Vietnam work permit revocation: Professional guidance 2025

Updated on 14/05/2025 by

If you work in Vietnam as a foreigner, you need to know how to handle work permit revocation when your job ends. This is important for both workers and employers to follow Vietnam’s laws.

A Vietnam work permit allows foreigners to work legally in the country. It remains valid for up to 2 years, and you can extend it once for another 2 years. Your permit ends when it expires, when you finish your job, or when officials revoke it. Officials will revoke work permits when they find incorrect application information, when permits expire, when jobs end, or when workers violate laws.

If your work permit is revoked, you cannot work legally in Vietnam anymore. You may have to leave the country, and your employer might be punished. To revoke a work permit, employers must give certain papers to the labor office within 15 days after a job ends. The process usually takes 3-5 working days.

This guide covers everything about work permit revocation in Vietnam. You’ll learn when revocation becomes necessary, what documents you need, which steps to follow, how long the process takes, and answers to common questions.

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When do you need to cancel a work permit?

You need to complete work permit return procedures in these situations:

When work permits must be revoked in Vietnam
When work permits must be revoked in Vietnam
  1. When the work permit is no longer valid according to Article 156 of Vietnam’s Labor Code 2019:
  • The work permit has expired
  • The employment contract has ended
  • The job duties don’t match what’s in the work permit
  • The worker is doing a different job than what’s in the permit
  • The contracts that were used to get the work permit have ended
  • The foreign company has officially called back their employee
  • The company in Vietnam that hired the foreign worker has closed
  1. When foreigners or employers don’t follow Vietnam’s work permit rules.
  2. When foreign workers break Vietnamese laws that affect public safety or order.

Essential documents for Vietnam work permit revocation: Checklist

The documents you need for work permit revocation in Vietnam depend on why you’re canceling the permit:

  • For expired or invalid work permits
  • If rules weren’t followed or laws were broken in Vietnam
  • The original work permit
  • A letter explaining why you’re canceling the permit
  • Documents that prove why the permit needs to be canceled (original copies with company verification)
  • The original work permit

>> If you need help with your documents, our Vietnam work permit service for foreign workers can help you with the whole process.

Step-by-step work permit revocation procedure

The steps for work permit revocation vary depending on the situation:

  • Case 1. Work permit expiration
  • Case 2. When Vietnam’s rules weren’t followed or laws were broken

Step 1. Prepare and submit documents

  • Within 15 days after the work permit becomes invalid, the employer must get the work permit from the foreign employee and submit it
  • Take everything to the Labor Department that issued the work permit
  • Include a letter explaining why you’re canceling the permit and any cases where you couldn’t get the permit back

Step 2. Get confirmation

  • Within 5 working days, the Labor Department will give you a confirmation that the work permit has been canceled

Step 1. Receive notice from the authorities

  • The Labor Department will issue a cancellation decision using Form No. 13/PLI and notify the employer

Step 2. Submit the work permit

  • The employer must get a work permit for the foreign employee
  • Return it to the Labor Department that issued the permit
  • This must be done within 3 working days after receiving the cancellation notice

>> Read more: When applying for or revoking work permits, you’ll need to pay a Vietnam work permit fee, which changes depending on your situation and location.

Step 3. Get confirmation

  • Within 5 working days, the Labor Department will give you written confirmation that the permit has been canceled

Don’t miss important deadlines or make mistakes. Our service makes sure:

  • You get written proof of cancellation
  • All papers are submitted on time
  • We talk directly with government offices
  • We fix any problems
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How long does a work permit revocation take in Vietnam?

How long does the work permit revocation process take
How long does the work permit revocation process take

The process takes 5 working days from when you submit the work permit to when you receive the confirmation.

This timing only starts after you’ve submitted all the required documents and returned the physical work permit.

In some special cases, it might take longer than the standard processing time.

Frequently asked questions about work permit revocation

Who needs to cancel the work permit in Vietnam?

The employer is responsible for collecting the work permit from the foreign employee and submitting it to the Labor Department.

Is it necessary to return a work permit if the employee broke contract rules?

Yes. If a foreign employee doesn’t fulfill their job duties or breaks contract rules in Vietnam, you still need to complete the return of work permits by following the proper steps.

What if an employee refuses to return their work permit?

If an employee won’t return their work permit when they leave their job, the employer should:

– Tell the Labor Department right away
– Request work permit cancellation
– Explain in writing why you couldn’t get the physical permit

For help with work permit revocation or other questions about hiring foreign workers in Vietnam, call our HOTLINE at 1900 63 63 50.