Applying for a Vietnam Work Permit requires your employer to submit an integrated application combining labor demand justification and permit request to the Provincial People’s Committee, with you providing legalized documents (bachelor’s degree, 120-hour TEFL certificate, health certificate within 12 months, criminal record within 6 months, passport), taking 10 working days official processing under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (effective August 7, 2025). Total costs range $300-$800 including government fees (VND 400,000-1,000,000), document legalization, health checks, and translations, with permits valid up to 2 years renewable once.
Core requirements: (1) Bachelor’s degree + 2 years teaching experience OR 120-hour TEFL certificate, (2) health certificate from approved hospital issued within 12 months, (3) criminal record issued within 6 months, (4) valid passport with 6+ months validity. Processing timeline: employer submits application between 10-60 days before employment start date, Provincial People’s Committee processes within 10 working days. Working without permit results in VND 15-25 million ($600-$1,000) fines plus mandatory deportation.
Key changes under Decree 219/2025: Reduced experience requirement from 3 years to 2 years, consolidated application process eliminating separate labor demand approval (saves 10-15 days), simultaneous criminal record processing via National Public Service Portal, and 90-day cumulative exemption for short-term teachers (no trip limit). Start document preparation 3-4 months before intended employment: degree/TEFL legalization takes 2-4 weeks abroad, FBI criminal record (USA) requires 12-14 weeks, health exam in Vietnam takes 1-3 days.
What Is a Vietnam Work Permit for Foreign Teachers?
A Vietnam work permit is official authorization issued by Provincial People’s Committees allowing legal employment for up to 2 years maximum, renewable once for an additional 2 years (4 years total), specifying employer name, job position, work location, and validity period tied to labor contract duration. Governed by Decree 219/2025/ND-CP replacing previous regulations (Decree 152/2020, Decree 70/2023), this certificate enables labor contract signing, salary payments, social insurance registration, and Temporary Residence Card applications. Teaching without valid permits carries VND 15-25 million ($600-$1,000) fines under Decree 12/2022/ND-CP plus mandatory deportation.
Provincial People’s Committees hold issuing authority with delegation to specialized agencies like Departments of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA). Applications are employer-sponsored—foreign teachers cannot apply independently. Work permit validity determined by shortest duration among labor contract, employer’s business license, or related legal documents, never exceeding 2 years from issuance per Article 21, Decree 219/2025.
Who Needs a Work Permit to Teach in Vietnam?
All foreign teachers require work permits except those with official exemption certificates or working less than 90 cumulative days per calendar year (January 1-December 31) under Point a, Clause 13, Article 7 of Decree 219/2025. This replaces previous 30-day/trip limits with maximum 3 trips annually—new rule allows unlimited entries provided total working days don’t exceed 90 within calendar year.
Work permit required for:
- ESL/EFL teachers at language centers
- Subject teachers at international schools
- University/college English lecturers
- Kindergarten English teachers
- Online English teachers physically residing in Vietnam 183+ days/year
Exemption categories (still require exemption certificate from Provincial People’s Committee):
- Short-term teachers working under 90 days/year (must notify authorities 3 working days before starting)
- Diplomatic mission school teachers
- Capital contributors with VND 3 billion+ investment
- Priority sector experts certified by ministries
Critical: Short-term exemption requires employer notification to Provincial People’s Committee at least 3 days before work begins—failure to notify results in same penalties as working without permit.
What Are the Requirements for a Vietnam Teaching Work Permit?
Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, foreign teachers must meet 4 core criteria: (1) age 18+ with full civil capacity, (2) bachelor’s degree plus teaching qualifications, (3) health certificate issued within 12 months, (4) criminal record issued within 6 months. Most teachers qualify as “Experts” under Article 3, Clause 3 requiring either 2 years teaching experience with any bachelor’s degree OR bachelor’s degree plus 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate (no experience needed when certified).
Educational qualifications:
- Standard route: Bachelor’s degree (any major) + 2 years teaching experience documented through employer certificates
- TEFL route: Bachelor’s degree + 120-hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (zero experience required)
- Priority sectors: Bachelor’s in finance/science/technology + only 1 year experience
Health requirements:
- Issued by approved Vietnamese hospitals OR foreign hospitals only if mutual recognition treaty exists
- Validity: within 12 months before application
- Cost: VND 1,000,000-4,000,000 ($40-$160) in Vietnam
- Screening includes: TB, HIV, Hepatitis B/C, general physical
Approved hospitals: FV Hospital, Family Medical Practice (HCMC/Hanoi), Vietnam-Germany Hospital, Columbia Asia, Hoan My Da Nang
Criminal record requirements:
- From home country police OR Vietnam Ministry of Public Security (if residing 6+ months)
- Validity: within 6 months before application
- Cost: VND 200,000 ($8) in Vietnam; $20-$100 from home countries
- Requires: Apostille/consular legalization + certified Vietnamese translation + notarization
New under Decree 219/2025: Employers can apply for criminal records simultaneously with work permits via National Public Service Portal—both documents issued electronically together.
| Teacher Category | Education | Experience | Most Common |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expert – TEFL Route | Bachelor’s + 120-hour TEFL | 0 years | Yes |
| Expert – Standard | Bachelor’s (any major) | 2 years | Yes |
| Expert – Priority | Bachelor’s in priority field | 1 year | Rare |
No maximum age limit: Teachers 60, 65, 70+ regularly approved provided they meet health requirements.
What Documents Do You Need for a Teaching Work Permit Application?
Work permit applications require 7 mandatory document categories under Article 18, Decree 219/2025, with all foreign-issued documents requiring consular legalization (apostille or embassy certification) and certified Vietnamese translation. Critical documents: integrated application form (Form 03), legalized bachelor’s degree, 120-hour TEFL certificate, health certificate within 12 months, criminal record within 6 months, passport copies, 2 photos (4×6cm, white background).
Complete checklist:
- Form 03 – Integrated Application (employer completes):
- Combines labor demand justification + work permit request
- Job posting evidence (minimum 5 days public posting before submission)
- Personal documents:
- Valid passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages)
- 2 photos: 4×6cm, white background, within 6 months
- Education documents (all require legalization):
- Bachelor’s degree (any major accepted)
- 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate (if using instead of 2-year experience)
- Work experience certificates (if using 2-year experience route)
- Health & legal clearance:
- Health certificate (within 12 months, VND 1,000,000-4,000,000)
- Criminal record (within 6 months, home country or Vietnam)
Document legalization process:
- Authenticate in home country: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1-3 weeks, $20-$100)
- Vietnamese Embassy legalization: Consular legalization (5-15 days, $50-$150)
- Vietnam translation: Certified translation + notarization (3-7 days, VND 500,000-2,000,000)
Total legalization cost per document: $70-$230 + 3-5 weeks processing
Common rejections: Expired validity (health >12 months, criminal record >6 months), incomplete legalization, wrong photo specs, passport expiring within 6 months.
Discover Related Guides:
- Top 10 Reasons for Vietnam Work Permit Rejection and How to Avoid Them
- What to Do if Your Vietnam Work Permit is Rejected: Complete Recovery Guide for Teachers
How Do You Apply for a Vietnam Work Permit for Teaching?
Application follows streamlined 2-phase process: (1) Employer posts job publicly for minimum 5 days, then (2) submits integrated application (Form 03) between 10-60 days before employment start date to Provincial People’s Committee, with processing completed in 10 working days after valid submission. Entire employer-managed process eliminates previous separate labor demand approval, consolidating requirements into single application.
Step-by-step process:
Phase 1: Pre-application (5-30 days before)
- Job posting (employer): Post publicly for minimum 5 days on company website, social media, or job boards (no longer required on MoLISA portal)
- Form 03 preparation (employer): Complete integrated application with labor demand justification
Phase 2: Official submission (10-60 days before start date)
- Submit application:
- Online: National Public Service Portal (http://dvc.vieclamvietnam.gov.vn)
- In-person: Provincial DOLISA office
- Timing: Between 10-60 days before employment start (recommended: 30-45 days)
- Pay government fee:
- Hanoi: VND 400,000 ($16)
- HCMC/Da Nang: VND 600,000 ($24)
- Other provinces: VND 400,000-1,000,000
- Provincial People’s Committee processing: 10 working days maximum (must respond within 3 days if rejecting)
Phase 3: Post-issuance (within 5-15 days)
- Sign labor contract (after receiving permit)
- Submit contract copy to Provincial People’s Committee (within 5 working days)
- Apply for TRC: Immigration Department (5-7 days processing, $145-$155)
Working before permit issued is illegal: VND 15-25 million fine + deportation, even for “trial periods.”
How Much Does a Vietnam Work Permit Cost for Teachers?
Total costs range $300-$800 comprising government fees (VND 400,000-1,000,000), document legalization ($50-$150 per document), health certificates (VND 1,000,000-4,000,000), criminal records (VND 200,000 Vietnam; $20-$100 home country), and Vietnamese translation/notarization (VND 500,000-2,000,000 per document). Legitimate employers typically cover government fees, translations, and TRC costs; teachers usually pay health exams, home country criminal records, and legalization abroad.
Cost breakdown:
| Expense Category | Cost (VND) | Cost (USD) | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government permit fee | 400,000-1,000,000 | $16-$40 | Employer |
| Health certificate | 1,000,000-4,000,000 | $40-$160 | Teacher |
| Criminal record (Vietnam) | 200,000 | $8 | Teacher |
| Criminal record (home country) | – | $20-$100 | Teacher |
| Degree legalization | – | $70-$230 | Teacher |
| TEFL legalization | – | $70-$230 | Teacher |
| Vietnamese translation (per doc) | 500,000-2,000,000 | $20-$80 | Employer |
| TRC application | 3,600,000-3,800,000 | $145-$155 | Employer |
Provincial government fees:
- Hanoi: VND 400,000
- HCMC: VND 600,000
- Da Nang: VND 600,000
- Hai Phong: VND 600,000
- Quang Ninh: VND 480,000
Renewal costs (significantly cheaper):
- Government renewal fee: VND 300,000-450,000 ($12-$18)
- New health certificate: VND 1,000,000-4,000,000 ($40-$160)
- Total renewal: $55-$185 vs. $300-$800 for new permit
Red flag: Employers requesting teachers pay all costs upfront ($500+) without clear reimbursement terms may indicate financial instability or illegal arrangements.
How Long Does the Work Permit Process Take for Teachers?
Official processing takes 10 working days after valid document submission, but foreign teachers should allow 3-4 months total including document preparation abroad (degree/TEFL legalization: 2-4 weeks), criminal record acquisition (1-14 weeks depending on country), health certificate in Vietnam (1-3 days), Vietnamese translation (3-7 days), and potential delays from incomplete documentation. Start preparation immediately after job acceptance to prevent employment delays.
Timeline breakdown:
Phase 1: Pre-arrival preparation (2-8 weeks)
- Authenticate documents at home country Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 1-3 weeks
- Vietnamese Embassy legalization: 5-15 working days
- Criminal record from home country:
- USA (FBI): 12-14 weeks (longest wait)
- UK: 14 days
- Australia: 1-2 weeks
- Canada: 2-4 weeks
Phase 2: In-Vietnam completion (1-2 weeks)
- Health examination: 1-3 days
- Vietnamese translation + notarization: 3-7 days
Phase 3: Official processing (3-5 weeks)
- Job posting: Minimum 5 days
- Application submission: Between 10-60 days before start date
- Provincial People’s Committee review: 10 working days maximum
- TRC application after permit: 5-7 days
Realistic full timeline: 3-4 months from job acceptance to legal teaching start
Fastest timeline (UK/Australia teachers): 2-3 months Slowest timeline (USA teachers): 6-7 months (due to FBI wait)
USA teachers: Start FBI background check immediately after job acceptance—12-14 week processing is single longest delay.
Can You Apply for a Work Permit While in Vietnam?
Yes, but you must enter on business visa (DN) or e-business visa, NOT tourist visa, as tourist visas prohibit work permit applications and cannot convert to business visas internally without exiting Vietnam. Most schools bring teachers on 3-month business visas obtained through employer invitation letters, then process work permits during first month, followed by TRC applications for long-term legal residence.
Acceptable entry visas:
- Business visa (DN): Obtained via employer invitation letter at Vietnamese Embassy (3-7 days, $60-$120)
- E-business visa: Online application stating “business purpose” (3-5 days, $25, up to 90 days)
Unacceptable entry visas:
- Tourist visa: Cannot apply for work permit, cannot convert internally
- 45-day visa exemption: Cannot apply for work permit
- E-visa marked “tourism”: Cannot use for work permit
If already in Vietnam on wrong visa: Must exit to Cambodia/Thailand/Laos, apply for business visa at Vietnamese Embassy (2-3 days), re-enter Vietnam, then begin work permit process. Cost: $200-$400 total (flight, hotel, visa).
Cannot work while waiting: Teaching before receiving official work permit is illegal—VND 15-25 million fine + deportation. Legal activities during waiting: orientation, training, observing classes, preparing materials. Illegal: teaching actual classes, one-on-one tutoring, receiving salary.
What Happens If You Work Without a Work Permit in Vietnam?
Teaching without valid permit results in VND 15-25 million ($600-$1,000) fines for teachers under Article 32, Decree 12/2022, and VND 30-75 million ($1,200-$3,000) for employers depending on number of illegal workers, plus mandatory deportation and 1-3 year entry bans affecting future Vietnam employment. Enforcement increased dramatically in 2025 with monthly raids at language centers in Hanoi/HCMC.
Penalties for teachers:
- Fine: VND 15,000,000-25,000,000 ($600-$1,000)
- Mandatory deportation: 7-15 days to exit at own expense
- Entry ban: 1-3 years (sometimes permanent)
- Total financial loss: $3,000-$7,000 (fine + lost deposits + emergency flight + lost future income)
Penalties for employers:
| Illegal Workers | Fine (VND) | Fine (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-10 workers | 30,000,000-45,000,000 | $1,200-$1,800 |
| 11-20 workers | 45,000,000-60,000,000 | $1,800-$2,400 |
| 21+ workers | 60,000,000-75,000,000 | $2,400-$3,000 |
Organizations: Fines doubled under Decree 12/2022. Additional consequences: business license suspension (1-3 months), license revocation for repeated violations.
How violations discovered:
- Random police inspections: Monthly raids at 10-15 Hanoi language centers, bi-weekly in HCMC
- Education authority audits: Annual licensing renewals verify all teachers have valid permits
- Competitor reports: Rival schools report illegal teachers to authorities
- Work permit renewal cross-checks: System flags gaps, expired permits
- Immigration database monitoring: TRC/visa overstays trigger investigations
Real enforcement (2025):
- Hanoi raid (March 2025): 8/12 teachers lacked permits → VND 20 million fines each + deportation, school fined VND 120 million + 2-month suspension
- HCMC audit (June 2025): 1 expired permit → Teacher fined VND 15 million, school VND 30 million
“Under the table” teaching risks: Extra $200/month salary not worth $600-$1,000 fine + $3,000-$7,000 total loss + 1-3 year ban eliminating $20,000+ future income.
How Do You Renew a Vietnam Work Permit for Teachers?
Work permits renewable once for additional up to 2 years (4 years maximum total) by submitting renewal applications between 10-45 days before expiration with updated documents (health certificate within 12 months, new labor contract, valid passport) to same Provincial People’s Committee. After single renewal expires, teachers must apply for completely new permit following full initial process.
Renewal requirements:
- Current permit still valid or expiring within 45 days
- Continuing same employer, position, location
- First renewal only (maximum 1 renewal allowed per Decree 219/2025)
Required documents:
- Work permit renewal application form
- Current work permit (original)
- New health certificate (within 12 months)
- New labor contract (up to 2 years)
- Passport copy (6+ months validity)
- 2 photos (4×6cm)
NOT required for renewal:
- No criminal record
- No degree/TEFL re-submission
- No job posting
- No document legalization
Renewal costs:
| Province | Renewal Fee | Savings vs. New |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | VND 300,000 ($12) | VND 100,000 |
| HCMC/Da Nang | VND 450,000 ($18) | VND 150,000 |
Total renewal: $55-$185 (health cert + renewal fee) vs. $300-$800 for new permit
Processing: 10 working days maximum (same as new permits)
After 4 years (first renewal expires): Must apply for completely new work permit with full documentation including fresh criminal record.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnam Work Permit Application
Can I teach without a bachelor’s degree?
No, bachelor’s degree (any major) is mandatory with zero exceptions under Article 3, Decree 219/2025. Provincial People’s Committees automatically reject applications lacking university degree documentation. Associate degrees, diplomas, or extensive experience cannot substitute.
Do online teachers in Vietnam need work permits?
Yes, if physically residing in Vietnam 183+ days/year, online teachers need work permits and must pay Vietnamese income tax regardless of employer/student location. Vietnam tax residency threshold is 183 days annually. Working without permit carries same penalties as traditional teachers: VND 15-25 million fine + deportation.
Can I get a work permit over age 60?
Yes, Vietnam imposes no maximum age limit for work permits. Teachers aged 60, 65, 70+ regularly approved provided they meet health requirements. Health examination focuses on functional capacity, not chronological age. International schools especially value experienced educators 55-70+.
What’s the difference between work permit and work visa?
- Work permit (Provincial People’s Committee) = authorization to work
- TRC/work visa (Immigration Department) = authorization to reside
You need both: Work permit obtained first (10 days) → use to apply for TRC (5-7 days) → fully legal to work + reside. Work permit without TRC = can work but not reside long-term. TRC without work permit = can reside but cannot legally work.
Obtain your Vietnam work permit through employer sponsorship with 10 working days official processing under Decree 219/2025, total costs $300-$800, and 3-4 months preparation time including document legalization abroad. Start immediately after job acceptance: authenticate degree/TEFL at home Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1-3 weeks), legalize at Vietnamese Embassy (5-15 days), obtain criminal record (12-14 weeks for USA FBI), enter Vietnam on business visa, complete health exam (1-3 days), translate documents (3-7 days), employer submits application, receive permit after 10 working days.
For comprehensive guidance on visa requirements, renewals, and legal compliance, visit: Legal & Visa Requirements Category
Can I get a work permit aged 60 as a British English teacher aged 60 with Masters degree?
Thank you.
Hi Evans, as long as you have a legal employer in Vietnam—the company you will work for and they are willing to be your sponsor for the application, you can obtain a work permit.
Hi team,
Hello, I am interested in knowing the details of available teaching vacancies in Vietnam. Could you please provide information about the eligibility criteria and application process? I would also like to understand the work permit requirements for foreign teachers. Kindly share the related URL links for vacancies and work permit guidelines.