If you're a hiring manager or HR professional in Vietnam trying to get a foreign employee legally on the payroll, you've probably hit the wall: the work permit application process is entirely in Vietnamese, the forms are strict, and one wrong field means a rejected file. The core document that starts the entire process is Form 11/PLI — the official request letter your company must submit to apply for a new, reissued, or extended work permit.
This guide walks you through Form 11/PLI field by field, tells you exactly which documents to attach, and warns you about the mistakes that get applications bounced.
What Is Form 11/PLI and Who Uses It?
Form 11/PLI is the official written request from an employer to the labor authority, asking for a work permit to be issued, reissued, or extended for a foreign worker . It is not filled out by the foreign employee — your company or organization completes and submits this form .
The form is issued under Decree 152/2020/ND-CP, Appendix I, and was amended by Decree 70/2023/ND-CP, effective from September 18, 2023 . It applies to three scenarios: new work permit issuance, reissuance, and extension .
Required Documents Checklist for a Work Permit Application
Your Form 11/PLI must be submitted with a complete application package. The exact documents vary slightly depending on whether you're applying for a new permit, reissuance, or extension. Here are the core items :
- Form 11/PLI — original signed and sealed by the company representative
- 02 color photos — 4cm x 6cm, white background, bare head, no colored glasses, taken within 6 months
- Health certificate — issued by a competent medical authority in Vietnam or abroad, valid within 12 months from the date of conclusion to submission
- Judicial record certificate — or written confirmation the worker is not serving a criminal sentence or under criminal prosecution, issued within 6 months
- Proof of qualification — documents proving the worker is a manager, executive director, expert, or technical worker
- Valid work permit — for reissuance/extension cases only (original or certified copy)
- Approval document for foreign labor demand — the written approval of the position using foreign workers, unless exempt
- Certified passport copy — or copy certified by the employer, valid per law
Form 11/PLI Field-by-Field Translation & Breakdown
The form is divided into two main parts: company information (sections 1-8) and foreign worker information (sections 9-24). Fill out in Vietnamese or English using capital letters for names. Every field must be accurate and complete .
| Field # | Vietnamese Original | English Translation | How to Fill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tên doanh nghiệp/tổ chức | Name of enterprise/organization | Full legal name exactly as registered |
| 2 | Loại hình doanh nghiệp/tổ chức | Type of enterprise/organization | Select: State enterprise / FDI enterprise / Non-state enterprise / Organization |
| 3 | Tổng số người lao động đang làm việc... Trong đó số người lao động nước ngoài... | Total employees currently working... Of which foreign workers... | Current headcount numbers |
| 4 | Địa chỉ | Address | Company registered address |
| 5 | Điện thoại | Telephone | Company phone number |
| 6 | Email (nếu có) | Email (if any) | Company email |
| 7 | Giấy phép kinh doanh (hoạt động) số... Cơ quan cấp... Có giá trị đến ngày... Lĩnh vực kinh doanh | Business registration license number... Issuing authority... Valid until... Business line | From the company's Business Registration Certificate |
| 8 | Người nộp hồ sơ... để liên hệ khi cần thiết | Person submitting the file... for contact when necessary | Name, phone, and email of the company representative handling the application |
| 9 | Họ và tên (chữ in hoa) | Full name (in capital letters) | Exactly as in passport |
| 10 | Ngày, tháng, năm sinh | Date of birth | DD/MM/YYYY format |
| 11 | Giới tính (Nam/Nữ) | Sex (Male/Female) | Mark the correct option |
| 12 | Quốc tịch | Nationality | As shown in passport |
| 13 | Hộ chiếu/giấy tờ có giá trị đi lại quốc tế số... Cơ quan cấp... Có giá trị đến ngày... | Passport/international travel document number... Issuing authority... Valid until... | Copy exactly from passport information page |
| 14 | Trình độ chuyên môn (tay nghề) (nếu có) | Professional qualification (skill) (if any) | Degree, certificate, or skill level |
| 15 | Làm việc tại doanh nghiệp/tổ chức | Working at enterprise/organization | Company name |
| 16 | Địa điểm làm việc | Work location | Specific work site address |
| 17 | Vị trí công việc | Work position | Job position title |
| 18 | Chức danh công việc | Job title | Official job title |
| 19 | Hình thức làm việc | Form of work | Full-time, part-time, contract, etc. |
| 20 | Mức lương... VNĐ (or Lương bình quân/tháng... triệu đồng) | Salary... VND (or Average monthly salary... million VND) | As stated in labor contract |
| 21 | Thời hạn làm việc từ... đến... | Work duration from... to... | Start and end dates |
| 22 | Nơi đăng ký nhận giấy phép lao động | Place to register to receive work permit | Where the permit will be collected |
| 23 | Lý do đề nghị (only for reissuance) | Reason for request (only for reissuance cases) | Explain lost, damaged, or changed information |
| I & II | Quá trình đào tạo / Quá trình làm việc | Training process / Work process | Not applicable for reissuance or extension cases |
Final declaration: The form ends with a commitment that all information is true, and the representative must sign and seal: "ĐẠI DIỆN DOANH NGHIỆP/TỔ CHỨC (Ký và ghi rõ họ tên, đóng dấu)" .
Copyable Cover Letter Template for Form 11/PLI Submission
When submitting Form 11/PLI, a cover letter from the company helps organize the request. Here is a copyable template you can adapt:
[ENTERPRISE/ORGANIZATION NAME]
[Address]
[Phone] | [Email] SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
--------------- No: Date: [Submission Date] RE: REQUEST FOR WORK PERMIT / REISSUANCE / EXTENSION
FOR FOREIGN WORKER To: [Receiving Authority Name] (1)
[Address] 1. Enterprise/Organization name: [Company Legal Name]
2. Type: [State/FDI/Non-state/Organization]
3. Total employees: [Number] | Foreign workers: [Number]
4. Address: [Company Address]
5. Phone: [Phone] | 6. Email: [Email]
7. Business license No.: [Number] Issuing authority: [Authority] Valid until: [Date] Business line: [Business Line]
8. Contact person: [Name], [Phone], [Email] Pursuant to Approval Document No. [Number] dated [Date] of [Issuing Authority] regarding the approval of foreign worker position, [Company Name] hereby requests the issuance/reissuance/extension of a work permit for the following foreign worker: 9. Full name (capital letters): [Worker Full Name]
10. Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
11. Sex: [Male/Female]
12. Nationality: [Nationality]
13. Passport No.: [Passport Number] Issuing authority: [Passport Authority] Valid until: [Passport Expiry]
14. Professional qualification: [Degree/Skill]
15. Working at enterprise/organization: [Company Name]
16. Work location: [Work Site Address]
17. Work position: [Position]
18. Job title: [Title]
19. Form of work: [Full-time/Contract]
20. Salary: [Salary Amount] VND
21. Work duration: from [Start Date] to [End Date]
22. Place to receive work permit: [Location]
23. Reason for request (reissuance only): [Reason] Attached documents:
- Form 11/PLI
- 02 photos (4x6 cm)
- Health certificate
- Judicial record certificate
- Proof of qualification
- [Other relevant documents] We commit that all information provided is true and take full legal responsibility. Respectfully, [Authorized Representative Name]
[Title]
[Signature and Seal]
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Using the wrong form version: Ensure you use Form 11/PLI from Decree 152/2020/ND-CP as amended by Decree 70/2023/ND-CP. Old versions are not accepted .
- Missing the approval document: Form 11/PLI must reference the written approval of the foreign worker position. Without this, the application is incomplete .
- Photo non-compliance: Photos must be 4x6 cm, white background, bare head, no colored glasses, taken within 6 months. Wrong size or format causes rejection .
- Uncertified foreign documents: Foreign-issued documents must be consularly legalized and translated into Vietnamese unless exempt .
- Salary currency confusion: Some form versions request "Mức lương" in VND, while the amended version requests "Lương bình quân/tháng" in triệu đồng. Read the field carefully .
- Signing without authority: The form must be signed by the legal representative of the enterprise and sealed. An unauthorized signature invalidates the request .
Where and When to Submit Form 11/PLI
The submission location and processing time depend on your specific case and the authority overseeing your enterprise:
- Receiving authority: The Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (Sở LĐTBXH) of the province/city, or the Industrial Zone Management Authority if your enterprise operates in an industrial zone .
- Timing for extension: Submit at least 5 days but no more than 45 days before the current work permit expires .
- Processing time: Check with your specific receiving authority. Exact processing times are not specified in the source data for all cases. Verify at the local office or through the online public service portal when you submit .
- Fees: Specific fee amounts are not stated in the source data. Verify the current fee at your local labor authority before submission .
Official Form 11/PLI — Work Permit Application (Decree 70/2023/ND-CP)
Download Official DOCXFrequently Asked Questions
Who fills out Form 11/PLI — the employer or the foreign worker?
The employer or sponsoring organization fills out Form 11/PLI. The foreign worker does not complete this form .
What is the difference between Form 11/PLI and Form NA8?
Form 11/PLI is the work permit request form submitted to the labor authority. Form NA8 is the Temporary Residence Card application form submitted to the immigration authority. They serve completely different procedures.
Can I use Form 11/PLI for both new permits and extensions?
Yes. Form 11/PLI is used for new issuance, reissuance, and extension of work permits. The form header allows you to indicate which purpose applies .
What photo specifications are required for Form 11/PLI?
You need 02 color photos, 4cm x 6cm, white background, bare head, no colored glasses, taken within 6 months of submission .
Where do I submit Form 11/PLI?
Submit to the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of the province/city, or to the Industrial Zone Management Authority if your enterprise is in an industrial zone .