What health checkups are required for work permit applications, and how should they be prepared?

In recent years, there has been an increase in the acceptance of foreign workers, especially in the manufacturing and IT sectors in Vietnam. While securing specialized human resources is important for companies, ensuring the health and safety of workers is also essential. Against this backdrop, Decree 219/2025, which came into effect in August 2025, stipulates:Amend the regulations regarding work permits、Clarifying the requirements for health examinationsI did it.

In principle, the requirement to have a health examination certificate issued by an authorized medical institution within Vietnam remains unchanged; however, the new decree has added a new condition: only if there is an agreement on mutual recognition of health examination certificates between Vietnam and that country, can the results of health examinations received abroad be used.

What I want to point out here is:At present, there is no confirmation of such an agreement between Japan and the United States.That is to say, even if you undergo a health checkup in Japan, it is highly likely that it will not be accepted as it is. Even if there is an agreement, for a health checkup for applying for a work permit, a consultation with an internist, a surgeon, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, a dermatologist, a dentist, and a gynecologist is required, and since the standard values for the examination items differ between Japan and Vietnam, it will be difficult to find a facility that can provide the same content and standard values as in Vietnam. Moreover, the procedures such as translation, notarization, Ministry of Foreign Affairs certification, and approval by the Vietnamese Embassy will be very cumbersome. Even so, there is no denying the risk of being rejected in the end.

If the application is delayed, companies are forced to revise their hiring plans, and in some cases, they may have to undergo another health checkup, which can lead to a situation where time and costs are doubled. To avoid these risks, it is important to prepare the right way from the very beginning.

Late filing of work permit applications due to document deficiencies places a significant burden on both the company and the applicant.Considering time and cost, receiving medical care locally is a reliable and reassuring method, so the basic prerequisite for health check-ups is to receive them at an approved medical institution within Vietnam.It is wise to avoid unnecessary risks.

The requirements for health examinations required for work permit applications have been clarified in a new decree.

It is unclear whether a mutual recognition agreement on health examinations has been concluded between Japan and Vietnam.

The most reliable way to get a health checkup at an approved medical institution in Vietnam is to go there in person.

Japan Green Vietnam Clinic
Japan Green Vietnam Clinic

Shioishi Takako Medical Staff

He has been working at the health check-up department of Shanghai Green Clinic, a branch hospital of Japangreen Vietnam Clinic, for 12 years. In addition to proposing health check-up courses and items, he is also involved in a wide range of tasks related to health check-ups, such as reception, booking, and report checking.