[2026] Comprehensive Guide on Dossier for Requesting a Work Permit for Foreigners

Key takeaways

• Updates on Work Permit regulations in 2026.
• How to prepare a complete checklist of dossiers for work permit requests.
• Identifying which documents require consular legalization of degrees.
• Understanding the submission process and processing timelines.
• Avoiding common mistakes that lead to application rejections.

Overview of Legal Regulations on Foreign Labor in Vietnam

The management of foreign employees in Vietnam is currently regulated by:

• The Labor Code 2019.
• Decree No. 152/2020/ND-CP.
• Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP.
• Related amending documents and implementation guidelines.

Under current laws, most foreigners working in Vietnam must be granted a work permit, except for those eligible for a work permit exemption. The most common eligible positions include:

• Foreign experts
• Managers
• Chief executive officers (CEOs)
• Technical workers

Correctly identifying the employee’s job category from the beginning allows the enterprise to prepare the correct dossier for requesting a work permit for foreigners.

Full Checklist of Dossiers for Work Permit Requests 

To ensure a smooth licensing process, it is vital to master the full dossier for requesting a work permit for foreigners right from the initial step. Gathering all required documents according to the law not only saves time but also prevents administrative roadblocks when dealing with government authorities. 

Complete Work Permit Document Checklist 

Professional Qualifications: Degrees and Experience Certificates

When completing a dossier for requesting a work permit for foreigners, academic degrees and qualifications are pivotal. You must prepare university degrees or professional certificates that directly align with the job position the foreign worker will assume in Vietnam.

All of these qualifications must undergo the consular legalization of degrees and be translated into Vietnamese with proper notarization. This ensures their legal validity and recognition by state management agencies.

What Professional Qualifications Need to be Prepared?

Depending on the registered job title and industry, the employee must provide appropriate documentation to prove their qualifications. The portfolio typically includes:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degrees.
• Professional certificates or vocational certificates.
• Technical certifications or specialized training certificates.
• Practicing licenses for highly specialized industries (e.g., medical, aviation).

For instance, an IT engineer can use a software engineering or computer science degree, whereas a financial expert may require a degree in accounting or finance, or internationally recognized professional certificates.

Note: The degree must directly relate to the job role in Vietnam. If the educational background does not align with the registered job description, the enterprise may be required to submit an explanation letter or additional supporting documents.

Is the Consular Legalization of Degrees Mandatory?

While preparing the dossier for requesting a work permit for foreigners, many businesses wonder whether the consular legalization of degrees is mandatory.

The answer is Yes. Most documents issued by foreign authorities must undergo consular legalization to be legally recognized in Vietnam, except for cases exempted under international treaties or the principle of reciprocity.

Documents that strictly require consular legalization include:

• University degrees and professional certificates.
• Experience confirmation letters from former employers.
• Foreign criminal record certificates.
• Other personal identification documents as required.

Once the consular legalization process abroad is complete, these documents must be translated into Vietnamese and public-notarized before submission.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out Application Form 03 Accurately

The application form 03 serves as the most critical legal document in the entire work permit application process. Filling out this form meticulously prevents unnecessary requests for explanations or revisions from the licensing authorities.

Mandatory Information in Application Form 03

When filling out application form 03, the applicant must ensure absolute accuracy across all fields. The basic contents include:

• Legal identification information of the sponsoring enterprise.
• Detailed personal information of the foreign worker.
• Clear descriptions of the job position, job title, and specific work location.

Every piece of information must match the attached documents (such as the labor contract or the experience confirmation letter) perfectly to maintain absolute consistency.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

One of the most frequent mistakes when filling out application form 03 is a discrepancy between the data on the form and the original documents. A mismatch of even a single character in the employee’s name or passport number can result in the immediate return of the dossier.

Additionally, many enterprises fail to secure the signature of the legal representative or stamp the company seal correctly. Paying close attention to every detail on application form 03 will save the enterprise substantial time and money.

Detailed Specifications for the Work Permit Health Check

A proper work permit health check is a mandatory component within the checklist of dossiers for work permit requests. Foreign workers must undergo their medical examinations at healthcare facilities designated and licensed by the Ministry of Health to ensure the certificate holds legal validity.

Standard medical checkups include:

• General clinical examination.
• Blood and urine tests.
• Chest X-rays.
• Medical history evaluation.
• Screening for infectious diseases.

Validity Note: The health certificate is only valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. Submitting an expired health check is a very common reason for dossier rejection.

For an approved list of hospitals, please refer to: “Detailed Guide to Foreign Health Certificates in Vietnam 2026”.

Submission Procedures and Processing Timelines

Understanding the submission workflow is key to keeping your business operations on schedule. By mastering the steps, enterprises can minimize administrative delays and ensure that foreign talent can begin working on time.

Where to Submit the Dossier

According to current regulations, the competent authority to receive the dossier for requesting a work permit for foreigners is the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) in the province or city where the foreigner is expected to work. The enterprise must determine the correct local jurisdiction to avoid sending documents to the wrong office.

Online vs. In-Person Submission Process

Today, the submission workflow has been modernized through national electronic portals. Enterprises should follow these digital steps for maximum efficiency:

1. Register an account on the official electronic portal of the managing authority.
2. Upload high-quality color scans of the completed checklist of dossiers for work permit requests.
3. Monitor the application status and respond to feedback from the authorities through the online system.
4. Submit the physical hard copies at the “one-stop-shop” department when requested for verification or upon receiving the final approval notification.

Statutory Processing Time

According to the law, the processing time for a work permit application is usually within 05 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier.

However, if the dossier requires modifications, corrections, or additional explanations, this timeline will be extended. Therefore, thorough preparation from day one is highly recommended to keep your onboarding timeline on track.

Common Mistakes That Cause Dossier Rejections

To secure a high success rate, recognizing common errors early on when preparing a dossier for requesting a work permit for foreigners is vital.

Issues with the Legal Validity of Foreign Documents

The most prevalent mistake is foreign paperwork lacking proper consular legalization. Furthermore, degrees or experience certificates are often translated but not properly notarized by a competent authority in Vietnam. These issues lead to immediate rejection during the preliminary screening phase.

Mismatched Information of the Sponsoring Enterprise

The sponsoring company’s details must align perfectly with the data on the National Business Registration System. Errors such as incorrect tax identification numbers, misspelled company names, or outdated headquarters addresses cause unnecessary administrative delays.

Inadequate Proof of Work Experience

Demonstrating professional competence is the core requirement for a permit approval. Many dossiers are rejected because the experience confirmation letters from former employers are missing, vague, or show that the past job history does not match the proposed job title in Vietnam. You must ensure that all documents clearly reflect the actual capacity required for the dossier for requesting a work permit for foreigners.