What is the difference between LĐ1 and LĐ2?

LĐ1 is work with confirmation that you are outside the permit-required set. LĐ2 is work that requires a work permit. Both sit in the 2-year TRC band.

Can I stay forever on repeated LĐ cards?

One permit cycle is 24+24 months at law level, then a new issue. TRC for LĐ is capped at 2 years per card. Permanent residence usually needs a family sponsor path — not automatic from labour alone.

LĐ1 / LĐ2 — labour path

The path most “work in Vietnam” guides sell — and the one with the hardest loop: permit cycle, TRC band, and death of the permit when the job ends.

Symbols

LĐ1 — confirmation outside permit-required set · LĐ2 — permit required (Luật Nhập cảnh Điều 8 khoản 16 / 16a). Both are TRC-eligible. PV1 shares the same TRC term band.

TRC ≤ 2 years

2 years (Luật Nhập cảnh Điều 38 khoản 5). Card cannot outrun the labour paper underneath.

Permit cycle

24 months + one renewal 24 months = cycle ceiling 48 months. Then a fresh issue — not endless renewals. Full clocks: work permit.

Job loss

Permit dies on contract end (yes). Consequence of working without a permit: forced exit or deportation. TRC cancel timeline after permit revoke is not filed (N8).

Vs permanent residence

PR continuous-TRC clock is 3 years — shorter than one full 48-month labour cycle, but PR for labour alone still needs a qualifying Điều 39 path (often family). See TT path.

Common questions

What is the difference between LĐ1 and LĐ2?: LĐ1 is work with confirmation that you are outside the permit-required set. LĐ2 is work that requires a work permit. Both sit in the 2-year TRC band.
Can I stay forever on repeated LĐ cards?: One permit cycle is 24+24 months at law level, then a new issue. TRC for LĐ is capped at 2 years per card. Permanent residence usually needs a family sponsor path — not automatic from labour alone.