Vietnam: Updated Labor and Immigration Laws

Key Points 

•  Vietnam introduced changes to its immigration and labor laws on 18 September 2023 

Overview  

The government of Vietnam published amendments to its labor laws on 18 September 2023. The following changes will be put into effect as a result: 

• “University Graduated” Accepted: Labor authorities increasingly accept graduation confirmation over physical certificates, simplifying degree verification. 
• Revised Expert and Technician Requirements: Now, relevance to the job title applies only to work experience, aligning with resolution 105. 
• Updated “Executive Director” Definition: Includes branch, representative office or business location heads and those directly administering agency fields under their leader’s direction. 
• Foreign Labor Demand Timing: Reports must be submitted at least 15 days before work starts, with no expiry date. 
• Two JPA Forms: Form No. 1 for new requests, Form No. 2 for changes, reducing administrative load. 
• Labor Market Testing Requirement: Sponsors must post job ads for Vietnamese workers 15 days before foreign labor requests. 
• Work in Multiple Provinces: Requests for multi-province work can go to MOLISA. 
• Multi-Location Work (Same Province): Work permit apps must list all locations within the same province. 
• “Manager” and “Executive” Criteria: New documentation requirements, including charters and appointment resolutions. 
• “Expert” and “Technical Worker” Criteria: Similar to managers and executives, new criteria and documentation are required. 
• Simplified Expert and Technical Worker Applications: No work experience letters, degrees or police clearance are needed after two terms. 
• Streamlined Authority: Only DOLISA and MOLISA handle labor and immigration matters. 
• Name Change Procedure: Simplified for same-enterprise-number name changes. 
• Passport Requirement: Certified company passport copies are accepted for work permits. 

For specific information on these updates, check here.  

What are the Changes?  

The government of Vietnam introduced changes to its immigration and labor laws on 18 September 2023. According to the government, these measures aim to streamline the immigration process and certain document requirements for employers and employees.  

Looking Ahead  

Continue to check the government of Vietnam’s website and Envoy’s website for the latest updates and information.  The government of Vietnam published amendments to its labor and immigration laws on 18 September 2023 in order to simplify procedures.