New Regulations on Work Permits in Vietnam: Important Changes for Foreign Workers from August 2025

On August 7, 2025, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree 219/2025/ND-CP  on the management of work permits (GPLĐ) for foreigners. This Decree officially replaces previous regulations (Decree 152/2020 and Decree 70/2023) and adds many new points to simplify procedures, shorten processing time, and expand the subjects exempted from GPLĐ.

1. Structure and main content of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP

The Decree consists of 36 articles, divided into 5 chapters , covering the entire process of foreign labor management:

• Chapter I (Articles 1–6):  Scope, subjects of application, responsibilities of management agencies, electronic procedures and list of jobs allowed for foreigners to undertake.

• Chapter II (Articles 7–17):  Procedures for granting, re-granting, and extending work permit exemption certificates (WPEC).

• Chapter III (Articles 18–29):  Procedures for granting, re-granting and extending work permits.

• Chapter IV (Articles 30–33):  Regulations on revocation of work permits and work permit exemption certificates (WPEC).

• Chapter V (Articles 34–36):  Transitional provisions, entry into force and implementation responsibilities.

Source: HITSUJI HR ACADEMY

2. Transitional provisions of work permits

• Issued licenses:  Work permits and work permit exemption certificates (WPEC) issued under Decree 152 (amended in Decree 70) remain valid until expiration.

• Applications submitted before August 7, 2025:  Continue to be processed according to old regulations.

• Cases of revocation:  GPLĐ, WPEC falling under the revocation category according to Decree 219/2025/ND-CP must be revoked, even if issued according to old regulations.

  
  

3. New highlights in Decree 219/2025/ND-CP

Strong hierarchy

The authority to grant, extend and revoke work permits and WPECs is transferred to the provincial People's Committees , and can be delegated to specialized agencies. The Ministry of Home Affairs only handles some special cases.

Online procedure integration

Enterprises can simultaneously submit applications for a work permit and a criminal record  on the National Public Service Portal . Results will be returned online and synchronized between the licensing authority and the police.

Shorten processing time

• Abolish the requirement to post recruitment information on the portal of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.  Enterprises can post recruitment information on their own website or public platform, at least 5 days before submitting applications.

• Consolidation of procedures:  Explanation of the need to use foreign labor and application for work permit are combined into one.

• Processing time:  Only about 3 weeks , instead of more than 5 weeks as before.

  
  

Expanding the scope of exemption from work permits

The list of groups exempted from work permits has increased from 14 to 15, adding workers in the fields of finance, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and other priority industries .

Some cases of work permit exemption do not require WPEC application. However, the enterprise must notify the competent authority at least 3 working days before the employee starts working .

New standards for professionals and technicians

• Experts:  From 3 years of experience reduced to 2 years, even 1 year for science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and priority fields.

• Technician:  From 3–5 years of experience reduced to 2–3 years.

  
  

Multi-Province License

One GPLĐ/WPEC can be used in many provinces if declared right from the time of application. If it arises later, the enterprise only needs to notify the relevant locality at least 3 days before working.

Term and withdrawal

• The maximum duration of a work permit is still 2 years , but is now determined based on the employment contract, appointment letter, international agreement or business license.

• The grounds for revocation are unified and apply to both the LPD and WPEC (expiry, wrong purpose, criminal prosecution, dissolution of the enterprise, or at the request of the sending organization).

  
  

4. Procedures for granting work permits to foreigners (from August 7, 2025)

a. Posting recruitment notices

• Enterprises are no longer required  to post information on the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Portal.

• Can be self-posted on company website or other public platforms.

• Deadline: at least 5 days  before submitting application for work permit.

b. Prepare documents to apply for a work permit

A single set of documents includes:

• Document explaining the need to use foreign labor (now included with the application for a work permit).

• Application for a work permit.

• Valid medical certificate.

• Criminal record (can be submitted at the same time as the work permit application via the Public Service Portal).

• Documents proving that you are an expert/technician/manager (degrees, experience, appointment decision...).

• Certified copy of passport.

• ID photo.

c. Application deadline

• Submit 10 to 60 days  before the foreign worker's expected start date.

d. Authority to resolve

• The Provincial People's Committee  is the competent authority to issue, reissue, extend and revoke work permits.

• Can be authorized to the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs or a specialized agency.

e. Processing time

• Within 10 working days  from the date of receipt of valid documents, the competent authority shall review and issue a work permit.

• The entire process is now done online  on the National Public Service Portal.

f. Validity of the Labor License

• Maximum 02 years , based on labor contract, appointment decision, business license or international agreement.

5. Implications and recommendations for businesses

Decree 219/2025/ND-CP  is a strong reform, helping to reduce administrative burdens, increase flexibility in foreign labor management, and create conditions to attract high-quality human resources to Vietnam.

Businesses should be proactive:

• Adjust recruitment standards to take advantage of new regulations on experts and technicians;

• Update recruitment plans accordingly with shortened processing times;

• Establish internal procedures for notification of work permit exemptions;

• Strictly manage contract duration to synchronize with the validity of the work permit;

• Monitor recall regulations to minimize legal risks.