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Workers

New Regulations on Foreign Workers in Vietnam: Key Provisions and Exemptions

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Government of Vietnam has introduced Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, August 7. This decree provides regulations on foreigners working in Vietnam, integrating the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits. The new regulations include several key provisions and exemptions for foreign workers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The application dossier for a work permit must now include a written document from the employer explaining the need to employ foreign workers and requesting the issuance of a work permit, using Form No. 03 in the Appendix issued together with the decree.
  • The competent authority must consider and approve the demand for a work permit within 10 working days from the date of receiving the dossier, and issue the work permit to the foreign worker within the same timeframe.
  • In cases where the demand is not approved or the work permit is not issued, a written response stating the reasons must be provided within three working days.
  • The provincial-level People's Committee has the authority to issue, reissue, extend, and revoke work permits.
  • Foreign workers are exempt from obtaining a work permit in certain cases, including those specific in Article 154 of the Labour Code, owners or capital contributors with a capital contribution of 3 billion VND or more, and foreign journalists engaged in press activities confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Other exemptions include foreign workers entering Vietnam to provide consulting services, teach, manage, or act as executive directors at educational institutions, foreign students with internship agreements, and trainees and interns on Vietnamese seagoing vessels.

Statistics:

  • 10 working days: the timeframe for the competent authority to consider and approve the demand for a work permit.
  • 3 working days: the timeframe for the competent authority to issue a written response in cases of non-approval or non-issuance of a work permit.
  • 3 billion VND (114,400 USD): the capital contribution threshold for exemption from obtaining a work permit.
  • 5 cases specified in Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Article 154 of the Labour Code: cases where foreign workers are exempt from obtaining a work permit.

Sources:

  • Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP [accessed August 7]
  • Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP [accessed August 7]
  • Labour Code [accessed August 7]

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