Detailed Guide to the Latest Work Permit Issuance Procedures (Decree 219/2025/ND-CP)
The Work Permit (WP) Issuance Procedures for foreign workers in Vietnam have undergone significant changes under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (dated August 7, 2025, by the Government). These new regulations aim to simplify the process and create more favorable conditions for businesses.
Inbound Vietnam provides detailed updates on the most crucial new points regarding the Work Permit issuance procedure for businesses to clearly understand and effectively apply.
1. New Point on Regulations for Recruiting Vietnamese Labor
According to Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, the recruitment of foreign labor is only permitted for job positions that Vietnamese workers cannot meet.
Integrated Procedure:
Procedure Integration: The procedure for Reporting on the need to use foreign labor has been integrated into the application for WP issuance.
Use of Form No. 03: The content of the unsuccessful notification of recruiting Vietnamese labor will be included in the employer's Written Request (according to Form No. 03 in the Appendix of the Decree), which simultaneously serves as the report and explanation of the need to use foreign labor and the request for WP issuance.
This helps businesses reduce one separate administrative step and accelerates the preparation process for the Work Permit procedure.
2. Conditions for WP Issuance by Job Title (Changes in Experience)
Decree 219/2025/ND-CP provides more detailed regulations on WP issuance conditions for each job title, especially the reduction in required work experience for Experts:
Job Title | Work Permit (WP) Issuance Conditions |
|---|---|
Manager, Executive Director | * Meet the conditions and criteria of a Manager or Executive Director as stipulated by law. * Proof documentation: Written confirmation of the job title from the competent agency, organization, or enterprise. |
Expert | * Possess a university degree or equivalent. * Have at least 2 years of work experience relevant to the training major (Reduced from 3 years). * Special exception: If working in prioritized sectors (Science, Technology, Innovation, National Digital Transformation), only requires a university degree and at least 1 year of relevant work experience. |
Technical Worker | * Have received technical training or other specialized training for at least 01 year. * Have at least 3 years of work experience in the trained specialization. * Proof documentation: Diplomas, certificates, written experience confirmations, etc. |
3. New Work Permit Issuance Procedure and Processing Time
The Work Permit issuance procedure under the new Decree is significantly simplified and integrated, particularly through the National Public Service Portal.
Work Permit Application Dossier:
Written Report/Request for WP Issuance according to Form No. 03 (integrating the explanation procedure).
Health Certificate issued by a qualified medical facility (valid for no more than 12 months).
New Note: Health Certificates issued abroad are accepted if there is a mutual recognition treaty/agreement between Vietnam and the issuing country.
Judicial Record Card (valid for no more than 6 months).
New Utility: Procedures for issuing the WP and the Judicial Record Card can be interconnected (lien thong) on the National Public Service Portal.
Valid Passport.
02 color photos (4cm x 6cm, white background).
Documents proving job title (diplomas, certificates, written experience confirmations, etc.).
Process and Time:
Submission Method: Can be done online via the National Public Service Portal.
Processing Time: The total WP issuance processing time is shortened, expected to be around 10 working days (due to integrated steps).
Issuing Authority: The authority to issue Work Permits is decentralized to the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Internal Affairs/Management Board of Industrial Parks.
4. Special Requirements for Foreigners in Specific Professions
In addition to general conditions, foreign workers in specific professions must meet additional requirements regarding qualifications or professional practice certificates according to specialized laws:
Profession | Mandatory Legal Requirements |
|---|---|
Lawyer | Must have a Certificate of Law Practice in Vietnam issued by the Ministry of Justice (pursuant to the Law on Lawyers). |
Teacher, Lecturer | Must have appropriate pedagogical diplomas or certificates for the level/subject taught (pursuant to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training). |
Doctor, Pharmacist, Nurse | Must have a Certificate of Practice for Medical Examination and Treatment in Vietnam (pursuant to the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment). |
INBOUND VIETNAM – Comprehensive Authorized Work Permit Solution
INBOUND VIETNAM is a leading entity in consulting on foreign personnel dossiers in Vietnam. We provide specialized consulting solutions and comprehensive authorized implementation of the Work Permit issuance procedure for your business, helping you fully utilize the advantages of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.
New Feature of Decree 219/2025 | Benefits when using Inbound Vietnam's service |
|---|---|
Procedure Integration (Combining Needs Report with WP Application). | Reduces 01 administrative step, accelerating dossier review speed. |
Reduced Experience Requirement for Experts (Only 2 years, some priority fields only 1 year). | Optimizes the dossier to meet new conditions, especially for high-tech personnel. |
Online Interconnection (WP and Judicial Record Card). | Executes 100% online dossiers, ensuring accuracy and security, shortening preparation and processing time. |
Decentralization of Authority (Provincial People's Committee/Department of Internal Affairs). | Closely monitors dossier resolution progress at local competent agencies, flexibly handling any issues. |
Authorized Comprehensive WP Issuance Service Process
Consultation & Dossier Initiation: Draft the Written Report explaining the need to use foreign labor (Form 03), which integrates the explanation of the unsuccessful recruitment of Vietnamese labor.
Document Collection & Legalization: Provide detailed guidance on preparing mandatory documents (Passport, Health Certificate, Judicial Record Card) and perform translation/notarization/consular legalization of foreign-issued documents.
Procedure Implementation: Submit the dossier online, continuously monitor progress on the National Public Service Portal, and leverage the interconnected procedure.
Result Handover: Receive and deliver the Work Permit (WP) to the customer.
Specialized Consultation for Specific Job Titles and Professions
Inbound Vietnam has successful experience handling complex dossiers for high-demand job titles and professions:
Job Title/Profession | Inbound Vietnam's Authorized Service |
|---|---|
Manager/Executive Director | Supports drafting the Written Confirmation of the job title and organizational structure to prove proper executive authority under the new regulations. |
Expert/Technical Worker | Consults on proving qualifications and the suitability of work experience with the position according to Decree 219/2025/ND-CP standards. |
Lawyer, Doctor/Nurse | Supports parallel consultation and preparation of dossiers to apply for a Practice License/Certificate before submitting the WP application. |
Contact Inbound Vietnam
Understanding the regulations and accurately preparing the full dossier will help the process of obtaining a Work Permit for foreigners in Vietnam proceed smoothly and effectively.
INBOUND VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL TOURISM COMPANY LIMITED
Hanoi Office: No. 16 Nguyen Van Ngoc, Giang Vo Ward
Hanoi Hotline: 0979.924.923
Ho Chi Minh Office: No. 174 Duong 3 Thang 2, Hoa Hung Ward
Ho Chi Minh Hotline: 0918.967.667
Important Note (Regarding Information and Service)
The content of this article is a synthesis and analysis of detailed legal regulations (under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP) prepared by the expert team of Inbound Vietnam for reference purposes.
Regarding Support Services:
Please note: Inbound Vietnam is a partner, a companion entity supporting you to optimize the legal process, not an agency that issues documents on behalf of the Vietnamese government.
We provide in-depth consulting services and support customers in carrying out the Work Permit issuance procedure, ensuring the dossier strictly complies with the latest regulations.
We provide consultation and charge a service fee when customers require the use of our professional assistance.
The service fee will be quoted specifically after Inbound Vietnam conducts a detailed assessment of your dossier, ensuring accuracy and suitability for the complexity of each case.
