Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP on foreign workers in Vietnam was issued and took effect on August 7, 2025. In this article, 68 SOLUTIONS summarizes the key new provisions of this Decree.
Provincial People’s Committees to issue work permits for foreign workers from August 7, 2025
According to Clause 1, Article 4 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, the authority to issue, re-issue, extend, and revoke work permits and work permit exemption certificates is assigned to the Provincial People’s Committees.
“The Provincial People’s Committee has the authority to issue, re-issue, extend, and revoke work permits and work permit exemption certificates for foreign workers working for employers whose head offices, branches, representative offices, or business locations are in the locality where the foreign worker is expected to work.”
The Provincial People’s Committees may also delegate these tasks to subordinate specialized agencies if deemed necessary.
Previously, under Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP (amended by Decree No. 70/2023/ND-CP), the authority was with:
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The Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (DOLISA) for local cases;
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The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs for special cases.
Online issuance of criminal record certificates together with work permits
Clause 3, Article 6 introduces an integrated process to simultaneously process work permit applications and criminal record certificates via the National Public Service Portal.
Employers can now submit both applications online:
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Work permit application
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Criminal record certificate application (authorized by the foreign worker)
The results (electronic work permit and criminal record certificate) are issued together. Previously, these were handled separately by DOLISA and the Police.
Notification requirement for cases exempt from work permit exemption certificates
Clause 4, Article 9 states that certain exempt cases still require prior notification to the competent authority at least 03 working days before the foreign worker starts work.
Notification details include: full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, employer’s name, workplace, and work duration.
Previously, such reports were submitted to MOLISA or DOLISA, without the specific advance notice requirement.
Work permits can only be extended once, for a maximum of 2 years
Article 29 limits work permit extensions to a single occasion, with a maximum duration of 2 years.
Previously, under Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP, multiple extensions were possible.
Fifteen cases exempt from work permits in Vietnam
Article 7 lists 15 exempt categories, including:
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Owners with capital contribution of at least VND 3 billion
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Volunteers under international agreements
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Foreigners working under 90 days/year
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International agreement implementers
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Lecturers, students, interns
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Dependents of diplomatic staff
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And others in finance, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, or socio-economic priority sectors confirmed by competent authorities
The previous Decree listed only 14 categories.
No more 3-year experience requirement for experts
Clause 3, Article 3 now defines experts as:
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Having a university degree and at least 2 years’ relevant experience; or
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Having a university degree and at least 1 year’s relevant experience in priority fields
Previously, all experts were required to have at least 3 years of relevant experience.
Foreigners working under 90 days/year are exempt from work permits
Point a, Clause 13, Article 7 exempts foreigners whose total working time in Vietnam is under 90 days/year.
However, employers must notify the competent authority at least 03 working days in advance.
Previously, the exemption was for under 30 days per trip and under 90 days/year, with no advance notice rule.
Work permits valid in one province can be used in multiple localities
Clause 5, Article 22 allows foreign workers with a work permit to work in multiple provinces. Employers must notify local authorities 03 working days before each assignment.
Previously, such inter-provincial work was not explicitly regulated, and some localities required a new permit.
Additional grounds for determining the validity of work permits and exemption certificates
Article 21 confirms the maximum validity of 2 years and specifies bases such as labor contracts, dispatch documents, international agreements, or enterprise operation licenses.
The previous Decree capped validity at 2 years but did not list all possible bases.
New rules on revoking work permits and exemption certificates
Articles 30 and 32 list revocation grounds, including:
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Expired documents
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Breach of permit conditions or misuse
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Criminal prosecution of the worker
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Employer ceasing operations
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Written notice from the sending organization
Previously, revocation rules were scattered and did not address exemption certificates.
68 SOLUTIONS provides professional legal services for foreign workers in Vietnam, including work permits, exemption certificates, and full compliance support under Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP.
Contact 68SOLUTIONS today for expert assistance and up-to-date immigration support via hotline: (+84) 989 529 699
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