Vietnam LD work visa and work permit for Indian professionals

The permit dossier, filed by the employer with the provincial Department of Home Affairs (which absorbed the labour departments in 2025), contains the explanation of need for a foreign worker, the health certificate issued within 12 months, the police record from India (apostilled) or Vietnam, legalised and translated copies of the degree and experience letters, two photos and the passport. Decree 219 removed the separate advance approval, shortened the mandatory local job posting to five days on any suitable platform and set a 10-working-day decision; a new decree published for 5 December 2026 continues the regime with updated forms.

Indian applicants most often stumble on the experience letters: they must name the position and period, be signed by the previous employer and match the job title in Vietnam, and Indian degrees must be apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs and translated by a Vietnamese notary. Salaries are not subject to a statutory minimum for permits, but immigration expects the contract to cover living costs, typically USD 1,500 and above.

Vietnam has no skills levy or health surcharge; foreign employees on contracts of 12 months or more join social insurance (8 per cent employee, 17.5 per cent employer) and pay personal income tax at 5 to 35 per cent, with India treaty relief. Vistolane's partner in Ho Chi Minh City prepares the dossier and charges the USD 25 visa fee at the official rate.

1. 1

   Collect and legalise documents in India

   Degree and experience letters apostilled by the MEA; police clearance certificate (apostilled); medical can be done in Vietnam.

2. 2

   Employer posts the job and files the dossier

   5-day posting on a recruitment platform (unless exempt); dossier with the need explanation to the provincial Department of Home Affairs; decision in 10 working days.

3. 3

   Apply for the LD visa

   e-Visa on evisa.gov.vn with the permit (3 working days), or approval letter and sticker at the embassy in New Delhi.

4. 4

   Enter and register

   Residence registration within 24 hours; sign the labour contract within the permit's terms.

5. 5

   Temporary residence card

   Employer applies to the Immigration Department; USD 145 for 1 to 2 years; dependants' TT cards follow.

Workers already in Vietnam on a tourist or DN visa can switch to LD without leaving once the permit is issued, which is common for Indians who come for an interview and are hired; the work must not start before the permit.

The permit names the employer, position and work location; a new employer means a new permit, and a promotion into a different job title requires re-issuance. Extensions are filed between 5 and 45 days before expiry, once only, after which a fresh permit is issued. Revocation follows a terminated contract, so arrange the next permit before resigning.

Spouses and children under 18 receive TT visas and residence cards tied to the worker's card; a spouse who wants to work needs their own permit. After three years of temporary residence and a stable income, foreigners may apply for permanent residence in narrow categories; most Indian professionals renew residence cards instead.

• Decree 219/2025/ND-CP on foreign workers in Vietnam (7 August 2025) ↗
• Ministry of Home Affairs (labour): work permits for foreigners ↗
• Vietnam Immigration Department: official e-Visa portal ↗
• Vietnam Immigration Department: visas and temporary residence ↗
• Circular 25/2021/TT-BTC: fees for visas and residence documents ↗