LĐ1 — Work Visa LĐ1 (Work Permit Exempt)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 week

Estimated Cost

Not confirmed

Check the official source

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Employer-sponsored work visa for skilled professionals exempt from standard permit requirements, valid up to 2 years.

The LĐ1 visa is Vietnam's specialized work visa for foreign professionals exempt from standard work permit requirements—typically those in international assignments, diplomatic roles, or intra-company transfers. Issued under Law 51/2019/QH14, it streamlines entry for skilled workers. Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor's degree with minimum three years of relevant professional experience.

Valid for up to two years under the statutory maximum set by Law 51/2019/QH14 Article 9, with duration tied to exemption certificate validity. Processing takes 10 working days per Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (effective August 7, 2025). The visa is renewable and requires employer sponsorship; dependents are permitted, though spouses have no independent work authorization.

This visa is ideal for bachelor-level professionals with three years of experience working for multinational firms or in diplomatic roles who require expedited work qualification.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Minimum education: Bachelor

Minimum experience: 3

Age: 18-

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Experience

3+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photos

Health examination

Work permit approval (sponsor)

Invitation letter (sponsor)

Employment contract (sponsor)

Company registration (sponsor)

Company financial records (sponsor)

Job description (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Streamlined approval path for exempt professionals (no standard work permit needed)
Up to 2 years of continuous residency (statutory maximum per Law 51/2019/QH14)
Processing time of 5-7 working days per application step (per Decree 219/2025/ND-CP timeline)
Employer-sponsored, streamlining the application process
No language test requirement specified
Targets high-skill professionals (3+ years experience, bachelor's degree minimum)
Covers dependents without additional major sponsorship barriers
Direct path for intra-company transfers and international treaty professionals

Worth Knowing

Strict qualification—applicant must be certified as work-permit-exempt professional under exemption categories
Employer must initiate process and maintain sponsorship throughout visa validity
Limited to specific professions and exemption categories; not a general-purpose work visa for all backgrounds
Requires employer petitioner; individuals cannot self-petition
Mandatory education (bachelor's degree) and 3+ years experience—high barriers to entry