COVID-19: Administrative requirements for work permits reduced

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Ministry of Labor Invalids and Social Affairs has directed provincial labor authorities to reduce document requirements for experts, specialists and technicians applying for work permits.

Key Points:

• Previously issued work permits can now serve as evidence of past work experience to justify the qualification for a new work permit application.
• Applicants may now provide certificates of graduation as evidence of qualifications; previously, only official diplomas or degrees were accepted.
• Applicants may now submit a copy of their passport that has not been notarized.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals who hold a valid work permit in one province may now be temporarily transferred to work in another province for six months without having to apply for a new permits. Employers must notify the provincial labor authorities when transferring an employee. Labor authorities have yet to announce when and how this will be implemented at the local level.

BAL Analysis: The Vietnamese government has reduced current administrative requirements for the issuance and re-issuance of work permits for foreign nationals to help businesses and individuals recover from the ongoing pandemic. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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