Business Setup

Work permits in Vietnam for foreign employees

Work permit applications, exemptions, dependent visas, and TRCs for foreign employees of FDI companies and rep offices.

Book a Free ConsultationSee all Business Setup

Overview

A work permit is required for most foreign nationals working in Vietnam under a labour contract. We handle the full work-permit process: document preparation, medical, criminal record, apostille, translation, submission, and TRC (Temporary Residence Card) for the employee and dependents.

Who needs this service

  • FDI companies hiring foreign staff
  • Rep offices appointing a chief representative
  • Companies transferring staff from a foreign related entity

Legal requirements

Work permit application

Submitted to the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. Documents include the health certificate, criminal record, education, experience, and the labour contract.

Work-permit exemption

Internal transferees, shareholders, and certain professionals may be exempt. The exemption certificate is required.

TRC

A long-term residence card for work-permit holders and qualifying dependents. Removes the need for visa renewals.

Pricing

Indicative fees

ItemFee
Work permit applicationfrom USD 1,500
Work-permit exemption certificatefrom USD 800
TRC applicationfrom USD 1,000
Dependent visafrom USD 500 per dependent

Fees are indicative and depend on transaction volume, complexity, and reporting requirements. Request a tailored proposal.

Timeline

Typical engagement timeline

Phase 1 · Week 1–4

Document preparation

Apostille, translation, medical, criminal record.

Phase 2 · Week 5–6

Submission

Application to the labour authority.

Phase 3 · Week 7–10

Review and issuance

Authority review and permit issuance.

Watch out

Common mistakes we help you avoid

  • 01Starting work before the work permit is issued
  • 02Missing the apostille on the criminal record
  • 03Failing to obtain a work-permit exemption certificate for an internal transferee
  • 04Not planning the renewal 2–3 months before expiry
Why us

What you get

End-to-end

We manage the entire process, from document preparation to TRC and dependent visas.

Exemption expertise

We advise on whether an exemption is available, saving time and cost.

Renewal planning

We track the permit expiry and start the renewal process ahead of time.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long does a work permit take?
4–8 weeks from document preparation to issuance, longer if apostilled documents are required. Begin the process at least 3 months before the start date.
What are the work-permit exemptions?
Common exemptions: internal transferees (12+ months with the related entity), shareholders contributing more than VND 3 billion, members of the board of management not directly working, specialists on short-term projects, and certain professionals with practising certificates.
How long is a work permit valid?
Up to 2 years. The permit is not renewable in practice; a fresh application is required for each term. Re-application should begin 2–3 months before expiry.
What is the cost of a work permit?
Government fees are typically VND 1–2 million. Professional fees (document preparation, apostille, medical, translation) range from USD 1,500 to USD 5,000 per employee.
Get Started

Ready to discuss work permits?

Free 30-minute consultation. We'll review your situation and outline a fixed-fee engagement.

Book a Free ConsultationDownload the Compliance Checklist