Jobs in Vietnam With Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners 2026
For 2026, the landscape for foreign workers in Vietnam is shifting positively due to Decree 219, a new regulation effective from late 2025 that streamlines the work permit process.
The term “visa sponsorship” in Vietnam specifically refers to a company obtaining a Work Permit (WP) and a subsequent Temporary Residence Card (TRC) for you. Unlike some countries where you just need a visa, in Vietnam, the Work Permit is the core document you need to legally hold a job.
1. Top Industries Hiring Foreigners in 2026
Sponsorship is most common in sectors where Vietnam faces a skills shortage.
- English Teaching (TEFL/ESL):
- Demand: Extremely high.
- Roles: English centers (VUS, ILA, Apollo), public schools, and private/international schools.
- 2026 Outlook: International schools are increasingly competitive but offer the best packages (flights, housing, full family sponsorship). Centers remain the easiest entry point.
- IT & Tech:
- Demand: Growing rapidly as Vietnam positions itself as a tech hub.
- Roles: Software Engineers, Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, and Solution Architects.
- 2026 Outlook: Companies like FPT Software, Grab, and international outsourcing firms are actively recruiting experts with 1-2+ years of experience.
- Manufacturing & Engineering:
- Demand: High, driven by FDI from companies like Samsung, LG, and Foxconn.
- Roles: Process Engineers, Quality Assurance Managers, Supply Chain Directors.
- Location: Industrial zones near Ho Chi Minh City (Binh Duong, Dong Nai) and Hanoi (Bac Ninh, Hai Phong).
- Executive & Management:
- Demand: Steady.
- Roles: C-level executives, Hotel General Managers, and specialized consultants.
2. Critical Regulation Changes (Decree 219)
This is the most important update for your 2026 job hunt. The government has relaxed the requirements for foreign “experts”:
- Previous Rule: You needed a bachelor’s degree + 3 years of experience.1
- New 2025/2026 Rule: You now typically need a bachelor’s degree + 1 to 2 years of experience (depending on the specific industry/role).1
- Impact: This makes it significantly easier for junior-to-mid-level professionals to get legally sponsored.
3. The “Sponsorship” Package: What to Expect
When a job ad says “Visa Sponsorship,” it typically includes:
- Work Permit (WP): The company processes this with the Department of Labor. Valid for up to 2 years (renewable once).
- Temporary Residence Card (TRC): Once you have the WP, you get a TRC. This acts as your long-term visa (valid for 2 years) and replaces the need for visa runs.
- Costs: Reputable employers cover the WP and TRC fees (~$200-$300 USD). Note: You often pay for your own document legalization, health check, and notarization (~$100-$200).
4. How to Find Sponsored Jobs
Do not rely on general global job boards. Use these Vietnam-specific resources:
- VietnamWorks: The largest general job board. Look for “Expat” or “Foreigner” tags.
- ITviec: The #1 site specifically for Tech/IT jobs. “Visa Sponsorship” is a specific filter here.
- Facebook Groups: Highly active in Vietnam. Join “Expats in Ho Chi Minh City” or “Hanoi Massive” to see job postings, but beware of scams. Legitimate employers will never ask for “application fees.”
- LinkedIn: Essential for corporate/executive roles. Recruiters from agencies like Robert Walters, Michael Page, and Manpower are very active here.
- Teaching Specific: Check Dave’s ESL Cafe or Tesall for teaching gigs.
5. Visa Types for 2026
- Work Visa (LD1/LD2): This is what you get with a job offer.
- Investor Visa (DT1-DT4): If you have capital to start a business (min. ~$120k USD for a 1-year visa, significantly more for longer terms), you can sponsor your own visa.
- “Digital Nomad” Visa:Does not officially exist.2
- Reality Check: Many remote workers still use 90-day E-visas (tourist) and do “visa runs” every 3 months. While common, this is technically illegal for working and offers no long-term security.
- Golden Visa (Proposed): There is ongoing discussion of a 10-year residency for high-net-worth investors, but for regular employment, the Work Permit remains the standard.
6. Checklist for Your Application
To get sponsored in 2026, start preparing these documents before you leave your home country:
- University Degree: Must be the original.
- Criminal Record Check: Issued within the last 6 months from your home country.
- Authentication/Legalization: Both your degree and criminal record must be “legalized” by the Vietnamese embassy in your home country. This is the hardest step—do it before you fly.
- Health Check: Must be done at a specific licensed hospital in Vietnam (easy to do upon arrival).
Summary of 2026 Strategy
- If you are a Teacher: Get your TEFL + Degree legalized now. Apply to big centers (VUS/ILA) for the safest sponsorship route.
- If you are in Tech/Corporate: Update your LinkedIn, set your location to “Vietnam” (or “Open to relocate”), and connect with recruiters at Robert Walters or Michael Page Vietnam.
- If you are a Digital Nomad: Be aware that you will likely be on a Tourist E-visa unless you set up your own LLC (requires capital) or get hired by a local entity.
2026 Requirements for Visa Sponsorship
To legally work in Vietnam, your employer must sponsor a Work Permit (WP), which then allows you to get a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) valid for up to 2-3 years.
A. The “Expert” Category (Most Common)
Under the new 2025/2026 rules, the barriers to entry have been lowered:
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree or higher (must be legalized).
- Experience:
- General Roles: 2 years of relevant work experience (down from 3 years).
- Priority Sectors (IT, AI, High-Tech): Only 1 year of relevant experience is now required in many cases.
- Documents:
- Certified copy of University Degree.
- Criminal Record Check (issued within the last 6 months from your home country OR Vietnam if residing there).
- Health Check (from a licensed hospital in Vietnam).
B. English Teachers
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree in any subject.
- Certification: TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate (120+ hours).
- Experience: Often waived for entry-level centers, but international schools require a PGCE/Teaching License + 2 years of experience.
Salary Expectations for Foreigners (2026)
Salaries vary wildly by industry. Below are the estimated monthly gross ranges for 2026.
| Role / Industry | Monthly Salary (Gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English Teacher (Center) | 35M – 50M VND ($1,400 – $2,000) | Entry-level. Hourly pay is common. |
| Int’l School Teacher | 70M – 120M VND ($2,800 – $4,800) | Includes housing allowance + flight home. |
| Software Engineer (Mid) | 40M – 70M VND ($1,600 – $2,800) | High demand for Full-stack & AI skills. |
| Tech Lead / PM | 80M – 150M VND ($3,200 – $6,000) | Companies like Grab, VinGroup, outsourcing. |
| Manufacturing Manager | 60M – 120M VND ($2,400 – $4,800) | Factories in Binh Duong, Bac Ninh. |
| Executive / Director | 150M – 300M+ VND ($6,000 – $12k+) | MNC Country Managers, C-Level. |
Important Tax Note for 2026: Personal Income Tax (PIT) is progressive, maxing out at 35% for income over 100M VND. However, new deductions apply in 2026:
- Personal Deduction: 15.5 million VND/month (income up to this amount is tax-free).
- Dependent Deduction: 6.2 million VND/month per person (spouse/child).
How To Apply
Apply Now
Conclusion
In 2026, Vietnam is pivoting from “cheap labor” to “skilled talent.” The government has actively made it easier for foreign experts and high-tech workers to get sponsored by reducing experience requirements to 1-2 years.
- For Teachers: The market is stable. Large centers (VUS, ILA, Apollo) are the safest route for guaranteed visa sponsorship.
- For Corporate/Tech: Do not rely on random job boards. Use LinkedIn and connect with headhunters at agencies like Robert Walters, Michael Page, or Adecco Vietnam.
- For Digital Nomads: There is no specific Digital Nomad Visa yet. Most nomads use the 90-day E-visa (tourist) and do “visa runs,” though this technically does not allow legal employment with a Vietnamese entity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I bring my wife and children? A: Yes. If you have a Work Permit and TRC, you can sponsor your spouse and children (under 18) for a TT Visa (Dependent Visa) or a Dependent TRC. They can live in Vietnam but cannot work on this visa.
Q: Do I need to authenticate my documents before coming? A: YES. This is the #1 mistake. Your University Degree and Criminal Record Check must be “Consular Legalized” by the Vietnamese Embassy in your home country before you fly. Doing this inside Vietnam is expensive and difficult.
Q: Who pays for the Work Permit? A: Legitimate employers will always pay the government fees for the Work Permit and TRC (approx. $200-$300). You are usually responsible for the costs of notarizing your own degrees and the health check (~$150 total).
Q: Is the 3-month tourist visa suitable for finding a job? A: Yes. The 90-day E-visa gives you enough time to enter Vietnam, interview in person, and sign a contract. Once hired, you may have to leave the country (visa run) to re-enter on the correct business visa, though some companies can process this in-country depending on your specific nationality and background.
Q: Where can I find legitimate jobs? A:
