Fines for Working Without a Work Permit in Vietnam 2026

From 10 September 2026, under Decree 283/2026/ND-CP, a foreigner working in Vietnam without a work permit (or exemption confirmation), or on an expired or invalid one, can be fined VND 15–25 million and deported. Employers face VND 30–75 million depending on how many workers are involved, doubled for organisations. Info Travel helps workers and companies regularise their status quickly – contact us on WhatsApp +84327828822.

2026 brought major changes for foreign workers: permits are now issued under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (in force since 7 August 2025), and penalties come from Decree 283/2026/ND-CP on administrative sanctions in labour and social insurance. This guide sums up the main fines as published and what to do if you are currently out of compliance.

Contents

Fines for foreign workers

According to legal and press summaries of Decree 283/2026/ND-CP:

VND 15,000,000 – 25,000,000 for working in Vietnam without a work permit or a confirmation of exemption, or with one that has expired or is no longer valid.
Additional penalty: deportation from Vietnam.

Deportation is the most serious outcome: besides losing your job, it can make future visa applications difficult. If your visa or residence card has also lapsed, you may face a separate residence penalty under Article 21 of Decree 282/2025/ND-CP (see Vietnam visa overstay fines).

Fines for employers

Employing foreigners without a valid work permit or exemption confirmation is fined according to the number of workers (Article 13(5), Decree 283/2026/ND-CP, as reported by Thu Vien Phap Luat):

Workers involved	Individual employer	Organisation (x2)
1 – 10	VND 30 – 45 million	VND 60 – 90 million
11 – 20	VND 45 – 60 million	VND 90 – 120 million
21 or more	VND 60 – 75 million	VND 120 – 150 million

Organisations pay twice the individual rate under the decree’s general rule (Article 7(1)), so companies normally fall in the right-hand column.

Other violations

Press reports list further employer violations:

Failing to notify, or notifying incorrectly, about foreign workers: VND 1–3 million;
Using a foreign worker contrary to the permit, or failing to collect and return permits: VND 5–10 million per worker, capped at VND 75 million;
Forging or falsifying permit documents: VND 40–60 million.

Additional sanctions can include confiscation of forged documents and suspension of activities, plus remedial measures such as mandatory notification or return of permits. The limitation period for labour violations is one year. Check the official text or the competent authority for how the rules apply to a specific case.

Common ways people fall foul of the rules

Starting work on a tourist visa or e-visa while the permit is pending;
Changing employer but still relying on the old company’s permit;
Letting a permit expire without extending it (file 10 to 45 days before expiry);
Being exempt but never obtaining the exemption confirmation;
Getting a new passport or changing details without reissuing the work permit;
Working in a position or location different from the permit.

How to regularise your status

Stop working until the permit or exemption confirmation is issued.
Identify the right category: manager, executive director, expert, technical worker, or an exempt case (e.g. an investor contributing at least VND 3 billion).
Prepare the Decree 219 dossier: Form 03 (which now includes the labour-demand explanation), a health certificate, a criminal record certificate, legalised degrees and experience letters (legalising your degree), passport and photos.
File: new permit 10 working days; exemption confirmation 5 working days; reissue 3 working days.
Align your visa or residence card with the work purpose once the permit is issued (see our TRC service).

If a violation has already been recorded, deal with the authority promptly and complete the paperwork. Regularising does not erase a past violation, but it stops it from continuing.

How Info Travel helps

A status review of your permit, visa, residence card and residence declaration;
Work permits, exemption confirmations, extensions and reissues;
Consular legalisation and notarised translation;
Visa changes, visa extensions and residence cards.

Service fees depend on your file; message us on WhatsApp +84327828822 for a quote. See also Vietnam work permit rules 2026.

FAQ

What is the fine for working without a work permit in Vietnam?

The worker faces VND 15–25 million and possible deportation; the employer VND 30–75 million as an individual depending on headcount, doubled for organisations.