Important Updates
Important Updates
September 2, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Policies Relaxed for Transiting Travelers
September 2, 2025 | Japan2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト
September 2, 2025 | United StatesFragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director
September 2, 2025 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Widespread Protests May Affect Mobility and Immigration Processing
September 2, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: More Nationals Eligible for Visa Exemption; Expanded Rights Under Exemption
September 2, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Policies Relaxed for Transiting Travelers
September 2, 2025 | Japan2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト
September 2, 2025 | United StatesFragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director
September 2, 2025 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Widespread Protests May Affect Mobility and Immigration Processing
September 2, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: More Nationals Eligible for Visa Exemption; Expanded Rights Under Exemption
September 2, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Policies Relaxed for Transiting Travelers
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 RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese 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
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • 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

Vietnam: Transition of Processing to Ministry of Home Affairs Causes Delays

March 21, 2025

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

At a Glance

  • The responsibility for managing foreign nationals working in Vietnam has been transferred from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs to the Ministry of Home Affairs. As part of the transition:
    • The submission and collection points for work permit-related applications have shifted to municipal Public Administration Service Centers;
    • Applications for both Job Position Approval and Work Permit Exemption Certificates no longer require physical submission after online filing; and
    • Police clearance certificate processing and issuance has been moved to the Ministry of Public Security.
  • As a result of these changes, there will be processing delays of up to a few weeks as new departments get accustomed to the new processes.

The situation

Further to the decree issued in February 2025 that transferred the responsibility for managing foreign nationals working in Vietnam from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) (and their provincial Departments of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (DOLISA) offices) to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), there are further impacts resulting from this shift, some which bring process changes and processing delays.

A closer look

 

CHANGE

IMPACT

Transfer of Work Permit processing to MOHA

  • Submission and collection points for work permit-related applications have shifted from DOLISA’s One-Stop Service Centers to municipal Public Administration Service Centers of the MOHA.
  • Work permit forms 1, 2, 7, 9, and 11 must now be submitted to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA), instead of DOLISA.

 

  • Work permit applicants filing with the DOHA may experience delays of approximately one week as the Public Administration Service Centers adjust to the new submission process.
  • The change of submission location for some work permit forms may require applicants to re-sign and resubmit work permit documents.
  • Work permit applicants filing directly with the Department of Employment at MOHA may experience delays of several weeks.

 

Changes to Job Position Approval (JPA) and Work Permit Exemption Certificate (WPEC) process

  • Applications for both JPA and WPEC no longer require physical submission after online filing.
  • WPECs will still be provided in both electronic and physical forms, and the physical document must be collected at a designated service counter.
  • In Ho Chi Minh City, the DOHA currently prefers that digital signatures be used alongside physical signatures for both JPA and WPEC applications, though this remains optional until it becomes a mandatory requirement.
  • Traditional work permit applications remain subject to both online and physical submission requirements.

 

 

  • The JPA and WPEC process will be streamlined, and JPA results will now be issued electronically with a digital signature, eliminating the need for applicants to collect them in person.
  • Failure to retrieve the WPEC within 30 days may result in revocation, making timely collection essential for applicants.

Judicial Record and Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Processing Shifted to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS)

  • The MPS has taken over responsibility for managing judicial record services, including the issuance of PCCs for foreign nationals residing in Vietnam.
  • As a part of the transition, the government is developing a new online MPS portal that will allow digital submissions of PCC applications without any processing fees. However, until this system is fully operational, urgent PCC requests must still be submitted in person at designated service centers, with a processing fee of VND 200,000.

 

  • The shift to MPS shifts PCC processing and issuance from the Justice Department to city police authorities in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
  • There may be delays of a few weeks in processing PCCs during the transition to the police authorities.

 

 

Background

The changes follow the implementation of a government resolution that seeks to improve administrative efficiency. This effort included significant restructuring of five government ministries and other government bodies, including the merging of certain agencies and the transfer of key functions between existing bodies.

Looking ahead

The Vietnamese government continues to implement strategic initiatives to attract foreign investment, particularly in high-tech sectors, infrastructure development, and international trade relations, reflecting Vietnam's commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investors. As these initiatives continue to roll out, we will likely see both opportunities and challenges for employers and foreign nationals. Key challenges will include some of the more restrictionist policies of the current labour decrees, which can make the process of hiring foreign talent lengthy and unpredictable.

While there have been no official announcements or indications from the Vietnamese government regarding further amendments to the decrees, further operational changes are expected as the MOHA takes over the management of foreign workers. Since the authorities have been known to make policy changes (or even cease application processing) without notice, employers should stay aware of application process changes.

This alert 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 [email protected]. Also access the Vietnam spotlight page on Fragomen’s website.

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

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

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.