10 Key Updates in Decree 219/2025/ND-CP on Foreign Employees in Vietnam

On August 7, 2025, the Government officially issued Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, revising regulations regarding foreign employees in Vietnam. The following are 10 notable changes:

1. Relaxed conditions for granting work permits (WPs) to experts: Experts now require only 1–2 years of experience depending on the industry, instead of the previous minimum requirement of 3 years.
2. Provincial People’s Committees (PPCs) authorized to issue WPs: PPCs can directly issue, extend, and revoke WPs, and may authorize specialized agencies to perform these functions.
3. Issuance of Judicial Record Certificate simultaneously with WP: Employers can submit applications online once via the National Public Service Portal, with electronic results issued concurrently.
4. 15 cases where foreign employees are exempt from WPs: Newly added exemptions include foreign employees working in finance, science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation, and priority sectors for socio-economic development, as confirmed by Ministries, Ministerial-level Agencies, or PPCs.
5. Employees working less than 90 days/year are not required to obtain a WP, but enterprises must notify the relevant authorities in writing at least 3 working days in advance.
6. Notification for cases exempt from WP certificate: Enterprises must submit basic information of the foreign employee and the workplace at least 3 working days prior to the planned start date in Vietnam.
7. WP may only be extended once, for a maximum of 2 years, replacing the previous unlimited extension policy.
8. WP issued in one province allows work across multiple localities: Enterprises must notify authorities at least 3 working days before the employee moves to work in another province/city.
9. New basis for determining WP duration and WP exemption certificate: Maximum 2 years, based on the labor contract, international agreements, business trip authorization, or enterprise operation license.
10. New regulations on WP and exemption certificate revocation: Applicable when documents expire, legal violations occur, the employee is prosecuted, the enterprise ceases operations, or a notice of work suspension is issued by the sending party.