PROCEDURES FOR EXTENDING A WORK PERMIT UNDER CURRENT REGULATIONS

Employers and foreign workers must apply for work permit renewal when the permit has 05–45 days remaining, with a maximum renewal period of 24 months. The dossier must include the documents prescribed under Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP and be submitted on time to ensure the foreign worker can continue working legally in Vietnam.

When Should the Work Permit Renewal Procedure Be Carried Out?

Pursuant to Article 28 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, when a work permit has 05–45 days of validity remaining, the foreign worker and employer must prepare the required dossier and carry out the work permit renewal procedure. Completing the procedure within this period ensures that the foreign worker can continue working legally in Vietnam without interruption due to the expiration of the work permit.

If the renewal procedure is not carried out within the prescribed period and the work permit expires, the foreign worker may be required to apply for a new work permit if they wish to continue working in Vietnam. In such cases, the employer and foreign worker may have to prepare a new dossier and complete the procedures applicable to the issuance of a new work permit, resulting in additional time and costs.

Validity Period of a Renewed Work Permit

Under applicable regulations, a renewed work permit may be valid for a maximum period of 02 years, equivalent to 24 months.

Therefore, when preparing the dossier, the employer should determine the expected period during which the foreign worker will continue working in Vietnam and request an appropriate renewal period. The employer should also check the validity of the passport, employment contract, and other relevant documents to ensure consistency between the requested renewal period and the worker’s supporting documents.

Dossier for Work Permit Renewal for Foreign Workers in Vietnam

To carry out the work permit renewal procedure, the employer must prepare all required documents in accordance with regulations. The dossier must ensure accurate and consistent information regarding the foreign worker, employer, and job position. Documents issued by foreign authorities must also undergo consular legalization, certification, or translation as required by law.

Article 27 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP stipulates that the dossier for work permit renewal includes:

– A document submitted by the employer explaining the need to employ foreign workers and requesting work permit renewal, using Form No. 03 of the Appendix attached to the Decree.

– A health certificate issued by a qualified medical examination and treatment facility, except where the health examination results have been connected and shared through the information system for management of medical examination and treatment activities or the national medical database.

A health certificate issued by a competent foreign medical authority may be used where Vietnam and the country or territory issuing the health certificate have a treaty or mutual recognition agreement, provided that the certificate remains valid for no more than 12 months from its date of issuance.

– 02 color photos (4 cm x 6 cm, white background, facing straight ahead, head uncovered, and without glasses).

– The valid work permit previously issued.

– A valid passport.

– Documents proving the foreign worker’s form of employment, except where the foreign worker works under an employment contract.

Time and Place for Submitting the Work Permit Renewal Dossier

The employer is responsible for preparing and submitting the work permit renewal dossier to the competent authority at the prescribed location and through the prescribed method. The employer should accurately identify the receiving authority based on the location where the foreign worker is expected to work and check the applicable submission method in the relevant locality to ensure that the dossier is submitted to the proper authority.

Upon receiving a complete and valid dossier, the competent authority will review and process the work permit renewal application within the statutory time limit. If all prescribed conditions are satisfied, the competent authority will issue the renewed work permit for the permitted period. If the conditions are not satisfied, the competent authority must provide a written response specifying the reasons so that the employer and foreign worker can take further action as required.

The employer should proactively prepare the dossier in advance and carefully check the validity period of the existing work permit before submission. This allows sufficient time to supplement or complete the documents if necessary and minimizes the risk of the work permit expiring before the renewal procedure is completed, which could affect the foreign worker’s ability to continue working legally in Vietnam.