Issuing a new work permit for the company's executive director
For businesses seeking to employ foreign nationals as Executive Directors for the first time, the process is referred to as "new work permit issuance." Typically, obtaining a new work permit requires preparing documents according to specific conditions.
When applying for a new work permit for an Executive Director, it's essential to understand the definition of an Executive Director, the relevant regulations, and which job titles apply.
According to current legal interpretations, an Executive Director is defined as one of the following:
The head of a branch, representative office, or business location of an enterprise.
The head who directly manages at least one area of an agency, organization, or enterprise, and is under the direct supervision and management of the head of that agency, organization, or enterprise.

Foreign Executive Directors in Businesses
Job titles for Executive Directors are typically specified in the company's charter or the operational regulations of the agency, organization, or enterprise. Supporting documents include the Certificate of Business Registration, Certificate of Establishment, Decision on Establishment, or other equivalent legal documents.
To apply for a new work permit for an Executive Director, you'll need to utilize the company's official documents. The required documents for the Executive Director to proceed with work permit procedures include:
Company charter or operational regulations of the agency, organization, or enterprise.
Certificate of Business Registration, Certificate of Establishment, Decision on Establishment, or other equivalent legal documents.
Resolution or Appointment Decision from the relevant agency, organization, or enterprise.
In addition, the Executive Director must also prepare the following personal documents:
A health certificate or medical examination report issued by a competent foreign or Vietnamese medical authority, valid for 12 months from the date of the health conclusion until the application submission date, or a certificate of sufficient health as regulated by the Ministry of Health.
A judicial record card (police clearance certificate) or a document confirming that the foreign worker is not currently serving a sentence, has not had their criminal record expunged, or is not under criminal prosecution, issued by a foreign country or Vietnam. This document must be issued no more than 06 months prior to the application submission date.
Personal identification documents such as: Passport, visa, 4x6 portrait photo with white background.
Furthermore, the Executive Director must provide information regarding their training background, previous management experience, and professional expertise, demonstrating its suitability for the executive work requirements in Vietnam.

Key Steps for Obtaining a New Work Permit for an Executive Director:
To obtain a new work permit for an Executive Director, the following steps are generally involved:
Job Posting: Advertise the position as required by law. Foreigners working in a specific Province/City should have the job advertised in that location, typically through the Provincial/City Employment Service Center, for a period of 15 days.
Labor Demand Approval: Obtain approval for the use of foreign labor for the specific position (also known as explaining the need for foreign workers). This process usually takes 15-20 days.
Work Permit Application: Submit the work permit application with the complete dossier and for the approved job position.
It's important to note that when submitting the application for a new work permit for an Executive Director, all documents must be original or certified true copies. Documents issued by foreign authorities must be consular legalized, unless exempted, and then translated into Vietnamese and notarized or certified according to Vietnamese law.

How Inbound Vietnam Can Assist You
Inbound Vietnam has extensive experience assisting our clients with these procedures. Our team of expert consultants has over 10 years of experience in foreign labor regulations in Vietnam. We aim to provide clear, convenient, and accurate information, along with in-depth solutions for foreign HR processes, from job advertising to demand reporting. Our goal is to help clients streamline management costs and reduce time spent on foreign personnel recruitment and management in Vietnam.
Our dedicated team is ready to support clients. You can contact us for consultation at:
Hanoi Head Office: 16 Nguyen Van Ngoc, Giang Vo Ward, Hanoi. Tel: +84987464391
Ho Chi Minh City Branch: 174, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Tel:+84375654886
National Hotline: 19000039 (available for support during and outside business hours).
Please note: Inbound Vietnam is not a Vietnamese government issuing authority. We are your trusted partner, dedicated to supporting you throughout the entire process of preparing and submitting your application. We offer professional consultation and charge a service fee when clients choose to utilize our expert assistance. Service fees will be quoted specifically after Inbound Vietnam conducts a detailed assessment of your application. This ensures accuracy and suitability for the complexity of each case, especially for applications with missing documents, urgent requirements, or complex natures.