Work Visa in Vietnam 2026: Work Permit, LD Visa & Decree 219

Vietnam does not let you show up and start working. Every foreign national employed in Vietnam for more than 90 cumulative days in a calendar year needs a work permit issued by DOLISA (Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs) and an LD work visa issued by immigration authorities. The employer, not the employee, must initiate the process. And before the employer can even apply, they must prove to the Vietnamese government that no local candidate could fill the role.

The system was reformed in August 2025 under Decree 219/2025, which consolidated several previously separate application steps. The reform streamlined paperwork but did not reduce the timeline: document preparation still takes 2 to 3 months, and the formal processing adds another 3 to 4 weeks. Working without a valid permit carries fines of VND 15 to 25 million (~USD 625 to 1,040) for the employee and VND 30 to 75 million for the employer, plus deportation and potential blacklisting.

This guide covers the full work visa process in Vietnam for 2026, including the labour market test, the four worker categories, LD1 vs LD2 visas, required documents, realistic timelines, costs, exemptions, and how an Employer of Record handles the entire process.

Like China, Vietnam uses a layered system where multiple documents must be obtained sequentially:

Layer 1: Labour demand approval. The employer submits a registration form to DOLISA explaining why a foreign worker is needed. Before applying, the employer must have advertised the position to Vietnamese workers for at least 15 days and demonstrated that no local candidate could fill the role. This is a genuine labour market test, not a formality.

Layer 2: Work permit. Once labour demand is approved, the employer submits the work permit application to DOLISA. The permit classifies the foreign worker into one of four categories: manager, executive director, expert, or technical worker. The work permit is valid for up to 2 years and can be extended once for another 2 years.

Layer 3: Work visa (LD1 or LD2). With the work permit in hand, the employer requests a visa approval letter from the Immigration Department. The employee then applies for the LD visa at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, or converts an existing visa inside Vietnam.

Layer 4: Temporary Residence Card (TRC). For stays of one year or more, the employee applies for a TRC through the Immigration Department. Valid for up to the duration of the work permit, allowing multiple entries. Processing takes about 5 working days.

Total formal processing time is approximately 30 to 40 working days. But document preparation (degree authentication, criminal background check, health certificate, translations) typically adds 2 to 3 months. Realistic end-to-end timeline: 3 to 4 months.

Vietnam classifies foreign workers into four categories. Your category determines the qualification requirements:

The expert category is where most foreign professionals (developers, engineers, consultants, finance professionals) land. The standard path is a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus at least 3 years of post-graduation experience. Without a degree, you need 5 years of experience plus a practice certificate. DOLISA checks the degree, the field of study, and whether the work experience matches the job description.

Most foreign employees working under a standard labour contract in Vietnam need the LD2 visa. The LD1 is reserved for specific exemption categories.

Certain categories can work without a work permit (LD1 visa + exemption certificate): investors with VND 3 billion+ capital (~USD 130,000), intra-company transferees on specific projects, workers in priority sectors (finance, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation) confirmed by authorities (new under 2025 reforms), heads of representative offices or NGO projects, foreign journalists permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, education professionals confirmed by the Ministry of Education, and spouses of Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam.

The 2025 reforms also introduced a short-term work exemption: foreigners working up to 90 cumulative days per calendar year no longer need a work permit. The previous three-trip limit was removed, giving employers more flexibility for project-based assignments.

Employee Documents

Valid passport (6+ months remaining). Criminal background check from home country, notarised and legalised (less than 6 months old). Health certificate from a Vietnamese-approved facility (valid 12 months). Degree certificate, notarised and legalised (field must match job description). Proof of work experience: employment contracts, reference letters, or social insurance records (notarised and legalised). 2 passport-sized photos (4x6cm, white background). Experience documents must demonstrate work in the same field as the job position.

Employer Documents

Business registration certificate. Investment or enterprise registration certificate. Proof of the labour market test (job posting confirmation, evidence of no suitable Vietnamese candidate). Labour demand registration form. Written request for work permit. Appointment decision or employment contract (in Vietnamese). All foreign-language documents must be translated into Vietnamese by a certified translator and legalised.

Total cost (employer side): USD 800 to 2,500 in government fees, translations, legalisation, and health examination. EOR or agency service fees add USD 500 to 1,500. For employer cost details including social insurance rates, see our guide on hiring developers in Vietnam.

Vietnam does not offer warnings or grace periods. Inspections are common, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Yes. An EOR with a Vietnamese entity handles the entire process: labour demand registration, job posting for the market test, work permit application through DOLISA, visa approval letter request, employment contract under Vietnamese law, payroll and social insurance registration, and TRC processing.

Vietnam is one of the top countries for hiring developers due to its growing tech talent pool and competitive salaries. When evaluating providers, check whether they have their own entity or use a local partner in Vietnam, and whether they have experience navigating DOLISA in HCMC vs. Hanoi.