Work in Vietnam

To work in Vietnam, you need an employer to support your visa process. Your sponsoring company interacts with the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) and ensures your documents meet official standards.

Your employer’s role depends on whether you apply for a Work Visa (LD Symbol) or a Business Visa (DN Symbol). The LD visa applies when you work in Vietnam. The DN visa covers business activities, not formal employment.

Your Core Document Requirements

Your employer will require specific documents from you before proceeding.

• A passport with at least six months of remaining validity.
• A digital image of your passport data page.
• A recent portrait-style photograph.
• A passport-size photo without glasses.
• Correctly completed registration details.

Your digital files must meet strict size limits. The photo must be under 50KB, and the passport image under 200KB.

If your files exceed these limits, the system may reject your submission.

Registration and Online Processing

In many cases, your employer will guide you through an electronic visa process. You must complete each step carefully.

Prepare digital documents.

Scan your passport data page and obtain a compliant portrait photo without glasses.

Submit registration information.

Enter your personal details exactly as shown in your passport. Errors in your name, date of birth, or passport number can cause rejection.

Pay the required e‑visa fee.

The fee is payable in VND (₫) as listed by the Immigration Department of Vietnam.

Track your application.

Use your registration code, registration email, and date of birth to check your result.

Incorrect information or non‑compliant images often delay employer-sponsored applications.

Accuracy and Compliance

Meeting all listed requirements does not guarantee approval. The Immigration Department reviews each case individually.

You must declare any cash in U.S. dollars or equivalent when entering Vietnam, if applicable. Your employer may remind you of this obligation, but the responsibility is yours.

Careful preparation protects your sponsorship. Small technical mistakes—especially with image size or data entry—frequently cause avoidable refusals.

Before you apply for a Work Visa (LD Symbol), you must first obtain a valid work permit. Vietnam requires the work permit to be approved before you submit any visa application.

If you plan to enter Vietnam for employment purposes, you will deal with the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) for visa processing.

Step‑by‑Step Application Process

Secure Your Work Permit

You cannot apply for a Work Visa (LD symbol) without an approved work permit. Ensure the permit is fully issued and valid before moving to the visa stage.

Choose the Correct Visa Type

If you will work in Vietnam, apply for a Work Visa (LD symbol). A Business Visa (DN Symbol) is for business activities and does not replace the work permit requirement.

Prepare Complete and Accurate Information

Review all required documents and details carefully. Missing, incorrect, or unclear information will cause your application to be rejected.

Submit Your Application

If you are outside Vietnam and meet eligibility conditions, you may apply for an electronic visa (e‑visa). The e‑visa system allows you to submit your information and payment online without obtaining a physical visa stamp in your passport.

Select Entry Type

When applying from abroad, you may request either a single‑entry or multiple‑entry e‑visa, depending on your work needs and eligibility.

Track Your Application

You must provide a valid email address and your date of birth to check your application status through the official system.

Practical Points to Watch

Use a checklist before submission:

• Approved work permit
• Accurate personal details
• Valid email address
• Correct entry selection (single or multiple)

Double‑check every field in the application form. Even minor inconsistencies can prevent acceptance.

Vietnam regularly updates immigration and business policies to support economic development. Regulatory adjustments can affect documentation or procedural steps, so confirm current rules with the Immigration Dept before you apply.

If you are unsure about eligibility, entry type, or documentation standards, consult the Immigration Dept directly. Always rely on official instructions to avoid delays or refusals.

You start with a lawful status that allows you to work. In most cases, this means holding a Work Visa (LD Symbol) sponsored by your employer.

Some professionals first enter on a Business Visa (DN Symbol) for meetings or short-term activities. You cannot rely on a DN visa for long-term employment, so you must convert to the correct work status before building any long-term residence plan.

To move from a work visa toward permanent residence, you must maintain full compliance with immigration and labor rules. The Immigration Dept (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) reviews your status history, documentation, and employer sponsorship when you apply for any extended stay or residence benefit.

You will typically complete the following steps in order:

Secure proper employment sponsorship.

Your employer must formalize your role under a labor contract. Vietnam recognizes two contract types:

Indefinite term contract (no fixed end date)

2. Definite term contract (maximum 36 months)

Prepare authenticated documents.

You must gather verified copies of your academic qualifications and civil documents. Authorities may require authentication before accepting them for immigration processing.

Submit required identity records.

You provide a clear image of your passport data page and a compliant photograph within size limits set by the Immigration Dept.

Maintain lawful status.

You must keep your LD visa valid and avoid gaps in authorization while employed.

Your long-term residence strategy depends heavily on the stability of your employment. An indefinite term contract generally provides stronger continuity than a short definite term agreement.

You should also keep copies of every approval notice and submission made to the Immigration Dept. Clear records help you demonstrate continuous legal stay.

If you apply for permanent residence, review the latest eligibility criteria directly from the Immigration Dept. Requirements can change, and official guidance controls the process.

You move from temporary status to permanent residence by showing consistent legal work, valid documentation, and full compliance at every stage.

Vietnamese law does not publish a general minimum salary for all foreign workers in the material available here. Your pay instead depends on your employment contract and compliance with Vietnamese labor rules.

You must follow the standard working time limits. Normal hours cannot exceed 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week under the Labor Code.

If your employer structures compensation outside these limits, you risk violating labor regulations. Confirm that your contract reflects these statutory caps before you begin work.

Government Fees and Where to Confirm Amounts

Fee amounts for the Work Visa (LD Symbol) and Business Visa (DN Symbol) are not fixed in the information provided here. You must verify current government fees directly with the Immigration Department of Vietnam (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh).

All official fees are payable in VND (₫). Do not rely on third-party estimates.

Before you submit any visa request, confirm:

• The correct visa symbol (LD for employment, DN for business activities)
• The official fee amount in VND
• Accepted payment methods
• Processing timelines

You can check your application status by entering your assigned registration code through the official system.

Application Compliance Costs and Common Risks

Your application requires accurate personal information and a clear statement of your travel purpose. Errors can lead to refusal or denial of entry.

You must upload:

• A clear image of your passport data page
• A compliant passport-style photograph (straight facing, no glasses, correct size)

If you submit incorrect details in an e-visa application, border authorities may deny entry. That mistake can create additional costs for reapplication and travel changes.

Tax and Accounting Obligations

When you work in Vietnam, tax obligations apply to both businesses and individuals. Your employer must comply with Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS).

You should confirm that your salary structure accounts for applicable tax requirements. Failure to align payroll and tax reporting can create penalties for your employer and complications for your status.

Before accepting an offer, review your contract, working hours, and visa category. Then verify all government fees and procedural requirements directly with the Immigration Department.

You can bring your spouse and children to Vietnam, but their immigration status must be aligned with yours. Your Work Visa (LD Symbol) or Business Visa (DN Symbol) serves as the foundation for their stay.

The Immigration Dept (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh) reviews dependent applications based on your approved status. If your work authorization changes or ends, your dependents’ permission to stay can also be affected.

Aligning Your Status First

Secure your own work authorization before arranging your family’s entry. This involves:

• Authenticated copies of your civil documents and academic qualifications
• Authentication completed in the United States through the Department of State’s Office of Authentications
• A high-quality scan of your passport data page
• An approved and printed e‑Visa for entry and exit, if applicable

Processing under the e‑Visa system typically takes 4 to 5 days. If an exit visa is needed for status changes, it takes one to two weeks.

Keep your documents consistent across all filings. Discrepancies can delay dependent applications.

Entry and Documentation for Dependents

Dependents must present authenticated civil documents such as marriage or birth certificates. Authentication should be completed before travel.

Prepare clear copies and make sure all names match your passport and visa records. The Immigration Dept checks these details closely.

If you work under a short-term arrangement, note that a verbal labor contract is only legally recognized if valid for less than one month. Short engagements may affect how long your family can remain.

Financial and Practical Considerations

Vietnamese enterprises use VND (₫) as the monetary unit for accounting and financial reporting. If you join or establish a company, your salary and related documents will be in this currency.

If your employer operates in Export Processing Zones or benefits from industry-based incentives, check whether housing or relocation support also applies to your dependents. Incentives vary by sector and project.

Vietnam’s port system and transport infrastructure facilitate mobility within the country. Immigration compliance, though, remains centralized under the Immigration Dept.

Plan your family’s entry only after your status is stable. Keep copies of every approval notice and maintain valid visas at all times.