Extending a work permit allows foreigners to continue working legally in Vietnam when their permit is about to expire. This article provides detailed guidance on conditions and procedures according to the latest regulations.
Need a hassle-free work permit extension in Vietnam? Trust VisaNow’s 10+ years of expertise.
Who needs to extend their work permit?
According to Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, foreign workers can extend their work permit when they meet these 2 conditions:
- Your current work permit is still valid (you cannot extend an expired permit)
- You have documents showing you will continue working for the same employer doing the same job (employment contract, assignment letter, or international agreement)
How long is a Vietnam work permit extension valid?
You can extend your work permit one time only, for up to 2 years. The actual length depends on one of these:
- How long your new employment contract will be
- How long you are assigned to work in Vietnam
- The duration of the contract between your Vietnamese employer and foreign company
- The length of the service contract between Vietnamese and foreign partners
- The time period in your assignment letter for service discussions
- How long your company’s operating license is valid
- The assignment period for setting up a business presence
- The terms in international agreements that Vietnam has signed
- Agreement terms signed by government agencies
How to extend your work permit – 3 steps
Step 1. Post a job announcement for Vietnamese workers
Vietnamese law requires companies to try hiring Vietnamese workers first, following Clause 1, Article 11 of Labor Code 2019. Your company must show it tried to find Vietnamese candidates but could not find anyone suitable.
When to do this: At least 5 days before you submit your extension application
Where to post the job:
- Department of Employment website (moha.gov.vn)
- Provincial Employment Service Centers: vieclam.hanoi.gov.vn (Hanoi), vieclam.tphcm.gov.vn (HCMC), vieclam.dongnai.gov.vn (Dong Nai)
What to include in the job post:
- The job position (specific work area)
- Type of employment
- Where you will work
- How long the job is
- Education or skills needed (if any)
- Clear job description, how many people needed, experience required, salary offered
What happens next: If no Vietnamese workers are qualified, explain why in Form 03/PLI
Who does not need to post jobs: Foreign contractors, foreign workers who do not need work permits (like short-term experts working less than 90 days per year), or employees transferring within the same company
Important: Your application will be rejected if you do not explain this properly.
Step 2. Submit your extension documents
When to submit: Between 10 to 45 days before your current work permit expires
Documents you need:
- Extension request letter (Form 03/PLI).
- Health check certificate (from an approved hospital in Vietnam or your country, done within the last 12 months)
- 2 color photos, 4x6cm size (white background, facing forward, no hat, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months)
- Your valid passport (color copy)
- Your current valid work permit
- Documents showing you will keep working: Assignment letter, employment contract, international agreement, or business license (depends on your situation)
- Documents for your job position:
- Manager: Company rules, appointment letter, business registration
- Expert or Technical worker: Business registration or similar document
- Executive director: Branch or representative office registration, company rules
- Authorization letter: If someone else submits for you
Good news: Extension applications do not need criminal background checks. Also, executive directors, experts, and technical workers do not need to submit diplomas or work experience documents.
Important change: Decree 219/2024/ND-CP now uses Vietnam’s standard job categories (242 types). If your old work permit job title does not match these new categories, you must apply for a new work permit instead of extending. Contact VisaNow to check if your job qualifies for extension.
Where to submit: Department of Home Affairs in the province where you work (or headquarters if you work in multiple provinces), through the Public Administrative Service Center
How to submit:
- Go in person to the Public Administrative Center
- Send by post (vnpost.vn)
- Use a service company or authorized person
- Submit online at dichvucong.gov.vn (you may need to show original documents later)
Cost: About 400,000 VND (price varies by province)
>> Read more: For detailed information about processing times and additional charges, please refer to our comprehensive guide on Vietnam work permit cost.
Office addresses:
Ho Chi Minh City:
- Office 1: 159 Pasteur, Xuan Hoa Ward
- Office 2: Le Loi Street, Binh Duong Ward
- Office 3: 01 Pham Van Dong Street, Ba Ria Ward
Tay Ninh: 01 Le Loi Street, Long An Ward
Dong Nai: 108 Ha Huy Giap, Tran Bien Ward
Hanoi: 18B Le Thanh Tong, Cua Nam Ward
If documents are missing: The office will tell you what to add within 3 days.
Best time to apply: Start 50 days before your work permit expires. This gives you enough time to fix any problems. For help choosing the best time, contact VisaNow at HOTLINE 1900 63 63 50.
Step 3. Get your new work permit
How long it takes: 10 working days after the office receives all your documents
How to get it: Pick it up in person, by post, or download it from dichvucong.gov.vn (you get a receipt when you submit)
What you receive: If approved, you get a new work permit (up to 2 years, one time only). If rejected, you get a letter explaining why within 3 days
What to do after approval:
- Sign a new employment contract before you start work
- Send a copy of your contract to the work permit office within 5 working days
- Apply for a new temporary residence card (at the Immigration Department, via dichvucong.gov.vn, valid up to 2 years)
Don’t risk mistakes in your work permit extension. Our professional service includes:
- Expert solutions for any complications
- Comprehensive document preparation and verification
- Direct submission to the appropriate authorities
- Real-time application tracking
Extension application form
Form 03/PLI is the official form for requesting work permit extension. This form follows Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.
FAQs about work permit extensions
Can I extend an expired work permit?
What happens if my work permit expires?
– Foreign workers: Pay fines from VND 15,000,000 to VND 25,000,000, and you may be deported
– Companies: Pay fines from VND 30,000,000 to VND 75,000,000 (depends on how many workers), and may not be allowed to hire foreign workers
Do I need a new employment contract for extension?
Need help with your work permit extension?
The work permit extension process can be difficult and take a long time. It requires good knowledge of Vietnamese law. VisaNow offers professional work permit service in Vietnam with over 10 years of experience helping businesses complete these procedures quickly.
What VisaNow does for you:
- Help you choose the correct work category from Vietnam’s 242 job types, making sure your application follows the rules
- Help you pick the best time to submit, advise on qualifications needed for your job, check that your business license is correct
- Prepare all forms correctly, help post job announcements following the law, save you time on corrections
- Professional team available to answer questions anytime, committed to processing your application quickly
- Support for all nationalities (Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, American, European, and more) and all industries (import-export, foreign investment companies, international schools, and more)
- Free document pickup and delivery in HCMC and Hanoi city centers, provide VAT invoices if needed
We hope this information helps you understand work permit extension procedures. If you have questions or want to learn more about our work permit extension service, contact us at HOTLINE 1900 63 63 50 for free consultation.
