{"id":2340,"date":"2026-10-30T15:03:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T08:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/?p=2340"},"modified":"2026-10-30T15:03:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T08:03:32","slug":"vietnams-new-foreign-worker-rules-more-freedom-for-global-talent-but-new-compliance-traps-for-international-employers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/2026\/10\/30\/vietnams-new-foreign-worker-rules-more-freedom-for-global-talent-but-new-compliance-traps-for-international-employers\/","title":{"rendered":"VIETNAM\u2019S NEW FOREIGN WORKER RULES: MORE FREEDOM FOR GLOBAL TALENT \u2013 BUT NEW COMPLIANCE TRAPS FOR INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYERS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Decree 393\/2026\/ND-CP | Vietnam Opens New Doors for International Experts, Executives and Technology Specialists \u2013 While Raising the Stakes for Foreign Employers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>DUANE MORRIS VIETNAM | STRATEGIC LEGAL ALERT | OCTOBER 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Executive Alert: Foreign Investors Must Prepare Before 5 December 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vietnam is fundamentally reshaping the rules governing foreign professionals, international executives and multinational workforce mobility. For foreign investors, the changes create important opportunities \u2013 but also significant new compliance responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 20 October 2026, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree No. 393\/2026\/ND-CP, introducing a revised legal framework for foreign nationals working in Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Effective 5 December 2026, the new decree replaces Decree No. 219\/2025\/ND-CP and supersedes specified provisions of Resolution No. 24\/2026\/NQ-CP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reform sends a clear message: Vietnam wants to attract international expertise, particularly in strategic technologies, artificial intelligence, research, education and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, the Government is introducing more precise eligibility requirements, revised application procedures and additional notification obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The commercial consequences are immediate: multinational companies must reassess who can work in Vietnam without a permit, who requires new documentation and which existing employment or secondment arrangements may become non-compliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new framework is not simply an administrative adjustment. It directly affects international investment projects, management appointments, technical assignments, corporate restructuring and the deployment of foreign personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Major Opportunity: Vietnam Expands Work Permit Exemptions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most significant developments is the expansion of work permit exemption categories from 15 to 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new framework provides additional pathways for international talent, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Foreign experts working in designated strategic technologies and strategic technology products, together with qualifying relatives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Foreign professionals recruited under Vietnam\u2019s national AI human resources development programme.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Qualified foreign academics, professors, researchers and STEM specialists.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certain master\u2019s degree and PhD holders undertaking teaching or research activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Foreign nationals holding qualifying special visa-exemption cards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These exemptions are particularly relevant to international technology companies, research institutions, universities, engineering businesses and investors establishing high-value operations in Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strategic opportunity: Foreign investors should no longer assume that every international specialist requires a conventional work permit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Properly identifying an applicable exemption could reduce administrative burdens and facilitate the timely deployment of essential personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, exemption from the work permit requirement does not automatically eliminate every applicable certification, notification, immigration or employment obligation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Important Warning: Intra-Company Transfers Become More Restrictive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For multinational companies, one of the most consequential changes concerns intra-company transferees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the previous framework, managers, executives, experts and technical workers could qualify under the relevant intra-company transfer exemption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Decree 393 narrows this category to managers, executives and experts who have been employed by the overseas enterprise for at least 12 consecutive months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Technical workers are no longer included in that exemption category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Existing permits and exemption certificates issued under the previous framework remain valid until expiry, subject to the transitional provisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, affected technical workers seeking to continue under the relevant expert classification will need to satisfy the applicable qualification requirements, including the specified five-year experience route where required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why this matters: International manufacturing, engineering, energy, infrastructure and industrial companies frequently rely on technical personnel transferred from overseas affiliates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Companies should urgently review whether their existing technical assignments remain viable after the transitional period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A previously compliant assignment should not be assumed to qualify automatically for renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Vietnam Creates New Opportunities for Highly Qualified Experts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Decree 393 also introduces more flexible routes for recognizing foreign experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the applicable category, qualifications may be established through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A university degree and at least two years of relevant professional experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Degrees in designated strategic technologies or qualifying Government cooperation programmes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certain high-performing science or technology graduates from internationally ranked universities, together with relevant experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognized academic, research, cultural or specialist qualifications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At least five years of relevant professional experience under the applicable alternative route.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The experience requirement for certain executive-director classifications is also reduced from three years to two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These changes could benefit foreign-invested enterprises recruiting international specialists whose professional expertise does not fit traditional degree-and-experience requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strategic implication: Companies should reconsider previously difficult recruitment cases rather than relying on outdated assessments of foreign-worker eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For technology-intensive investments, the revised definitions could materially improve workforce planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. The 90-Day Rule: Short-Term Assignments Require Particular Attention<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Decree 393 clarifies the treatment of short-term foreign assignments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Qualifying managers, executive directors, experts and technical workers may fall within the short-term exemption where their cumulative work in Vietnam does not exceed 90 days during a calendar year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Importantly, the calculation covers work for one or more Vietnamese employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decree also establishes an important limitation: where a local employment, hiring or wage relationship arises, the short-term exemption cannot simply be relied upon in place of the applicable work permit requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This creates particular risks for multinational groups that frequently send foreign specialists to Vietnam for technical support, commissioning, inspections, project management or temporary operational assignments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recommended action: Employers should maintain centralized records of workdays, contractual arrangements, remuneration and the identity of the Vietnamese entities receiving services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A short assignment is not necessarily a low-risk assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. New Compliance Deadlines: Employers Must Update Their Internal Procedures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decree introduces several important procedural changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recruitment advertising: For specified initial work permit applications, employers must advertise the position to Vietnamese workers at least five working days before filing. Relevant exceptions apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Location changes: Where a foreign worker changes work location under the same employer, notifications may be required to both the new-location authority and the original issuing authority at least three working days before the change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Re-issuance: Changes involving relevant employer offices or operating locations can trigger re-issuance requirements for work permits or exemption certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Permit extensions: Applications must be submitted within the revised window of 10 to 90 days before expiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New applications following extension: Where a previously extended permit is approaching expiry, a fresh application may be required within the applicable 10-to-60-working-day window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Revocation: The decree revises revocation grounds and shortens the employer\u2019s return deadline to 10 working days in relevant circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Digital procedures: Employers may benefit from database-linked verification of criminal records and other supporting information where the competent authorities can retrieve the relevant data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These changes make internal coordination between HR, legal, immigration and operational departments increasingly important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A missed notification, an incorrect worker classification or an overlooked renewal deadline can create avoidable disruption to business operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Existing Permits: Transitional Protection Does Not Remove Future Risk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new decree provides transitional arrangements for existing permits and exemption certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Documents validly issued under the previous framework generally remain usable until expiry, subject to the relevant transitional rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applications submitted before 5 December 2026 are generally processed under the preceding regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This provides welcome continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, employers should distinguish carefully between the continued validity of an existing authorization and eligibility for its subsequent extension, re-issuance or replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The immediate risk is not necessarily that existing foreign employees must stop working on 5 December. The greater risk is that companies fail to prepare for the next renewal, reassignment or change of position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. What Foreign Investors and International Employers Should Do Now<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Duane Morris Vietnam recommends that companies undertake a targeted foreign-workforce compliance review before the new decree takes effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First \u2013 Review existing personnel. Identify every foreign employee, secondee, executive, technical specialist and short-term assignee currently working in Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second \u2013 Reassess exemptions. Determine whether new exemption categories create opportunities to simplify future assignments or whether previously available exemptions have narrowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third \u2013 Protect technical assignments. Review intra-company transferees, especially technical workers whose existing authorizations may not qualify for renewal on the same basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fourth \u2013 Revisit recruitment strategies. Assess whether the revised expert definitions create new opportunities for attracting international specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fifth \u2013 Update compliance calendars. Incorporate the new advertising, notification, re-issuance, extension and application deadlines into internal HR procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sixth \u2013 Coordinate corporate and immigration planning. Changes in company locations, branches, investment projects and operating structures should be assessed for their potential effects on foreign-worker authorizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seventh \u2013 Prepare before implementation. Employers should identify documentation gaps and resolve classification issues before they become urgent operational problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CONCLUSION: VIETNAM IS OPENING THE DOOR TO GLOBAL TALENT \u2013 BUT FOREIGN INVESTORS MUST GET THE LEGAL STRUCTURE RIGHT<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Decree 393 marks an important evolution in Vietnam\u2019s approach to international talent and foreign investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Government is making it easier for strategically important experts, researchers, technology specialists and highly qualified professionals to contribute to Vietnam\u2019s economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is positive news for international investors seeking to establish or expand sophisticated operations in Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the reform also creates a critical distinction between companies that actively manage their international workforce and those that continue relying on outdated immigration and employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For foreign investors, the challenge is no longer simply obtaining a work permit. It is designing a legally sustainable workforce strategy that supports international recruitment, cross-border assignments, investment expansion and uninterrupted business operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new rules should therefore be viewed not merely as a compliance obligation, but as an opportunity to reassess how international talent can most effectively be deployed in Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our recommendation is clear: Do not wait until a work permit expires, an international assignment is delayed or a regulatory problem arises. Review your foreign workforce arrangements now, identify the opportunities created by Decree 393 and resolve potential compliance risks before 5 December 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Vietnam\u2019s increasingly competitive investment environment, the ability to deploy international expertise quickly, lawfully and without disruption is becoming a strategic business advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>About the Author<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Oliver Massmann &#8211; Partner and General Director, Duane Morris Vietnam LLC<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Oliver Massmann is a German attorney-at-law and international investment lawyer who has advised foreign investors and multinational corporations in Vietnam for nearly three decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His practice focuses on foreign direct investment, market access, corporate and M&amp;A transactions, employment and regulatory compliance, energy, infrastructure and international business law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He regularly advises international companies on establishing, expanding and protecting their investments in Vietnam, including complex regulatory matters affecting foreign-invested enterprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For further information, strategic advice or assistance with Vietnam\u2019s new foreign-worker regulations, please contact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Oliver Massmann &#8211; Partner and General Director &#8211; Duane Morris Vietnam LLC<br>Email: <a href=\"mailto:OMassmann@duanemorris.com\">OMassmann@duanemorris.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This article provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice for any particular situation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Decree 393\/2026\/ND-CP | Vietnam Opens New Doors for International Experts, Executives and Technology Specialists \u2013 While Raising the Stakes for Foreign Employers DUANE MORRIS VIETNAM | STRATEGIC LEGAL ALERT | OCTOBER 2026 Executive Alert: Foreign Investors Must Prepare Before 5 December 2026 Vietnam is fundamentally reshaping the rules governing foreign professionals, international executives and multinational &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/2026\/10\/30\/vietnams-new-foreign-worker-rules-more-freedom-for-global-talent-but-new-compliance-traps-for-international-employers\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;VIETNAM\u2019S NEW FOREIGN WORKER RULES: MORE FREEDOM FOR GLOBAL TALENT \u2013 BUT NEW COMPLIANCE TRAPS FOR INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYERS&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[1007],"class_list":["post-2340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vietnam-general"],"authors":[{"term_id":1007,"user_id":24,"is_guest":0,"slug":"omassmann","display_name":"Dr. Oliver Massmann","avatar_url":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2014\/08\/massmannoliver-125x150.jpg","author_category":"1","last_name":"Massmann","first_name":"Dr. Oliver","job_title":"","user_url":"http:\/\/www.duanemorris.com\/attorneys\/olivermassmann.html","description":"<a href=\"http:\/\/www.duanemorris.com\/attorneys\/olivermassmann.html\">Read Oliver's bio.<\/a>"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2340","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2340"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2341,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2340\/revisions\/2341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2340"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.duanemorris.com\/vietnam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=2340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}