A company can handle immigration paperwork for its foreign staff in-house if it already has an account on the public service portal, has registered its seal and signature specimen (form NA16) and has staff who know the rules. If you sponsor only a few people a year, lack a dedicated admin team, or face complex files (work permits, residence cards, foreign documents that need legalisation), hiring an immigration agency is usually faster and less risky.
What a company needs to file in-house
- Sponsor status: a legally operating company in Vietnam with a genuine need to invite or sponsor foreigners.
- Seal and signature registration with the immigration authority (form NA16) before the first sponsorship.
- A company account on the public service portal to file online and track results.
- Knowledge of the forms: NA2 (entry approval), NA5 (visa issue or extension), NA6 and NA8 (residence card) under the current Ministry of Public Security templates.
- The work permit process at the labour authority before the LD visa and residence card.
- Someone tracking deadlines for each person’s visa, residence card, work permit and residence declaration.
In-house vs agency
| Criterion | In-house | Immigration agency |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Government fees only, plus staff time | Government fees + service fee |
| Set-up time | Longer the first time (portal account, seal registration) | Fast; the agency already has a process |
| Risk of errors | High if you rarely file; rejections are common | Lower thanks to pre-submission checks |
| Foreign documents | You arrange legalisation and translation | Guided and handled end to end |
| Deadline tracking | You manage it yourself | Reminders and timely renewals |
| Best for | Many sponsored staff, a dedicated team | Few files, urgent or complex cases |
When to do it in-house
- You sponsor many foreigners regularly and have a dedicated admin team.
- Files are simple and repetitive, such as extending the same visa category for existing staff.
- You already have the portal account, registered seal and previous filing experience.
When to hire an agency
- It is your first time sponsoring a foreigner and nothing is registered yet.
- You need the full package: work permit, approval letter, LD visa and temporary residence card.
- The file is urgent: an expert is about to arrive or a visa is about to expire.
- Documents issued abroad need consular legalisation and translation.
- The employee has been rejected before, has overstayed, or needs to change visa purpose.
A hybrid approach
Many companies file simple cases themselves and outsource complex or urgent ones, which keeps costs down while limiting risk. For prices, see cost of a Vietnam visa or residence card through an agency (2026). If you hire one, read how to choose a reliable visa agency.
Risks of getting the file wrong
- Rejected files, delayed flights or staff unable to start work.
- Foreigners working without a work permit or on the wrong visa can be fined, and so can the employer.
- Overstays lead to administrative fines and can affect future entries.
FAQ
Can a newly established company sponsor foreigners?
Yes, if it operates legally and has a genuine need. It must register its seal and signature specimen before the first sponsorship.
If we hire an agency, what is left for us to do?
Provide company and employee documents and sign and stamp the forms. The agency prepares, files and collects the result.
Can we authorise someone else to file?
Yes. The company can authorise an individual or an agency to submit and collect results at the immigration office.
Need help with foreign staff paperwork?
Info Travel provides end-to-end immigration services for foreigners for companies nationwide. Phone, Zalo or WhatsApp: +84327828822 / +84903782118.
