20 Latest Cases Exempt from Work Permits Under Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP

Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, effective from August 07, 2025, regulates the cases eligible for Work Permit exemptions. The Decree explicitly outlines 20 categories of foreign employees who are exempt from holding a Work Permit, alongside 11 service sectors qualified for exemptions. A Work Permit is an official document authorizing foreign nationals to work legally in Vietnam. However, only specific qualified cases are eligible to be granted a Work Permit Exemption Certificate. In this comprehensive guide, Nhi Gia presents the most update-to-date and complete information regarding foreign nationals exempt from Work Permits, as well as the required application dossiers and procedures.

Cases Exempt from Work Permits for Foreign Nationals

Pursuant to Article 154 of the Labor Code (No. 45/2019/QH14) and the provisions of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, there are 20 categories of foreign workers exempt from holding a Work Permit:

1. Heads of representative offices, project offices, or individuals officially responsible for the operations of international organizations or foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Vietnam.
2. Entering Vietnam for a duration of under 03 months to resolve complicated technical or technological incidents/situations that disrupt or threaten to disrupt production and business activities, which cannot be handled by Vietnamese or foreign experts currently residing in Vietnam.
3. Cases prescribed by international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.
4. Intra-company transferees moving within the scope of the 11 service sectors specified in Vietnam’s Schedule of Specific Commitments with the World Trade Organization (WTO), including: business, communication, construction, distribution, education, environment, finance, health, tourism, culture & recreation, and transport.
5. Entering Vietnam to provide professional and technical advisory services or to perform other tasks serving the research, formulation, appraisal, monitoring, evaluation, and management of programs and projects utilizing Official Development Assistance (ODA), in accordance with regulations or international treaties on ODA signed between competent authorities of Vietnam and foreign countries.
6. Granted an official license by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct press, information, or journalistic activities in Vietnam.
7. Assigned to Vietnam by competent foreign organizations to teach or conduct research at international schools managed by foreign diplomatic missions or the United Nations; or at institutions established under agreements that Vietnam has signed or participated in.
8. Volunteers.
9. Entering Vietnam to implement international agreements signed by central or provincial-level agencies and organizations in accordance with the law.
10. Pupils and students studying at foreign schools or training institutions who have internship agreements with agencies, organizations, or enterprises in Vietnam; or trainees/interns on Vietnamese seagoing vessels.
11. Holders of official or diplomatic passports entering Vietnam to work for state agencies, political organizations, or socio-political organizations.
12. Individuals responsible for establishing a commercial presence.
13. Officially certified by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to enter Vietnam for teaching or research purposes.
14. Entering Vietnam for a duration of under 03 months to offer services for sale (service sellers).
15. Foreign lawyers who have been officially granted a License to Practice Law in Vietnam in accordance with the law.
16. Foreign nationals married to Vietnamese citizens and residing within the territory of Vietnam.
17. Owners or capital-contributing members of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) with a capital contribution value of VND 3 billion or more.
18. Chairpersons or members of the Board of Directors of a Joint Stock Company (JSC) with a capital contribution value of VND 3 billion or more.
19. Entering Vietnam to work as managers, executives, experts, or technical workers for a duration of under 30 days per entry, and not exceeding 03 times within 01 year.
20. Relatives of members of foreign representative missions in Vietnam.

11 Service Sectors Exempt from Work Permits

Pursuant to the provisions on intra-company transferees under Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, combined with the detailed structural and professional guidelines issued under Circular No. 35/2016/TT-BCT by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, foreign experts, managers, executives, and technical workers operating within the following 11 service sectors are eligible for Work Permit exemptions:

1. Business Services

• Computer and related services (CPC 841 – 845, CPC 849).
• Research and development services on natural sciences (CPC 851).
• Rental or leasing services without operators.

2. Communication Services

• Courier services (CPC 7512).
• Telecommunication and audiovisual services.

3. Construction and Related Engineering Services

• General construction work for buildings (CPC 512).
• General construction work for civil engineering (CPC 513).
• Installation and assembly work (CPC 514, 516).
• Building completion and finishing work (CPC 517).

4. Distribution Services (Wholesale & Retail)

• Commission agents’ services (CPC 621, 61111, 6113, 6121).
• Wholesale trade services (CPC 622, 61111, 6113, 6121).
• Retail trade services (CPC 631 + 632, 61112, 6113, 6121).
• Franchising services (CPC 8929).

5. Educational Services

• Primary and secondary education services (CPC 922).
• Higher education services (CPC 923).
• Adult education services (CPC 924).
• Other educational services (CPC 929, including foreign language training).

6. Environmental Services

• Sewage and refuse disposal, and sanitation services (CPC 9401 / 9402).
• Other services: Cleaning of exhaust gases, noise abatement services, and environmental impact assessments.

7. Financial and Insurance Services

• Insurance and insurance-related services.
• Banking and other financial services.
• Securities and foreign exchange transactions.

8. Health and Social Services

• Hospital services (CPC 9311).
• Medical and dental services (CPC 9312).

9. Tourism and Travel Related Services

• Hotel and restaurant services.
• Travel agencies and tour operator services (CPC 7471).

10. Recreational, Cultural, and Sporting Services

• Entertainment services (including theater, live music, and circus performances) (CPC 9619).
• Other services – Electronic games business (CPC 964).

11. Transport Services

• Maritime, air, rail, road, and internal waterway transport.
• Services auxiliary to all modes of transport.

Get In Touch With Our Experts Please contact Nhi Gia via our centralized Hotline at 1900 6654 to learn more about the specific eligibility requirements for Work Permit exemptions (cases not subject to Work Permit issuance).

Required Dossier for Work Permit Exemption Applications

Being eligible for a Work Permit exemption does not absolve foreign employees from standard administrative procedures. Pursuant to statutory regulations, foreign nationals must still successfully secure an official Work Permit Exemption Certificate to engage in legal employment within Vietnam.

As meticulously detailed under Article 8 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, the standard application dossier to be submitted to the competent authorities comprises:

1. An official written request for confirmation that the foreign worker is exempt from a Work Permit, executed via the newly issued statutory form enclosed with Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP.
2. A valid fitness-to-work certificate or medical examination report issued in compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health.
3. The official written approval for the demand to utilize foreign labor (except for specific cases exempted from foreign labor demand determinations under Article 4 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP).
4. A certified true copy of a valid passport possessing full legal validity.
5. Comprehensive supporting documentation proving that the foreign national satisfies all qualifying criteria for a Work Permit exemption (e.g., appointment letters, certificates of capital contribution, educational degrees, professional experience certificates, etc.).

Statutory Legalization Requirements: Any documentation issued by foreign authorities must be submitted as either an original or a certified true copy. Furthermore, it is mandatory that such documents undergo Consular Legalization, be officially translated into Vietnamese, and be duly notarized/certified in accordance with the law, except where exempted under international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory.

Procedures to Apply for a Work Permit Exemption

Step 1: Requesting Official Written Approval for Foreign Labor Utilization

Pursuant to Article 4 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, at least 30 days prior to the scheduled date of employment of any foreign national, the employer must submit an explanatory report regarding their foreign labor utilization demands to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) or the People’s Committee of the province/municipality where the foreign national is scheduled to work.

Processing Timeline: Within 10 working days upon receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the competent authority will issue an official written approval or refusal regarding the demand to utilize foreign labor.

Step 2: Submitting the Application Dossier for Work Permit Exemption Confirmation

Pursuant to Article 8 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, at least 10 days prior to the date the foreign employee officially commences work at the entity, the employer must compile the complete exemption dossier and submit it to MOLISA or the respective provincial/municipal Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA).

Processing Timeline: Within 05 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the competent authority will issue an official Written Confirmation of Work Permit Exemption. In the event of non-confirmation, a formal written response explicitly stating the specific grounds will be provided.

Statutory Validity Period of a Work Permit Exemption Certificate

Pursuant to Article 9 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, the validity period of an official Work Permit Exemption Certificate shall be a maximum of 02 years and is determined based on the actual duration of the underlying legal parameters. In the case of reissuance, pursuant to Article 10 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, the maximum duration shall likewise not exceed 02 years.

Specific Parameters Determining the Validity Period of a Work Permit Exemption

Aligned with the statutory duration of a standard Work Permit, the validity of a Work Permit Exemption Certificate is capped at a maximum of 02 years and shall strictly correspond to the duration of one of the following qualifying cases specified under Article 10 of Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP:

• The term of the prospective labor contract scheduled for execution.
• The duration specified by the foreign entity assigning the foreign worker to perform duties in Vietnam.
• The term of the contract or agreement executed between the Vietnamese partner and the foreign partner.
• The term of the service provision contract or agreement signed between the Vietnamese and foreign partners.
• The duration specified in the official document issued by the service provider assigning the foreign worker to Vietnam for service contract negotiations.
• The operational duration specified in the operation license of the relevant agency, organization, or enterprise.
• The duration specified in the official document of the service provider assigning the foreign worker to Vietnam to establish the commercial presence of that provider.
• The duration stated in the official documentation proving the foreign worker’s authorized participation in the operations of a foreign enterprise that has established a commercial presence in Vietnam.
• The approved duration outlined in the official written approval for utilizing foreign labor, except for cases exempt from reporting foreign labor utilization demands.

Reissuance Cap: In instances where a confirmation of non-eligibility for a work permit (exemption) is reissued, the maximum validity period remains strictly capped at 02 years.

Full-Package Work Permit Exemption Services – Nhi Gia

Enterprises are strongly advised to leverage Nhi Gia’s elite corporate solutions when encountering the following administrative bottlenecks:

• The foreign national’s professional background is complex, or the enterprise faces difficulties in gathering airtight supporting documents to substantiate exemption eligibility.
• Internal HR teams lack proficiency in navigating shifting regulatory frameworks or lack experience in direct liaisons with competent state authorities.
• The business lacks the internal time and administrative resources required to compile meticulous paperwork and manage lengthy processing queues.
• The enterprise requires expedited processing to rapidly secure the exemption certificate.

Backed by over 20 years of premier industry expertise, clients utilizing Nhi Gia’s full-package immigration and labor solutions enjoy absolute peace of mind regarding financial efficiency and service quality. We firmly commit to:

• The Highest Success Rate: Delivering optimized processing outcomes for all dossier profiles, including high-difficulty cases.
• Strategic Financial Calculation: Structuring workflows to minimize transactional and operational costs for our clients.
• Single-Quote Guarantee: Providing clear, upfront pricing with zero hidden fees, accompanied by compliant VAT invoicing matching the precise service category.
• Closed-Loop Workflow: Executing end-to-end processing to maximize time-savings for your enterprise.
• Absolute Information Security: Safeguarding all sensitive corporate data and foreign personnel records under strict data protection protocols.
• Complimentary Post-Approval Assistance: Providing professional consultations on Temporary Residence Cards (TRC); proactive alerts prior to permit expiration; and comprehensive support in drafting compliant labor contracts and filing mandatory statutory reports with relevant state sectors.

Nhi Gia has successfully consolidated the 20 distinct cases eligible for Work Permit exemptions under Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP. Should your enterprise require further strategic insights or wish to initiate an application, please contact Nhi Gia via our Hotline at 1900 6654 for immediate assistance and resolution!