Vietnam is giving its work permit system a much-needed tune-up this July, and if you’re a foreign professional—or the employer of one—it’s time to pay close attention. Starting July 1, 2025, major changes are coming to how work permits and exemptions are issued, especially for roles involving multiple locations or expert-level designations. This reform isn’t just bureaucratic tinkering; it’s a full-on shift in how authority is distributed and how fast you’ll get an answer.
So, what’s the deal? It’s all about decentralizing control and making life easier for both employers and foreign workers. But as always, with change comes the need for preparation—and maybe a little patience while the dust settles.
Key Takeaways
Why Is Vietnam Updating Its Work Permit Rules in 2025?
The new reforms are part of Vietnam’s broader strategy to modernize and simplify its work permit process. Until now, applying for a permit—especially for expert-level positions or employees working in more than one province—often meant delays and red tape, thanks to centralized oversight by ministries like the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Starting July 2025, that central bottleneck will be cleared. The government’s goal is to speed things up, reduce national-level workload, and make the process more responsive to the real needs of regional employers. With Vietnam’s economy increasingly reliant on foreign expertise across tech, manufacturing, and services, smoother immigration pathways are more than a nice-to-have’re a necessity.
What Are the Key Changes in the July 2025 Policy?
The headline change is this: the power to approve work permits and expert exemptions will now rest with Provincial People’s Committees, not with central ministries. This includes job approvals, permit issuance, and exemption decisions, particularly for employees working across multiple locations or in advisory/expert roles.
In practice, this decentralization means that if you’re working in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you won’t need to go through a single national agency. Instead, local authorities will handle your file, hopefully with more agility and a better understanding of regional labor needs. It’s a fundamental shift—and one that could remove months from the timeline.
How Will the New Approval Process Work?
The new process is designed to be more straightforward, at least on paper. Applicants will now submit their documents directly to the provincial-level authority where their work is based. For expert exemptions—which allow some professionals to work without needing a permit—the relevant provincial chairperson must respond within three business days.
That three-day rule is a big deal. It adds a layer of accountability and predictability that’s been missing from Vietnam’s centralized system. And for companies with projects spread across regions, this localized process could reduce a lot of the logistical headaches that previously plagued multi-location hires.
Which Expats Will Be Most Affected by These Changes?
If you’re an expat working across provinces, or someone designated as an expert, technical advisor, or project consultant, you’re about to see real benefits. These categories often faced the most delays under the old system, particularly when it came to approvals for work involving travel or cross-functional roles.
Employers who hire large teams for construction, infrastructure, or IT rollouts across different cities also stand to benefit, since permits and exemptions will now be handled by the local government where the employee is based, not through a tedious national-level channel.
Also Read: Is Vietnam’s New 10-Year Golden Visa Right for You?
What Documents Will Still Be Required for a Work Permit?
While the process is changing, the paperwork is not. Applicants will still need to prepare a comprehensive documentation file, including:
- Valid passport copies
- Police clearance from both Vietnam and the applicant’s home country
- Valid health certificate (issued within the last 12 months)
- Degree or certification relevant to the job
- Proof of at least 3 years of relevant work experience
- Employment contract with a Vietnamese employer
Expert exemption applicants must also submit evidence of their qualifications or unique skills relevant to the role. So yes, while approvals may get faster, the need for accurate and complete paperwork remains as strict as ever.
Are There Any Risks or Challenges in the New System?
Decentralization is a double-edged sword. While provincial control could lead to faster decisions, it also opens the door to inconsistencies in interpretation and implementation. What flies in Da Nang may be challenged in Binh Duong. The lack of uniform standards could lead to confusion, especially during the transition phase.
There’s also the issue of preparedness. Not all provinces have the same administrative capacity or experience handling complex immigration cases. Employers and migration agents should brace for some teething problems in the early months after July.
What Should Expats and Employers Do to Prepare?
Start planning now—because July will come quickly. First, review the province-specific processes where your work is based. Get in touch with the relevant Provincial People’s Committee or a trusted local migration consultant. If your company has projects across multiple locations, consider where your employees will be stationed and how that affects permit jurisdiction.
Avoid last-minute submissions, especially if you’re applying for expert exemptions or need rapid start dates. Prepare all documentation in advance, double-check your forms, and stay informed through official updates and business chambers like EuroCham or AmCham.
With the right preparation, these new rules can work in your favor. But as with any big policy shift, early awareness and smart planning will make the biggest difference.
Conclusion
Vietnam’s July 2025 reform is a bold step toward modernizing its foreign labor system. By shifting control to the provinces and setting quick approval timelines, the government is showing it wants to make life easier for foreign professionals. But it’s not a hands-off process—you’ll still need to bring your documentation game and stay alert to local interpretations. If you do, you might just find the new system faster, friendlier, and far less frustrating.
Karan Rawat
Content strategist and Full-time editor of The Immigration World. Karan focuses on simplifying complex immigration rules and scholarship opportunities into clear, practical guidance for global readers. Passionate about making international relocation easier for everyone.
