Vietnam work permit for executive director 2026: Fees, equirements, documents

A Vietnam work permit for an executive director is mandatory for most foreign nationals legally holding an executive management role in Vietnam. The application requires meeting strict eligibility conditions, including professional experience, health status, and a clean criminal record.

Employers must usually obtain approval for foreign labor demand before submitting the work permit dossier. With complete and well-prepared documents, processing typically takes around 5–7 working days.

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Why a Vietnam work permit matters for an executive director

A foreign executive director often brings leadership experience from mature markets—modern governance, performance systems, risk management, and market expansion know-how. For many Vietnamese businesses, this role can directly impact:

Strategic planning and restructuring

Business development and global partnerships

Team leadership, operations management, and KPI discipline

Market entry, brand positioning, and competitive advantage

That said, the “executive director” title alone does not automatically make the work permit easy. Vietnam authorities will review the position, job description, qualifications, and supporting evidence carefully. If the documents are inconsistent, the case can be delayed or refused.

>>> Read more: Work experience certificate for Vietnam work permit 2026: Template, required contents, and legalization

Eligibility requirements for a Vietnam work permit for executive director

To be granted a work permit in Vietnam, the foreign executive director typically must meet these baseline conditions (commonly applied under Decree 152/2020/ND-CP and related guidance) ^[1] :

At least 18 years old and has full civil capacity

Has professional qualifications, skills, and relevant work experience for the role

Has a valid health check certificate (per Vietnam’s medical requirements)

Has a clean criminal record (not serving a sentence, not under criminal investigation; no unspent convictions as required)

The employer has (in most cases) a written approval for the demand to use foreign labor (workforce demand approval), unless exempt from this step

>>> Read more: Vietnam work permit in Dong Nai 2026: Fees, Requirements and Application

Required documents for a work permit (executive director)

Below is a typical document set for a Vietnam work permit for foreign executive director. In practice, the exact list can vary slightly by province and by the authority receiving the file, but these items are the core requirements:

Personal documents

Notarized/certified copy of passport

02 portrait photos (4x6cm), white background, taken within the last 6 months

Health check certificate issued by an eligible hospital/clinic (Vietnam-based or accepted foreign forms depending on local practice; validity is usually time-limited)

Criminal record check (judicial record) / no-criminal-record confirmation

Issued overseas and/or in Vietnam depending on the applicant’s residence history

Typically must be consular legalized (if issued abroad) and translated/notarized in Vietnam

Commonly required to be issued within 6 months (local interpretation may vary)

Employer/position documents

Work permit application form (commonly Form 11/PLI, Appendix I of Decree 152/2020/ND-CP)

Written approval of demand to use foreign labor (if applicable)

Evidence proving the applicant’s executive director role and experience

Appointment letter, employment confirmation, corporate documents, or other role proof

Many cases require proof of relevant experience (often at least 3 years) suitable for executive-level management (the evidence format matters—titles, dates, and job scope must align)

>>> Read more: Vietnam work permit in Binh Duong for foreigners 2026

Step-by-step procedure to apply for a Vietnam work permit for executive director

Step 1: Post the recruitment announcement (where applicable)

For some positions and local practices, the employer must publish a recruitment post for the foreign executive director position on the appropriate job portal connected to the receiving authority.

If applying under the Department of Employment (central authority): post on the official portal used by that authority

If applying at the provincial Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA): post on the province/city job portal as required

This step is often checked during the “foreign labor demand” stage.

Step 2: Obtain approval to employ a foreign worker (labor demand approval)

The employer (or sponsoring company) submits an application to request approval to use a foreign worker for the executive director position.

This approval is a gatekeeping document. Without it (unless exempt), the work permit file is usually not accepted.

Step 3: Prepare the full work permit dossier

Once the demand is approved, the applicant and employer finalize all documents listed above—especially:

Criminal record and consular legalization

Health check timing and validity

Translations/notarizations

Consistency of job title: “executive director” must match across documents

Then the employer submits the dossier to the competent authority (often DOLISA or another designated office depending on locality and employer type).

Step 4: Processing and evaluation

Processing time can vary by location, workload, and how “clean” the file is.

In many standard cases, the review period is about 5–7 working days after receiving a complete and valid dossier.

If documents need clarification or re-submission, the timeline can extend.

Step 5: Receive the work permit result

If approved, the work permit is issued. If refused, the authority typically provides a written explanation stating the reason(s) for refusal so the employer can correct and re-file.

>>> Read more: Work Permit Exemption 2026: Who is eligible? Detailed procedures for Confirmation

State fees for a work permit (executive director)

State fees are often applied under Circular 85/2019/TT-BTC ^[2] (as used in many administrative fee references), and the amount may be implemented by local authorities.

A commonly quoted fee framework is:

New issuance: 600,000 VND / permit

Re-issuance: 450,000 VND / permit

Tan Van Lang provides professional work permit consultation services for foreigners, helping clients navigate Vietnam’s legal requirements with ease.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Work Permit – End-to-end Service for Foreigners 2026

Practical notes to avoid delays and refusals

Keep the job title consistent everywhere

“Executive director” should match across:

Application form (Form 11/PLI)

Demand approval paperwork

Appointment letter / labor contract / internal decision

Supporting experience letters

If the title shifts between “CEO,” “General Director,” “Director,” “Executive Director,” or “Manager,” authorities may request clarification or refuse.

Provide strong experience proof (not just a CV)

Authorities prefer official letters/documents that clearly show:

Company name and stamp/signature (where applicable)

Position title

Employment period (start–end dates)

Job scope aligned with executive-level management

Time your criminal record and health check properly

These documents are time-sensitive. If issued too early, they can expire before submission.

Verify where to file in your province

The receiving authority can differ depending on:

Location of the employer

Type of employer (company, representative office, etc.)

Local implementation rules

Don’t ignore legalization and translation requirements

Foreign-issued documents often need:

Consular legalization (unless exempt by treaty/arrangement)

Vietnamese translation

Notarization/certification in Vietnam

Missing any one step can invalidate the document.

That’s the full overview of the Vietnam work permit for executive director—from requirements and documents to procedure, timeline, and state fees. If you want Tan Van Lang to check your case, review your dossier, or handle the full process, contact us via 08.666.000.63 (WhatsApp) for fast support.