Important Updates
Important Updates
October 15, 2025 | United States, United KingdomFinancial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions
October 16, 2025 | JapanJapan: Stricter Eligibility and Documentary Requirements for Certain Visa Types Implemented
October 16, 2025 | United KingdomThe Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban
October 16, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Ukraine: Temporary Protection Status - Country-Specific Updates
October 15, 2025 | United KingdomArts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas
October 15, 2025 | United States, United KingdomFinancial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions
October 16, 2025 | JapanJapan: Stricter Eligibility and Documentary Requirements for Certain Visa Types Implemented
October 16, 2025 | United KingdomThe Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban
October 16, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Ukraine: Temporary Protection Status - Country-Specific Updates
October 15, 2025 | United KingdomArts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas
October 15, 2025 | United States, United KingdomFinancial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

New Labor Decree Relaxes Work Authorization Rules

October 29, 2018

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • VietnamVietnam

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

The situation

A new decree issued by the Ministry of Labor Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has resulted in relaxed work authorization rules in Vietnam. The changes are effective immediately, though actual implementation may be delayed depending on the time it takes local labor authorities to adopt these changes into their current practice.

A closer look

  • Notarization of passports no longer required. MOLISA will no longer require the notarization or certification of passports for foreign nationals for submission with their Work Permit applications, as was required by Decree 11, implemented in 2016. A clear scanned copy of the passport is now sufficient for this purpose.
    • Impact. Since there may be other documents that still require notarization or certification, such as a diploma or other educational certificate, the Work Permit processing time will likely not be affected, though the administrative processes would be reduced. There may be inconsistent application of this new rule in different locations. For example, the labor department in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) currently still requires a notarized copy of the foreign national’s passport.
       
  • Cancellation of Work Permits no longer required. Employers no longer need to cancel their foreign employees’ Work Permits upon termination of their employment or assignment in Vietnam. Previously, Decree 11 made it mandatory for employers to cancel Work Permit cards and return them to the Labor Department.
    • Impact. While simplifying the process, this change may present issues for some employers as it may mean that former employees can continue to hold valid Work Permits tied to their companies even after they leave Vietnam. This can potentially create problems for a company should a former employee be subsequently found working in the country illegally using the unexpired Work Permit. To avoid this, labor authorities have advised host companies to collect their employees’ original Work Permit cards following the end of the assignment.
       
  • Shorter processing time for Work Permit applications. According to the new decree, MOLISA will process all Work Permit applications within five business days of submission.
    • Impact. Though this processing time is a significant reduction from the current two- to three-week processing time, in practice, it is unlikely that MOLISA will strictly abide by this requirement.
       
  • Work Permit exemption for incorporators. Foreign nationals responsible for incorporating or establishing a commercial entity in Vietnam are now exempt from obtaining a Work Permit or Work Permit exemption certificate, which is required for some categories of assignments and work activities and allows the foreign national to work without a Work Permit once MOLISA issues the certification.
    • Impact. Since the Work Permit exemption is granted in very exceptional cases, incorporators and others eligible for the exemption should still obtain a consular Business Visa to ensure compliance with immigration rules, as all foreign nationals entering Vietnam who seek to obtain a Work Permit must do. Those eligible for the exemption should therefore not enter under a tourist visa or visa-exempt status. As all foreign nationals under a Business Visa, workers eligible under this exemption must limit their work activities to less than 30 days per stay within a total cumulative period not exceeding 90 days per year.

Background

MOLISA is an administrative government branch in Vietnam that issues labor rules applicable to local and foreign workers. MOLISA’s rules impact various foreign workers’ requirements, such as documents needed for work authorization applications and exemption criteria.

Looking ahead

Although the changes are meant to simplify and streamline the work authorization and deregistration process, employers and foreign nationals should expect some variance in implementation as the labor authorities in different provinces start to adapt the new rules into their current practice during the initial transition period.

Many countries globally are working to streamline the work authorization process, such as in Indonesia, where a recent regulation was issued to complete a set of streamlined work authorization process rule changes; in China, where a streamlined work authorization application policy classifying foreign nationals into three categories was applied in April 2017; in Europe, where the EU Single Permit Directive requires EU Member States to consolidate residence and work authorization rules; and in Argentina, where and electronic system was developed that will simplify the work and residence authorization process.

Fragomen will monitor the situation and work closely with clients to ensure compliance at every step of the application process.

We worked closely with Resident Vietnam in Vietnam to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • VietnamVietnam

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.