Inside Vietnam's Simplified Work Permit Rules

Vietnam has significantly overhauled its labor regulations under Decree 219, moving toward a more business-friendly environment for foreign professionals. The updated framework cuts through previous red tape by easing qualification requirements and merging several administrative steps into a single process. One of the most impactful changes is the introduction of a unified work permit, which allows experts to work across multiple provinces while based at a single head office.

The decree also introduces a specialized exemption for high-quality digital tech personnel as of January 1, 2026. This aligns with Vietnam's broader strategy to attract tech talent and streamline nomad news for those in innovation-led sectors.

Who is Affected

These changes primarily benefit skilled expats, tech experts, and their families.

• Experts and Technicians: Qualification bars are now lower. Experts only need a bachelor’s degree and two years of experience, or just one year if working in priority sectors like digital transformation.
• Spouses: Partners of Vietnamese citizens are now exempt from work permit requirements. They only need to provide a notification to authorities before starting work.
• Short-term Workers: Consultants and tech specialists visiting for under 90 days per year can qualify for exemptions, making short-term projects much easier to manage.

What to Do

Employers must now submit a unified dossier to the Provincial People’s Committee between 10 and 60 days before the employee starts. The mandatory job posting period on government portals has been abolished, replaced by a more flexible five-day optional posting on company or public sites.

The approval process for foreign labor demand is now merged with the permit application itself, with a target processing time of 10 working days. Applicants will need to provide a health certificate, passport photos, and proof of qualifications. If you are moving between provinces, your employer simply needs to notify local authorities three days in advance.

Read our full Vietnam guide for the complete picture.