Guide to Foreign Loan Extension Procedures in Vietnam

The need to mobilize foreign capital from abroad by enterprises in Vietnam to serve business and production, and expand projects is increasingly growing strongly. However, during the process of using capital, enterprises may not be able to fulfill their debt repayment obligations on time as initially committed. At this time, the need to extend the repayment period is an objective and very common reality. This article below by Viet An Law Firm will act as a guide to foreign loan extension procedures in Vietnam, providing an in-depth view on the foreign loan extension, especially updating the latest regulations on standardizing electronic dossiers according to Circular 80/2025/TT-NHNN.

Conditions for enterprises to extend foreign loan in Vietnam

Not every loan extension request is approved by state management agencies. The extension must ensure compliance with strict legal and financial conditions, including:

Conditions for enterprises to extend foreign loan in Vietnam

• Voluntary and legal consensus: There must be a written consensus between the Borrower and the Lender. This agreement is usually expressed in the form of an Appendix to the loan agreement or a Loan extension agreement, which clearly specifies the extension time, the new repayment schedule, and other changed conditions (if any, for example, changes in interest rates due to extension).
• Not exceeding credit limits and loan limits: The extension and the remaining outstanding debt must not exceed the total national self-borrowing and self-repaying foreign loan limit (if any regulations apply at that time). At the same time, the total outstanding debt after extension must be within the limit of the total investment capital of the project (for loans to implement investment projects) or not exceed the loan limit approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders/Board of Members of the enterprise (for loans serving business and production plans).
• Strict compliance with the periodic reporting regime: This is a “prerequisite” condition that many enterprises frequently fail. To be considered for an extension, up to the time of submitting the dossier, the borrowing enterprise must prove that it has fully complied with the monthly online reporting regime on the loan implementation status on the website for managing foreign borrowing and debt repayment of the State Bank. Late submission or missing reports will be the basis for the competent authority to reject the extension dossier or conduct administrative penalties before granting permission.

Dossier to implement the foreign loan extension procedure in Vietnam

Composition of the dossier

• Application form for foreign loan amendment registration: Prepared according to the current prescribed form. This application must be signed and stamped by the legal representative of the enterprise or a legally authorized person.
• Copy of the amendment agreement document: Specifically, the Appendix to the loan agreement or the Agreement to extend the loan agreement signed by the representatives of both parties.
• Copy of the confirmation document from the commercial bank: This is a document issued by the bank providing account services (where the enterprise opens an account for foreign borrowing and debt repayment). This document must detail and accurately list the capital withdrawal status, the amount of principal debt paid, the amount of interest debt and fees paid up to the time of submitting the extension application.
• Other documents (if any): Decision of the Board of Members/General Meeting of Shareholders approving the loan extension; Power of attorney for the individual/organization submitting the dossier,…

Important note on the format of documents

The breakthrough point and also a new challenge for enterprises according to Circular 80/2025/TT-NHNN lies in the preparation of electronic dossiers. The management agency sets strict technical standards for online submitted documents within any guide to foreign loan extension procedures in Vietnam:

• Mandatory scanning from the original: For the form of submitting electronic dossiers via the public service portal, all attached documents must be exported in .PDF format. Most importantly, this electronic document must be scanned directly from the main or original document.
• Do not use certified scanned copies: The State Bank will not accept electronic files scanned from notarized, certified copies or photocopies. The regulation on scanning from the original is to ensure the integrity and authenticity of documents, preventing acts of falsifying dossiers to cheat foreign currency limits. If the enterprise submits a scanned file from a photocopy, the dossier will be returned immediately.
• Compliant digital signature: Online declaration forms on the system and all electronic dossiers submitted via the National Public Service Portal must be signed with a valid digital signature of the authorized representative of the borrowing enterprise.
• Regulations on language and translation: Documents in foreign languages (e.g., Loan agreements in English) must be translated into Vietnamese and the translations must be certified according to regulations. Notable exception: For documents signed and issued by the borrower themselves (such as loan agreements, extension agreements), the borrower has the right to translate them into Vietnamese themselves, the legal representative signs to confirm and stamps the translation, and takes legal responsibility before the law for the accuracy of that translation’s content.

Sequence and procedures for loan extension in Vietnam

Sequence and procedures for foreign loan extension

Step 1: Preparation and digitization of the dossier.

The enterprise gathers all original documents according to the stated list. Carefully review the validity of the original (with full signatures, stamps, no erasures). Proceed to use specialized equipment to scan the original document into .PDF format. Note to name the file clearly, corresponding to the type of paper (For example: “Phu_luc_hop_dong_gia_han.pdf”) to facilitate the reviewing officer.

Step 2: Submit the dossier.

Following the digitization orientation, enterprises can choose 1 of 3 methods to submit the dossier, however, the online method is always encouraged:

• Submit online (Encouraged): Declare and upload the electronic dossier (digitally signed) through the National Public Service Portal or the website of the State Bank.
• Submit via postal service: Send the paper dossier (certified copies from the original register or certified copies) via post.
• Submit directly: Submit at the Receiving and Result Returning Section (One-stop shop) of the competent State Bank agency.

Step 3: Receipt and processing.

Within 03 working days from the date of receiving the dossier, if the dossier is incomplete or the electronic file is not up to standard (for example: detected to be scanned from a photocopy), the competent authority will issue a written notice requesting the enterprise to supplement, edit.

The official processing time is 10 working days from the date the management agency receives the complete, valid dossier. During this time, the functional agency will appraise the legality of the extension, comparing the outstanding debt with periodic reports.

Step 4: Receive results.

If the dossier meets the conditions, the State Bank will issue a written confirmation of foreign loan amendment registration. The enterprise receives the paper or electronic result (depending on the registration method) and submits a copy to the commercial bank as a basis for implementing the money transfer for debt repayment later.

Why should you use the foreign loan extension service of Viet An Law Firm?

The procedure for extending a foreign loan is not simply signing a contract appendix but also a complex administrative process with strict supervision from the State Bank. Viet An Law Firm brings a comprehensive solution to help enterprises overcome legal barriers:

• Deep understanding of new regulations: We continuously update key changes from Circular 80/2025/TT-NHNN, especially the standards for electronic dossiers, helping enterprises avoid having their dossiers returned due to minor technical errors.
• Accurate dossier digitization technique: With strict requirements on scanning from the original and compliant digital signing, the team of Viet An Law Firm will guide or directly support enterprises to standardize .PDF files in the correct format, ensuring integrity and authenticity as required by the management agency.
• Control reporting risks: We support reviewing the entire monthly online reporting history of the enterprise on the system of the State Bank. If there are any shortcomings, Viet An Law Firm will advise on timely remedial plans before submitting the extension dossier, in order to minimize the risk of administrative penalties.
• Professional translation and certification: For extension agreements in foreign languages, Viet An Law Firm provides accurate legal translation services, helping enterprises confidently sign to confirm and take responsibility for the translation content in accordance with regulations.
• Save time and costs: Instead of having to figure out complex online public service portals by themselves, enterprises can focus on business activities while Viet An Law Firm acts as a representative to handle all stages from preparing the dossier until receiving the final result.

Frequently asked questions

When should an enterprise start carrying out the extension procedure?

According to regulations, the enterprise must complete the change registration (extension) within 30 days from the date the parties sign the extension agreement and must do it before the old debt repayment term ends. As stated in our guide to foreign loan extension procedures in Vietnam, to ensure safety, enterprises should prepare the dossier at least 15-20 days before the old contract expires.

If an enterprise has not completed the monthly report on the website of the SBV, can it be extended?

Compliance with the reporting regime is a mandatory condition. If the enterprise has not reported or reported late, the SBV will usually require an explanation and may proceed to impose administrative penalties for violations in the monetary and banking sector before considering approving the extension dossier.

Is it allowed to use certified notarized copies to scan for online submission?

According to the provisions of Circular 80/2025/TT-NHNN, electronic documents must be scanned from the original. Dossiers scanned from certified copies or photocopies will be considered invalid and rejected by the system.

If clients have a need for consulting related to extending foreign loans, please contact Viet An Law Firm for fast, timely support and advice!