During the course of working in Vietnam, a work permit is one of the most important documents for foreign employees. However, for various reasons such as loss, damage, or changes to personal information, the employee may need to apply for Vietnam work permit reissuance.
This procedure requires a complete dossier, strict processing timelines, and coordination with competent authorities. As a result, both enterprises and foreign employees may easily make mistakes if they do not fully understand the regulations.
In this article, FISC will help you understand the entire process of work permit reissuance in Vietnam, from applicable conditions and required documents to detailed implementation steps, helping you avoid unnecessary delays.
Cases where a Vietnam work permit must be reissued
According to Article 23 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, foreign employees who fall under the following cases may be considered for Vietnam work permit reissuance:
- The work permit is lost but remains valid.
- The work permit is damaged but remains valid.
- There is a change in the full name, nationality, passport number, or working location stated on the valid work permit.
*Note: foreign employees whose work permits remain valid for at least 05 days but not more than 45 days will fall under the work permit renewal procedure.
Conditions for Vietnam work permit reissuance
To have a work permit reissued, the foreign employee must meet the following 02 conditions:
- Have documents proving that they fall under a case eligible for work permit reissuance.
- Have a written approval for the demand to employ foreign workers issued by the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs or the provincial Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs where the employee works.
4-step process for Vietnam work permit reissuance
Under current regulations, the procedure for reissuing a work permit for a foreign employee is carried out through the following 4 steps:
Step 1: Notify the employer
The employee notifies the employer that the work permit has been lost, damaged, or that there has been a change in information.
Step 2: Prepare the application dossier for Vietnam work permit reissuance
The dossier includes:
– Written request for work permit reissuance
– 02 colour photos sized 4x6cm, with a white background, taken within the last 06 months
– Written approval for the demand to employ foreign workers, except where exempted
– Documents proving that the employee falls under a case eligible for reissuance, specifically:
- For a lost work permit: Confirmation from the ward-level police authority where the foreign employee resides.
- For a change of information: Documents proving the changed information on the work permit, such as a new passport or a work transfer decision.
*Note:
- Documents issued in Vietnam must be originals or notarised copies.
- Documents issued overseas must be consular legalised.
Step 3: Submit the application dossier
The employer submits the prepared dossier to the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs or the Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs that previously issued the work permit, and pays the reissuance fee.
Step 4: Receive the result
After receiving a valid dossier, the competent authority will return the result within 2 months. The result may be a reissued work permit or a written refusal stating the specific reason.
Vietnam work permit reissuance fee
The fee for work permit reissuance at the Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs or authorised units is regulated as follows:
| Province/City | Fee | Legal basis |
| Ho Chi Minh City | VND 450,000/permit | Clause 2, Article 2 of Resolution No. 09/2022/NQ-HDND of Ho Chi Minh City |
| Hanoi | VND 300,000/permit | Section 4 of the list of fees and charges prescribed under Resolution No. 06/2020/NQ-HDND of the Hanoi People’s Council |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the validity period of a reissued work permit?
A reissued work permit will be valid for the remaining validity period of the previously issued work permit. Therefore, the reissuance procedure does not extend the foreign employee’s working period in Vietnam.
What should a foreign employee do if they lose their work permit while overseas?
If a foreign employee loses their work permit while overseas, they should immediately notify their employer in Vietnam. The enterprise will be responsible for preparing the dossier and carrying out the entire Vietnam work permit reissuance procedure on behalf of the employee in accordance with regulations.
Does a lost work permit need to be reissued immediately?
Yes. If the work permit is still valid but has been lost, the enterprise should apply for reissuance as soon as possible to ensure the foreign employee’s employment records remain complete. Delayed handling may cause difficulties when the employee needs to prove their legal working status or carry out procedures related to residence, exit, or entry.
Does Vietnam work permit reissuance affect the visa or temporary residence card?
Not every case of work permit reissuance requires changes to the foreign employee’s work visa or temporary residence card. If the permit is reissued only because it is lost, torn, or damaged, and information such as the passport number, sponsoring company, and working position remains unchanged, the current work visa or temporary residence card remains valid. However, if the permit is reissued due to a change in full name, nationality, or passport number, the enterprise should consider applying for a new or adjusted visa or temporary residence card to ensure consistency across the employee’s documents.
Are there penalties for not carrying out the reissuance procedure when a work permit is lost or damaged?
Under the regulations, a foreign employee working in Vietnam without a valid work permit may be subject to penalties. The employer may also be penalized if it employs a foreign worker who does not meet the legal requirements. Therefore, when a work permit is lost or damaged, the enterprise should not delay the reissuance procedure, especially if the foreign employee is still working in Vietnam.
Complete the Vietnam work permit reissuance procedure quickly with FISC
Complex administrative procedures are often the reason why the process of reissuing a work permit for a foreign employee is delayed, directly affecting the enterprise’s workforce planning.
Instead of spending time handling complicated dossiers, let FISC support you. With an optimized working process and a professional team of specialists, FISC provides end-to-end assistance, from reviewing the dossier status and advising on the appropriate solution to submitting the application to the competent authority. With nearly 40 years of experience, we are committed to delivering fast, accurate, and confidential solutions.
Contact FISC today for timely support in handling your Vietnam work permit reissuance dossier in full compliance with regulations.
