Pursuant to Decree No. 219/2025/NĐ-CP, foreign employees applying for a Work Permit in Vietnam are required to prepare certain documents issued overseas. These documents must undergo consular legalization in order to be accepted by the competent authorities in Vietnam.
Below is a list of commonly required documents to note:
1. Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance)
A criminal record certificate is an official document confirming whether the foreign employee has any criminal convictions in the country where they have resided or are currently residing. This is a mandatory document in the Work Permit application dossier for foreign employees in Vietnam.
If the criminal record certificate is issued overseas, it must be consularly legalized in order to be considered legally valid for use in Vietnam.
2. Work Experience Verification Letter
A work experience verification letter is issued by an overseas employer or organization to confirm the employee’s actual working experience in a specific professional position over a defined period of time.
As this document is issued outside Vietnam, it must be consularly legalized. Failure to complete this step will result in the Work Permit application being deemed invalid.
3. Foreign-Issued Academic Degrees and Qualifications
Academic degrees and professional qualifications serve as a key basis for the competent authorities to assess the employee’s professional qualifications and determine whether their educational background is suitable for the intended position in Vietnam.
Commonly used qualifications in Work Permit applications include:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
- Equivalent professional degrees or certificates issued by foreign educational institutions
All such documents issued overseas must be consularly legalized, then translated into Vietnamese and notarized in order to have legal validity for submission.
4. Appointment Decision / Assignment Letter
An appointment decision or assignment letter is a document issued by a foreign enterprise to appoint or assign an employee to work at its branch, representative office, or subsidiary in Vietnam.
If this document is prepared and issued overseas, it must still undergo consular legalization prior to submission, including in cases where the employee is exempt from a Work Permit.
5. Health Check Certificate
A health check certificate is used to confirm that the foreign employee is physically fit to work in Vietnam and is an indispensable document in the Work Permit application process.
If the health check certificate is issued outside Vietnam, it must be consularly legalized in order for the receiving authority to recognize its legal validity.
Important Notes on Consular Legalization
Correctly identifying and preparing the required documents for consular legalization has a direct impact on the processing timeline and approval outcome of the Work Permit application. When preparing the dossier, the following points should be carefully noted:
- Document contents must be clear and consistent with the applicant’s personal information
- Documents must be valid at the time of submission
- Consular legalization must be completed before notarized translation
- In certain cases, consular legalization may be exempted; however, notarized translation is still required in accordance with regulations
How Long Does Consular Legalization Take?
The processing time for consular legalization is not fixed and depends on several factors, including:
- The country where the document is issued
- The type of document requiring legalization
- The processing procedures of the relevant diplomatic authorities
In practice, for Work Permit application dossiers, the consular legalization process typically takes approximately 5–10 working days.
Conclusion
Applying for Visas and Work Permits in Vietnam requires not only proper documentation but also a clear understanding of regulations and procedures. Even small mistakes can lead to delays or rejection.
Metasource offers end-to-end Visa & Work Permit services, supporting businesses and foreign professionals with compliance, accuracy, and efficiency. If you are hiring foreign talent or expanding in Vietnam, Metasource is here to help.
