Job Discussion Forums

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Can anyone point me towards a resource that comments on to what extent employers are supposed to pay for/reimburse expenses for getting a WP?

londo · Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Posts: 107 Location: District 7

There's no 'supposed to'. Most employers will foot the bill, but there are no rules or regulations that say they have to. It must be said that most WP processes (standard with all the correct paperwork) are approaching $1,000 a head now and employers are not as willing to foot the bill 100% as before. Come to an agreement, negotiate. Without them you can do very little, they have to initiate the process once you have all the documents ready. Why does it cost $1,000? - feeding frenzy I'm afraid and it's no good saying the std fees are x, that's what it costs.

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

That's what I thought may be the case. People say one thing and then I hear another. I wanted to be sure. Thanks.

jb0072009 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: Saigon

londo · Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Posts: 107 Location: District 7

No employer does the work themselves unless they have very large HR depts. We all use agencies, or more often these days, lawyers with experience in labour laws. Things are in such a state of flux that the cost has risen by the week. The price goes from $500 minimum to close to $1,000 with an average of $600-$800. Ask any agency and they will tell you the same thing. Check out expat.vn and you'll see their fees start from $500. A lawyer costs more but generally has better connections and more 'clout' so can get things done in 3-4 weeks, some agencies at the moment can make you wait upto 2 months, that's when you get the suggestion of paying 'extra' fees, as it gets close to visa renewal....swings and roundabouts.

londo · Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Posts: 107 Location: District 7

Sorry, another point to add; we won't know until July when we might see the first 'test cases', whether the new sanctions/fines on companies illegally employing foreigners are cumulative or case by case, i.e. one fine for all the foreigners employed without WP, in this case there is still little incentive for some unscrupulous employers to pay the high fees and get their people WPs. If, however, they get fined for each, individual worker , well, they will running around like headless chickens getting everyone their WPs. This is why they are only getting some Wps (to show willing to the powers that be) and are prevaricating for the rest. July is going to be interesting.

Riding One · Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Posts: 63