Exemption of Work Permits for Foreign Employees

Foreigners entering to work in Vietnam are required to secure a work permit issued by the labor authority.

The following foreigners are exempted from the work permit requirements:

1. The manager of a representative office, project, or the person in charge of the operation of an international organization or a foreign non-governmental organization in Vietnam.

2. Entering Vietnam for a period of less than 03 months to do marketing of a service.

3. Entering Vietnam for a period of less than 03 months to a resolve complicated technical or technological issue which (i) affects or threatens to affect the business operation and (ii) cannot be resolved by Vietnamese experts or any other foreign experts currently in Vietnam.

4. Foreign lawyer who has been granted a lawyer’s practicing certificate in Vietnam in accordance with the Law on Lawyers.

5. Falling into one of the cases specified in an international treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.

6. Getting married to a Vietnamese citizen and wishes to reside in Vietnam.

7. Owner or capital contributor of a limited liability company with a capital contribution value of at least 3 billion dongs.

8. Chairperson or a member of the Board of Directors of a joint-stock company with a capital contribution value of at least 3 billion dongs.

9. An intra-company transferee within 11 sectors in the schedule of commitments in services between Vietnam and WTO, including business services, communication services, construction services, distribution services, educational services, environmental services, financial services, health services, tourism services, recreational and cultural services, and transport services.

10. Entering Vietnam to provide professional and engineering consulting services or perform other tasks intended for research, formulation, appraisal, supervision, evaluation, management, and execution of programs and projects using official development assistance (ODA) in accordance with regulations or agreement in international treaties on ODA signed between the competent authorities of Vietnam and foreign countries.

11. Journalists who are granted with journalism license in Vietnam by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

12. Entering Vietnam to teach and study at an international school under the management of a foreign diplomatic mission or the United Nations; or of a facility established under an agreement to which Vietnam is a signatory.

13. Volunteer

14. Entering Vietnam to hold the position of a manager, executive, expert, or technical worker for a period of work of less than 30 days and up to 3 times a year.

15. Entering Vietnam to implement an international agreement to which a central or provincial authority is a signatory as per the law

16. Student studying at a foreign school or training institution which has a probation agreement with an agency, organization, or enterprise in Vietnam; or a probationer or apprentice on a Vietnam sea-going ship.

17.  Relative of a member of the foreign representative body in Vietnam (Accompanying members of foreign representative bodies in Vietnam who are authorized to work in Vietnam under an international treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory as their relatives.

18. Those who obtain an official passport to work for a regulatory agency or political or socio-political organization.

19. Entering Vietnam to take charge of establishing a commercial presence.

20. Foreign worker entering Vietnam for teaching and research purpose who is certified by the Ministry of Education and Training.