Visa Guide: Vietnam Work Visa – What You Need To Know!

• August 09,2023
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Currently, Vietnam's economy has seen a positive change after the consequences of COVID-19. The number of foreigners who wish to have a long-term career in Vietnam is rising rapidly. That leads to an increase in demand for a Vietnam work visa to work legally in this nation. This post will offer you comprehensive instructions on how to apply for a working visa for foreigners in Vietnam, as well as some vital facts.

CAN FOREIGNERS WORK IN VIETNAM?

In recent years, foreign labor intended to work in Vietnam has increased because of the increasing need for foreign labor from Vietnamese firms and organizations. Job opportunities in Vietnam for expats are increasing as a consequence of the country's economic development. 

Thanks to the city's increased foreign trade results, foreigners find more favorable conditions to seek ideal jobs with a high salary in Vietnam. Although the younger generations are fluent in English, schools continue to accept foreign teachers as a means of enhancing the school's reputation.

Because understanding Vietnamese is crucial here, there are very few specialist professions for foreigners in the large cities and other regions. Teaching English for a few months is a good option for foreigners and travelers who will be in the city for several months to earn more money.

A foreigner can move to Vietnam to work or volunteer for the organization for varying Vietnam work visa charges for different nations. Employers might also pay for this visa type as part of their recruiting conditions.

WHAT'S A VIETNAM WORK VISA?

A Vietnam work visa for foreigners in Vietnam is identified by the letters LD1 and LD2. There are two types of working visas in Vietnam for visitors to get.

What's the meaning (of the) LD1 visa in Vietnam?

• LD1 is issued to foreigners possessing a work permit exemption certificate who come to work in Vietnam, unless otherwise provided for in international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

What's the meaning (of the) LD2 visa in Vietnam?

• LD2 is provided to foreigners who need a work permit in order to work in Vietnam.

This work visa in Vietnam is valid for two years and can be extended. However, the related work visa has the same validity as the work permit (normally less than 2 years).

LEGAL BASIS FOR A VIETNAM WORK VISA

If you intend to get a legitimate work visa in Vietnam, you should look into the following laws:

• Law No. 47/2014/QH13 regulating foreigners' entry, exit, transit, and residence in Vietnam

• Law No. 51/2019/QH14 amends and supplements certain articles of Law No. 47/2014/QH13.

• Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BCA establishing regulations for specimen papers for foreigners entering, leaving, and staying in Vietnam.

• Decree No. 11/2016/ND-CP controlling the application of the Labor Code on the issuing of work permits to foreign workers in Vietnam and the deportation of foreign workers who do not have work permits in Vietnam.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR A WORK VISA IN VIETNAM?

If foreigners fulfill the following criteria, they are eligible for a Vietnam work visa:

• Individuals are at least 18 years old.

• Individuals will be working in Vietnam as managers, executives, or experts with the appropriate technical abilities and knowledge for the job.

• Individuals must fulfill the health condition.

• Individuals have no prior or ongoing criminal.

• Individuals must have crucial academic and professional qualifications to take over the jobs.

• Individuals have at least three years of executive-level or above employment experience.

• Individuals have a job contract with a Vietnamese firm.

WORK VISA REQUIREMENTS IN VIETNAM

Vietnam has stringent rules for determining who is qualified for a work visa. There are three types of foreign workers that can apply for a work permit in Vietnam:

• Managers, executives, and those in top positions in a corporation

• Experts and specialists

• Technicians

Visitors need to satisfy several specific requirements to get a Vietnam work visa 

Furthermore, a Vietnamese company can only give one of these positions to a foreign national if there are no qualified Vietnamese candidates. To demonstrate the need for a foreign employee, the company must advertise the post for recruitment to Vietnamese job seekers via an internet portal or a Vietnamese newspaper. If no competent Vietnamese applicants are found within 30 days, a foreign worker may be hired. 

One of the documents below is fundamentally needed to apply for an LD Vietnam work visa for foreigners:

• An application form that has been completed with filled-out personal information.

• A current original passport

• The applicant's health certificates and medical records

• Three passport-sized photographs taken in the last year

• A judicial profile demonstrating that the applicant has a criminal history that would preclude them from working in Vietnam

• Certified copies of all applicable professional certifications

HOW TO APPLY FOR A VIETNAM WORK VISA FOR FOREIGNERS 2023

“How to apply for a Vietnam work visa?” is the biggest concern that many expats are worried about. To obtain a work visa, both the entity where the foreigner works and the foreigners themselves must complete the five general processes outlined below:

Work visa procedures must be aware of to apply for one successfully

Step 1: The Vietnamese firm prepares the necessary documents

The company based in Vietnam will act as a guarantor and must prepare the vital documents in order to register for a work visa for its international staff:

• The company's operation license of the company or office where the foreigner is working (this could be a business registration certificate, an investment license, or the operation license of a branch or representative office).

• Form NA16: Registration form for the seal and signature of the legal representative of a Vietnamese firm.

• Form NA5: Application for visa, visa extension, and stay extension for foreigners in Vietnam

• 01 photograph (3*4cm)

• Work permission or exemption certificate.

• A copy of a valid passport

Step 2: Send all crucial documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department

Representatives of the entity where the foreigner is working will represent visitors to submit the documents mentioned above at the Vietnam Immigration Department or the Immigration Office under the Department of Public Security in the city or province where its head office is based.

After submitting the documents and paying the visa fee, the submitter will receive an appointment note stating the expected date to receive the visa processing result.

In the case of getting the working visa stamped at the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in a foreign country, a Fax charge must be paid.

Visitors should choose the appropriate submission time (from Monday to Friday and Saturday morning).

Step 3: Obtain the Vietnam work visa letter

On the scheduled date, the company's representative will come to the Immigration department or office to pick up the visa letter (if one is issued).

Step 4: Inform the foreign worker

After receiving the letter, the business must inform the foreigner via email, fax, or express courier so that they fulfill all the Vietnam visa requirements and finalize the visa procedure.

Step 5: Receive the visa and pay the price

Foreigners will submit the following specific documents to the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in their host country:

• Form NA1: Vietnamese visa application, along with a 3x4cm photo.

• Original, valid passport

• A copy of the visa approval letter that is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department.

• The proof of payment of the visa fee charged by the Embassy or Consulate to get the work visa stamped onto the passport.

THREE OPTIONS FOR APPLYING FOR A WORK VISA IN VIETNAM

All foreigners visiting Vietnam for short-term business, meetings, or employment are strongly advised to apply for a work visa. There are three ways to obtain such a visa:

• Apply in person or by mail to your nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.

• Apply for a Visa on arrival (VOA) at the airport.

• Apply for an E-Visa online on the electronic system.

Although each of these has strengths and drawbacks, we believe that a visa on arrival is the best choice for getting a valid work visa.

Option 1: Apply for a visa offline at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate

Embassy visas can be obtained at the Vietnam Immigration Department, so visitors can prepare all documents for successful visa procedures.

Features

• The traditional procedure for obtaining a visa

• This can be done in person or by mail.

• This visa form can be used for any visa category.

• The fee is unknown because it is determined by the Consulate or Embassy.

• Can be used for entering any designated checkpoints, whether by land, air, or sea.

• Processing time is around 5 working days; however, it can be accelerated up to 1–2 days for urgent service.

• Visitors obtain a stamped visa before departure.

Pros:

Expats can register for a visa at their local Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, either in person or by mail. Foreigners must fill out and sign an application form and prepare their passport and a passport photo to submit to the Vietnam Immigration Department to complete the visa requirements.

The advantage of this visa technique is that travelers save time waiting in line at airports to have their passports stamped because their visas are granted in advance.

Cons:

The application process is not the most convenient, especially for people who do not live near a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.

Option 2: Work visa on arrival

Visa on arrival might be the best option for visitors to consider when they have the intention to work in Vietnam for a long period of time.

Key Characteristics

• It is convenient because visitors can apply easily by completing an online application form.

• Can be used to get any sort of visa (1-, 3-, 6-, or 1-year multiple-entry visa).

Fees

• You must pay two fees, including a service fee for the visa approval letter and a stamping fee.

• The service cost is paid online to the service provider. The cost is determined based on the kind of visa (number of months and number of entries) and the service provider.

• When the visa is stamped, the stamping cost is paid at the designated airport in Vietnam. The charge starts at $25 for a one-month and three-month single-entry visa and $50 for a one-month and three-month multiple-entry visa. The stamping charge must be paid in cash (US dollars or Vietnamese dong).

Advantages

Visa on Arrival is a realistic alternative with numerous benefits. Visa on arrival enables expats to obtain longer-term and multiple-entry visas without having to visit the Embassy or mail an application. Visitors must just complete an online application and wait for a pre-approval letter to enter Vietnam legally.

Disadvantages

Only available in Vietnam's international airports in Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, Cam Ranh, and Phu Quoc. As a result, it is exclusively available to flight passengers.

It takes 7 business days to process the business approval letter.

Option 3: Work E-Visas

E-Visas are the latest visa approach that visitors can use to get their work visa in a convenient and time-saving manner.

Main characteristics

• On February 1, 2017, it was officially introduced.

• It is convenient because it can be accomplished by completing an online application form.

• Only for a single-entry period of one month.

Strengths

• Can be used for any type of entry point, including land, air, and sea. (There are 28 entry locations, including eight international airports, thirteen international border crossings, and seven seaports).

• It takes about three business days to process, and foreigners find out soon if their applications were accepted or rejected.

Drawbacks

• It only costs $25 and is non-refundable if the visa is denied.

• There is no stamping fee and no requirement for travelers to wait to have their passports stamped because the visa does not need to be stamped in their passports.

• Only citizens of 46 countries (including the United Kingdom and the United States) are eligible to get work E-Visas.

• For travelers, obtaining E-Visas is the easiest and most cost-effective option, but the visa validity is less than 30 days. Long-term visitors should think about the other two options.

It is noted that the arrival port on the visa documents supplied by the Immigration Department cannot be adjusted online. If you alter your arrival port after receiving your E-visa, you must contact them to update the information on the paperwork to avoid problems on the ground.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A WORKING VISA IN VIETNAM?

The Vietnam Immigration Department/Office typically processes work visa requests within 5 working days of receipt of the relevant documentation.

KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VIETNAM WORK VISA AND A VIETNAM BUSINESS ONE

Many foreigners mistake a business visa for Vietnam for a work visa. However, two visa types have many different aspects. A work visa in Vietnam is not a business visa, as follows:

Expats must understand the distinction between a Vietnam business visa and a Vietnam labor visa

• While a business visa (DN visa) is awarded to people who come to work with Vietnam-based enterprises, a work visa (LD visa) is granted to those who come to work for a Vietnam-based company or office.

• Foreigners acquire the DN visa online or directly from the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate in their home country. However, the work visa is applied for in Vietnam by the company for which the foreigner works and then stamped at the foreign country's Embassy.

• A labor visa may have a longer validity period than a business visa.

• It is not mandatory to apply for a temporary residency card when visitors intend to get a business visa, but it is required in the work visa procedures.

HOW MUCH IS A WORK VISA IN VIETNAM?

The Vietnam Immigration Department imposed a particular fee on work visas, as follows:

No. Entry	Duration of stay	Visa validity	Work visa fees
Single	30 days	1 month	$18
Single	30 days	3 months	$78
Multiple	30 days	6 months	$252
Multiple	30 days	3 months	$93,6
Multiple	30 days	12 months	$402
Single	30 days	1 month	$60
Multiple	30 days	1 month	$62,4
Single	30 days	3 months	$30
Multiple	30 days	1 month	$20,4
Multiple	30 days	3 months	$36

HOW LONG CAN YOU STAY IN VIETNAM ON A WORK VISA?

A work visa is valid for many periods of time, such as one month, three months, six months, or a year, for two main options: single or multiple entries. Expats with a work permit can apply for a Temporary Residence Card to replace their work visa.

All about the Vietnam work visa will help foreigners gain an in-depth overview of this topic. If visitors have any inquiries about this visa category, please feel free to contact us at +1 315 715 8498 or email support@e-visa-gov.com.

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