Work Permit and TRC for Foreign Managers in Vietnam

FDI & Market Entry

July 13, 2026

Work Permit and TRC for Foreign Managers in Vietnam

Summary: Employing a foreign manager in Vietnam requires more than obtaining a work permit. The work permit, temporary residence card (TRC), visa category, labor contract and the person’s actual day-to-day role all need to align. When they do not, the company — not just the individual — carries the compliance risk. This article sets out what employers should check before and after hiring a foreign manager.

By Attorney Vu Manh Quynh, Managing Partner, ECOVIS Vietnam Law | Last reviewed: 12 July 2026

Why This Matters for Foreign Investors / Foreign Companies

Work permit compliance is frequently treated as an administrative task handled once, at hiring. In practice it is an ongoing alignment exercise: job title, qualifications, actual duties, labor contract terms, and TRC/visa status must stay consistent throughout the employment relationship. Employers — particularly FDI companies, schools, technology firms and manufacturers with foreign managers based around An Phu, Thao Dien, Thu Duc and East Ho Chi Minh City — face both administrative penalties and, in some cases, operational disruption (such as being unable to renew a work permit) if this alignment breaks down.

Key Legal and Compliance Issues

Job title, qualification and experience requirements. Work permit approval generally depends on the role qualifying as a manager, executive, expert or technical specialist, supported by qualification and experience documentation matching the actual job.
Work permit vs. work permit exemption. Certain categories of foreign personnel may qualify for exemption from the work permit requirement; employers should not assume exemption applies without verifying the specific basis.
TRC and visa alignment. TRC issuance is generally linked to the work permit (or another valid basis) and should be renewed in step with it — a lapsed work permit can affect TRC status.
Labor contract matching the actual role. The labor contract should reflect the position and duties actually performed; if the role changes, the contract and (where relevant) the work permit should be updated.
Employer obligations before and during employment. Employers generally have reporting and documentation obligations tied to employing foreign workers, separate from the individual’s own visa/TRC compliance.
Renewal timing. Work permits and TRCs both have defined validity periods; renewal processes should be planned well ahead of expiry to avoid gaps in the person’s legal status to work.
Multiple-employer or multiple-role situations. Foreign experts working across more than one entity (common in group structures) need each engagement properly documented.

Practical Risks for Management

HR Managers risk administrative penalties and renewal delays if job titles, contracts and work permit applications are not kept consistent.
CEOs and school/center operators risk being unable to have a foreign manager continue working if a renewal is missed or a role change is not properly documented.
Foreign managers themselves risk personal exposure (fines, in serious cases, deportation) if working without a valid permit or exemption basis.
Country Managers overseeing multiple entities risk inconsistent practices across sites if work permit compliance is handled informally rather than through a standard process.

What Companies Should Review

Confirm the foreign manager’s actual duties match the job title and category used in the work permit application.
Verify qualification and experience documents meet the applicable requirements for the specific role.
Check whether a work permit exemption genuinely applies before relying on it.
Align TRC and visa renewal timing with the work permit validity period.
Ensure the labor contract wording reflects the actual position, and update it if the role changes.
Build a renewal calendar covering work permit and TRC expiry dates for all foreign staff.
For foreign experts working across multiple related entities, confirm each engagement is properly documented.

How Ecovis Vietnam Law Can Support

Ecovis Vietnam Law advises employers — including FDI companies, schools, technology and manufacturing businesses around Thao Dien, An Phu, Thu Duc and East Ho Chi Minh City — on work permit and TRC applications, exemption assessments, labor contract alignment, and renewal planning for foreign managers and experts.

FAQ

Can a foreign manager work before obtaining a work permit?
Generally no, unless a specific exemption applies; working without the required permit or valid exemption basis creates compliance risk for both the individual and the employer.

What documents are needed for a work permit?
Typically qualification, experience and background documentation supporting the applicant’s category (manager, executive, expert or technical specialist), among other requirements that vary by case.

How long is a TRC valid?
Validity periods vary depending on the basis for issuance; TRCs are generally linked to the underlying work permit or other qualifying status and should be renewed accordingly.

Can a foreign expert work for multiple companies?
This is possible in some structures but each engagement generally needs to be properly documented and assessed individually.

What happens if the job title changes?
A material change in role can affect work permit validity; the labor contract and, where relevant, the work permit should be updated to reflect the new position.

Do all foreign employees need a work permit?
Not necessarily — certain categories may qualify for exemption, but this should be verified against the specific basis rather than assumed.

What are the risks of an expired work permit?
An expired work permit generally means the individual is no longer authorized to work, which can trigger penalties for the employer and disrupt the individual’s TRC/visa status.

Call to Action

Request a Vietnam Legal Feasibility Review. Ecovis Vietnam Law supports foreign investors, CEOs, CFOs and FDI companies with practical legal advice on Vietnam market entry, labor, contracts, compliance and business operations. Send us a short summary of your work permit or TRC issue — our team can help identify the legal route, key documents, expected timeline and next practical steps.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and should not be treated as legal, tax or accounting advice. Specific advice should be obtained based on the facts of each case.