Vietnam Immigration Summary

Newland Chase offers full support with all aspects of corporate immigration to Vietnam. Please find an overview of the typical corporate immigration processes below. Every situation is unique, so please do get in touch, either through your usual Newland Chase contact or using the details on the right hand side of the page. Our immigration experts will be glad to discuss your needs in greater detail.

Immigration Summary

The work permit process for a foreign national manager/executive, specialist or technician to take up employment in or transfer on assignment to Vietnam is document intensive, requiring police clearances, medical certificates and the translation and legalization of all documents issued in foreign country (also including university degrees, work testimonials, assignment letters). Employers of foreign nationals must also submit a mid year report and an annual report on the use of foreign nationals.

Several categories of foreign national employees are exempt from the need for work permits. However, in practice, an application must be made for a work permit exemption certificate. Obtaining this approval is very difficult, and requires many of the same supporting documents as a work permit application (e.g. police clearances, medical checks) and so is very rarely used.

A work permit exemption is available which allows work activities for up to 30 days, not exceeding 3 times per year, without applying for a work permit exemption certificate. To work for more than 30 days under this exemption, the foreign national must exit Vietnam and re-enter. A work permit exemption is also available for spouses of Vietnamese nationals, without applying for a work permit exemption certificate. In the 2 above cases of exemption, a report to the labor department is required.