Vietnam Visa & Work Permit Complete Guide 2026 | Work Permit, E-Visa & TRC

Vietnam is experiencing rapid economic growth centered on Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi, with diverse opportunities in manufacturing, IT, and services. A large Japanese corporate presence and a relaxed 2023 visa policy have made it increasingly popular with both working professionals and digital nomads.

Main Visa Types

Work Permit (Giấy phép lao động)

Required for almost all foreigners working in Vietnam. Employers apply to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA).

• Validity: Up to 2 years (renewable)
• Application fee: VND 600,000+
• Required documents (Expert category):
• Authenticated and translated degree certificate
• Criminal record certificate (issued within 6 months)
• Medical certificate
• Proof of 2+ years' work experience *(reduced from 3 years under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, effective August 2025)*
• Employment contract or offer letter

Work Permit Exemptions

The following are exempt from work permit requirements:

• Legal representatives of foreign-invested enterprises
• Short-term assignments under 90 days (meetings, training, etc.)
• Certain diplomatic/government personnel

TRC (Temporary Residence Card / Thẻ tạm trú)

Applied after obtaining a work permit. Eliminates the need for a visa on every entry.

• Validity: 1–2 years (linked to work permit)
• Application fee: USD 20+
• A TRC greatly simplifies bank account opening, lease agreements, and other admin tasks

E-Visa (eVisa)

Since August 2023, single-entry E-Visas allow 90-day stays (extended from 60 days).

• Tourism and short-term business use only — no employment
• Fee: USD 25 (via official government portal)
• Japanese nationals also qualify for a 45-day visa-free stay (extended since August 2023)

Investor Visa

Long-term visa available for foreigners making qualifying investments in Vietnam (confirm requirements with the Investment Registration Certificate process).

Tax & Living Notes

Personal Income Tax (PIT)

183+ days in Vietnam per year = tax resident, subject to tax on worldwide income.

• Progressive rates: 5–35%
• Japan–Vietnam tax treaty available to reduce some double taxation
• Non-residents: Flat 20% on Vietnamese-source income

Social Insurance

Foreign workers are generally required to contribute to social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance. Employee contribution: ~10.5% of salary; employer: ~21.5% (subject to monthly caps).

Housing: Expat condominiums in HCMC (District 2/Thu Duc, District 7) run USD 800–2,000/month. Hanoi is similar or slightly lower.

Cost Summary

Pre-Move Checklist

1. Decree 219/2025 update: Expert category work experience requirement reduced from 3 to 2 years (effective August 2025) — applications now more accessible
2. Document authentication: Degree certificates and criminal records require Japanese MOFA apostille + authentication at the Vietnamese embassy
3. Bank account setup: A TRC makes opening a bank account much smoother; without one, choose banks that accept passport + visa only
4. Tax residency: 183+ days triggers worldwide income taxation — plan your stay timing accordingly
5. Japanese language demand: Large Japanese corporate presence means Japanese speakers have significantly better employment prospects

Vietnam's young population, rapid growth, and high demand for Japanese-language professionals in IT, manufacturing, and education make it one of the most practical relocation destinations in Southeast Asia.

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References

This article is based on the following official sources.

• Immigration & Residence General: Vietnam Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security)
• e-Visa: Vietnam Official e-Visa Portal
• Temporary Residence Card (TRC): Immigration Dept – TRC Application Procedures