Issuing work permits for science and technology experts

Work permit for science and technology experts is an important step to help Vietnam attract international talent, improve the quality of human resources and develop the technology industry. This licensing not only creates favorable conditions for professionals to practice, but also contributes to technology transfer, improving professional qualifications for domestic staff, promoting innovation and sustainable economic development.

Cases not subject to work permits for science and technology experts

Pursuant to Article 7 of Decree 152/2020/ND-CP (amended by Decree 70/2023/ND-CP), science and technology experts will not be eligible for a work permit in Vietnam in the following cases:

• Be an owner or capital contributing member of a limited liability company with a capital contribution value of 3 billion VND or more.
• Be the Chairman of the Board of Directors or member of the Board of Directors of a joint stock company with a capital contribution value of 3 billion VND or more.
• Moving within an enterprise within the scope of 11 service industries in Vietnam’s service commitment schedule with the World Trade Organization.
• Enter Vietnam to provide professional and technical consulting services related to programs and projects using official development assistance (ODA).
• Licensed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate information and press activities in Vietnam.
• Be sent to Vietnam by a competent foreign agency or organization to teach or work as a manager at an educational institution.
• Volunteers work in Vietnam voluntarily and without salary.
• Enter Vietnam to work as an expert or technical worker for less than 30 days and no more than 3 times in 1 year.
• Enter Vietnam to implement signed international agreements.
• Students intern at agencies, organizations and businesses in Vietnam.
• Relatives of members of foreign representative agencies in Vietnam.
• Have an official passport to work for a state agency or political or social organization.
• The person responsible for establishing a commercial presence.
• Certified by the Ministry of Education and Training to teach or research at an educational institution.

Conditions for foreign science and technology experts to be granted work permits

According to the provisions of Article 151 of the 2019 Labor Code, Clause 3, Article 3 of Decree 152/2020/ND-CP (amended by Decree 70/2023/ND-CP), so that foreign science and technology experts can To issue a work permit in Vietnam, the following conditions must be met:

• Be 18 years old or older and have full civil capacity.
• Have professional qualifications, techniques, skills, and work experience appropriate to the job position:

1. Graduated from university or higher or equivalent and have at least 3 years of related work experience.
2. Or have at least 5 years of experience and have an appropriate practice certificate.

• Be in good health according to regulations of the Minister of Health.
• Have no criminal record or are currently serving a sentence, have not had a criminal record erased, or are being prosecuted for criminal liability according to the law.
• Not subject to work permit exemption.
• Special cases are decided by the Prime Minister at the request of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs.

Procedure for applying for a work permit for science and technology experts

Prepared documents

According to the provisions of Clause 6, Article 14 of Decree 87/2014 and Article 4 of Circular 24/2015/TT-BLDTBXH, the documents that need to be prepared to apply for a work permit for science and technology experts are:

• Written request for a work permit from an agency or organization sent to the Department of Employment (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs) according to Form No. 2 issued together with the Circular.
• Document approving the use of science and technology experts from a competent agency or document from the Prime Minister permitting the use of experts according to regulations.
• Certified copy of the original passport or valid passport replacement document or valid international travel document.
• 2 color photos (size 3cm x 4cm, white background, straight face, bare head, no colored glasses), taken no more than 6 months at the time of application.

Fully preparing these documents will help make the process of applying for a work permit more convenient.

Implementation steps

Steps to carry out procedures for granting work permits to science and technology experts are specified in Article 5 of Circular 24/2015/TT-BLDTBXH, specifically:

Step 1: At least 10 working days before the date the science and technology expert is expected to start working in Vietnam, the agency or organization must submit a set of documents to the Department of Employment (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs).

Step 2: Within 3 working days from the date of receiving a complete application for a work permit, the Department of Employment (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs) issues a work permit to science and technology experts. In case a work permit is not issued, a written response must be provided clearly stating the reason.

Consulting and support services for applying for work permits for science and technology experts

At Long Phan, we provide comprehensive consulting and support services in the process of applying for work permits for science and technology experts. Our team of experts will accompany you from the first step until completion of your application. Below are the services we provide:

• Consulting prepares all necessary documents and papers according to current regulations.
• Draft a written request for a work permit according to the prescribed form.
• Support approval procedures to obtain written approval from competent authorities.
• Check and authenticate records, ensure all documents in the records are accurate and complete to avoid errors.
• Submit your application at the Department of Employment and related agencies on your behalf, saving time and effort.
• Monitor progress, regularly update information on application status and promptly respond if there are additional requests.
• Consulting on next steps after being granted a work permit, including information on extension and related regulations.

Issuing work permits for science and technology experts not only ensures compliance with legal regulations but also contributes to improving the quality of human resources in this field. Using licensing consulting services will help customers save time and ensure documents are fully and accurately prepared. Please contact us via hotline 0906735386 for detailed advice and the most effective support during the process of applying for a work permit.