Vietnam Work Permit Service for Foreign Employees

Lotus Air’s Vietnam work permit service supports enterprises in preparing, reviewing, and completing work permit applications for foreign experts, managers, executive directors, technical workers, and overseas personnel working in Vietnam.

For companies bringing foreign experts to Vietnam for business assignments, long-term employment, or project implementation, a work permit is not merely a mandatory legal procedure. It is also an important foundation for managing foreign labor records, applying for work visas, obtaining temporary residence cards, and ensuring that foreign employees work in Vietnam in compliance with regulations.

When Do Foreign Nationals Need a Work Permit in Vietnam?

Foreign nationals working in Vietnam generally need a work permit, except for certain exemption cases under applicable regulations. A work permit confirms that the foreign employee is authorized to work in Vietnam under an approved position, job title, work location, employer, and validity period.

Companies should consider work permit procedures from the early stage of recruitment or foreign expert onboarding. If the process is handled too late, documents are incomplete, or the case type is incorrectly identified, the company’s employment schedule, entry plan, work visa, or temporary residence card application may be affected.

A Vietnam work permit service is especially useful in cases where:

• A company hires foreign experts for long-term work in Vietnam.
• A foreign parent company transfers personnel to its commercial presence in Vietnam.
• An enterprise brings in managers, executive directors, or technical workers.
• Contractors, partners, or project-based organizations require foreign personnel to perform work in Vietnam.
• The company needs to renew, reissue, or adjust an existing work permit record.

Conditions for Applying for a Vietnam Work Permit

To apply for a Vietnam work permit, both the foreign employee and the employing company must meet the basic conditions under current regulations. Detailed requirements may vary depending on the position, work arrangement, and specific application category.

Common conditions to review include:

Each application group may require different supporting documents. Experts usually need documents proving relevant qualifications or experience. Technical workers must demonstrate professional capability, training duration, or practical experience. Intra-company transferees need records showing their employment relationship with the overseas company and the relevant commercial presence in Vietnam.

Common Vietnam Work Permit Categories

A work permit is issued based on a specific job position, working form, and employing company. Therefore, before preparing the application, the company should identify the correct category to avoid submitting unsuitable documents.

Common work permit categories include:

Correct classification from the beginning helps the company determine the right document set and reduce the risk of having to supplement, amend, or resubmit the application due to an incorrect case category.

Documents Required for a Vietnam Work Permit Application

The required documents for a Vietnam work permit application may vary depending on each case. However, a basic application file usually includes:

Certain documents issued overseas may need to be translated, notarized, certified, or consular legalized before being used in Vietnam. This is a common source of errors for companies that are not familiar with applications for experts, technical workers, or personnel transferred from overseas corporations.

Lotus Air’s Vietnam Work Permit Process

Lotus Air supports companies with a clear work permit process, helping enterprises understand what to prepare, what to review, and how to monitor the application progress.

• Step 1: Initial information collection. Lotus Air records the employee’s nationality, job position, title, experience, qualifications, expected working period in Vietnam, current visa status, and temporary residence card needs if applicable.
• Step 2: Application category assessment. The consulting team identifies whether the foreign employee falls under the category of expert, manager, executive director, technical worker, intra-company transferee, or another working form.
• Step 3: Document checklist consultation. Lotus Air provides a case-based document checklist and guides the company on requirements for passport, photos, degrees, experience confirmation, health check certificate, criminal record certificate, and corporate documents.
• Step 4: Document review and completion. Key information is checked before submission, including full name, passport number, job title, work location, working period, company information, and consistency across all documents.
• Step 5: Application submission support and progress monitoring. Lotus Air coordinates with the company during the submission process, supports additional information requests if any, and updates the processing status.
• Step 6: Next-step consultation. After the work permit is issued, Lotus Air can continue to advise on work visas, temporary residence cards, air tickets, Fast Track services, and other support needs for foreign experts entering, working, and staying in Vietnam.

Vietnam Work Permit Service Fees

Vietnam work permit service fees depend on the document status, job position, nationality, submission location, urgency, and number of foreign employees involved.

Common cost items may include:

At Lotus Air, service fees are advised after reviewing key information such as job position, company type, nationality, contract duration, the employee’s experience/qualifications, current visa status, and the need for a temporary residence card after obtaining the work permit.

Vietnam Work Permit Renewal

Companies should monitor the validity of each foreign employee’s work permit to renew it at the appropriate time. If the work permit expires, the company may need to apply for a new permit or follow another suitable procedure depending on the actual case.

The renewal application should be prepared before the current permit expires. Early preparation gives the company enough time to review the employment contract, passport, health check certificate, application form, and other documents related to the foreign employee’s position.

Lotus Air supports enterprises in reviewing work permit validity, assessing renewal eligibility, preparing the required documents, and advising on next steps to avoid disruption to the employee’s work plan, visa, or temporary residence card.

Cases Where a Work Permit Becomes Invalid

A work permit may become invalid in common cases such as:

• The work permit expires.
• The employment contract or working agreement is terminated.
• The information on the work permit no longer matches the actual working situation.
• The foreign employee works in a different position, title, location, or company from what is stated on the permit.
• The employing company ceases operation.
• The foreign employee’s work permit is revoked by a competent authority.
• Other cases under current laws and regulations.

Companies should update the foreign employee’s record when there are changes in title, work location, contract duration, or employing entity to avoid the risk of the work permit no longer matching the actual working arrangement.

Why Should Enterprises Choose Lotus Air?

Lotus Air’s work permit service is suitable for enterprises that need a clear, professional support point capable of assisting throughout the process of bringing foreign experts to Vietnam for work.

Key advantages include:

• Correct application category consultation: identifying whether the employee is an expert, manager, executive director, technical worker, intra-company transferee, or another working form.
• Document review before submission: reducing inconsistencies among passport, degrees, experience confirmation, contract, and corporate documents.
• Suitable for companies with multiple foreign employees: supporting enterprises that frequently invite experts, engineers, managers, or foreign workers to Vietnam.
• Connection with visas and temporary residence cards: helping companies plan the legal pathway after the work permit is issued.
• Integration with air ticketing and entry support: Lotus Air can also assist with air tickets, flight schedules, Fast Track services, and travel needs for experts, partners, or foreign personnel.

Time-saving process for enterprises: companies receive step-by-step guidance on what to prepare, when to submit, and what to pay attention to.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnam Work Permits

How long does it take to obtain a Vietnam work permit?

The processing time for a Vietnam work permit depends on the document status, submission location, job position, and whether foreign-issued documents have been properly translated, notarized, and legalized.

If the application is complete and well-prepared, the process is usually smoother. If degrees, experience confirmation, health check certificate, criminal record, or company documents are missing, additional time may be required for supplementation.

Companies should prepare the application early before the foreign employee’s expected start date to avoid affecting onboarding, entry schedules, and visa or temporary residence card plans.

How long is a Vietnam work permit valid?

A Vietnam work permit is generally issued based on the term of the contract, assignment letter, working agreement, or foreign labor demand, but it must not exceed the maximum validity period allowed under applicable regulations.

When advising on the application, Lotus Air reviews the contract term, passport validity, current visa status, and working plan to recommend a suitable approach.

Can Lotus Air support temporary residence card applications after the work permit is issued?

Yes. Lotus Air can advise and support temporary residence card services for eligible foreign nationals, especially foreign experts, employees, investors, family members of foreigners legally residing in Vietnam, or other cases with suitable legal records.

For foreign employees, a work permit is often one of the important bases for a labor-based temporary residence card application. Lotus Air can help enterprises review the pathway from work permit to work visa and temporary residence card.

Can an expired work permit be renewed?

A work permit may be renewed if the conditions are met and the application is submitted within the required timeline. If the work permit has already expired and was not renewed in time, the company may need to apply for a new permit or follow another suitable procedure depending on the actual case.

Lotus Air recommends that companies periodically review work permit validity, especially for foreign experts, managers, and technical workers working in Vietnam on a long-term basis.

Vietnam Work Permit Service by Lotus Air

Lotus Air’s Vietnam work permit service supports enterprises in handling foreign employee applications professionally, with a clear process and a case-based approach for each job position.

Beyond work permit procedures, Lotus Air can also assist companies with related needs such as work visas, temporary residence cards, air tickets, Fast Track services, and entry support for foreign experts.

Need to review eligibility, required documents, or the right work permit solution for foreign employees in Vietnam? Contact Lotus Air for suitable consultation.

• Hotline: 1900 6654
• Email: info@lotusair.vn