Regulations on Work Permits at the International Financial Centre (Updated 2026)

I. Foreign employees are exempted from work permits when falling into one of the following cases:

a) Belonging to subjects prescribed at Point a and b Clause 1 Article 20 of Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15, except for subjects being accompanying family members;

b) Belonging to subjects not falling under the category of work permit issuance according to regulations at Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP;

c) Cases satisfying professional standards according to regulations of the Executive Agency at the cities.

The employer has the responsibility to request the issuance, re-issuance, extension, or revocation of the confirmation of not being subject to work permit issuance for foreign employees prescribed at Clause 1 of this Article.

II. Issuance, re-issuance, extension, revocation of confirmation of not being subject to work permit issuance

1. The issuance, re-issuance, extension, and revocation of confirmation of not being subject to work permit issuance for employees prescribed at Clause 1 Article 5 of this Decree are implemented according to regulations at Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP. The time limit for resolving the dossier proposing issuance or extension of confirmation of not being subject to work permit issuance is a maximum of 03 working days, from the date of receiving the complete dossier of proposal.

2. In case the foreign employee belongs to the subject prescribed at Point a Clause 1 Article 5 of this Decree, the employer does not have to perform the procedure for issuance of confirmation of not being subject to work permit issuance but must notify the Executive Agency at the cities via online form at the National Public Service Portal or via public postal service or directly at least 03 working days before the date the foreign employee is expected to start working in Vietnam. The notification includes the following basic contents: full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, name of foreign employer, working location, working period. The working period shall not exceed the duration of the visa, temporary residence card, or permanent residence card prescribed at Point a and b Clause 1 Article 20 of Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15.

III. Duration of confirmation of not being subject to work permit issuance

The duration of the confirmation of not being subject to work permit issuance is a maximum of 10 years.

IV. Issuance, re-issuance, extension, revocation of work permits

1. The employer has the responsibility to request the issuance, re-issuance, extension, or revocation of work permits for foreign employees, except for subjects prescribed at Clause 1 Article 5 of this Decree. In case of proposing issuance or extension of work permits for foreign employees, the employer does not have to report on the explanation of demand for using foreign labor and does not have to announce recruitment of Vietnamese workers for positions expected to recruit foreign employees.

2. The issuance, re-issuance, extension, and revocation of work permits for foreign employees prescribed at Clause 1 of this Article are implemented according to regulations at Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP. The time limit for resolving the dossier proposing issuance or extension of work permits is a maximum of 03 working days, from the date of receiving the complete dossier of proposal.

V. Duration of work permit

The duration of the work permit is a maximum of 10 years.

VI. Authority to grant, re-grant, extend, revoke work permits and confirmations of not being subject to work permit issuance

The Executive Agency of the International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City and the Executive Agency of the International Financial Centre in Da Nang city (hereinafter referred to as the Executive Agency at the cities) have the authority to grant, re-grant, extend, and revoke work permits and confirmations of not being subject to work permit issuance for foreign employees working for employers prescribed at Clause 2 Article 2 of this Decree at the cities.

VII. Conclusion

It can be affirmed that the preferential policy on labor at the International Financial Centre is a breakthrough step in administrative reform, creating a superior competitive advantage for the investment environment in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Allowing the work permit duration up to 10 years and eliminating the requirement to announce recruitment of domestic personnel before recruiting foreigners demonstrates trust and creates maximum conditions for enterprises to be proactive in personnel strategy. To enjoy these policies, employers need to note to correctly perform the obligation of notification and submitting dossiers at the Executive Agency at the cities instead of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs as usual. If your Enterprise needs support reviewing professional dossiers or performing procedures for work permit issuance according to this shortened process, please contact us for in-depth legal consultation.

The information contained in this article is general and intended only to provide information on legal regulations. DB Legal will not be responsible for any use or application of this information for any business purpose. For in-depth advice on specific cases, please contact us.

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