VCI Legal – January 9, 2026

The Government of Vietnam has just issued Decree No. 327/2025/ND-CP, regulating entry, exit and residence policies for foreigners working at the International Financial Center in Vietnam. This Decree establishes a separate, flexible and preferential legal mechanism to attract strategic investors, experts, managers and high-quality human resources to participate in long-term operations at the International Financial Center.

Scope of application and subjects of regulation

Decree 327/2025/ND-CP applies to foreigners working at the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City, including important investors, experts, scientists, senior managers, highly qualified workers and accompanying family members. In addition, the Decree also adjusts the responsibilities of relevant state agencies, organizations and individuals in implementing this specific entry and residence policy.

Legally, this is a specialized regulation, promulgated on the basis of the Law on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam and the National Assembly’s Resolution on the construction of an International Financial Center, thereby creating a separate legal corridor for the group of strategic objects that Vietnam aims to attract.

Priority visa and residency mechanism

One of the highlights of the Decree is the establishment of a priority visa and temporary residence card regime for foreigners working at the International Financial Center. Accordingly, eligible subjects are granted visas and temporary residence cards with a long term (up to 10 years), applicable to both employees and accompanying family members. The time limit for processing dossiers is shortened, with a fast processing process, contributing to significantly reducing the burden of administrative procedures compared to the general mechanism being applied.

The determination of beneficiaries of priority policies is assigned to the Executive Agency of the International Financial Center to develop specific criteria, ensuring that they are suitable for the needs of attracting high-quality human resources and international practices, and at the same time maintaining flexibility in management.

Expanding the pathway for permanent residence consideration

In addition to the temporary residence mechanism, Decree 327/2025/ND-CP also opens up a clear legal roadmap for foreigners to be considered for permanent residence in Vietnam. Accordingly, investors, experts, managers or persons with special talents who have worked continuously for full 03 years or more at the International Financial Center, and are requested by the competent authority, may be considered for permanent residence.

This regulation has important implications for professionals and investors who plan to stick with Vietnam for the long term, helping them stabilize their lives, jobs and families, and increasing the level of long-term commitment to projects at the Center.

From the perspective of law and investment policy, Decree 327/2025/ND-CP is not only a document on immigration management, but also an institutional tool to compete in attracting international human resources and capital. When combined with Decree 326/2025/ND-CP on land and environment, Decree 327 completes an important pillar of the legal ecosystem for the International Financial Center: the freedom of movement of people in parallel with land and investment stability.

The creation of a long-term and predictable entry and residency mechanism helps reduce legal risks for businesses, enhancing Vietnam’s attractiveness to financial institutions, multinational corporations and international experts. Thereby, the Decree demonstrates the strong commitment of the Government of Vietnam in building an International Financial Center that is regionally competitive and close to international practice.

About VCI Legal:

VCI Legal is an award-winning business law firm in Vietnam with a wide range of legal and corporate services, among other things, corporate, banking & finance, tax, labor & HR, real estate and dispute resolution with special focus on international investment disputes, We also offer our specialized type of service called “In-House Counsel Service” with the aim of assisting our clients in dealing with all types of internal and external issues arising from their day-to-day operations and business activities. With our offices in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, we have a tremendous depth of experience in providing well-reasoned and comprehensive legal advice to not only multinationals and Fortune 500 companies, but also small and medium enterprises.

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