New regulations on work permits for foreigners

The HCM City Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has sent this document to businesses and associations in the city to clarify the revisions in Government Decree 70/2023, which amends various provisions of Decree 152/2020 concerning foreign workers in Vietnam.

The department has highlighted several noteworthy changes brought about by the new decree.

First, the time required for reporting foreign employee recruitment to authorities has been reduced from 30 to 15 days. Employers are now required to notify the Ministry or Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs at least 15 days prior to the intended employment start date for foreign workers.

Second, foreign employees are now only required to have a university degree or equivalent qualifications and a minimum of three years’ experience in a relevant field for their proposed position in Vietnam. This replaces the previous mandate of having a university degree specifically in the relevant area.

Third, effective January 1, 2024, the recruitment of Vietnamese employees for positions intended for foreigners must be publicly announced.

The new decree extends the range of cases for work permit exemption, which are certified by the Ministry of Education and Training. This includes individuals coming to Vietnam for teaching and research, as well as management, managing directors, principals, and vice principals of educational institutions proposed to be established in Vietnam by diplomatic missions and intergovernmental organizations.