On August 7, 2025, the Government issued Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (“Decree 219”) regulating foreign workers working in Vietnam, effective from the date of issuance, which replaces Decree 152/2020/ND-CP. Decree 219 includes some fundamental additions and amendments that make the procedures for issuing work permits to foreign workers in Vietnam easier and more time-saving. The following analysis summarizes some basic new points of Decree 219 related to work permits for foreigners.
1. Adding procedures for re-issuing confirmation of work permit exemption
Previously, under Decree 152/2020/ND-CP, although it stipulated that “In the case of re-issuing confirmation that foreign workers are not subject to work permit issuance, the maximum duration is 02 years” Decree 152 did not specify the sequence and procedures for this process, while the procedures for re-issuing work permits were clearly regulated in Decree 152. This led to situations when foreign workers changed their workplace or the employer changed its name, they had to apply for a new confirmation of work permit exemption, which wasted time and incurred costs in preparing new application dossiers.
Accordingly, Decree 219 has clearly stipulated the cases eligible for re-issuance of confirmation of work permit exemption, including: The confirmation is still valid but lost or damaged and unusable; changes in one of the following contents: full name, nationality, passport number, workplace, change in the employer’s name without changing the employer’s tax code(1).
In such cases, the application dossier for re-issuance only includes: A written request; documents proving the changes as mentioned above; and valid Confirmation (if not lost or damaged). As a result, the employer does not need to resubmit the worker’s health examination certificate; passport and documents proving exemption from work permit. Moreover, the processing time for re-issuance procedures is 03 working days, which is faster than the new issuance procedures requiring 05 working days.
2. Shorten the process and time for applying for a work permit
Previously, under the provisions of Decree 152/2020/ND-CP, the basic steps to carry out the procedures for applying for a work permit included the following steps:
Step 1: Posting job advertisements on the electronic portal of the Employment Service Center established by the Chairman of the People’s Committee of the province or centrally-run city for at least 15 days from the expected date of reporting and explanation.
Step 2: Determining the need to use labor with the competent authority at least 15 days before the expected date of using labor.
Processing time: 10 working days
Step 3: Applying for a work permit at least 15 days before the date the foreign worker is expected to start working.
Processing time: 05 working days
Currently, Decree 219 has reduced it to 02 basic steps as follows:
Step 1: Announcing the recruitment of Vietnamese workers for positions expected to recruit foreign workers at least 05 days before the date of submitting the work permit application dossier.
Step 2: Applying for a work permit at least 10 days before the date the foreign worker is expected to start working(2).
In which, Step 2 essentially includes two procedures: determining the need to use labor and applying for a work permit as in Decree 152/2020/ND-CP. With the new regulations, the permit issuance procedures also become more concise. The processing time for work permit application dossiers under Decree 219 is 10 working days, which is 05 working days more than the old Decree. However, when looking at the overall process, the procedures under Decree 219 help employers save time in applying for work permits.
In the upcoming period in Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Home Affairs and state agencies will organize training sessions and issue specific guidelines on implementing Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.
(1) Article 11 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP on regulations on foreigners working in Vietnam issued on August 7, 2025 (“Decree 219/2025/ND-CP”).
(2) Article 22 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.
Written on: 20/08/2025.
Related articles:
1/ Conditions and procedures for issuing work permits to foreign employees
2/ Procedures for re-issuing work permits for foreign employees
3/ Some regulations regarding the revocation of work permits for foreign employees
4/ Procedures for obtaining work permits in special cases
Disclaimers:
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