Vietnam relaxes health and experience rules for work permit specialists

Draft decree would loosen health and experience rules

Vietnam's labor ministry is consulting on a draft decree that would amend Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, the framework governing foreign employees in the country. The draft would let work permit applicants submit health certificates issued by competent foreign medical institutions, rather than forcing most candidates to complete a Vietnamese medical exam, Tuoi Tre News reported.

The draft also proposes cutting or removing minimum years-of-experience thresholds for specialists in finance, science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation. Officials argued current rules block recruitment of needed foreign experts. The text is still in public consultation, with no fixed effective date, though Vietnamese outlets expect a possible rollout later in 2026.

The proposal builds on Decree 219/2025, in force since Aug. 7, 2025, which already trimmed the standard expert requirement from a bachelor's degree plus three years of experience to a bachelor's plus two years and added a one-year fast track for some in-demand roles.

Who gains and who's left out

The changes target foreign professionals, managers, technical workers and teachers who hold or need a Vietnamese work permit tied to a local sponsor. Specialists in priority sectors stand to benefit most from the relaxed experience floors.

Digital nomads working remotely for foreign clients see no direct change. Vietnam still has no dedicated nomad visa and remote workers continue to operate in a gray area on tourist or business visas. The reforms only help nomads who plan to take a sponsored role with a Vietnamese employer.

Tourists and short-term visitors aren't affected by the work permit rules, though short-term experts on brief assignments may find work permit exemption confirmations easier to secure under the clearer evidence standards.

Documents and timing for applicants now

Under the current Decree 219 baseline, employers file through MOLISA or provincial DOLISA offices, usually via the National Public Service Portal. Standard documents include:

• Form 11/PLI application
• Health certificate from Vietnam or a foreign certificate that's been consularly legalized and translated
• Criminal record from Vietnam (if resident six months or more) and/or home country
• Certified passport copy, qualifications, 4x6cm photos, employer demand approval and draft labor contract

Renewals must be filed 10 to 45 days before expiry and process in about 10 working days with complete files. The broader acceptance of foreign health certificates won't apply until the amending decree is published in the Official Gazette.

Read our full Vietnam guide for the complete picture and follow our visa updates for the final decree text.