Menu
Expat.com

Work Permit Exceptions. I need help interpreting 'internal transfers'

Last activity 16 September 2019 by Good_Man

Post new topic

KiwiBrit

Hi all.

On many sites I read:

the following exceptions will allow for employees to enter the country without having first obtained a work permit:

9. Internally transferred within an enterprise which has a commercial presence in the committed service list of Vietnam with the World Trade Organization (WTO), including: business service, information service, …;


But despite searching, I can't find any help parsing that statement.

Let's start with the 'easy' bit:

Internally transferred within an enterprise


Does that include within group companies?  Let's say there are two companies
(1) Blue Widget Makers UK Ltd and (2) Blue Widget Makers VN Company Limited with similar shareholding, working together on building the "Blue Widget" product.

Where are the rules on whether this would be considered meeting the requirement?

Next up:

commercial presence


This might mean a commercial presence in Vietnam, or mean a commercial presence doing something included in one of the listed categories. Or both.  Any idea where to do to help understand this?

Finally:

the committed service list of Vietnam with the World Trade Organization (WTO)


I think is this: https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/FE_Se … List=64776

But it's not exactly easy reading….

I'd really appreciate any 'translation' by anyone who's a bit familiar with this exception!!

KiwiBrit

So I think I can partly answer my own questions now, perhaps correctly but probably not!

I am very curious about how a Visa is obtained if Exempt from requiring a Work Permit.  Is anyone here in that situation?

I would REALLY like some knowledgable feedback on the post above and content below.


1) Where a work permit is not compulsory, a notice must be submitted seven days in advance to the provincial MoLISA prior to working in Vietnam.

2) The business activity (and I’m not clear if it’s just the Vietnamese arm, or the entire Enterprise, that must conform) must be included in the list of 'commitments' as defined with CPC (Central Product Classification) codes listed in Vietnam's Market Access Commitments to the WTO — e.g. CPC-842 Software Implementation Services.

3) An employee specialist or manager, transferred internally within an enterprise to its Vietnam office, who has worked for the enterprise for more than a year, doesn't need a work permit with some conditions as below:

Managers, executives and specialists, as defined hereunder, of a foreign enterprise which has established a commercial presence in the territory of Viet Nam, temporarily moving as intra-corporate transferees to that commercial presence and who have been previously employed by the foreign enterprise for at least one year, shall be granted entry and a stay permit for an initial period of three years which may be extended subject to the term of operation of those entities in Viet Nam.

At least 20% of the total number of managers, executives and specialists shall be Vietnamese nationals. However, a minimum of 3 non-Vietnamese managers, executives and specialists shall be permitted per enterprise.

Specialists are natural persons working within an organization who possess knowledge at an advanced level of expertise and with knowledge of the organization's services, research equipment, techniques or management. In assessing such knowledge, account will be taken not only of knowledge specific to the commercial presence, but also of whether the person has a high level of skills or qualification referring to a type of work or trade requiring specific technical knowledge. Specialists may include, but are not limited to, members of licensed professions.


Sources:
https://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/v … ures.html/https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/FE_Se … List=64776https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/w45.doc

Good_Man

Hey KB,

Have you or your company consulted with an attorney? It seems a bit risky to ask for opinions about a legal matter that can cost you money and time if you don't have the correct advice.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Vietnam

  • Working in Vietnam
    Working in Vietnam

    Anyone thinking about working in Vietnam is in for a treat. Compared to many Western countries, Vietnam's ...

  • Setting up a business in Vietnam
    Setting up a business in Vietnam

    Foreign entrepreneurs from across the globe have been landing across Asia for decades. In August, Harvard ranked ...

  • Finding a job in Hanoi
    Finding a job in Hanoi

    With Vietnam's new visa regulations, you will need to secure a job before entering the country. Opportunities to ...

  • Working in Hanoi
    Working in Hanoi

    The traditional capital of Vietnam is quickly becoming a professional's paradise. Attracting over 20,000 ...

  • Internships in Vietnam
    Internships in Vietnam

    Interning can be a wonderful eye-opening way to experience a new country, culture, and work climate in your ...

  • Working in Vietnam as a digital nomad
    Working in Vietnam as a digital nomad

    Vietnam is emerging as a new popular destination for digital nomads and downshifters. As the prices in most Asian ...

  • The Vietnamese labor market
    The Vietnamese labor market

    Depending on your industry and patience, finding a job in Vietnam can be a challenge. Many companies and local ...

  • Working in Nha Trang
    Working in Nha Trang

    The city of Nha Trang, located in the province of Khanh Hoa, thrives on tourism. If you are looking for a job in ...

All of Vietnam's guide articles