DECREE 219/2025/NĐ-CP ON FOREIGN WORKERS IN VIETNAM – KEY CHANGES YOU SHOULD KNOW

We would like to share an important legal update regarding Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP, issued by the Government of Vietnam on August 7, 2025. This new decree replaces Decree 152/2020/NĐ-CP and Decree 70/2023/NĐ-CP, introducing significant reforms to the regulations governing foreign workers in Vietnam.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF DECREE 219/2025/NĐ-CP

• Authority to issue work permits: Provincial People’s Committees now have full authority to issue, renew, and revoke work permits, with the option to delegate to specialized agencies.
• Streamlined procedures: Employers can submit work permit applications and criminal record checks simultaneously via the National Public Service Portal.
• Expanded exemption categories: Now 15 groups are exempt from work permits, including experts in AI, semiconductors, digital transformation, and international educators.
• Relaxed expert criteria: The previous requirement of 3+ years of experience is removed; relevant degrees or certifications are sufficient.
• Short-term assignments: No work permit required.
• Work permit renewal: Permits can only be renewed once, for a maximum of 2 years.
• Multi-location employment: Foreign workers can work in multiple provinces with proper notification, without needing separate permits. This is a very prominent new point of the new Decree.
• Simplified exemption notification: Some exempt cases only require notification, not formal confirmation as before.
• Standardized documentation: Health checks and criminal records from recognized international sources are accepted.

COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS REGULATIONS

These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens, enhance flexibility in hiring foreign talent, and attract high-quality professionals in strategic sectors such as technology and education.

Significance of the changes:
The new decree helps reduce administrative procedures, enhances flexibility in utilizing foreign labor, and facilitates businesses in attracting international experts.

How ALTAS Can Support
ALTAS LAW offers comprehensive legal, accounting, and tax service packages designed to support businesses during this transition period:

• Accounting and Tax Services: We provide accounting and tax services to help your business manage the financial impacts of these reforms, including tax planning, reporting, and compliance.

• Licensing & Regulatory Compliance: We will meticulously review your current licenses and permits, advise on necessary amendments or renewals, and guide you through the process of obtaining any new approvals. Our team will also ensure that you comply with all related regulatory changes.

Please contact us via email at contact@altas.vn to discuss how we can help you navigate these reforms successfully.

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Prepared by:
ALTAS Managing Lawyer
Date: August 18, 2025