This article was professionally consulted by Nguyen Thi Nhat, MD, an Infectious Disease Specialist at the Department of General & Internal Medicine, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
A medical check-up is a mandatory requirement for foreign nationals working in Vietnam or Vietnamese citizens going abroad for work, study, or immigration. So, what does a medical check-up for a work permit application include?
1. Required examinations for a work permit medical check-up
According to Circular 14/2013/TT-BYT issued by the Ministry of Health, which provides guidelines for health check-ups, medical examinations involving foreign elements such as medical check-ups for obtaining a work permit for foreigners in Vietnam or for Vietnamese citizens undergoing health examinations for work permits, study, or immigration abroad, in addition to the general health check-up requirements as regulated, also include...
- Physical examination: Measuring height, weight, BMI calculation, pulse rate, blood pressure, etc.
- Clinical Examination: Includes a general internal medicine check-up (cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, musculoskeletal, neurological, and psychiatric assessment), surgical examination, gynecological examination (for females), ophthalmology, ear-nose-throat (ENT) examination, dental and maxillofacial check-up, and dermatology assessment.
- Paraclinical tests: Blood tests, biochemical tests, urinalysis, X-ray imaging, etc.
The health examination must also include additional paraclinical tests, including:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Biochemical tests: Urea, creatinine, GOT, GPT, glucose
- Malaria parasite screening
- Syphilis serology test
- HIV test
- HBsAg test (Hepatitis B screening)
- Chest X-ray
- Abdominal ultrasound
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
The health check-up process for obtaining a work permit involving foreign elements includes:
- The applicant submits their health examination documents at a medical facility.
- Upon receiving the documents, medical staff will verify the photo in the health examination file against the person undergoing the check-up. After verification, the medical staff will stamp the photo attached to the file.
- Verification of the identity card or passport of the guardian of the examinee (in cases where the examinee has limited legal capacity).
- Medical staff provide guidance on the health check-up process to the examinee and their guardian.
- The medical facility conducts a general health examination following the procedures issued by the Ministry of Health.
2. Important notes for work permit health check-ups
- According to regulations, for health examinations required for work permits, whether for foreigners in Vietnam or for Vietnamese citizens applying for work permits abroad, the clinical examination and health assessment must be conducted by a doctor with at least a Level I or Level II Specialty degree, a Master's degree in Medicine, or higher. The doctor must also hold a valid medical practice license appropriate to the specialty they are responsible for. If the doctor and the examinee do not share a common language, an interpreter is required. The interpreter must possess a certified qualification in medical interpretation as stipulated by the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment.
- Medical facilities authorized to conduct work permit health examinations must meet all requirements regarding personnel, infrastructure, and equipment, and must be licensed by the relevant regulatory authority.
- A medical certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. For health certificates used to apply for work permits abroad, the validity period is determined by the regulations of the destination country where the Vietnamese worker will be employed.
A health check-up for obtaining a work permit is a mandatory requirement for foreigners working or studying in Vietnam, as well as for Vietnamese citizens applying for work, immigration, or study abroad. Beyond being a legal obligation, a general health examination plays a crucial role in assessing an individual’s health status. This helps workers choose jobs that align with their physical condition, while companies and businesses can assign tasks appropriately based on employees’ health, ensuring optimal productivity.
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