Vietnam Work Permit & TRC: The Real Process for Foreign Workers

Three stages, employer-sponsored

Working legally in Vietnam means a sponsoring employer, a work permit, and a visa or TRC.

The real steps

• Your employer advertises the role to local candidates and gets an Approval Letter to hire foreign workers (experts typically need a degree and 3+ years' experience)
• Apply for the work permit with your degree, criminal-record check and health certificate — usually about 5–7 weeks
• Obtain your LD work visa via the employer
• If your work permit is valid for 1 year or more and your passport is valid 13+ months, apply for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) at the Immigration Department — it replaces your visa
• The TRC is issued (labour TRCs valid up to 2 years); processing is usually about 5–7 working days

Official sources

• Vietnam Immigration Department — TRC procedures

Confirm current requirements on xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Self-help information, not legal advice.