In recent years, Vietnam has witnessed a rising influx of skilled foreign workers seeking employment opportunities in the country. If your company is in the process of expanding or outsourcing its operations to Vietnam, it is crucial to ensure that all team members possess the necessary work visas and permits before commencing work in the country.

Types of Work Visas in Vietnam

Much like other foreign nationals, prospective employees must secure a visa from the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate to enter Vietnam. The relevant visa types for employment purposes include:

1. DL visas for tourists.
2. HN visas for attending meetings and conferences.
3. DT visas for investors.
4. DN visas for individuals collaborating with Vietnamese businesses.
5. DH visas for students and interns.
6. NG1-NG4 visas for diplomatic missions.
7. LV1-LV2 visas for individuals working with Vietnamese authorities.
8. LD visas for foreign workers intending to live and work in Vietnam on a long-term basis.

For employees planning to reside and work in Vietnam for an extended period, an LD visa is essential.

Requirements for Obtaining Vietnam Work Visas

Vietnam enforces stringent criteria to determine eligibility for work visas, categorizing foreign workers into three main groups:

1. Managers, executives, or individuals in high-ranking positions within a company.
2. Specialists and experts.
3. Technicians.

Moreover, a Vietnamese company can only offer one of these positions to a foreign national if there are no suitable Vietnamese candidates available to fill the role. To demonstrate the necessity of hiring a foreign employee, the company must advertise the position to job seekers in Vietnam through an online portal or a Vietnamese newspaper. If there are no qualified Vietnamese applicants within 30 days, the company can proceed to hire a foreign worker.

One crucial document required during the LD work visa application process is proof of this job announcement. Additional requirements encompass:

1. A duly completed application form.
2. A valid passport.
3. Health certificates and medical records of the applicant.
4. Three recent passport-sized photographs, taken within the last year.
5. A judicial profile confirming the applicant has no history of criminal activity that would hinder their employment in Vietnam.
6. Copies of any relevant professional certificates.

Application Process

To apply for a work visa in Vietnam, employees should follow these steps:

1. Obtain a letter from their employer affirming their role within the company.
2. Collect three recent passport photos or have new ones taken.
3. Secure a health certificate from a hospital in Vietnam or their country of residence.
4. Complete the work visa application form and assemble all necessary documents for submission to the Department of Labor in Vietnam.

Employers in Vietnam play a significant role in the work visa application process. Their responsibilities include:

1. Obtaining a letter of preapproval for employing foreign labor from their Local Labor Department.
2. Submitting a work permit application to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (DOLISA).

Applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the intended start date of the employee. However, it’s important to note that the process can take longer, so it is advisable for companies to apply two to three months in advance.

Upon approval of the application, the employee may proceed to Vietnam. They will need to register as a temporary resident with their local police authority. A temporary residence permit, valid for the same duration as the work visa, will be issued within five days.

Other Important Considerations

Currently, work permits in Vietnam are valid for up to three years and are not eligible for renewal. If your company intends to continue employing a foreign worker beyond the permit’s duration, a new application must be submitted.