In response to the increasing demand for high-skilled foreign workers in new strategic sectors such as semiconductors, AI, and digital transformation… the Government has issued Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, introducing various new provisions to provide more flexible policies for foreign workers in Vietnam.
Effective from August 7, 2025.
Key changes under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (“Decree 219 or “Decree”):
1. Work permit issuance time is 10 days
Under Decree 219, within 10 working days from the date of receiving a complete application for a work permit (“WP”), the competent authority must review the demand, approve, and issue the work permit to the foreign worker.
2. Additional case eligible for confirmation of exemption from WP
An additional case is eligible for exemption from WP: foreign workers who are confirmed by ministries, ministerial-level agencies, or provincial People’s Committees to work in Vietnam in the following sectors: finance, science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, or socio-economic priority sectors.
3. Changes to dossier for applying/renewing/reissuing WP
The Decree integrates the procedure of “explanation of the demand for foreign workers” into the procedures of WP application/renewal/reissuance.
Accordingly, the explanation of the demand for foreign workers is now directly presented with WP application/renewal/reissuance form (Form No. 03 issued together with the Decree).
4. Provincial People’s Committees to issue WPs from August 7, 2025
Under Clause 1, Article 4 of the Decree, the authority to issue, reissue, renew, revoke WPs and confirmations of exemption is assigned to Provincial People’s Committees.
5. Integrated process for WP and Criminal Record Certificate issuance
Employers may simultaneously submit online applications for WPs and Criminal Record Certificates (authorized by the foreign worker) via the National Public Service Portal.
The process is integrated between the Portal, the WP issuing authority (under the Provincial People’s Committee), and the police authority issuing the Criminal Record Certificate. Both documents will be delivered in electronic form at the same time.
6. Foreigners working less than 90 days/year exempt from WP
Under point a, Clause 13, Article 7 of Decree 219, foreigners working in Vietnam for a total period of less than 90 days in a year (from January 1 to December 31) are exempt from WP.
7. Notice requirements for cases not requiring confirmation of WP exemption
Under Clause 4, Article 9 of Decree 219, certain cases exempt from WP do not need to obtain confirmation of exemption but still need to notify the competent authority where the foreign worker is expected to work at least 03 working days before starting work. The cases include:
- Entering Vietnam for a period of less than 03 months to offer services.
- Entering Vietnam for a period of less than 03 months to handle incidents or complex technical or technological situations that arise and affect, or likely to affect production and business activities, which cannot be resolved by Vietnamese experts or foreign experts currently in Vietnam.
- A foreign lawyer who has been granted a License to Practice Law in Vietnam in accordance with the Law on Lawyers.
… - A foreigner married to a Vietnamese citizen and residing in the territory of Vietnam.
- The owner or a capital-contributing member with a contributed capital value of 3 billion VND or more of a limited liability company.
- The Chairman of the Board of Directors or a member of the Board of Directors with a contributed capital value of 3 billion VND or more of a joint stock company.
… - A foreign journalist conducting press activities certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
… - A dependent of a member of a foreign representative mission in Vietnam who is permitted to work in Vietnam under an international treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.
… - The person responsible for establishing a commercial presence.
… - Foreign workers being managers, executive directors, experts, or technical workers falling under one of the following cases: Entering Vietnam to work for a total period of less than 90 days in a year, counted from January 1 to the last day of the year.
8. Expansion of WP usage rights across multiple provinces
Foreign workers with a valid WP may work in multiple provinces/cities. Before each relocation to work in another province/city, the employer must notify the competent local authority at least 03 working days in advance.
9. Additional bases for determining the validity of WPs and exemption confirmations
Article 21 of the Decree specifies that the validity of WPs and exemption confirmations is determined based on certain documents such as labour contracts, dispatch letters, or agreements between Vietnamese and foreign partners, but not exceeding 02 years.
10. WPs can be renewed only once, up to 2 years
Under Article 29 of the Decree, a WP may be renewed only once, for a maximum of 02 years.
11. Reduced experience requirements for experts and technical workers
- Experts: Minimum required experience reduced from 3 years to 2 years (only 1 year for priority sectors) with relevant qualifications.
- Technical workers: Minimum required experience reduced from 3 to 2 years with a ≥1-year training certificate, or from 5 to 3 years without a training certificate.
