KUALA LUMPUR - Authorities in Dong Nai Province have warned organisations and individuals against recruiting foreign workers who violate immigration and residency regulations.

The warning followed inspections that uncovered dozens of cases of foreigners residing or working illegally in the province, as reported by Vietnam News.

Police said intensified enforcement operations since January have detected 88 violations involving foreigners breaching entry, exit and residency rules.

Of the cases identified, 82 involved individuals residing and working illegally while six had overstayed their temporary residence permits.

One of the cases involved a foreign national who had entered the country illegally.

On February 19, the Immigration Management Division under the Dong Nai Department of Public Security conducted inspections in Bien Hoa after detecting signs of organised illegal residence.

Investigations found that several foreign nationals had been sponsored by two companies headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City to apply for temporary residence cards as investors.

Authorities said the individuals were not genuine investors but had completed the procedures through intermediaries in order to remain in Vietnam.

Officials are now compiling documentation to initiate legal proceedings in accordance with regulations.

Earlier inspections carried out on January 9 by the Immigration Management Division and the Immigration Department of Vietnam targeted company premises in the province.

The inspections at T.P Interior Co., Ltd. in Binh Minh Commune and D.B Production and Trading Co., Ltd. in Phuoc Tan Ward uncovered 50 foreign nationals residing and working illegally.

Follow-up inspections on January 12 found an additional 25 foreign nationals working illegally at businesses and household establishments in Binh Minh and An Vien communes as well as Phuoc Tan Ward.

Further checks on January 27 by authorities and police from Song May Industrial Park led to the discovery of seven foreigners living and working illegally in Ho Nai Ward and at a local construction site.

On February 6, officials detected six additional cases of foreigners overstaying their temporary residence permits.

One of the individuals had illegally entered Vietnam and was attempting to find work at the Becamex Binh Phuoc Industrial Park.

Authorities said organisations, individuals and foreigners found violating immigration rules would face action in accordance with the law.

Foreign nationals subject to administrative fines have been expelled from Vietnam and banned from re-entering the country for three years.

Officials said the number of violations has risen recently as some individuals exploit the country’s extended electronic visa policy.

Vietnam now allows e-visas to remain valid for up to 90 days, compared with the previous 30-day limit.

Authorities said many foreigners entered the country between late 2023 and 2024 before seeking illegal employment at businesses and household establishments in the province.

Others reportedly entered through border provinces illegally before travelling to Dong Nai in search of work.

Immigration authorities urged organisations and individuals to carefully verify passports, visas and work permits when hiring foreign workers.

They also called on the public to report suspected cases of illegal residence or employment to the nearest police agency.