Is it possible to switch employers in Vietnam using a valid Work Permit?

No. Your Sponsor Company, and your particular job title are associated with your Work Permit. To switch employers, the new employer will have to request an entirely new Work Permit.

What is the LD Visa and TRC, which are associated with it?

Temporary Residence Card (TRC) and the LD Visa fundamentally depend on the legitimacy of the Work Permit. In case of revocation or the expiry of the permit, the related visa/TRC loses its power.

Do you consider that I still need a police check when I lived in Vietnam over years?

Yes. The application needs two criminal checks on your records, one is your home country (or country of your last residence) and the other is Vietnam (in case you have lived in Vietnam at least half a year).

Vietnam Hiring Foreign Professionals – Visa Info

The economy and the culture in Vietnam are booming, and hence fits well in the hands of foreign professionals. Nonetheless, the legal framework of Expat Employment Vietnam is rather a complex matter that should be thoroughly prepared. In contrast to most nations, the system in Vietnam has a two-part authorization requirement, namely a Work Permit (issued by the Department of Labour) and a long-term Work Visa (LĐ Visa) or Temporary Residence Card (TRC) (issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department).

Compliance by the Employer The Sponsorship Foundation

The whole process of Work Permit Vietnam is employer-sponsored. Sponsor Company in Vietnam will need to kick start the process by proving to the authorities the necessity of a foreign worker.

the main employer requirements would include:

The new decree, to a great extent, incorporates the labor usage plan in the very work permit application and minimizes the initial back-and-forth.

Integrated Application: The employer currently tends to include the request to approve foreign labor demand and an application to issue a Work Permit along with it, making the procedure easier and avoiding the former Job Vacancy Approval step (unless it concerns a local worker).
Centralised Application: In the case of employees in more than one province, the application will be centrally processed by the local Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) or Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) at the place of headquarters of the employer.
Notification of Workplaces: In case the employee works in more than one place, the employer should inform the local authority in the various provinces at least three days before the worker begins to work in such a place.

Meeting Standards of Foreign Professional Qualification

The system in Vietnam is created to allow only well trained workers. The foreigner is required to demonstrate that he is in a management position, an Executive Director, Expert or a Technical Worker as per the requirements under the Decree 219/2025.

Work Permit Application and LD Visa

The legal permission to work is the Work Permit, and the legal permission to enter and stay is the LĐ Visa (Lao Động -Labor).

Application Process & Timeline

Get ready the First Application Dossier: The Sponsor Company gathers all the necessary documents (passport, health certificate, qualifications, police check, photos, etc.).
Submission: The employer forwards the entire dossier to the local DOLISA/MOLISA (typically, 10 to 60 days prior to the anticipated start date).
Issuance: Application The DOLISA/MOLISA issues the Work Permit (with a maximum of 2 years, renewable once with 2 years) usually within 5 to 10 working days after receiving a valid application.
Work Visa Application: When there is a work permit having been approved, the company receives a Letter of Approval / Visa Approval Letter that is issued by the Vietnam immigration department. The foreign national utilizes such a letter to seek the LLD Visa (typically LLD2) at a Vietnamese Embassy / Consulate in a foreign country.
Caution: It is dangerous to come in on a Tourist E-Visa and make a Visa Conversion to an LLD visa. Always strive to be on the right pre-approved Worker Visa (LĐ Visa).

The TRC ( Thẻ Tack Tru) is the golden ticket to long-term residents. TRC is a plastic card distributed by Public Security and Vietnam Immigration Department, which substitutes the stamp of Work Visa and regular Visa Run.

TRC Validity: TRC is generally valid to the Work Permit (up to 2 years) and it includes several entries and exits without the necessity of a visa during that time.
TRC Application Steps: The employer requests the TRC on behalf of the employee a little while after the Work Permit and LĐ Visa, but normally submitted to the local Immigration Office.
Mandatory Declaration: Every foreigner irrespective of the TRC status should declare his or her temporary residence to the local Public security (police) through his or her landlord or hotel manager.

Exemption Cases on Work Permits

A Work Permit is not required to all foreigners, yet they very nearly require a Confirmation of Exemption and an LLD visa. Work Permit Exemption does not imply exemption of all the procedures.

Cases that are typically excluded from taxation (Decree 219/2025):

Short-term Work: The amount of time that is spent at work in Vietnam is less than 90 days annually (there are no restrictions on trips). There is still a need to notify the authority.
Investors: Capital contributors/owners of companies (value of capital contribution will be at least VND 3 billion, which is about 125,000 USD).
Intra-Corporate Transferees: They are those transferred within a sector that is WTO-committed and who have worked at the sending organization at least 12 months continuously.
Priority Sectors: Foreigners with certification by qualified governments to work in the finance, science, technology and digital transformation.

FAQs

Is it possible to switch employers in Vietnam using a valid Work Permit?

No. Your Sponsor Company, and your particular job title are associated with your Work Permit. To switch employers, the new employer will have to request an entirely new Work Permit.
What is the LD Visa and TRC, which are associated with it?

Temporary Residence Card (TRC) and the LD Visa fundamentally depend on the legitimacy of the Work Permit. In case of revocation or the expiry of the permit, the related visa/TRC loses its power.
Do you consider that I still need a police check when I lived in Vietnam over years?

Yes. The application needs two criminal checks on your records, one is your home country (or country of your last residence) and the other is Vietnam (in case you have lived in Vietnam at least half a year).

Final Thoughts

The regulations in Vietnam especially decree 219/2025 are a sign of commitment to not only attract high-quality talent but also safeguard the local labor market. Active compliance: Legalizing all documents, coming on the right visa (LĐ) and trying to receive the Work Permit and TRC at the same time is the key to successful Expat Employment Vietnam. Using the Expert and Manager roles, you would fit perfectly in the strategy of foreign professionals in Vietnam.

Disclaimer

This paper is purely informative and educational. It is recommended that the readers should be certain about all the requirements, fees, and regulatory information presented by the official sources in the Vietnamese government (i.e., MOLISA, DOLISA, and Vietnam Immigration Department) or a professional jurist prior to making the decision.