Work Permits in Vietnam 2025

There is significant change in Vietnam’s work permit process for foreign nationals, effective July 1, 2025, as outlined in recent updates. This decentralization transfers the authority to issue work permits from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA)—previously managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) for certain cases—to the Chairpersons of Provincial People’s Committees or their designated provincial departments. Below, I’ll address this shift and its implications, especially since you mentioned an interest in niche evaluation, which could relate to understanding administrative changes for business or employment niches in Vietnam.

Key Details of the Change

Background: Under Decree 128/2025/ND-CP, Vietnam is decentralizing state management in the internal affairs sector, including immigration and work permit processes, to streamline procedures and reduce bureaucratic delays for foreign professionals and employers. Previous System: Until June 30, 2025, MOLISA and MOHA handled work permit applications, especially for complex cases (e.g., foreign workers across multiple provinces or those under central-level enterprise licenses). This often led to delays, particularly for multinational firms.

New System (Effective July 1, 2025):

Provincial Authority: Chairpersons of Provincial People’s Committees (or designated agencies, like provincial Departments of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs) now oversee:

Job Position Approval (JPA): Employers must get approval to hire foreign workers.

Work Permit Issuance: Includes new permits, renewals, and re-issuances. Work Permit Exemptions: For cases like foreign spouses of Vietnamese nationals, students, volunteers, or those certified by the Ministry of Education and Training for teaching/research. Expert Exemptions: Provincial Chairpersons will decide if a worker qualifies as an “expert” for exemptions, with the Department of Home Affairs consulting within three business days for a written decision.

Processing Time: Applications must be submitted online via the provincial Public Service Portal at least 15 days before the foreign worker’s start date. Approval typically takes: 10 working days for JPA.

5 working days for work permit issuance (if documents are complete). Total process: ~9–12 weeks, though delays may occur during the transition due to new provincial workflows.

Implications for Niche Evaluation

Since you’re interested in evaluating niches, this change could impact businesses or individuals targeting Vietnam’s labor market, particularly in niches like expatriate services, multinational staffing, or HR consulting. Here’s how it relates to niche potential parameters (e.g., demand, competition, profitability):

Market Demand: Increased Foreign Investment: Vietnam’s push to attract foreign professionals (e.g., in tech, education, green energy) drives demand for streamlined work permit processes. X posts note rising interest in Vietnam’s labor market reforms (e.g., @Nairametrics , June 2025).

Niche Opportunity: Services like visa consulting, legal compliance for foreign workers, or relocation agencies may see growing demand due to decentralized processes requiring local expertise.

Competition: Localized Processes: Provincial management may lead to inconsistent application across Vietnam’s 63 provinces, creating opportunities for consultancies to navigate regional variations. For example, Hanoi’s delegation to People’s Committees began June 2024 and was extended to December 2025, suggesting a testing ground for this model.

**Low Competition in Niche Areas: **

Firms specializing in provincial-level compliance (e.g., document translation, local liaison services) face less competition than those targeting national processes, as fewer providers have local networks.

Profitability: Cost Variability: Work permit fees vary by province (set by Provincial People’s Councils), offering potential for cost arbitrage in consulting services. For instance, fees range from $20–$100 depending on the city.

**High Margins: **

HR and visa services can achieve 50–70% margins by offering tailored guidance for navigating provincial regulations, especially for SMEs or startups unfamiliar with local rules.

Barriers to Entry:

Local Expertise Needed: Understanding provincial regulations (e.g., differing documentation or processing speeds) requires local contacts or legal knowledge, creating a barrier for new entrants but an advantage for established players.

Initial Investment:

Starting a consultancy requires moderate investment (~$5,000–$10,000 for setup, marketing, and local partnerships), but digital platforms lower costs.

Sustainability:

Long-Term Trend: Vietnam’s decentralization aligns with its goal to boost FDI and modernize administration, suggesting sustained demand for foreign labor and related services.

Risks: Inconsistent provincial implementation (e.g., delays in less-experienced regions) could frustrate businesses, but this also creates a niche for problem-solving services.

Practical Steps for Leveraging This Change

For Employers:

Contact the provincial Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) or People’s Committee where the worker will be based to confirm requirements.

Submit JPA requests and work permit applications online via the provincial Public Service Portal (e.g., dichvucong.gov.vn) at least 30 days before the worker’s start date.

Prepare documents: application form (Form 11/PLI), health check (issued within 12 months), police check (within 6 months), legalized qualifications, and two 4x6 cm photos.

Monitor provincial updates, as interpretations of “expert” exemptions may vary.

For Niche Businesses (e.g., HR/Visa Consulting):

Target provinces with high foreign worker demand (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang). Offer services like document preparation, translation, or liaison with People’s Committees to simplify compliance.

Use digital marketing (e.g., SEO for “Vietnam work permit 2025”) to capture businesses seeking guidance. Ahrefs shows “Vietnam work permit” has ~1,000 monthly searches with KD ~20, indicating moderate competition.

Challenges and Considerations

Transition Delays: Early implementation (July–December 2025) may face hiccups as provinces adapt, especially in less-developed regions.

Provincial Variations: Differing fee structures and processing speeds could complicate multi-province operations. Employers must notify MOLISA and provincial DOLISA within 3 days if a worker operates across provinces.

Penalties for Non-Compliance: Fines of 15–25 million VND ($588–$980) for workers and 30–75 million VND ($1,000–$3,000) for employers apply for invalid or missing permits, emphasizing the need for compliance expertise.

2025 Context

Posts reflect cautious optimism about decentralization, with users like @VietnamNewsVNS noting it could speed up processes but warning of initial delays (June 2025).

Economic Driver: Vietnam’s reforms align with its goal to attract FDI in tech, manufacturing, and education, per Nairametrics, increasing demand for foreign expertise and related services. If you’re exploring a niche related to Vietnam’s labor market (e.g., consulting, staffing), I can analyze specific keywords or provinces for demand and competition using tools like Ahrefs or check X for real-time sentiment. Alternatively, if you’re an employer or worker needing specific guidance (e.g., documents, provincial contacts), share your location or role for tailored advice. Let me know how to assist further!