Jardeon Group continues to monitor developments affecting Global Mobility, immigration compliance and foreign employment in Vietnam, helping businesses and international professionals navigate regulatory changes with greater clarity and confidence.

Need support with work permits, immigration compliance or foreign employee mobility in Vietnam? Contact Jardeon Group for professional guidance