How to Get a Vietnam Work Visa [Updated 2026]

A Vietnam work visa is required for foreign nationals who wish to work legally in Vietnam. However, the application process can be complicated for both employers and foreign employees. Regulations may change, and the procedure often involves multiple documents and approval steps, which can cause delays if the application is incomplete or inaccurate.

These delays may affect the employee’s work schedule, postpone onboarding, increase costs, and create legal risks for the sponsoring company.

So how can businesses prepare a compliant and well-organized application? In this article, FISC explains the Vietnam work visa application process, the required documents, and key points to note so that employers and foreign employees can complete the procedure correctly, save time, and avoid unnecessary mistakes.

What is a Vietnam work visa and how long is it valid?

A Vietnam work visa is one of the common types of Vietnamese visas for foreign nationals. It allows foreigners to enter Vietnam for employment purposes. This visa is only granted when the foreign employee has a legal sponsoring entity in Vietnam and meets the requirements under Vietnamese law.
Under Law No. 51/2019/QH14, Vietnam work visas are divided into two main types:

• LD1 visa: For foreign employees under work permit exemption.
• LD2 visa: For foreign employees who have been granted a valid work permit.

If the work permit is valid for less than 2 years, the foreign employee is usually not eligible to apply for a temporary residence card. In this case, the employee may need to apply for a work visa with a validity period corresponding to the remaining validity of the work permit.

After obtaining a valid work visa, the foreign employee may sponsor their spouse and children under 18 years old to come to Vietnam under a family visit visa. This helps support long-term residence and work plans in Vietnam.

For foreign experts who only need to enter Vietnam for short-term business activities, such as meeting partners, surveying projects, or providing temporary support, companies may consider applying for an e-visa. With a maximum validity of 90 days, this option offers a more convenient application process and is suitable for short business trips.

What is the difference between a work visa and a business visa?

Many people confuse a Vietnam work visa with a Vietnam business visa because both are related to work or business activities in Vietnam. However, their purposes, eligibility requirements, and permitted scope of work are different.

Conditions for applying for a Vietnam work visa

Foreign employees must generally meet the following conditions:
– The passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
– The foreigner must not fall under any case of entry prohibition.
– There must be a legal sponsoring entity in Vietnam.
– The foreigner must have valid supporting documents, including:

• LD1 visa: a work permit exemption certificate and a suitable assignment decision, appointment letter, or cooperation contract.
• LD2 visa: a valid work permit and employment contract.

Vietnam work visa application procedure

To allow a foreign employee to enter and work legally in Vietnam, the sponsoring company must complete the work visa procedure before the employee enters Vietnam. The basic process includes the following steps:

Step 1: Prepare the application for entry approval

The sponsoring company should prepare the required documents, including:

• The foreign employee’s passport.
• A certified copy of the work permit for an LD2 visa, or the work permit exemption certificate for an LĐ1 visa.
• A notarized copy of the business registration certificate of the sponsoring company.

Step 2: Submit the application

After preparing the application, the sponsoring company submits the documents to the Vietnam Immigration Department and receives an appointment slip for the result.
Submission locations:

• Hanoi: 46 Tran Phu Street, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District
• Ho Chi Minh City: 337 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1

Step 3: Receive the work visa result

Within 5 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid application, the Vietnam Immigration Department will review the application and issue the entry approval letter for the foreign employee.
Once the application is approved, the sponsoring company will receive the work visa result at the immigration authority according to the appointment slip. The validity of the work visa is based on the validity of the work permit or work permit exemption certificate and cannot exceed the validity of those documents.
When receiving the result, the company should carefully check all visa information, including the full name, passport number, nationality, visa symbol, visa validity, and sponsoring company details.

Vietnam work visa fees 

Vietnam work visa service for foreigners

Applying for a Vietnam work visa is an important step for foreign nationals who want to work legally and stably in Vietnam. Understanding the procedure and required documents helps make the application process smoother, saves time, and reduces avoidable risks.
With more than 40 years of experience in consulting and supporting procedures for foreigners in Vietnam, FISC can assist companies and foreign employees with Vietnam work visa applications quickly, accurately, and in compliance with current regulations.
If you need support with a Vietnam work visa application for a foreign employee, please contact FISC for timely consultation and assistance.