Ho Chi Minh City has simplified the process of obtaining work permits (WP) for foreign workers by reducing the required procedures and digitizing the application process. This change aims to make it more convenient for enterprises to obtain work permits for their foreign staff.
Nguyen Van Lam, the Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, has announced that the department has successfully reduced the processing time for work permit issuance from 10 to 7 working days, and for work permit renewals from 3 to 1 working day.
Furthermore, the department plans to review and propose further reduction of the processing time for work permit extensions and certification for exemption from work permits from 5 to 3 working days in the future.
In October 2022, Ho Chi Minh City introduced a public service portal accessible at dichvucong.hochiminhcity.gov.vn. This portal provides enterprises with information regarding the necessary documents for work permit applications and allows them to submit those documents electronically.
During a dialogue session that took place on 7 Mar 2023 between the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) and local authorities, foreign businesses expressed their concern that it was taking a considerable amount of time for them to obtain work permits for their foreign experts.
They also said they had difficulties in explaining the need for foreign workers, such as preparing papers showing hiring needs, training plan, job ads and other issues related to foreign labor, from verifying work experience and skills to visas and temporary residence cards (TRC).