Obtaining a work permit for foreign executives Vietnam operations depend on became materially simpler in August 2025. Decree 219/2025/ND-CP dated 7 August 2025 replaced the previous framework, moved licensing authority to provincial People’s Committees and merged the separate explanation of demand for foreign labour into the permit application itself.
The rules on who qualifies as a manager, executive director, expert or technical worker did not become looser, however, and most refusals still turn on evidencing the category. This guide sets out the six rules that matter.
Work Permit for Foreign Executives Vietnam: Who Issues It
Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP the provincial People’s Committee grants, re-grants, extends and revokes work permits and exemption confirmations for foreign nationals working for an employer with its head office, branch, representative office or business location in that province.
Where an executive will work across several provinces, the filing follows the location of the employing entity. Groups operating a factory in one province and a head office in another should align the employment contract with the intended filing province before applying.
Work Permit for Foreign Executives Vietnam: The Merged Demand Step
Previously the employer filed a separate report explaining its demand for foreign labour, obtained approval, and only then applied for the permit. Decree 219/2025/ND-CP folds the explanation into the permit dossier, removing a step that commonly added three to four weeks.
The substance still has to be demonstrated: the employer must show why the position cannot reasonably be filled by a Vietnamese national. A generic statement is the most common reason a file is returned, so the position description should be specific about language, market or technical requirements.
Work Permit for Foreign Executives Vietnam: Qualifying Categories
The four categories are manager, executive director, expert and technical worker. A manager or executive director is evidenced by the corporate documents showing the appointment, which makes this the cleanest route for founders and country heads.
An expert is evidenced by a university degree or higher plus relevant working experience, or by equivalent professional recognition. A technical worker is evidenced by technical training plus experience. Choosing the wrong category and then switching mid-process restarts the file, so the category decision should be made against the documents actually available.
Work Permit for Foreign Executives Vietnam: Documents
The dossier comprises the application, a health certificate issued within the validity period, a criminal record certificate from Vietnam or the home country issued within six months, documents evidencing the qualifying category, passport copies, photographs, and the employer’s corporate documents.
Foreign-issued documents require consular legalisation and certified Vietnamese translation. The criminal record certificate is the usual bottleneck because its validity window is short, so it should be ordered after the qualification documents are legalised rather than before.
Work Permit for Foreign Executives Vietnam: Validity and Renewal
A permit is granted for up to two years and may be extended once for a further period of up to two years, after which a new permit is required. The permit is tied to the employer, the position and the workplace stated on it.
A change of employer, position or workplace requires a new or re-granted permit. Groups that rotate executives between a representative office and an operating company must file for each move rather than treating it as internal. See our note on representative office employees.
Work Permit for Foreign Executives Vietnam: Residence Card and Family
Once the permit issues, the executive applies for a temporary residence card, which removes the need for repeated visa renewals and can be granted for a period aligned with the permit. Spouses and children may obtain dependant residence cards.
Timing matters: the residence card application should follow immediately after the permit, because entry on a business visa while awaiting a permit is a grey area that immigration authorities examine on renewal. Our guides to the temporary residence card and work permit exemptions cover the next steps.
Work Permit for Foreign Executives Vietnam: Timeline Planning
A work permit for foreign executives Vietnam employers apply for should be planned backwards from the intended start date. Consular legalisation of degree certificates and experience letters takes three to six weeks in most jurisdictions. The criminal record certificate has a short validity window and should be ordered once legalisation is under way, not before. The health check is done in Vietnam at an approved facility and takes a few days.
With those in hand, the provincial People’s Committee decision follows within the statutory period, and the residence card application is filed immediately afterwards. A realistic plan for a work permit for foreign executives Vietnam postings require is eight to ten weeks from instruction to residence card, of which the Vietnamese authority accounts for perhaps two. Groups that start the document collection at offer stage rather than at contract signature routinely save a month.
15 Things to Prepare Before Setting Up an FDI Company in Vietnam
A four-page pre-filing checklist covering structure and market access, capital and the DICA account, licensing and legalisation, work permits, and tax. Current to July 2026, including Decree 96/2026/ND-CP, Decree 219/2025/ND-CP and Decree 236/2025/ND-CP.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a work permit take?
Four to six weeks from complete documents, with consular legalisation abroad the longest single element.
Can a founder without a degree qualify?
Yes, through the manager or executive director route, evidenced by the charter and appointment decision rather than academic qualifications.
Is a work permit needed for short visits?
Decree 219/2025/ND-CP allows work in Vietnam of less than ninety days in aggregate per year without a permit, subject to notification.
What happens if an executive works without a permit?
Administrative fines apply to both the individual and the employer, and expulsion is possible. Contracts signed by an unpermitted representative also attract validity questions.
Get Executive Mobility Support
IVLF Advisors selects the qualifying category, assembles and legalises the dossier, files the permit and residence card, and manages renewals and transfers. See also our labour advisory service and guidance from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Contact our team.
This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice for any specific case. Regulations may change – please consult a qualified professional before acting. Should further analysis be required, please contact one of our lawyers below.
