A Work Permit for Teaching English in Vietnam – Update 2024

Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for English teachers as the demand for learning English with native speakers is steadily rising, especially in major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat and more. This trend has made Vietnam a second home for many foreigners qualified to teach English.

Do I need a Work Permit for Teaching English in Vietnam?

In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining a work permit for teaching English in Vietnam, including:

• Requirements for a work permit for teaching English
• Necessary documents and how to obtain them

Requirements for a Work Permit for Teaching English in Vietnam

To obtain a work permit for teaching English in Vietnam, foreign applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Age Requirement: You must be over 18 years old.
• Health Condition: You must have a good health condition that meets the specific demands and requirements of the teaching job.
• Criminal Record: You must have a clean criminal record in your home country and not be involved in any national security offenses. Additionally, you should not be under criminal prosecution or serving a criminal sentence in Vietnam or any other country at the time of application.

Required Documents and How to Obtain a Work Permit for Teaching English in Vietnam

To obtain a work permit for English teachers in Vietnam, both the employer and the teacher need to prepare the necessary documents and follow these two steps:

Step 1: Obtain Approval from the Competent Authority

This step should be completed at least 30 days before the foreign employee is expected to start working. The employer needs to:

1. Prepare the Following Documents:

• A copy of the company’s business registration certificate, certified by a government authority.
• An explanation form detailing the need for hiring foreign workers (Form No. 1).

2. Online Submission:

• Go to https://dvc.vieclamvietnam.gov.vn/, create an account, and complete the declaration form.
• Upload scans of the prepared documents to the appropriate agency.

3. Approval Process:

• Within 12 working days, you will receive an email confirming whether the declaration and documents are legally satisfactory and whether the request to hire foreign workers is approved.
• If approved, submit the original documents either in person or by post to the relevant authority for verification and record-keeping.

4. Receive Written Approval:

• Within 8 working days of submitting the full required documents, you will receive a written approval for employing foreign workers, either directly or by post.
• After completing this step, proceed to the second step below.

Step 2: Apply for a work permit for teaching English

In this step, the employer and employee need to follow this procedure:

1. Prepare the Following Documents:

• A request form for a Vietnam work permit (Form No. 7 issued with Circular No. 40/2016/TT-BLĐTBXH).
• The original written approval for employing foreign workers.

For native English speakers:

• Legalized bachelor’s degree or higher.
• English teaching certificate (e.g., TESOL, CELTA).

For non-native English speakers:

– Legalized bachelor’s degree in English teaching or higher; OR

– Legalized bachelor’s degree in another field, plus an English teaching certificate (e.g., TESOL, CELTA); OR

– Legalized bachelor’s degree, plus IELTS or TOEFL certificate, and an English teaching certificate.

– Original Vietnam Police Check No. 1.

– Original Vietnam work permit health check certificate.

– Certified copy of passport.

Two 4x6cm photos that meet the following requirements:

• No headwear.
• No glasses or sunglasses.
• Clear view of the face.
• Neutral facial expression (no smiling).
• Ears visible.
• White background.

The employer has two options after preparing the necessary documents:

Option 1: Direct Submission to the Work Permit Granting Agency

1. Submit the Documents:

Deliver the prepared documents to the work permit granting agency, typically the Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs in the province where the company’s head office is located.

2. Document Review:

The agency will review the submission and inform you if any documents are missing or need correction. You will need to provide any additional or corrected documents as required.

3. Receive the Work Permit:

– Once all the documents are complete and valid, you will receive the work permit within 7 working days.

Option 2: Online Submission

This process typically takes around 5 working days. Here’s what the employer and their representative need to do:

1. Submit Documents Online:

– Visit http://dvc.vieclamvietnam.gov.vn and upload scans of the required documents.

2. Document Review:

– You will be informed if the submitted documents are sufficient and valid. If any documents are missing or need correction, you’ll be asked to provide the necessary updates.

3. Receive the Work Permit:

– Once the documents are approved, you will receive the work permit via email.

4. Submit Originals:

– After receiving the electronic work permit, submit the original documents to the work permit granting agency to receive the official, original work permit.

Getting a Teaching Permit in Vietnam

What Visa Do You Need to Teach English in Vietnam?

To work as an English teacher in Vietnam, you will need both a business visa and a work permit. Here’s an overview of what’s required:

1. Business Visa: This visa allows you to legally enter Vietnam for work purposes. It’s the most common type used by English teachers when starting out.
2. Work Permit: In addition to the business visa, a work permit is essential for legally working in Vietnam. This permit is issued after you’ve secured a job and completed the necessary paperwork.

Important Notes:

– The Vietnamese government is known for its detailed paperwork requirements. You’ll need to fill out several forms for your visa, possibly more than you’ve ever signed before. So, be prepared to handle a fair amount of administrative work.

– Some teachers may suggest that you can work on a tourist visa without major issues, and some employers might even claim that it’s acceptable. However, this is risky for two key reasons:

• If caught, you could face deportation and hefty fines.
• You lack legal protection if a dispute arises with your employer. For example, if they refuse to pay you, you have no legal recourse to enforce payment.

Here’s the complete process for obtaining a work permit for teaching English in Vietnam. For many employers and foreign teachers, this process can be challenging due to the multiple administrative steps and the variety of documents required, each needing to be prepared in specific ways.

If you find a work permit for teaching English process overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (+84) 918 212 468 or [email protected]. We’re here to guide you and make the process as straightforward as possible.

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• Address: 2nd floor – No 02, Alley 232, Yen Hoa St., Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
• Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 22:00 Vietnam time (GMT +7) (closed on Vietnamese holidays)
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