Work Permit Services
Our comprehensive legal solution supports companies in legally employing foreign workers in full compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. We handle the entire process, from explaining the demand for foreign labor to obtaining a new work permit or renewing an existing one, helping businesses avoid administrative penalties for violations of labor regulations.
- Free consultation on eligibility and suitable job positions, including expert, technical worker, and manager roles
- Drafting of the explanation on demand for foreign workers
- Support for consular legalization of degrees and experience certificates
- Support for criminal record and health check documents
- Application submission and result collection at the competent authority on your behalf
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What Do You Receive from MGI Consulting’s Work Permit Service?
We provide a full-package solution that helps businesses overcome administrative barriers and complex legal documentation requirements.
Dossier Consultation and Assessment — Free
We assess the foreign worker’s qualifications and work experience to determine the most suitable work permit category, such as expert, manager, or technical worker, helping maximize the approval rate of the application.
Explanation on Demand for Foreign Workers
We prepare the written explanation on demand for foreign workers, using Form 01/PLI or 02/PLI, to be submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs or the provincial-level People’s Committee. This is the first important step to obtain approval for foreign recruitment.
Consular Legalization and Translation Support
We guide and support the consular legalization process for university degrees, work experience certificates, and foreign criminal records. We also arrange notarized translation of the documents into Vietnamese.
Criminal Record and Health Check Support
We guide foreign workers in completing health checks at designated medical facilities. We also support the procedure for obtaining Criminal Record Certificate No. 1 or No. 2 in Vietnam if the foreign worker has resided in Vietnam.
Application Submission and Result Collection
We submit the work permit application on behalf of the company to the competent labor authority. We monitor the progress, provide explanations where required, and hand over the original work permit to the client.
MGI Consulting’s 4-Step Process for Work Permit Services
Step 1: Explanation on Demand for Foreign Workers
We submit the explanation dossier for foreign labor recruitment to the competent authority at least 30 days before the expected working date. The review timeline is usually around 10 to 15 working days.
Step 2: Dossier Preparation and Consular Legalization
While waiting for approval under Step 1, we proceed with the health check, criminal record application, and consular legalization of foreign-issued documents, such as degrees and experience certificates.
Step 3: Work Permit Application Submission
We submit the complete application dossier, together with the approval document obtained under Step 1, to the competent labor authority at least 15 days before the expected working date.
Step 4: Work Permit Result Collection
We collect the work permit within 5 working days from the date the valid application dossier is received. We also guide the company in signing the labor contract and applying for a temporary residence card for the foreign worker.
Frequently Asked Questions About Work Permits
Q1: What is the maximum validity period of a work permit?
Under Decree 152/2020/ND-CP, the validity period of a work permit is based on the expected labor contract term but must not exceed 2 years. Upon expiry, the work permit may be renewed once for a maximum additional term of 2 years.
Q2: Can a foreigner without a university degree apply for a work permit?
Yes, but the application must be made under the expert category or the technical worker category.
For the expert category, the applicant must provide documents confirming expert status and relevant experience.
For the technical worker category, the applicant must have a training certificate of at least one year and at least 3 years of work experience in the trained field.
Q3: Must the criminal record be issued overseas?
Not necessarily.
If the foreign worker has not entered Vietnam or has only recently entered Vietnam, a foreign criminal record may be used, subject to consular legalization.
If the foreign worker has resided in Vietnam and has temporary residence confirmation, they may apply for a criminal record certificate at the Department of Justice in the province or city where they currently reside.
Q4: Is a foreign health check certificate accepted?
Yes. However, a foreign health check certificate must be consular legalized and notarized translated. If the health check is conducted in Vietnam, it must be carried out at a hospital or clinic included in the list of medical facilities authorized by the Ministry of Health to examine foreigners. A health check certificate is valid for 12 months.
Q5: Is a visa still required after obtaining a work permit?
Yes. A work permit only authorizes the foreigner to work. To reside legally in Vietnam, the foreign worker must obtain an LD visa or an LD temporary residence card, with the validity period based on the work permit.
Q6: Is a new work permit required when changing companies?
Yes. A work permit is issued in connection with a specific employer. When moving to a new company, the foreign worker must apply for a new work permit under the new legal entity, even if the job position remains unchanged.