VIETNAM WORK PERMIT EXTENSION

Under Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP (effective August 7, 2025), foreign employees who wish to continue working in Vietnam must ensure their sponsoring company completes the work permit extension procedures in line with legal requirements. Applications must be submitted to the local Public Administrative Service Center no earlier than 45 days and no later than 10 days before the current permit expires. This means careful planning and strict compliance are essential. Regulations have become more stringent, and employers must prove that they have publicly posted job vacancies for at least 5 days to prioritize Vietnamese candidates, before hiring foreign workers. This obligation is set out in Clause 1, Article 11 of the Labor Code and applies to specific employment forms under Points a, i, and m, Clause 1, Article 2 of the Decree.

By understanding these updated conditions, both employers and foreign employees can avoid legal risks, ensure a smooth extension process, and maintain compliance with Vietnam’s labor laws.

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CONDITIONS FOR EXTENDING VIETNAM WORK PERMIT 2025

To be eligible for a Vietnam work permit extension in 2025, foreign employees and their employers must meet the following requirements:

Work permit has never been extended before – Article 29 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP allows only one (01) extension with a maximum validity of 02 years.
Remaining validity – The current work permit must still be valid for at least 10 days and not more than 45 days before expiry.
Consistent information – All details on the current work permit remain unchanged, including: full name, passport number, company name, working location, job position, and job title.
Proof of continued employment – Supporting documents confirming that the foreign employee will continue working for the same employer under the same conditions.
Valid work permit – The current permit must still be valid and eligible for extension. If the work permit is lost, the foreign employee must obtain a confirmation of loss from the local police, apply for a work permit reissuance, and then proceed with the extension procedure.

DURATION AND NUMBER OF EXTENSIONS FOR VIETNAM WORK PERMIT 2025

A Vietnam work permit is valid for a maximum of 02 years and can be extended only once (01 time), applicable to Managers, Experts, and Technical Workers.
According to Article 20, Clause 3 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, if a foreign employee has already extended their work permit once but continues working in the same position and title, they may apply for a new work permit. In this case, a criminal record certificate is not required.

DETAILED PROCEDURE FOR EXTENDING VIETNAM WORK PERMIT FOR FOREIGNERS

Steps	Procedures to applying for Vietnam Work Permit Extension in 2025	Processing Time
Step 1: Job Posting	Applies to foreigners working under: (a) Labor contract (i) Participation in projects/contracts in Vietnam (m) Labor contract with foreign diplomatic missions or foreign organizations in Vietnam Doing the Job posting and public in the company, other website for recruitment. Details to finalize: job title, position, work type, duration. Begin immediately after finalizing job details but the posting must occur at least 5 days before the expected date of submitting application for Work permit to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA).	Depends on each company but it is at least 05 days
Step 2: Extending Work Permit	Apply for the work permit extension after processing and reviewing job posting period. Ensure all necessary documents from the expatriate are completed. Must be submitted no earlier than 45 days and no later than 10 days prior to the expiration date of the current Work Permit.	10 working days

VIETNAM WORK PERMIT EXTENSION – DOCUMENT CHECKLIST BY JOB POSITION

Vietnam Work Permit Extension Document	Manager	Expert	Technical Labor
1. Valid Work Permit Vietnam	✔	✔	✔
2. Enterprise Registration Certificate and Company Charter	✔	–	–
3. Job Posting (published on company website and other platforms) & Recruitment Result	✔	✔	✔
4. Request Form for Work Permit Extension (Form 03/PLI – Appendix I – Decree 219/2025/ND-CP)	✔	✔	✔
5. Photos – 02 color photos, size 4x6cm, JPG, white background, straight face, bare head, no glasses, taken within 6 months	✔	✔	✔
6. Health Certificate – issued by hospitals in Vietnam, or authorized hospital/clinic abroad (with mutual recognition agreement)	✔	✔	✔

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR EXTENDING WORK PERMIT CLASSIFIED BY EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Work Permit Employment Type	Legal Reference in Decree 219/2025/ND-CP	Required Documents
Internal Transfer	Point b, Clause 1, Article 2	Appointment letter from the parent employer assigning the employee to work with a specific term at their subsidiary/ commercial presence in Vietnam
Transfer from Overseas Entity	Point h, Clause 1, Article 2	Assignment letter from the foreign employer sending the employee to work in Vietnam, consistent with the proposed job position.
Business or Social Contract/Agreement	Point c, Clause 1, Article 2	Assignment letter from the foreign employer together with a signed business or social contract/agreement.
Service Provider under Contract	Point d, Clause 1, Article 2	Assignment letter from the service provider sending the employee to Vietnam to negotiate and deliver contracted services.
Board Members / Owners / Capital-Contributing Members (< VND 3 billion)	Point l, Clause 1, Article 2	Documents proving managerial status (business license, company’s charter)

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