Having a family member visa can I work as a freelancer?

Hello, everyone!

Sorry for the 100500 times of the same question about working as a freelancer. But I couldn't find my case here.

I know that if someone has a family member visa can open a bank account lasted in Vietnam until the expiration date of the TRC of their other half.

Having a family member visa, can I work as a freelancer for an outside company and get a salary in the local bank account without setting a one-person company?

Warmest regards, Erzhena

- @Erzhena

@colinoscapee thanks for answering OP. Was that over a TT/dependent visa?

My wife is getting an opportunity in the hotel industry and we've been thinking about doing a couple years of abroad experience for a while now.

I have 10 years of large tech consulting experience, and another 3 years of AI / machine learning start-up experience. I'm thinking it might be easier (and potentially more financially rewarding) to find a remote work opportunity.. but I'm thinking it could be a tax nightmare!

Seems you made it ok! Did you have to set-up as entrepreneur in VN or nothing of sorts ?

@Erzhena, hello, unfurtunally you dont mention if your TT Visa was sponsored buy your husband or by any other member of your family, Only as a wife you will be allowed to work in any legal company in this country. If your job is unformal or registered abroad it doesnt motter what visa you've got

Greetings.

I was recently informed by a public university that with a VN spouse visa and a TRC  I don't need a work permit. The hiring university will get a waiver letter from the labor dept.

1) Does this mean that I am subject to taxing and other rules such having a driving license, opening a full access bank account as a local?

At present I have a bank account to which I  can make deposits and do OTC/ATM withdrawals but can't do online transactions such as purchases and intl transmission.

2) Can I work as part time at another university at the same time?

3) Is there any expiry date for no work permit working arrangement?

Thank you in advance.

Dartanz

@Dartanz hello. Your employer still will need to justify how many foreigners his/her company its allowed to hire, and inform DoLISA how long you will be hired (actually the procedure is the same, except you are not obligated to justify your special skills/education)

Your employer(s) will send a letter + some other docs to your bank in order to justify they are granted to deposit your salary in Vietnam Dongs. After 6 months of regular movements of your bank account, you can go personally to any branch and fill out your request for web and mobile app.

Every time you go to the bank office, always you will need to show your original contract + original passport + original TRC (if you already have one) . And you are obligated to update your info if you renew any of your documents, showing the old and new one.

You are not obligated to obtain a driver license, except if you will work as a delivery guy

All your employers are obligated to deduct your Social Security Insurance and PIT (taxes for your incomes)

You can work for as many companies you want but VERY VERY IMPORTANT: on March you must declare your incomes and taxes.  Your employer will do it for you ONLY IF YOUR INCOMES FROM JANUARY TO DECEMBER WERE EXCLUSIVELY FROM THAT EMPLOYER.  In the contrary you will do it by yourself.

To your question #3, let's forget the document "Work Permit" because is very imprecise to your real question : Legally/lawfully foreigners MUST be granted by DoLISA prior to put one foot to work in a company as an employee or as a specialist on call for business.

Ajairon,

Thank you very much for a clear explanation about the procedures.

My employer will handle most of them.

You said I don't need a driving license for driving car or riding a  motorbike. Do people here drive without a license?

Thank you once again.

Best.

Dartanz

    Ajairon,...You said I don't need a driving license for driving car or riding a  motorbike. Do people here drive without a license? -@Dartanz

Yes, many(!) people do drive here, illegally, without a license. It is endemic.

Member ajairon was correct when they stated...

You are not obligated to obtain a driver license, except if you will work as a delivery guy    -@ajairon

However, if your intent while in VN is to ride a scooter/motorcycle and/or drive a car legally, then you absolutely must hold a valid driver's license or a permit (IDP or a VN license link). That said, you are not, of course, obligated to ride or drive either a bike nor a car. You had asked...

1) Does this mean that I am subject to taxing (yes, you are subject to taxing) and other rules such having a driving license (no, you are not subject to having a driver's license), opening a full access bank account as a local? (yes, I believe in order for a VN employer to direct deposit your pay or for you to cash your employer's paycheque to you)

Hope this helps.

(I am not employed in VN, so I am open to correction regarding my "bank account" comment)

@Aidan in HCMC

Thank you

You said I don't need a driving license for driving car or riding a  motorbike. Do people here drive without a license? -@Dartanz

Ok, let's try again this point because I had a little misunderstanding. I supposed you asked for being obligated to have a driver license just because you are working in Vietnam

If you already have your own driver license issued by your original country:  bring it to here!!!   You're not granted to drive with that one, but you can do a kind of vietnamese conversion if you will be in Vietnam over 6 Months. Foreigners can only go to the Transportation Dptm in #252, Lý Chính Thắng, Phuong 9, District 3, in HCMC.... or Da Nang or Hanoi (I don't know the exactly addresses in those 2 cities)  for around USD $30 by yourself.

The converted license will expire at the same time as your Visa or TRC or Passport or your original license (what expires first). If your own license includes Type A for motorbikes, that will be converted into A1 for motors up to 170cc.