Vietnam Work Permit Service for Foreign Employees 2026
A work permit is mandatory before a foreigner can legally sign a labour contract in Vietnam, and it is the basis for the LD visa and the temporary residence card. Info Travel prepares the file end to end, including the documents that usually cause delays.
The correct order
- Employer registers the demand for foreign labour with the provincial authority
- Work permit is issued (up to 2 years, renewable once)
- Visa is converted to LD1 or LD2
- Temporary residence card is issued for the same validity
Documents from the employee
- Criminal record certificate — issued in Vietnam if the applicant has been resident here, otherwise from the home country, consularly legalised
- Health certificate from a hospital approved for foreigners, valid 12 months
- University degree and experience confirmation matching the job title, legalised and notarised into Vietnamese
- Passport copy and photos
Documents from the employer
- Business registration certificate
- Approval of the demand for foreign labour
- Job description and labour contract or assignment letter
Exemption cases
Some foreigners do not need a work permit — for example capital-contributing members of an LLC above the statutory threshold, chairpersons or board members of a joint stock company above the threshold, intra-company transferees in committed service sectors, or experts entering for under 30 days at a time within limits. They still need a written confirmation of exemption, which we also handle.
Fees and timing
Service fee from 4,200,000 VND for a new permit, from 3,500,000 VND for a renewal; processing 10–15 working days once documents are complete. Legalisation and the criminal record certificate are billed separately — see the fee table.
