Detailed Guide to Foreign Health Certificates in Vietnam 2026

Why Is a Foreign Health Certificate Important?

A health certificate is not merely an administrative requirement. It serves practical and legal purposes for both foreign employees and employers.

For foreign employees

A medical examination for foreigners in Vietnam helps detect potential health conditions or infectious diseases early, allowing individuals to seek timely treatment while also confirming that they are physically fit for work.

For employers

The certificate provides a basis for assessing whether a candidate is medically suitable for a specific role, helping ensure workplace safety and productivity.

For legal compliance

Most importantly, a Foreign Health Certificate is one of the mandatory Work Permit eligibility conditions and is required to complete Work Permit procedures and temporary residence registration in Vietnam.

Requirements for Medical Facilities and Physicians

To ensure legal validity when submitted to provincial authorities, the health examination must be conducted at a medical facility operating legally under Vietnamese law and satisfying conditions set out by the Ministry of Health.

A valid institution should meet several requirements:

Qualified physician requirements

The physician signing the final health conclusion should possess appropriate qualifications and authority under current regulations.

Language support requirements

If the examining physician and the foreign applicant do not share a common language, a certified interpreter may be required to ensure communication accuracy throughout the examination process.

Medical testing requirements

Depending on the facility and applicable regulations, the examination may include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Chest X-rays
• General clinical examinations
• Ultrasound examinations
• Additional screenings where required

These requirements support compliance with Work Permit eligibility conditions and help ensure the certificate will be accepted by authorities.

Latest Medical Certificate Form Under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT

Under current regulations, the medical certificate form under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT is categorized into two primary groups according to age.

Adults aged 18 and above

Applicants must provide:

• One passport-style 4×6 cm photo
• White background photo taken within the last six months
• Personal identification information

The examination follows the standard health assessment form applicable to adults. Download form here (01)

Applicants under 18 years old

Individuals under 18 use a separate form with medical examination sections designed specifically for minors and age-appropriate health evaluations. Download form here (02)

Using the correct medical certificate form under Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT is extremely important because using outdated templates may result in document rejection.

Licensed Hospitals List 2026 for Work Permit Health Examinations

For a Foreign Health Certificate to be accepted as part of a Vietnam Work Permit application, the medical examination must be conducted at a legally operating healthcare institution that satisfies the requirements established by the Ministry of Health. Under the guidance provided in Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT, which implements the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, healthcare facilities are required to meet specific standards regarding professional qualifications, operational licensing, and authority to issue valid health certificates.

This requirement plays an important role in meeting overall Work Permit eligibility conditions, yet it is often overlooked during document preparation. In practice, many foreign employees and businesses focus on gathering application paperwork but fail to verify whether the selected medical institution is officially authorized. Choosing the wrong Work Permit medical examination hospital or using a health certificate that does not comply with regulatory requirements for a medical examination for foreigners in Vietnam may result in requests for additional documentation, prolonged processing times, or even rejection of the Work Permit application.

To help businesses and foreign workers avoid unnecessary delays and streamline their application process, below is a licensed hospitals list 2026 featuring commonly recognized medical facilities authorized to conduct health examinations for Work Permit purposes in Vietnam.

The above Work Permit medical examination hospitals are frequently selected by businesses and foreign workers due to their experience handling Work Permit documentation.

Procedures and Estimated Costs

Standard Five-Step Examination Process

To help applicants obtain a Foreign Health Certificate more efficiently, the process generally follows five stages:

Step 1 – Application submission

Applicants submit their Passport or ID documents together with a recent 4×6 photo at the registration desk.

Step 2 – Information verification

Medical staff review personal information, verify identification details, and confirm documentation accuracy.

Step 3 – Medical examination guidance

Applicants receive instructions and are directed through clinical and laboratory examination areas.

Step 4 – Health examination process

Tests may include:

• Blood testing
• Urine testing
• X-rays
• Ultrasound examinations
• Specialized screenings if required

Step 5 – Receiving examination results

Many hospitals can issue Work Permit health examination results within 24 hours, helping companies shorten recruitment timelines.

Estimated Costs

The cost for a medical examination for foreigners in Vietnam generally ranges from approximately:

VND 2,000,000 – VND 4,000,000

Actual fees vary depending on:

• Public or private hospitals
• Examination packages
• Additional testing requirements
• Fast-track services

Costs usually include consultation fees, laboratory testing, imaging services, and specialized examinations.

Important Notes for Foreign Health Certificates

A Foreign Health Certificate generally remains valid for 12 months from the health conclusion date until submission of the Work Permit application.

After this period, applicants are required to undergo a new examination.

For certificates issued overseas, employers and foreign workers should pay particular attention to additional requirements:

• Consular legalization
• Certified Vietnamese translation
• Recognition of medical institutions under Vietnamese regulations

Many Work Permit applications experience delays because these requirements are overlooked.

Need Professional Assistance?

Coordinating a Foreign Health Certificate with other Work Permit eligibility conditions, such as professional qualifications and criminal record documentation, can become complicated for employers and foreign workers.

At Far East Legal, our legal team assists businesses with:

• Work Permit eligibility assessments
• Health certificate documentation review
• Consular legalization procedures
• Translation and notarization support
• Complete Work Permit application processing

Our experienced specialists help businesses prepare compliant documentation efficiently and in accordance with Vietnam’s latest legal requirements for 2026.