{"id":4110,"date":"2026-10-22T15:22:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T08:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/?p=4110"},"modified":"2026-10-22T17:04:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T10:04:39","slug":"vietnam-decree-393-work-permits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/","title":{"rendered":"Vietnam\u2019s New Decree 393 on Work Permits: Expanded Pathways for Foreign Talent, Enhanced Employer Accountability"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Vietnam\u2019s new Decree 393 marks a further step towards attracting the foreign expertise needed to support the country\u2019s development. It introduces additional pathways for skilled professionals, simplifies certain administrative requirements and strengthens employer accountability.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Decree 393\/2026\/ND-CP<\/strong> was issued on 20 October 2026 and is scheduled to take effect on <strong>5 December 2026<\/strong>, replacing Decree 219\/2025\/ND-CP from that date.<\/p>\n<p>From an immigration practitioner\u2019s perspective, the overall direction is largely one of <strong>liberalization and talent attraction,<\/strong> balanced by more structured compliance requirements.<\/p>\n<p>Vietnam is increasingly aligning its work-permit policies with its ambitions in <strong>semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, digital transformation and strategic technologies.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For employers and foreign professionals, the changes bring opportunities but also details that deserve attention.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4121\" src=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Vietnam-Decree-393-Work-Permit-Guide.jpg\" alt=\"Vietnam Decree 393 Work Permit Guide\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Vietnam-Decree-393-Work-Permit-Guide.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Vietnam-Decree-393-Work-Permit-Guide-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Vietnam-Decree-393-Work-Permit-Guide-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Vietnam-Decree-393-Work-Permit-Guide-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Vietnam-Decree-393-Work-Permit-Guide-8x12.jpg 8w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">M\u1ee5c l\u1ee5c<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Chuy\u1ec3n \u0111\u1ed5i<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#Greater_Recognition_of_Skills_and_Professional_Experience\" >Greater Recognition of Skills and Professional Experience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#Opportunities_for_Strategic-Technology_Talent\" >Opportunities for Strategic-Technology Talent<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#Intra-Company_Transfers_Need_Closer_Attention\" >Intra-Company Transfers Need Closer Attention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#More_Exemptions_Do_Not_Always_Mean_Less_Paperwork\" >More Exemptions Do Not Always Mean Less Paperwork<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#Changes_to_Medical_Documentation_and_Extensions\" >Changes to Medical Documentation and Extensions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#More_Precise_Recruitment_and_Job_Descriptions\" >More Precise Recruitment and Job Descriptions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#Employer_Responsibility_Goes_Beyond_Obtaining_a_Permit\" >Employer Responsibility Goes Beyond Obtaining a Permit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#Periodic_Foreign-Worker_Reporting_Returns\" >Periodic Foreign-Worker Reporting Returns<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#What_Employers_Should_Take_Away\" >What Employers Should Take Away<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-decree-393-work-permits\/#Planning_to_Hire_Foreign_Talent_in_Vietnam\" >Planning to Hire Foreign Talent in Vietnam?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Greater_Recognition_of_Skills_and_Professional_Experience\"><\/span>Greater Recognition of Skills and Professional Experience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The conventional expert pathway, based on a university qualification and at least<strong> two years of relevant experience<\/strong>, remains a central route for foreign professionals.<\/p>\n<p>However, Decree 393 adds alternatives that place greater value on specialized skills, innovation potential and proven professional expertise. These changes reflect a broader talent-attraction strategy, supporting strategic industries, research, education and Vietnam\u2019s development as a knowledge-based economy.<\/p>\n<p>For the executive-director category covering someone who directly manages a field of activity, the decree specifies two years of relevant experience. However, eligibility still depends on evidence of genuine managerial authority. An English-language job title alone is not sufficient.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Opportunities_for_Strategic-Technology_Talent\"><\/span>Opportunities for Strategic-Technology Talent<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The decree introduces specific<strong> incentives and <a href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-work-permit-exemption-certificate\/\">work-permit exemption<\/a> pathways<\/strong> for certain strategic-technology professionals and qualifying family members. These provisions do not create a blanket exemption for everyone working in technology; eligibility depends on the relevant category and its requirements.<\/p>\n<p>Qualifying family members of strategic-technology professionals who hold an exemption certificate should not assume that their family status alone authorizes them to begin working in Vietnam. Their sponsoring entity must submit a separate application for a work-permit exemption certificate.<\/p>\n<p>This represents a significant departure from the current framework, making Vietnam more attractive to strategic-technology talent by <strong>facilitating employment opportunities for qualifying family members.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Intra-Company_Transfers_Need_Closer_Attention\"><\/span>Intra-Company Transfers Need Closer Attention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The intra-company transfer framework is defined around managers, executive directors and experts. <strong>Technical workers are no longer included as a separate category within that definition<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This distinction matters when planning international assignments. A technical worker with three years of relevant experience may meet the requirements for the technical-worker category itself, but doesn\u2019t make them eligible for work permit application under intra-company transfer scheme.<\/p>\n<p>To qualify through the new experience-based expert pathway and be eligible for ICT scheme, they would need to meet its <strong>higher experience requirement<\/strong>. Employers should therefore review the proposed classification rather than assume that an existing assignment structure will remain suitable.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More_Exemptions_Do_Not_Always_Mean_Less_Paperwork\"><\/span>More Exemptions Do Not Always Mean Less Paperwork<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Decree 393 expands the available work-permit exemption pathways, but some <a href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/vietnam-work-permit-exemption-certificate\/\">exemption-certificate<\/a> applications become more document-intensive.<\/p>\n<p>In particular, criminal-record evidence is added to the initial exemption-certificate dossier. For affected applicants, this means arranging police-clearance documentation that was not previously part of the application requirements.<\/p>\n<p>The distinction between being exempt from a work permit and completing the required exemption formalities remains important.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Changes_to_Medical_Documentation_and_Extensions\"><\/span>Changes to Medical Documentation and Extensions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For work-permit applications, the decree provides for health certificates issued by competent medical institutions in Vietnam<strong> or overseas.<\/strong> It no longer includes the express mutual-recognition condition found in the earlier government explanation of Decree 219 for the health check certificate issued <strong>overseas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>For ordinary work permit renewal, a new health certificate is not listed in the required dossier. This reduces one administrative step for the relevant extension procedures.<\/p>\n<p>The maximum initial duration of work permits and exemption certificates generally <strong>remains two years.<\/strong> An exception applies to qualifying intra-company transfer exemption certificates within the relevant WTO service sectors, which may be issued for up to <strong>three years.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More_Precise_Recruitment_and_Job_Descriptions\"><\/span>More Precise Recruitment and Job Descriptions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Employers must continue to pay attention to the Vietnamese recruitment-announcement requirement for applicable work-permit categories. The decree includes an exception for the specified general director or director already named on the business registration document.<\/p>\n<p>Applications also require more precise occupational descriptions, using five-digit occupation codes rather than the three-digit codes used under Decree 219.<\/p>\n<p>For employers, this reinforces the importance of consistency between recruitment information, the proposed role and the work-permit application.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Employer_Responsibility_Goes_Beyond_Obtaining_a_Permit\"><\/span>Employer Responsibility Goes Beyond Obtaining a Permit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Decree 393 expressly requires foreign employment to meet the employer\u2019s own direct needs and prohibits foreign labour subleasing.<\/p>\n<p>This deserves particular attention where arrangements involve:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Employer-of-record<\/strong> services, which we previously highlighted with greater detail in our <a href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/employer-of-record-eor-vietnam\/\">article on this topic<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Payroll-only sponsorship;<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Foreign employees<\/strong> placed under a client\u2019s management;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Service contracts<\/strong> that, in substance, supply personnel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This does not mean that every outsourced service is prohibited. A service provider delivering its own contracted service is different from a company supplying workers to another business. The actual supervision, employment relationship and contractual structure must be assessed.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Periodic_Foreign-Worker_Reporting_Returns\"><\/span>Periodic Foreign-Worker Reporting Returns<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Decree 393 reintroduces an express periodic reporting obligation for employers of foreign workers, following its omission from Decree 219. Under the earlier Decree 152 framework, reports were due before 5 July and 5 January. The new decree sets different deadlines: before 5 June and before 5 December each year.<\/p>\n<p>Employers must also maintain paper or electronic records and report when requested by the competent local authority or when there are changes in their use of foreign workers.<\/p>\n<p>An exception applies where the relevant information can be retrieved from the foreign-worker database. Employers should confirm how this exception operates in practice rather than assume that a previous permit application removes the need to report.<\/p>\n<p>The change combines a return to periodic employer reporting with the possibility of reducing duplicate submissions through connected government databases.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Employers_Should_Take_Away\"><\/span>What Employers Should Take Away<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Decree 393 reflects a more targeted approach to attracting foreign talent: <strong>broader recognition of expertise, specific support for strategic sectors and fewer administrative requirements in selected procedures.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At the same time, employers need to look beyond the initial approval. Correct classification, consistent recruitment information, appropriate employment arrangements and ongoing reporting remain central to compliance.<\/p>\n<p>For businesses planning foreign recruitment or international assignments, the practical starting point is to review each case against the relevant pathway and update internal procedures accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Planning_to_Hire_Foreign_Talent_in_Vietnam\"><\/span>Planning to Hire Foreign Talent in Vietnam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3687\" src=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Resident-Vietnam-hanoi-2026.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Resident-Vietnam-hanoi-2026.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Resident-Vietnam-hanoi-2026-300x111.jpg 300w, https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Resident-Vietnam-hanoi-2026-1024x379.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Resident-Vietnam-hanoi-2026-768x284.jpg 768w, https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Resident-Vietnam-hanoi-2026-18x7.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Resident Vietnam helps companies navigate work permit applications, exemption procedures and immigration requirements for foreign employees.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Explore our <a href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/service\/work-permit-immigration\/\">work permit and immigration services<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/contact\/\">contact our team<\/a> to discuss your company\u2019s needs.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vietnam\u2019s new Decree 393 marks a further step towards attracting the foreign expertise needed to support the country\u2019s development. It [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":4122,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-work-permit"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4110"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4149,"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4110\/revisions\/4149"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/residentvietnam.com\/vi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4110"}],"curies":[{"name":"trang web","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}