(VIETNAM) — Vietnam reverted foreign work permit processing to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) effective June 20, 2026. The change ends ward-level intake of new applications and redirects all initial filings to the departmental level.

Ward offices will no longer accept or process new Work Permit applications. New submissions must go directly to DOHA, consolidating intake authority at the provincial department level.

A separate update dated June 3, 2026 addressed the status of applications already in the system. Submissions previously filed with DOHA, including work permits, may still be processed using the personal VNeID system.

The VNeID digital filing framework remains available for existing applications. This indicates the June 20 shift represents a transfer of intake and handling responsibilities back to DOHA, not a dismantling of the digital filing infrastructure.

Foreign workers and employers with pending applications can continue using VNeID without disruption. Digital submissions already in the pipeline will proceed under the existing framework, provided the original filing was made through DOHA.

The reversion removes ward offices from the initial application workflow entirely. These local offices had functioned as access points for work permit submissions at the neighborhood or district level.

Under the revised procedure, that channel is closed. Employers who previously relied on ward-level filing must now identify the correct DOHA office for their jurisdiction.

Implementation details are expected to vary across provinces and cities. Vietnam’s administrative system delegates certain procedural decisions to local authorities, meaning the exact filing workflow may differ by jurisdiction.

Employers and foreign workers must confirm local procedures with their respective DOHA office. Transitional filing instructions for applications caught between the ward-level and departmental-level systems have not been uniformly announced across all localities.

Provincial DOHA offices are expected to issue their own guidance on the mechanics of the transition. Until such guidance is published, employers face uncertainty about submission format, required documentation, and processing timelines.

Companies operating in multiple provinces may encounter inconsistent application of the new rules during the initial implementation period. Each jurisdiction maintains its own operational procedures, and the pace of adjustment will vary.

The June 3 guidance on VNeID compatibility offers continuity for those already in the process. Whether new applications filed after June 20 can also use the digital channel has not been clarified. Employers should seek confirmation from their DOHA office before initiating new digital filings.

The change applies to new Work Permit applications filed on or after the effective date. Procedures for renewals, amendments, and other modifications to existing permits will depend on guidance issued by each provincial DOHA office.

Foreign workers whose permits are approaching expiration should verify whether their renewal filings fall under the new DOHA-direct requirement. Adjudication timelines for new applications under the revised system have not been published separately.

DOHA now stands as the sole intake authority for new foreign work permit applications in Vietnam. Ward offices, previously part of the filing infrastructure, are no longer a submission option.

New applications face a narrower filing path. DOHA is the only submission channel, and local implementation will determine how smoothly the transition proceeds.

Employers sponsoring foreign nationals should review internal filing procedures to ensure compliance with the revised intake requirements. Confirming the exact province-level workflow and any transitional instructions with the relevant DOHA office remains the immediate next step for those preparing new submissions.