New regulations on the employment of foreign workers effective from August 7, 2025.

Content

Decree 152/2020/ND-CP
(Amended by Decree 70/2023/ND-CP)

Decree 219/2025/ND-CP
NEW

1. Authority to issue Work Permits

• Issued by the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (LĐ-TB&XH) at the local level;

• The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs grants this in special cases.

• The Provincial People's Committee has the authority to issue, reissue, extend, and revoke work permits and certificates of exemption from work permits;

• The Provincial People's Committee may delegate authority to its subordinate agencies.

2. Issuing Criminal Record Certificates (CRCs) in conjunction with Work Permits.

• No regulations

• The two procedures are carried out separately at the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the Police Department.

There is an integrated online process, allowing simultaneous submission of work permit applications and criminal record certificates through the National Public Service Portal, with results delivered electronically at the same time.

3. Notification when a work permit exemption certificate is not required.

Reports must be submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs or the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

• In some cases, a certificate of exemption from work permit is not required, but the competent local authority must be notified at least 03 working days in advance.

• The notification should include the following basic information: full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, name of the foreign employer, workplace location, and duration of employment.

4. Number of times the work permit can be renewed.

There is no limit to the number of renewals, each for a maximum of 02 years.

Renewal is permitted only once, for a maximum of two years.

5. Cases where a work permit is not required.

14 cases, some of which are not clearly classified or not specifically mentioned.

Fifteen additional cases include individuals working in the fields of finance, science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, and priority areas for socio-economic development, as confirmed by competent authorities.

6. Conditions for the expert

A university degree and at least 3 years of relevant experience are required for all specialist positions.

Applicants must have a university degree and at least 2 years of relevant experience, or at least 1 year in a specialized field (science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, priority areas for socio-economic development).

7. Exemption from work permit for less than 90 days/year

Work permits are waived if the stay is less than 30 days/time and not more than 90 days/year; there are no specific regulations regarding notification.

For total working time of less than 90 days in a year, a work permit is not required, but at least 03 working days' notice must be given.

8. Working in multiple locations

There are no specific regulations; some localities require the re-issuance of work permits when working in a new locality.

You may work in multiple provinces/cities if you have a work permit; you must notify the agency in your intended work location at least 03 working days in advance.

9. Basis for determining the validity period of work permits/certificates

Not more than two years, but the list of grounds is incomplete.

Not exceeding two years, based on the employment contract, assignment document, international agreement, operating license, etc.

10. Revocation of work permits and certificates.

The regulations only stipulate the revocation of work permits, scattered across various articles, and do not specify the revocation of certificates confirming exemption from work permits.

The regulations clearly specify the circumstances under which work permits and exemption certificates can be revoked (expiration, violation of obligations, criminal prosecution, business cessation, notice of work stoppage, etc.).