Vietnam Work Permits in 2026: Employers Should Check Position, Work Form and Workplace First

In 2026, Vietnam work permits for foreign employees remain a critical compliance issue for companies, not only because of labor regulations but also because they directly affect visas, temporary residence cards and long-term staffing plans.

Under the current framework, Decree 219/2025/ND-CP on foreign workers in Vietnam took effect on 7 August 2025 and changed the way employers prepare applications compared with the previous system.

One notable change is that the explanation of demand for foreign labor is now integrated into the work permit application, encouraging companies to prepare one consistent dossier from the beginning.

In practice, the main risk is often not the number of documents but inconsistencies among the job title, work form, workplace, professional experience, assignment letter and the information expected to appear on the permit.

Employers should first identify whether the foreign employee is a manager, executive director, expert or technical worker, because each category requires a different method of proving qualifications and experience.

If a foreign employee already holds a valid permit but needs to change the job position or form of work, a new work permit procedure may be required even when the employer remains the same.

Processing time should also be built into the recruitment schedule. After receiving a complete dossier, the competent authority reviews the demand and the issuance of the work permit within the statutory timeline, but companies should still allow time for possible corrections.

Passports, criminal record certificates, health certificates, degrees, experience letters, assignment documents and relevant contracts should be checked together before translation, certification or consular legalization.

A well-prepared work permit dossier not only supports the permit application but also lays the groundwork for temporary residence cards and residence procedures for accompanying family members.

Before filing, employers should answer three practical questions: in what capacity will the foreigner work, where will the work be performed, and do all supporting documents tell the same story?