Vietnam Talent Visa: 5-Year Tax Break

Vietnam’s efforts to attract skilled workers are ongoing, and it’s adding a little honey to the bait. The Ministry of Home Affairs has recently issued a Vietnam Talent Visa combined with a 5-year tax break. Vietnam is hoping the combination of the two will attract international experts, along with the exemption from work permits. This Vietnam talent visa proposal is included in a draft resolution which is open to public comments and shall be considered by the National Assembly. This is a big change in Vietnam’s foreign talent policy.

Quick Facts

Proposal: The Vietnam Talent Visa aims to attract foreign talent into the country.
Tax break: The five-year personal income tax exemption on salary and bonuses is also a tax break.
Wages: unofficial, 80% of the official rate per hour paid to companies that approve the worker’s ability to carry out the tasks.
Familiar: spouse and children under age 18 (under 21) are eligible for UD2 visa.
Employer perk: There can be a maximum of 200% deduction of salary costs as an employer perquisite.
Status: The status of this document is a draft, and the funding is about 0.1 % of GDP per annum.

What the Vietnam Talent Visa Would Offer

It applies to Vietnamese citizens, overseas Vietnamese and foreign nationals. The visa would be issued to qualifying foreigners who would then apply for temporary residence cards, extensions and changes of purpose for residence under the following conditions. Keep an eye out for the final Vietnam talent visa requirements. In the event of approval, it will change Vietnam visa regulations for skilled workers and create a new Vietnam skilled worker visa path.

The 5-Year Income Tax Exemption

Talented individuals and associates would not be liable for personal income tax on their salaries and bonuses for 5 years after they are earned. This is the most prominent of Vietnam’s tax incentives for foreign experts, and a tax exemption for foreign experts who meet the requirements.

Employers benefit too. Companies that hire for strategic roles would be able to claim an additional 100 per cent of actual salaries and bonuses, bringing the total to 200 per cent. Vietnam expatriates may be interested in Vietnam tax incentives for such foreign investment.

Work Permit Exemption and Job Freedom

This Vietnam work permit exemption is not just about paperwork; holders would be able to work for several agencies, organisations, and businesses without having to obtain a new work permit for each, and they wouldn’t have to have their visa renewed if they transferred between employers.

That will be one of the largest Vietnam work permit changes in years for those working in Vietnam as a foreign professional. The current Vietnam work permit and Vietnam work visa rules would not be as significant to those who qualify, and a more streamlined Vietnam employment visa process could lead to fewer employment gaps in Vietnam.

Family Support

Spouses and children under 18 would be eligible for UD2 visas and similarly for temporary residence cards to ease residence, education and daily life. The Vietnam visa for professionals makes it easier to keep the families together for the professionals that are moving to Vietnam.

Safeguards and Funding

The draft suggests that a talented person or a person who chooses to hire one will not be liable if they adhere to procedures, don’t seek personal gain and are subject to objective risks.

The funds will be provided through an annual allocation of approximately 0.1 per cent of GDP, and the local People’s Councils could spend more. Such support is a sign of a serious Vietnam talent attraction policy and Vietnam’s international talent recruitment drive.

What Workers Should Do Now

At this stage, there is no change to it as it is still a draft. Be sure to keep an eye on Vietnam visa updates for 2026, as well as Vietnam immigration policy 2026 discussions, and before applying, please take care to read any new Vietnam foreign worker regulations. The credentials and contracts for high-skilled foreign workers and foreign experts in Vietnam should be prepared.