Work permit renewal in vietnam for foreign employees 2026 is a procedure that allows foreign workers to continue working legally in Vietnam when their work permit is about to expire. Renewal applications must be submitted 5-45 days in advance, and the permit can only be renewed once for a maximum of two years.
To have a work permit for a foreigner in Vietnam renewed, both the worker and the employer must meet all the conditions stipulated by current labor laws. Specifically, foreign workers who have already been granted a work permit may be considered for renewal if they meet the following conditions:
If the above conditions are not fully met, the enterprise may have to go through the procedure of applying for a new work permit instead of renewing the work permit for the foreign worker. Therefore, reviewing the conditions and preparing the documents correctly is a crucial step to ensure the renewal process runs smoothly and on time.
When renewing work permits for foreigners in Vietnam, enterprises need to prepare all required documents to avoid requests for additional information or delays in processing. According to current regulations, the work permit renewal application includes the following important documents:
| No. | Dossier component | Requirements / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application form for work permit renewal | Prepared by the employer according to regulatory forms, enclosed with an explanation of the demand for foreign labor. |
| 2 | Valid health certificate |
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| 3 | 02 color photos (4×6 cm) |
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| 4 | Issued work permit | The original copy or a certified copy of the currently valid work permit. |
| 5 | Foreign worker’s passport | Valid passport in accordance with legal regulations. |
| 6 | Supporting documents proving the form of employment in Vietnam | Depending on each specific case, it may include:
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Proper and complete preparation of work permit renewal dossiers will help enterprises save processing time, minimize legal risks, and ensure that foreign workers can continue to work legally in Vietnam.
Below is the latest work permit renewal process that enterprises need to be aware of:
At least 10 days but no more than 45 days before the work permit expires, the employer must prepare and submit the application.
The dossiers can be submitted in the following ways:
After receiving the application, the Public Administrative Service Center will transfer the application through the one-stop mechanism or the National Public Service Portal to the competent authority for processing the work permit renewal.
Within 10 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid application, the competent authority will consider:
In case of refusal to renew the work permit or disapproval of the need to employ foreign workers, the state agency will respond in writing stating the reasons.
For cases involving employment under labor contracts, after the work permit is renewed, the enterprise and the foreign worker must sign a written labor contract before resuming work.
When requested by the management agency, the employer must send a copy of the signed labor contract to the agency that renewed the work permit.
Following the correct work permit renewal procedure will help enterprises minimize legal risks and ensure that foreign workers continue to reside and work legally in Vietnam.
The employer is responsible for:
After successfully renewing the work permit, foreign workers can proceed with the procedure for obtaining or renewing a temporary residence card for foreigners according to the validity period of the new work permit, up to a maximum of 2 years.
According to current regulations, the procedure for renewing work permits for foreigners in Vietnam is usually completed within about 10 working days from the date the competent authority receives all valid documents.
| Stage | Reference Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Preparation of the work permit renewal dossier | 03 – 07 days |
| Submission and receipt of the application | 01 day |
| Dossier processing by competent state authorities | Approximately 10 working days |
| Signing of the labor contract and completion of post-renewal procedures | 01 – 03 days |
In fact, the work permit renewal process can be extended if:
Therefore, enterprises should prepare work permit renewal applications early to avoid affecting the legal employment and residence of foreign workers in Vietnam.
The cost will vary depending on the locality, the type of documents, and the services required by the enterprise. In practice, enterprises usually need to prepare for the following expenses when renewing their work permit in Vietnam.
| Cost item | Reference fee/rate |
|---|---|
| State fees for work permit renewal | Subject to the regulations of each specific province/city |
| Health examination costs for foreign workers | Dependent on the designated hospital and check-up package |
| Translation and notarization fees for dossiers | Dependent on the quantity of documents |
| Consular legalization fees | Dependent on the issuing country of the documents |
| Service fees for work permit renewal | Dependent on the level of support and dossier status |
The cost of renewing a work permit may vary depending on:
According to current regulations, work permits for foreigners can only be renewed once, and the maximum renewal period is no more than two years.
The renewal period of the work permit will be based on the validity period of one of the following documents or circumstances as stipulated by law:
After the work permit extension expires, if a foreign worker continues to work in Vietnam, the company usually has to go through the procedure of applying for a new work permit instead of renewing it.
Therefore, enterprises need to carefully monitor the work permit expiration date to proactively carry out the renewal or new issuance procedures in accordance with regulations, avoiding any impact on the legal work and residence of foreign workers in Vietnam.
| No. | Cases where work permit renewal is denied | Content/Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The work permit has expired | Foreign workers cannot grant a renewal if the work permit has lost its validity prior to the time of dossier submission |
| 2 | Dossier submitted outside the statutory timeframe | The dossier is only accepted when the current work permit remains valid for 05 to 45 days before its expiration date |
| 3 | Change of the employing enterprise | In case of transferring to a new company, procedures for a new work permit issuance must be executed instead of a renewal |
| 4 | Change of job position or job title | If the actual job content no longer aligns with the issued work permit, the worker is ineligible for renewal |
| 5 | Disapproval of foreign labor utilization demand | The competent authority does not approve the explanatory demand for utilizing foreign labor for the expected continued position |
| 6 | Incomplete or invalid renewal dossier | Missing required papers, expired health certificate, invalid passport, or supporting documents lacking consular legalization |
| 7 | Failure to maintain the registered employment form | The actual form of employment does not match the content specified on the previously issued work permit |
| 8 | Failure to meet statutory requirements under the law | Failure to satisfy qualifications regarding professional expertise, work experience, or other legal requirements under current regulations |
During the process of renewing work permits for foreigners in Vietnam, many enterprises have their applications rejected or experience delays due to the following common legal errors.
| No. | Common mistakes in work permit renewal | Arising risks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submitting the dossier past the statutory deadline | The work permit expires and becomes ineligible for renewal |
| 2 | Submitting the dossier too early | The dossier is rejected due to not meeting the regulatory timeframe |
| 3 | Expired health certificate | Request for supplementary documents or re-examination is issued |
| 4 | Passport is expired or near expiration | Ineligibility to execute work permit renewal procedures |
| 5 | Inconsistent information within the dossier | Discrepancies in full name, job title, passport number, or job position leading to mandatory dossier modification |
| 6 | Failure to execute procedures for foreign labor utilization demand approval | The work permit renewal application is denied for processing |
| 7 | Using incorrect or outdated application forms | The dossier is deemed invalid due to applying outdated forms or missing required declaration details |
| 8 | Foreign documents lack consular legalization | The dossier will be rejected by the competent authorities |
| 9 | Applying for a renewal despite a change in job position | This case typically mandates a new work permit issuance procedure instead of a renewal |
| 10 | Failure to monitor the validity period of the work permit | The enterprise falls into a passive state, arising the risk of illegally employing foreign labor |
To minimize risks when renewing work permits for foreigners, enterprises should:
Preparing complete and correct documents not only shortens processing time but also ensures that foreign workers can continue to work legally in Vietnam.
| Criteria | Work permit renewal | New work permit issuance |
|---|---|---|
| Permit validity period | Maximum of 02 years | Maximum of 02 years |
| Number of allowable executions | Only allowed to renew 01 time | Unlimited number of new issuances |
| Prerequisites for Execution | The current work permit must remain valid | Applicable when the permit has expired or has never been issued |
| Processing time | Generally faster | Generally longer |
| Procedural dossier | Simpler | More complex |
| Explanatory demand for foreign labor utilization | Still required to execute in accordance with regulations | Mandatory to execute |
| Consular legalization requirements | May require fewer documents | Typically requires more documents subject to consular legalization |
| Probability of dossier revision requests | Lower if the previous dossier was complete | Higher |
| Applicable cases | Continuing to work for the same enterprise and in the exact same job position | Changing companies, job positions, titles, or when the current permit has expired |
| Implementation costs | Typically more economical | Typically higher |
| Legal risks | Lower if executed within the statutory timeframe | May arise waiting time for the new issuance approval |
| Dossier preparation time | Shorter | Longer |
| Ability to maintain work continuity | Higher | May be interrupted if the processing is delayed |
| Regarding the temporary residence card (TRC) | The TRC can be extended based on the new work permit | It is usually required to reapply for a new TRC based on the new work permit |
Viet An Law provides comprehensive work permit renewal services for FDI enterprises, representative offices, foreign companies, and international employers in Vietnam. With extensive experience in legal consulting and handling applications for numerous foreign-invested enterprises, we help clients optimize time, minimize risks, and ensure compliance with Vietnamese labor laws.
| Support service | Scope of execution |
|---|---|
| Consulting on work permit renewal conditions | Evaluate legal conditions, work permit validity, and the eligibility/possibility for renewal |
| Consulting on approval procedures for foreign labor utilization demand | Guide enterprises on posting job recruitment advertisements in Vietnam and preparing explanatory demand dossiers to submit to the Department of Home Affairs |
| Consulting on work permit renewal dossiers | Inspect, review, and guide the preparation of a complete dossier in accordance with the latest regulations |
| Assisting with health examination for foreign workers | Advise on qualified medical facilities and procedures for a valid health examination |
| Drafting and completing dossiers | Prepare regulatory forms, official dispatches, legal documents, and the complete application dossier to submit to competent state authorities |
| Representing the enterprise to submit dossiers | Act on behalf of the client to execute administrative procedures at competent authorities |
| Monitoring and processing dossiers | Support explanations and supplement documents upon request from regulatory authorities |
| Post-renewal support for work permits | Advise on labor contract signing, temporary residence cards (TRC), and insurance obligations for foreign workers |
Enterprises needing services to renew work permits for foreigners or requiring advice on work permit procedures in Vietnam can contact Viet An Law for prompt support tailored to the specific needs of FDI enterprises.
Generally, expired work permits are not eligible for renewal. Enterprises and foreign workers usually have to go through the procedure of applying for a new work permit according to regulations.
According to current regulations, work permit renewal applications can only be submitted when the permit is valid for 5 to 45 days before its expiration date.
No. If the work permit has more than 45 days left, it is not yet the time to submit a work permit renewal application.
No. When a work permit has expired, the foreign worker is no longer eligible for renewal.
It is not mandatory. However, if foreign workers continue working in Vietnam after their work permit is about to expire, the business needs to carry out the procedure to renew or obtain a new work permit to ensure legal employment.
Work permit renewal is not always necessary. However, enterprises need to update the work permit information if the passport number changes.
Yes. After the work permit is renewed, foreign workers can continue to carry out the procedure to renew or obtain a new temporary residence card according to the validity period of the new work permit.
For FDI enterprises needing assistance with quick work permit renewals, handling complex cases, or comprehensive work permit consulting for foreigners in Vietnam, please contact Viet An Law for timely and legally compliant support.
