Renewing a Work Permit before its expiration ensures that foreign nationals can continue working in Vietnam legally and remain fully protected under the law. In this article, Nhi Gia will guide you through the essential procedures required for a seamless Work Permit renewal process.

Conditions for Work Permit Renewal

Pursuant to Article 16 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, the conditions for renewing a Work Permit for foreign nationals are specified as follows:

• The current valid Work Permit must have at least 05 days remaining but must not exceed 45 days prior to its expiration date.
• The sponsoring employer must obtain an official written approval from the competent authority confirming the continued demand for utilizing foreign labor.
• Documented proof must be provided to demonstrate that the foreign employee will continue to work for the current employer in accordance with the specifications of the issued Work Permit.

What Does a Work Permit Renewal Dossier Include?

To initiate the renewal process, foreign employees and their employers must prepare a comprehensive dossier consisting of the following documents:

1. An official written request for the renewal of the foreign worker’s Work Permit, executed via the statutory form issued in conjunction with Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP.
2. 02 recent color photos (4x6cm, white background, straight face, bareheaded, without tinted glasses), taken within the last 06 months from the submission date.
3. The original, currently valid Work Permit that was previously issued.
4. The written approval for the demand to utilize foreign labor as mentioned above (except for specific cases exempted from foreign labor demand determinations under Article 4 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP ).
5. A certified true copy of a valid passport in accordance with legal regulations.
6. A valid health certificate or medical examination report as prescribed by regulations.
7. Supporting documents proving that the foreign employee will continue working for the employer under the exact terms of the currently issued Work Permit.

Important Notes:

• All documents submitted must be either originals or certified true copies.
• Any documents issued in foreign languages must undergo Consular Legalization and be translated into Vietnamese with notarization, except for cases strictly exempted from consular legalization under international treaties or applicable laws.

Work Permit Renewal Procedures for Foreign Nationals

Enterprises and organizations are responsible for executing the Work Permit renewal procedures for foreign employees in compliance by Article 18 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP. The statutory workflow is outlined below:

• Timeline for Submission: At least 05 days but no more than 45 days prior to the expiration date of the current Work Permit, the employer must submit the renewal application dossier to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) or the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA).
• Processing Time: Within 05 working days (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the competent authority will issue the renewed Work Permit. In the event of a refusal, a written response explicitly stating the reasons will be provided.
• Labor Contract Execution: For foreign nationals working under an employment contract, upon receiving the renewed Work Permit and prior to the scheduled date of continued employment, both the employer and the foreign employee must execute a written labor contract in strict accordance with Vietnam’s labor laws.

Validity and Limitations of a Renewed Work Permit

Pursuant to Article 155 of the Labor Code No. 45/2019/QH14 and the guiding provisions under Article 19 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, foreign employees are permitted to renew their Work Permit only 01 single time, with a maximum renewal validity period of 02 years.

Subsequent Employment Requirements: In cases where a foreign employee wishes to continue working at the same enterprise in the same position after their single renewal has expired, the employer must initiate the procedure to apply for a brand-new Work Permit rather than a renewal.

Determination of Expiration: The exact validity period of a renewed Work Permit is granted based on the duration of one of the cases specified under Article 11 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP:

• The term of the prospective employment contract to be executed.
• The duration specified by the foreign entity assigning the foreign employee to work in Vietnam.
• The term of the contract or agreement executed between the Vietnamese and foreign partners.
• The term of the service provision contract or agreement executed between the Vietnamese and foreign partners.
• The duration stated in the official document of the service provider assigning the foreign employee to Vietnam for service provision negotiations.
• The operational duration specified in the operation license of the relevant agency, organization, or enterprise.
• The duration stated in the official document of the service provider assigning the foreign employee to Vietnam to establish the commercial presence of that service provider.
• The duration specified in the document proving the foreign employee’s authorized participation in the operations of a foreign enterprise that has established a commercial presence in Vietnam.
• The duration approved in the official written approval for utilizing foreign labor.

Why Choose Nhi Gia’s Trusted Work Permit Renewal Services?

When handling Work Permit renewals independently, applicants and enterprises frequently encounter severe administrative hurdles:

• Convoluted Paperwork: The renewal dossier involves complex legal procedures that demand a substantial volume of diverse certifications and specialized paperwork.
• Constantly Shifting Regulations: Regulations governing Work Permits are updated frequently, requiring continuous monitoring and a profound understanding of legal adjustments.
• Rigorous Clarification Demands: Applicants must meticulously prepare their case and be fully capable of providing airtight, reasonable justifications regarding their dossier to state officials.
• Time & Resource Drain: Navigating bureaucracy independently results in a massive waste of time, effort, and continuous commuting to competent authorities.

To alleviate these complex administrative burdens and ensure a swift Work Permit renewal, Nhi Gia offers a fast, reputable, and cost-optimized, full-package renewal service, backed by our professional commitments:

• Maximum Success Rate: We guarantee the highest success rate and are fully equipped to resolve all complex, high-difficulty, or bottlenecked dossiers.
• Cost Minimization: We strategically structure the renewal process to mitigate and reduce overall expenses for our clients.
• Transparency & Security: Transparent VAT invoicing under the exact service category, paired with absolute data confidentiality for both your enterprise and foreign employees.
• Streamlined Procedure: A simple, hassle-free workflow designed to maximize savings on your business’s time, effort, and internal resources.
• Comprehensive Post-Renewal Assistance: Direct consultation and execution support for Temporary Residence Cards (TRC); proactive notifications prior to permit expiration; and full support in drafting labor contracts and statutory reports for relevant state sectors.
• End-to-End Solutions: Full-package integration combining Work Permit processing with visa extensions, Temporary Residence Cards (TRC), Criminal Record Certificates (Criminal Background Checks), and legal translation services.

In conclusion, Nhi Gia has shared the comprehensive guide on the requirements, documentation, and procedures for renewing a foreign Work Permit in Vietnam. Should your enterprise require professional assistance or wish to utilize our premium Work Permit renewal services for foreign nationals, please contact Nhi Gia via our centralized Hotline at 1900 6654! Our dedicated consultants are standing by to provide expert guidance and a swift, customized cost estimate for your application dossier.