New policy on work permit: A step forward in procedural reform and highly qualified workforce attraction in Viet Nam

On August 7, 2025, the Government promulgated Decree 219/2025/ND-CP regulating the management of foreign employees working in Viet Nam (Decree 219). This Decree officially takes effect from the date of signing for promulgation, replacing Decree 152/2020/ND-CP amended and supplemented by Decree 70/2023/ND-CP. The following are some detailed analyses of the key provisions in Decree 219 that enterprises should pay attention to:

(i) Simplification of the conditions for recognizing foreign employees as experts in Viet Nam;
(ii) Provision on the integrated online procedure for issuing judicial record certificates, work permits and permitting foreign employees to work in many localities;
(iii) Amendment of the competence to issue work permits.