Obtaining a Foreign Work Permit in Vietnam
Work permits for foreigners in Vietnam are valid for a maximum of three years. There are currently around 60,000 foreign employees in the country with valid work permits and around 20,000 illegally employed foreigners using tou 00004000 rist visas.
Authorities are now becoming stricter when it comes to foreigners working in the country without obtaining a proper work permit. Persons who violate the regulations will be penalized or even deported back to their home countries if they cannot meet the work permit requirements.
Conditions
Foreign nationals working in the country for companies, organizations, or individuals must comply with certain conditions to qualify for a work permit. These include the following:
* Must be at least 18 years of age
* Must be in good health as necessary to satisfy the job requirements
* Must be a manager, executive director or expert with technical skills and knowledge applicable to the job
* Must not have a criminal record and currently not subject to criminal prosecution or any criminal sentence in Vietnam or overseas
An employer is permitted to recruit foreign workers who fully satisfy the above conditions in order to work as managers, executive directors and experts where local hires are not yet able to meet production and business requirements. Foreign employees in the country are required to present their work permit during immigration procedures and when required by authorized state agencies. Illegally employed foreign employees will be automatically deported from the country and the hiring company penalized.
A work permit is not necessary when the foreigner comes to Vietnam to offer services. However, in this case, the person must submit a seven day advance notice to the provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs prior to working in Vietnam.
