LOSING WORK PERMIT VIETNAM – DETAILED STEPS AND CHECKLIST

Friday, 28/11/25

A valid work permit is essential for any foreigner working long term in Vietnam. It not only grants you the legal right to work, but also affects your visa status and other related documents. When a work permit is lost, it can feel stressful—especially if you are unsure of the correct procedures. This guide provides the full process for reissuing a lost Vietnam Work Permit. Whether you hear it referred to as Work Permit Replacement, Work Permit Reissuance, or Work Permit Renewal in case of loss, the required steps are essentially the same. We outline the required documents, the application process, and the validity of the reissued work permit to help you handle the situation smoothly and avoid unnecessary complications.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU LOSE YOUR VIETNAM WOR K PERMIT?

If your Work Permit is lost in Vietnam, you are required to apply for a Work Permit Reissuance (Replacement) — not a new Work Permit.

Under Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, the employer must submit the application to reissue the Work Permit so the foreign worker can continue working legally.

A Work Permit Replacement applies in cases of:

Lost Work Permit
Damaged Work Permit
Information changes (passport number,…)

This article focuses exclusively on Lost Work Permit cases.

DURATION OF A WORK PERMIT REPLACEMENT

Under Article 26 of Decree 219/2025/NĐ-CP, the validity of the replaced Work Permit is:

➡️ Remaining validity of the original Work Permit minus the time already worked up to the date of reissuance.

🔍 Example:

Original work permit: Oct 20, 2024 – Oct 19, 2026
Lost date: April 9, 2025
Reissue date: April 14, 2025
✅ New permit validity: April 14, 2025 – Oct 19, 2026

This ensures the total validity remains aligned with the original approval.

DETAILED STEPS AND CHECKLIST TO GET A REPLACEMENT OF A LOST WORK PERMIT

Although the required documents are straightforward, the most important part is proving that the work permit was genuinely lost. Below is the complete checklist under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP:

Order of steps to Replace Lost Work Permit in Vietnam	Detailed Checklist and Instruction for Each Step of Vietnam Work Permit Reissuance Procedure
Step 1: Prepare Required Documents for Work Permit Reissuance	Prepare the documents as a checklist below: The original report of losing the work permit must be certified by the ward police station where the foreign expatriate is residing in Vietnam. (Explanation form for Losing the Work Permit) – THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT; Application forms to request Work Permit Renewal - According to Form No. 03, Appendix issued together with Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP; 02 color photos (size 4 cm x 6 cm, white background, straight face, bare head, no colored glasses), taken no more than 6 months before the date of application; A photocopy of the lost work permit.
Step 2: Submit Vietnam Work Permit Reissuance Application	The company (your employer) is responsible for submission. 📍 Where to submit: Department of Home Affairs in your city/province 🧾 Submission method: Online submission
Step 3: Receive the Reissued Vietnam Work Permit	Method: Collect the work permit directly at the Department of Home Affairs

REPLACEMENT WORK PERMIT PROCESSING TIME AND GOVERNMENT FEE

⏳ Processing time: 3–5 working days (excluding submission date)
💵 Government fee: 450,000 VND / Work permit → Currently exempted (no collection)

📞 Lost Your Vietnam Work Permit? Contact Visa5s.com for Expert Reissuance Support

Replacing a lost Vietnam Work Permit can be stressful — especially when you're unsure which documents to prepare or how to handle submission procedures. If you need:

Guidance on required documents and how to obtain a police-certified loss report
Clarification on whether you need a reissuance, renewal, or new application
Support in submitting your application online and in person
Follow-up with the Department of Home Affairs to ensure timely processing

👉 Reach out to Visa5s.com – our experienced team is ready to assist you with accurate, fast, and hassle-free work permit reissuance services in Vietnam.

RELATED ARTICLES TO VIETNAM'S WORK PERMIT & TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD

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LOSING WORK PERMIT VIETNAM – DETAILED STEPS AND CHECKLIST

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