Vietnam Significantly Eases Work Permit Requirements for Foreign Workers: What It Means for Companies and Employees
Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP, effective September 18, 2023, has made it easier to obtain a work permit in Vietnam! This article explains in detail the key amendments affecting the hiring process for foreign workers and companies, including relaxed work permit requirements for experts and managers, and a simplified passport submission procedure. ✅ Relaxed requirements for proof of educational qualifications ✅ More flexible treatment of professional experience ✅ An expanded scope of qualifying managerial positions — this is essential reading for companies considering hiring foreign workers, as well as for foreign nationals who want to work in Vietnam!
Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP, which took effect on September 18, 2023, amended certain provisions applicable to foreign workers in Vietnam. The Decree eases the requirements for issuing work permits and simplifies the application procedure, making it easier for foreign workers to obtain the permits they need. The details of the amendments are explained below.
01 - Changes to the Conditions for Issuing Work Permits
With the entry into force of Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP, the requirements for issuing work permits to "experts" and "managers/directors" have been relaxed. This makes it easier for foreign workers to meet the necessary conditions and simplifies the preparation of supporting documentation.
1.1. Experts
Previous rule
Previously, in order for a foreign worker to work in Vietnam as an "expert," the following requirements had to be met:
A bachelor's degree or higher, or an equivalent qualification, plus at least three years of relevant work experience.
A bachelor's degree certificate was mandatory. (In practice, however, many people had lost their degree certificates, making it difficult to obtain a replacement and, in some cases, preventing issuance of the work permit.)
The field of specialization had to match the work experience. (This requirement made it difficult to obtain experience certificates, and some applicants were forced to submit certificates that did not accurately reflect their actual experience.)
New rule (relaxed)
【Change to the requirement】
"A bachelor's degree or higher, or an equivalent qualification, plus at least three years of work experience relevant to the intended role."
➡ Key changes:
✅ It is no longer necessary to submit the bachelor's degree certificate itself — a certificate of graduation (completion certificate) may be submitted instead.
✅ Work experience no longer needs to match the applicant's university major. A permit can now be obtained as long as the experience is relevant to the intended role.
【Expanded range of supporting documents for experts and technical workers】
Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP has also expanded the types of documents that may be used to prove "expert" or "technical worker" status, allowing more flexible forms of evidence.
✅ Types of supporting documents
Degree certificates, completion certificates, and qualification certificates
Certificates of experience issued by a foreign company, organization, or institution
A previously issued Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption Certificate
➡ Change:
A foreign worker who has previously obtained a work permit or exemption certificate is no longer required to submit a new experience certificate when moving to a new role. Instead, they may apply simply by submitting their previous work permit or exemption certificate.
1.2. Managers/Directors
Previous rule
Previously, obtaining a work permit as a "manager/director" required meeting the following condition:
"Being the top-ranking person responsible for a company, organization, or institution, and directly managing a subordinate department."
Under this definition, only a company's representative (CEO, general manager, etc.) qualified, and department heads or managers in a specific field fell outside the scope of the work permit.
New rule (relaxed)
【Expanded scope of eligible persons】
Under the amendment in Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP, the definition of "manager" has been expanded, and the following requirement now applies:
"A person who oversees a subordinate department of a company, organization, or institution, directly manages at least one field, and performs their duties under the direction of the organization's top leadership" is also recognized as a "manager."
➡ Key changes:
✅ Not only a company's representative but also a department head is now recognized as a "manager."
✅ A person who directly manages a specific field and performs their duties under the oversight of the company or organization's top leadership is also covered.
【Expanded range of supporting documents for managers/directors】
Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP has also expanded the types of documents that may be used as evidence of "manager/director" status.
✅ Types of supporting documents:
The company's charter or the organization's operating rules
The enterprise registration certificate or establishment license, and a resolution of the institution, organization, or company, or
A letter of appointment
➡ The "letter of appointment" is a particularly important point!
Even for a position not listed in the company's charter or founding documents, a work permit can now be obtained if a letter of appointment is provided. This gives companies greater flexibility in employing foreign workers and increases hiring freedom.
02 - Simplification of Procedures
With the amendment introduced by Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP, the work permit application procedure in Vietnam has been simplified, making it more convenient for foreign workers.
2.1. Previous Rule and Its Challenges
Under the previous rule, a foreign worker could apply for a work permit before starting work in Vietnam, but a "certified copy of the passport" was a mandatory part of the application documents.
✅ The problem
Obtaining a "certified copy of the passport" required the worker to personally enter Vietnam, placing a significant burden on the application process. This meant foreign workers incurred the cost and inconvenience of traveling in advance, which in turn affected companies' hiring processes.
2.2. Changes Following the Amendment
✅ Under the amendment in Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP, the requirement was changed as follows:
➡ "A certified copy of the passport" was changed to "a certified copy of the passport, or a copy of the passport certified by the company."
2.3. Benefits of the Change
✅ Reduced burden on foreign workers
It is now possible to apply for a work permit without entering Vietnam.
There is no need for prior entry procedures, reducing travel costs and time.
✅ Faster hiring procedures for companies
Because companies themselves can certify the copy of the passport, the application process is simplified and expedited.
Remote hiring processes become smoother, making it easier for companies to secure talent.
✅ Easier recruitment of talent from overseas
Applications from outside Vietnam have become easier, particularly for hiring highly skilled personnel and managers.
Summary
With the entry into force of Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP, the requirements for foreign workers to obtain a work permit have been significantly relaxed. The key points are the expanded definitions of "expert" and "manager/director," which have lowered the bar for work permit applications.
Submission of the original degree certificate no longer required → a graduation certificate is sufficient
No need for the field of study to match work experience → relevant work experience is sufficient
Expanded scope of eligible managerial positions → department heads may now apply
Simplified passport certification procedure → certification by the company alone is sufficient
As a result, the hiring process for foreign workers will become smoother and companies' recruitment processes will speed up. In particular, it is expected that recruiting talent from overseas will become easier, further advancing the internationalization of Vietnam's business environment. Companies planning their strategy for employing foreign workers in Vietnam going forward should make full use of these new rules.