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