As the demand for foreign experts, managers, executives, and technical workers continues to increase, it is becoming more common for multiple enterprises to engage the same foreign employee. Vietnamese law does not prohibit a foreign national from working for more than one employer. However, such case for foreigners to work for multiple employers in Vietnam is only lawful where the statutory conditions are fully satisfied and the required work permit procedures are completed in accordance with applicable regulations.

1. Applicable cases for foreigners to work for multiple employers in Vietnam

Foreigners may concurrently work for multiple enterprises in Vietnam in the following circumstances:

– Serving as an expert, manager, executive, or technical worker engaged by multiple enterprises;

– Holding management or executive positions simultaneously in several companies within the same corporate group or among affiliated enterprises;

– Providing professional services to multiple enterprises under labor contracts or other lawful working arrangements permitted by law.

Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 151 of the Labor Code 2019, foreign employees working in Vietnam must satisfy the conditions prescribed by Vietnamese law.

In particular, Clause 1, Article 20 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP provides that where a foreign employee holding a valid Work Permit wishes to work for another employer in the same job position and professional field, such employee must apply for a new Work Permit for the new employer. This provision constitutes the legal basis confirming that a foreign national may lawfully work for multiple employers, provided that all statutory requirements are met.

2. Statutory conditions for foreigners to work for multiple employers in Vietnam

To lawfully work for multiple employers in Vietnam, both the foreign employee and each employing enterprise must satisfy the following conditions:

– The foreign employee must meet the conditions prescribed under Article 151 of the Labor Code 2019, including having full legal capacity and civil act capacity, possessing professional qualifications, technical skills or practical experience appropriate to the intended position, and not being subject to criminal prosecution or serving a criminal sentence under Vietnamese law or the laws of a foreign country.

– Each employer must have a legitimate demand for employing foreign workers and complete the Work Permit application procedures in accordance with Chapter III of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP.

– Where the foreign employee already holds a valid Work Permit and intends to work for another employer in the same job position and professional field, the new employer must carry out the Work Permit application procedure prescribed in Clause 1, Article 20 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP. In this case, the application dossier may rely on certain documents from the existing Work Permit, including a copy of the valid Work Permit and a written confirmation issued by the employee’s current employer.

– The foreign employee must perform work strictly in accordance with the job title, position, employer, workplace, and validity period specified in the Work Permit.

– Where the foreign employee falls within a Work Permit exemption, he or she must satisfy one of the exemption cases prescribed under Article 7 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP and complete the procedure for obtaining a Confirmation of Work Permit Exemption in accordance with applicable regulations.

Accordingly, Vietnamese law does not require a foreign employee to work exclusively for a single employer. However, each employment relationship must comply with the prescribed legal procedures and obtain approval from the competent authority where required.

3. Legal procedures

a. Application for a Work Permit for a foreign employee working for multiple employers

Outcome: Work Permit

Note: Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 20 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, where a foreign employee already holds a valid Work Permit and intends to work for another employer in the same job position and professional field, the new Work Permit application must follow the specific procedure prescribed for such cases and include, among other documents, a copy of the existing valid Work Permit together with a written confirmation issued by the employee’s current employer.

b. Procedure 2: Confirmation of Work Permit Exemption (where applicable)

Outcome: Written Confirmation of Eligibility for Work Permit Exemption

Upon completion of the above procedures, the employer and the foreign employee shall continue to complete the relevant formalities, including the execution of a labor contract (where required), and the application for or amendment of the employee’s visa or Temporary Residence Card in accordance with the laws governing the entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreign nationals in Vietnam.

4. Penalties for Non-Compliance

The employment of a foreign national without a valid Work Permit or without obtaining confirmation of Work Permit exemption, where applicable, may be subject to administrative sanctions under Article 32 of Decree No. 12/2022/ND-CP.

Specifically:

– The employer may be subject to administrative fines, with the penalty depending on the number of foreign employees employed in violation of the law.

– A foreign employee working without complying with the applicable legal requirements may be subject to administrative penalties and may also be deported from Vietnam in accordance with law.

– In addition to administrative sanctions, the employer may encounter difficulties in carrying out future labor, investment, immigration, or residence procedures relating to foreign employees.

Accordingly, before arranging for a foreign national to work concurrently for multiple enterprises, both the employer and the foreign employee should carefully review the applicable legal requirements and ensure full compliance with the procedures for obtaining a Work Permit or Work Permit Exemption, as the case may be, in order to ensure lawful employment in Vietnam.

>> PROCEDURES FOR RE-ISSUANCE OF A WORK PERMIT UPON A CHANGE OF AN EMPLOYER’S NAME https://linconlaw.vn/procedures-for-re-issuance-of-a-work-permit-upon-a-change-of-an-employers-name/

>> PROCEDURES FOR IMPOSING THE DISCIPLINARY MEASURE OF DISMISSAL UNDER VIETNAMESE LABOR LAW https://linconlaw.vn/procedures-for-imposing-the-disciplinary-measure-of-dismissal-under-vietnamese-labor-law/