Vietnam to ease procedures for foreigners' work permits, judicial records

Vietnam’s Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) is drafting a decision to ease procedures related to foreigners' work permits and judicial records.

Per the scheme, employers of foreign workers can submit their digital applications for judicial records and work permits to the provincial/municipal Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA).

The DoLISA will forward the judicial record applications to the National Criminal Record Center for online processing, receive results, and then process the work permit applications.

The process can take 15 days.

The ministry clarified that in February 2024, the Prime Minister issued Decision 206/QD-TTg to integrate online public services into the national public service portal. However, issuance of judicial records and work permits remains challenging.

To facilitate businesses and simplify administrative procedres for recruitment of foreigners, the ministry suggested a one-year piloting scheme in Hanoi, the central city of Hue, and the southern coastal city of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Complicated procedures for foreigners' work permits have been a chronic issue in Vietnam. The foreign business community in the country has consistently recommended the government loosen visa and work permit requirements to attract more tourists and skilled workers.

As of end-2023, Vietnam had about 136,800 expatriates, according to the MoLISA. The figure included 10,000 foreigners working without the need for work permits and 126,000 with work permits.

HCMC authorities said the figure in the city was 18,761, including 664 without the need for work permits.