New Regulations on Issuing Work Permits for Foreigners in Vietnam – Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP

On August 7, 2025, the Government issued Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP on foreigners working in Vietnam, replacing and supplementing several provisions of Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP and Decree 70/2023/NĐ-CP.

The new decree introduces many significant changes, helping to simplify procedures, shorten the work permit issuance time, and expand the categories exempt from work permits—particularly in the context of Vietnam attracting high-quality human resources for emerging fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.

1. Integrated Procedures – Reducing Intermediate Steps
Instead of separately carrying out the procedures for submitting the demand explanation report and the work permit application, Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP allows combining them into a single application dossier.
The dossier includes seven main groups of documents:

• Written explanation and request for permit issuance (Form No. 03)

• Valid health certificate (issued in Vietnam or in a foreign country with mutual recognition)

• Valid passport

• Valid judicial record (not older than 6 months)

• 4x6 cm color photo

• Documents proving the form of employment

• Documents proving professional qualifications (manager, director, expert, technical worker)

2. Work Permit Issuance Time – 10 Working Days

• Within 10 working days from receipt of a complete dossier, the competent authority will review the labor demand and issue the work permit.
• If the application is refused, a written reply stating the reason must be provided within 3 working days.

3. Issuing Authority – Delegated to Provincial People’s Committees

• The provincial People’s Committee is responsible for issuing, reissuing, extending, and revoking work permits, as well as issuing certificates of exemption from work permits for foreign workers.

• In cases where the employee works in multiple provinces/cities, the provincial People’s Committee where the employer’s head office is located will carry out the procedures.

4. Additional Exemptions from Work Permit Requirements
In addition to the existing categories, Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP adds groups of foreign workers coming to Vietnam to work in priority sectors such as:

• Finance, science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation

• Sectors prioritized for socio-economic development as confirmed by the relevant ministry/sector or provincial People’s Committee

As a result, there are now 15 cases where a work permit is not required, including:

• Owners or capital-contributing members with contributions of VND 3 billion or more

• Chairpersons/members of the Board of Directors with capital contributions of VND 3 billion or more

• Experts, managers, technical workers working in Vietnam for less than 90 days per year

• Intra-corporate transferees in 11 service sectors committed under the WTO

• Teaching and research staff for international education programs

• Journalists, volunteers, and individuals implementing international agreements, etc.

5. Implications for Businesses & Investors

• Shortened procedures help businesses quickly onboard international talent

• Expanded exemptions from work permits attract skilled professionals in key sectors

• Enhanced transparency and reduced administrative burdens for both enterprises and regulatory agencies

The issuance of Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP not only simplifies procedures and shortens application processing times but also broadens opportunities to attract high-quality international personnel, meeting Vietnam’s economic development needs in the new era. Businesses should proactively update their knowledge, review, and prepare standardized documentation to maximize the benefits of the new policy, while ensuring legal compliance and avoiding risks in the recruitment and employment of foreign workers in Vietnam.

Viet Australia
Viet Australia Auditing Company is an independent auditing organization licensed and established in 2007 in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.