Context & Official Legal Basis
If you are an expat planning to work in Vietnam, the single most confusing part of the work permit process is often the minimum salary requirement. Employers and applicants frequently search for a flat dollar amount, but Vietnam's legal framework ties the minimum wage for foreign workers directly to the regional minimum wage system — the same system that applies to Vietnamese employees. There is no separate, higher "expat minimum wage" in the Labor Code. Understanding how the regional tiers work, and which one applies to your worksite, is the first step to avoiding a rejected dossier.
The legal basis rests on three layers:
- Labor Code 2019 (Law No. 45/2019/QH14) — Article 90 establishes that wages must not fall below the regional minimum wage set by the Government, and this applies to all employees working under labor contracts, including foreign nationals.
- Decree 293/2025/ND-CP — Issued on 10 November 2025, this decree sets the current regional minimum wage tiers effective 1 January 2026. It replaced Decree 74/2024/ND-CP.
- Decree 219/2025/ND-CP — Effective 7 August 2025, this decree governs the work permit application process itself, including the required documentation and the single Form No. 03 that replaced the previous two-step procedure.
This guide walks you through the exact minimum salary thresholds, the documents that must reflect those thresholds, and the official submission steps as of the current regulatory framework.
What Is the Minimum Salary for a Foreign Worker in Vietnam in 2026?
The minimum salary that must appear in a foreign worker's labor contract is the regional minimum wage for the location where the work is actually performed, not the location of the company's head office. Under Decree 293/2025/ND-CP, the four regional tiers are as follows:
| Region | Minimum Monthly Wage (VND) | Minimum Hourly Wage (VND) |
|---|---|---|
| Region I | 5,310,000 | 25,500 |
| Region II | 4,730,000 | 22,700 |
| Region III | 4,140,000 | 20,000 |
| Region IV | 3,700,000 | 17,800 |
Source: Decree 293/2025/ND-CP, effective 1 January 2026.
Region I includes major economic hubs such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Da Nang. Region IV covers the most rural districts. The specific district-level classification is listed in the Appendix issued with Decree 293. If your worksite spans multiple regions, the highest applicable regional minimum wage applies.
Important clarification: Some online sources quote a "minimum salary of approximately USD 3,000/month" for expat work permit holders. That figure does not appear in the Labor Code or in Decree 293. It likely originates from market-rate surveys or from internal company salary policies, not from a statutory requirement. The only legally binding minimum is the regional minimum wage table above.
Required Documents Checklist for the Work Permit Application
Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, the work permit dossier has been streamlined. The following documents are required:
- Written report from the employer explaining the need to use foreign workers and requesting the issuance or extension of a work permit, using Form No. 03 in the Appendix issued with Decree 219/2025/ND-CP. This single form replaces the previous separate labor demand approval and work permit application steps.
- Health examination certificate issued by a qualified medical facility in Vietnam or abroad, valid for up to 12 months.
- Valid passport (original or certified copy).
- Criminal record certificate (judicial record) issued by a competent authority in Vietnam or abroad, obtained no more than 6 months prior to submission.
- Two color photos (4 cm × 6 cm, white background, straight face, no glasses).
- Documents proving the form of work — for example, an intra-company transfer letter, a service contract, or an economic agreement, depending on the legal basis for the foreign worker's employment.
- Proof of qualifications — university degree or equivalent, and relevant work experience certificates as required for the specific job position.
Official Form Field-by-Field Breakdown (Form No. 03)
Form No. 03 is the employer's written report explaining the need to use foreign workers and requesting the issuance or extension of a work permit. The key fields are:
| Field (Vietnamese) | English Meaning | What to Enter |
|---|---|---|
| Tên doanh nghiệp / tổ chức | Enterprise / organization name | Full legal name as registered on the enterprise registration certificate |
| Mã số thuế | Tax code | 10- or 13-digit tax identification number |
| Địa chỉ trụ sở chính | Head office address | Registered address |
| Vị trí công việc | Job position | Exact title of the role the foreign worker will fill |
| Mô tả công việc | Job description | Summary of duties and responsibilities |
| Số lượng lao động nước ngoài | Number of foreign workers | For a single application, enter "01" |
| Yêu cầu về trình độ, kinh nghiệm | Required qualifications and experience | Degree, certifications, years of experience |
| Mức lương | Salary | Must be at or above the regional minimum wage for the worksite |
| Thời gian và địa điểm làm việc | Work duration and location | Contract term and specific worksite address |
The form must be signed and sealed by the legal representative of the employer. An unsigned or unstamped Form No. 03 is a common reason for administrative rejection.
Copyable Cover Letter Template for the Employer
Although Form No. 03 is the official document, many provincial Departments of Home Affairs (formerly DOLISA) also accept an accompanying cover letter. You can adapt the template below. Replace all bracketed placeholders with your actual information.
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom – Happiness
---------------[Date: DD/MM/YYYY]COVER LETTERTo: [Name of Provincial Department of Home Affairs / People's Committee][Address of the receiving authority]Subject: Request for issuance of a work permit for a foreign workerDear Sir/Madam,[Company Name], tax code [Tax Code], headquartered at [Company Address], hereby respectfully submits this application for a work permit for the following foreign worker:Full name: [Applicant Name]Passport number: [Passport Number]Nationality: [Nationality]Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]Job position: [Job Title]Proposed work location: [Specific Worksite Address]Contract duration: [Start Date] to [End Date]Monthly salary: [Salary Amount] VNDWe confirm that the salary stated in the labor contract is not lower than the regional minimum wage applicable to the worksite location as prescribed by Decree 293/2025/ND-CP.We have announced the recruitment of Vietnamese employees for this position but were unable to find a qualified candidate. Attached are the required documents as per Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.We kindly request your approval for the issuance of the work permit.Respectfully,[Legal Representative Name][Title][Company Name][Signature and Seal]Official Submission Step-by-Step Procedure
- Prepare the dossier. Gather all documents listed in the Required Documents Checklist. Ensure the criminal record certificate and health certificate are valid and, where applicable, legalized.
- Complete Form No. 03. The employer fills in the form, signs it, and applies the company seal. The salary field must reflect the applicable regional minimum wage.
- Submit the application. Submit the dossier to the provincial People's Committee where the foreign worker will be employed. The authority is no longer MOLISA; it is the provincial-level People's Committee, which may delegate to the Department of Home Affairs.
- Wait for processing. The statutory processing time is 10 working days from the date a valid and complete dossier is received.
- Receive the work permit. If approved, the work permit is issued. The maximum duration of a work permit is 2 years, and it can be renewed once.
- Apply for a temporary residence card. After obtaining the work permit, the foreign worker can apply for a temporary residence card, which removes the need for repeated visa extensions.
Fees: The state fee for a new work permit typically ranges from VND 400,000 to VND 600,000 per permit, depending on the province. Some provinces offer a 50%–60% discount for online submissions, and certain localities may waive the fee entirely for online applications. The judicial record fee is VND 200,000 per person. Because fee schedules vary by province, verify the exact amount with the receiving authority before payment.
Common Mistakes & Rejection Warnings
- Salary below the regional minimum. The most frequent rejection reason. If the worksite is in Region I and the contract states VND 5,000,000, the dossier will be rejected. Double-check the worksite's region against the Appendix of Decree 293/2025/ND-CP.
- Using an expired criminal record certificate. The certificate must be issued no more than 6 months before submission. A certificate that was valid at the time of job offer but expires before dossier submission is not acceptable.
- Missing legalization. Documents issued in a foreign country must be consular-legalized unless a treaty exemption applies. A certified translation alone is not sufficient.
- Incomplete Form No. 03. Missing signature, missing company seal, or blank fields in the job description or salary section will cause the application to be returned.
- Submitting to the wrong authority. Since Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, the competent authority is the provincial People's Committee, not MOLISA. Submitting to the old authority will delay the process.
- Assuming a "standard expat salary" exists. There is no separate expat minimum wage. The only legal minimum is the regional minimum wage. Internal company salary policies may set higher floors, but those are contractual, not statutory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate minimum salary for foreign workers in Vietnam?
No. Under Article 90 of the Labor Code 2019, the regional minimum wage applies to all employees working under labor contracts in Vietnam, regardless of nationality. There is no separate, higher minimum wage category for foreign workers.
What is the minimum monthly salary for a foreign worker in Region I in 2026?
For Region I — which includes Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Da Nang — the minimum monthly wage effective 1 January 2026 is VND 5,310,000, with a minimum hourly wage of VND 25,500, as set by Decree 293/2025/ND-CP.
Which authority issues the work permit under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP?
The provincial People's Committee has the authority to approve work permits. The previous division of authority between MOLISA and provincial DOLISA has been consolidated. For work involving multiple provinces, the People's Committee of the province where the head office is located has jurisdiction.
How long does the work permit application take in 2026?
The statutory processing time is 10 working days from the date a valid and complete dossier is submitted. This is a reduction from the previous two-step process, which totaled approximately 15 working days.
What is the state fee for a work permit in Vietnam?
The fee typically ranges from VND 400,000 to VND 600,000 per permit for direct applications, depending on the province. Online submissions may receive a discount of 50%–60%, and some localities waive the fee entirely for online applications. Verify the exact amount at the local receiving office before payment.