DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR FOREIGNERS WORKING IN VIETNAM

Yongxia
56

To ensure legal compliance and smooth operations, companies must prepare various documents for foreigners according to Vietnamese regulations.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR FOREIGNERS WORKING IN VIETNAM

As Vietnam becomes an increasingly attractive destination for international investors, many enterprises regularly welcome foreign delegations for cooperation and investment activities.
To ensure legal compliance and smooth operations, companies must prepare various documents for foreigners according to Vietnamese regulations.

Below is a detailed overview of required paperwork, processing time, common difficulties, and efficient solutions for businesses hosting foreign guests.

I. 🌍 ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS FOR FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM

1️⃣ Visa for Foreigners

A visa (thị thực cho người nước ngoài) is an entry permit allowing foreigners to legally enter Vietnam.
Depending on the purpose, there are several types of visas:

DN1/DN2 Visa: For foreigners working with enterprises in Vietnam.
DT Visa (Investor): For foreign investors or legal representatives of FDI enterprises.
LD Visa (Work): For foreigners working under labor contracts in Vietnam.

⏱ Processing time: 5–7 working days (or 2–3 days with a professional service).
⚠️ Common difficulties: Choosing the wrong visa type, incomplete documents, or lack of business registration papers.

💡 Solution: Using a professional service such as YongXia Investment Consulting Co., Ltd. ensures accurate application and reduces processing time to only a few days.

2️⃣ Online Temporary Residence Registration for Foreigners

After entering Vietnam, all foreigners must register temporary residence at their place of stay.
This can now be done online via the Immigration Department’s official portal.

📄 Required documents:

Passport and visa copy
Temporary residence registration form
Lease agreement or hotel confirmation

⚠️ Common issues when self-filing:

The online platform is in Vietnamese only.
Different provinces may require additional paperwork.

⏱ Processing time: 1–2 working days if the file is valid.

💡 Tip: Using a consulting agency helps avoid delays or errors when completing online temporary residence registration for foreigners.

3️⃣ Work Permit for Foreigners

For foreigners working long-term in Vietnam, a work permit is mandatory.

Process includes:

Approval for employing foreign workers.
Application for the work permit.
Registration with local labor authorities.

⏱ Processing time: 10–15 working days.
⚠️ Challenges: Many documents must be legalized and translated; any minor mistake can cause rejection.

💡 Solution: YongXia’s full-service work permit support helps ensure compliance, complete documentation, and fast results.

4️⃣ Overstayed Visa Handling

It’s not uncommon for foreigners to overstay their visa due to extended work schedules or administrative delays.
In such cases, they must extend or reissue their visa depending on the duration of overstay.

Self-application: 10–15 working days, plus possible fines.
With professional service: 3–5 working days, with proper guidance and minimized risk.

💡 Note: Overstaying more than 15 days may lead to entry bans — always renew or extend your foreigner visa at least 5 days before it expires.

5️⃣ Converting Foreign Driver’s License in Vietnam

Foreigners wishing to drive in Vietnam must convert their international or home-country driver’s license into a Vietnamese driver’s license (GPLX).

📄 Required documents:

Certified translation of the original license
Passport and valid visa
Photo and application form

⏱ Processing time: Around 5 working days.
⚠️ Common problems: Language barriers, missing legalized documents, or submission to the wrong authority.

💡 Solution: YongXia provides foreign driver’s license conversion services, assisting with translation, legalization, and submission for quick results.

II. ⚖️ SELF-PROCESSING VS. USING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Option	Processing Time	Advantages	Disadvantages
Self-processing	10–20 days	Lower cost	Time-consuming, complex paperwork, language barrier
Professional service	2–5 days	Fast, accurate, legally compliant	Service fee required

👉 For companies welcoming foreign delegations for investment or business, using document services for foreigners is the most efficient and lawful solution.