Visa guide · Asia

Work Permit and Visa for Teaching English in Vietnam

Vietnam's combination of Work Permit plus Temporary Residence Card. Bachelor's + TEFL + health check.

Vietnam requires two documents for legal teaching: a Work Permit (giấy phép lao động) and a Temporary Residence Card (TRC). The employer handles both. Most teachers enter on a tourist visa, get a job, and convert in-country. The process is faster and friendlier than Korea or China.

What you need

  • 1Bachelor's degree (any field) from an accredited university
  • 2120-hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate
  • 3Criminal background check from your home country, no older than 6 months
  • 4Health check passed in Vietnam (at an authorized clinic)
  • 5Passport valid for at least 1 year beyond contract end
  • 6Native-English speaker preference; non-natives with strong credentials are increasingly hired

The process

  1. Step 1

    1. Enter on a tourist visa

    Apply for an e-visa or visa-on-arrival. Many teachers arrive, interview, and accept a job within their tourist stay.

  2. Step 2

    2. Employer applies for Work Permit

    Your employer submits paperwork to the Department of Labor. Process typically takes 4-6 weeks.

  3. Step 3

    3. Health check

    Authorized clinic in Vietnam runs a basic exam. Costs around 1.5M VND (60 USD).

  4. Step 4

    4. Apply for TRC

    Once Work Permit is issued, your employer arranges the Temporary Residence Card. Valid 1-2 years matched to your contract.

Common questions

Can I teach in Vietnam without a degree?

Some smaller language centers hire without degrees, but this is technically not legal. Without a degree, you can't get a Work Permit, so you'd be working unofficially. Risky for both sides.

Hanoi vs HCMC for hiring?

Ho Chi Minh City has more jobs and slightly higher pay. Hanoi has a tighter expat community, four seasons, and lower cost of living. Both have a large legal teaching market.

Are non-native English speakers really hireable here?

Yes — Vietnam is more open than most Asian markets. Many centers will hire C2-fluent non-natives with a CELTA. International schools still strongly prefer natives.

Country guide

Teach English in Vietnam

Booming demand, low cost of living, and flexible hours.

See the full Vietnam guide →

Other visa guides

E-2 Visa (South Korea)

Korea's standard work visa for native-English ESL teachers. Bachelor's, criminal check, sealed transcripts.

Z Visa (China)

China's work visa for foreign teachers. Two years' work experience, TEFL, and a notarized background check required.

Instructor Visa (Japan)

Japan's visa for K-12 ALT and public school teaching roles. Bachelor's required, native-English speaker preference.

Auxiliares de Conversación (Spain)

Spain's government language assistant program. Stipend plus a student visa for non-EU citizens.

Non-Immigrant B Visa (Thailand)

Thailand's work visa for foreign teachers. Bachelor's + TEFL + Thai teacher license (waiverable for first 2 years).

Work Visa (UAE)

Tax-free employment visa for licensed K-12 teachers in the UAE. Strict credential requirements but high pay.