Vietnam work permit extension procedures in 2026 will undergo significant changes from December 5, 2026, when Decree No. 393/2026/ND-CP officially takes effect. Most notably, the new regulations remove the medical certificate requirement from work permit extension applications, simplify certain Vietnamese worker recruitment notification requirements, and reduce the statutory processing time to five working days from receipt of a complete application.
For companies employing foreign nationals whose work permits are due to expire in late 2026 or early 2027, the application submission date may determine which regulatory framework applies. However, not every employer will have the option of choosing between the existing and new procedures.
Should employers submit their work permit extension applications before or after December 5, 2026? Which documentation requirements will be simplified? And how can businesses determine the appropriate submission period without affecting their foreign workforce planning?
68 SOLUTIONS – Legal & Travel examines the key changes affecting Vietnam work permit extensions in 2026 and explains how employers can determine the appropriate application timeline under Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, Resolution No. 24/2026/NQ-CP, and Decree No. 393/2026/ND-CP.
68 SOLUTIONS – Professional Work Permit Extension Consultation and Support in Vietnam
During the transition between regulatory frameworks, determining the appropriate application submission date is essential for employers seeking to maintain lawful employment arrangements for their foreign personnel.
68 SOLUTIONS – Legal & Travel provides professional consultation and administrative assistance for Vietnam work permit extensions in 2026, including:
- Extension Eligibility Assessment: Reviewing work permit validity, previous extensions, job positions, and employment arrangements.
- Application Timeline Planning: Identifying the permissible submission period under the applicable regulations.
- Document Review: Examining passports, medical certificates where required, and supporting documents relevant to each case.
- Application Preparation: Assisting with Form No. 03 and the required work permit extension documentation.
- Administrative Support: Assisting with application preparation, submission, and progress monitoring through the competent authorities.
- Transitional Regulation Guidance: Determining when Decree 219, Resolution 24, or Decree 393 applies.
- New Work Permit Consultation: Advising on the appropriate procedures when an employee is no longer eligible for an extension.
For each case, 68 SOLUTIONS helps employers assess their legal circumstances and identify the appropriate application procedure.
Contact 68 SOLUTIONS for a consultation:
- Hotline / Zalo / WhatsApp: (+84) 935 595 536
- Email: sales@68solutions.vn
- Website: https://68solutions.vn/
Vietnam Work Permit Extension 2026: Why the Application Date Matters
On October 20, 2026, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree No. 393/2026/ND-CP, governing foreign employees working in Vietnam.
The decree will take effect on December 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP.
Under Clause 2, Article 35 of Decree 393, applications for the issuance, reissuance, extension, or revocation of work permits submitted before the decree’s effective date will continue to be processed in accordance with Decree 219/2025/ND-CP.
In addition, Clause 5, Article 35 provides specific transitional provisions for work permit extension applications submitted under Resolution No. 24/2026/NQ-CP before December 5, 2026.
Accordingly, the general approach is as follows:
- Applications submitted before December 5, 2026: Continue to be processed under the applicable transitional provisions of Decree 219 and Resolution 24.
- New applications submitted on or after December 5, 2026: Are subject to Decree 393/2026/ND-CP.
An important consideration is that December 5, 2026 falls on a Saturday. Employers planning to submit applications around the transition date should verify the actual acceptance date through the public service portal or with the competent authority.
Legal Reference: Clauses 2 and 5, Article 35, and Article 36 of Decree 393/2026/ND-CP.
Vietnam Work Permit Extension 2026: Three Important Changes From December 5
1. Medical Certificates Are No Longer Required for Work Permit Extensions
One of the most significant changes to Vietnam’s work permit extension procedures concerns medical examination certificates.
Under Decree 219 and the administrative simplifications introduced by Resolution No. 24/2026/NQ-CP, work permit extension applications generally require a medical certificate.
However, applicants may be exempt from separately submitting this document where the medical examination results can be retrieved through the relevant healthcare information system or national healthcare database in accordance with the applicable regulations.
From December 5, 2026, Article 28 of Decree 393 no longer includes a medical certificate among the required documents for work permit extension applications.
This change reduces the documentation requirements for employers and foreign employees applying for extensions.
Nevertheless, the removal of medical certificates from the work permit extension dossier should not be interpreted as an exemption from all other medical examination obligations that may apply under Vietnamese law.
Legal Reference: Article 28 of Decree 393/2026/ND-CP.
2. Simplified Vietnamese Worker Recruitment Notification Requirements
Another important change concerns the notification and explanation requirements associated with recruiting Vietnamese employees.
Under Form No. 03 accompanying Decree 219, the section concerning Vietnamese worker recruitment applies to relevant cases involving both the issuance and extension of work permits, depending on the employee’s form of employment.
However, Section II of Form No. 03 in Appendix I of Decree 393 specifies that these recruitment notification provisions apply to work permit issuance applications.
Consequently, employers applying for work permit extensions under Decree 393 are not required to complete the Vietnamese worker recruitment notification section of Form No. 03.
This change is particularly relevant to companies employing multiple foreign nationals under labor contracts.
Legal Reference: Form No. 03, Appendix I of Decree 393/2026/ND-CP.
3. Work Permit Extension Processing Time Reduced From 10 to 5 Working Days
Under the previous regulations, the statutory processing period for work permit extensions was 10 working days from receipt of a complete application.
From December 5, 2026, Clause 3, Article 29 of Decree 393 reduces this period to five working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete application dossier.
The shorter statutory processing period may help businesses plan foreign personnel arrangements more efficiently.
However, this is the prescribed processing period for a complete and valid application, rather than an unconditional guarantee that every case will be resolved within five working days where documents are missing or require amendment.
Legal Reference: Clause 3, Article 29 of Decree 393/2026/ND-CP.
What Documents Are Required for a Vietnam Work Permit Extension in 2026?
Under Article 28 of Decree 393/2026/ND-CP, a work permit extension application includes the following documentation:
1. Application and Explanation of Foreign Labor Demand
An explanation of the employer’s demand for foreign workers and a request for work permit extension, using Form No. 03 in Appendix I of Decree 393.
2. Copy of the Passport’s Personal Information Page
The foreign employee’s passport must remain valid.
A separate copy may not be required if the competent authority can retrieve the relevant information from the national immigration database.
3. Passport-Style Photographs
Two color photographs or digital photo files measuring 4 × 6 cm, meeting the applicable specifications.
The relevant exemption from separately submitting photographs may apply where the information can be obtained from the foreign worker database.
4. Documents Establishing the Form of Employment
Supporting documents demonstrating the foreign employee’s form of employment, where required under the applicable provisions.
5. Copy of the Existing Valid Work Permit
A copy of the previously issued work permit that remains valid, except where the competent authority can retrieve the relevant information from the foreign worker database.
Importantly, Resolution No. 24/2026/NQ-CP had already simplified certain documentation requirements before Decree 393 was scheduled to take effect.
Therefore, employers should distinguish between simplifications introduced under the earlier framework and changes taking effect specifically on December 5, 2026.
Legal Reference: Article 28 of Decree 393/2026/ND-CP and the relevant provisions of Resolution No. 24/2026/NQ-CP.
Work Permit Extension Requirements: Before and After December 5, 2026
To help employers, HR departments, and legal teams understand the differences, 68 SOLUTIONS summarizes the principal changes below.
| Requirement | Before December 5, 2026 | From December 5, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Legal framework | Decree 219, together with applicable simplifications under Resolution 24 | Decree 393 |
| Medical certificate | Generally required, subject to exemptions where medical data can be retrieved in accordance with the regulations | Not included in the extension dossier |
| Vietnamese worker recruitment notification | Applicable to relevant employment arrangements for issuance or extension under the previous Form No. 03 | Section II of Form No. 03 applies to work permit issuance, not extension |
| Passport | Copy of the personal information page, subject to applicable exceptions under Resolution 24 | Copy of the personal information page, unless immigration data can be retrieved |
| 4 × 6 cm photographs | Required, subject to applicable database-based exemptions | Required, subject to applicable database-based exemptions |
| Copy of a valid work permit | Required, subject to exceptions under Resolution 24 | Required, unless the information can be retrieved from the foreign worker database |
| Application submission period | At least 10 days and no more than 45 days before expiry | At least 10 working days and no more than 90 days before expiry |
| Statutory processing time | 10 working days from receipt of a complete dossier | 5 working days from receipt of a complete dossier |
Overall, Decree 393 expands the permissible application window and removes certain administrative requirements.
Nevertheless, employers should not base their decision to delay a work permit extension solely on the possibility of preparing fewer documents.
Extension eligibility and compliance with the statutory submission deadline must always be assessed first.
Vietnam Work Permit Extension 2026: Should You Apply Before or After December 5?
For employers whose foreign employees’ work permits will expire during the transition period, two factors are particularly important:
- The work permit expiration date.
- The permissible application submission window under the relevant regulations.
Under Clause 1, Article 28 of Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, extension applications must be submitted at least 10 days and no more than 45 days before work permit expiry.
By comparison, Clause 1, Article 29 of Decree 393 requires applications to be submitted at least 10 working days and no more than 90 days before expiry.
This difference may provide certain employers with an opportunity to consider alternative submission dates during the regulatory transition.
Quick Reference: Work Permit Expiration Dates
| Work Permit Expiration Date | Recommended Consideration |
|---|---|
| Before approximately December 21, 2026 | Review the filing deadline under the pre-December 5 framework immediately; do not automatically delay the application |
| Approximately December 21, 2026 – January 18, 2027 | Submission windows under both frameworks may be available; calculate the exact dates for each case |
| After January 18, 2027 | Filing before December 5 would generally be too early under the previous 45-day limit; consider the submission window under Decree 393 |
Important: This table is illustrative and assumes that December 4, 2026 is the final ordinary working day before the transition and December 7, 2026 is the next ordinary working day. It does not establish eligibility or a legally guaranteed deadline for every application. Employers must verify the actual expiry date, applicable calculation of working days, and filing arrangements of the competent authority.
Example 1: Work Permit Expiring on December 10, 2026
Under Decree 219, an extension application must be submitted at least 10 days before the existing work permit expires.
Accordingly, the employer cannot simply wait until December 4, 2026 to submit the application, as this would fall outside the minimum advance filing period.
In this situation, the employer should determine the applicable deadline and arrange submission sufficiently early.
Example 2: Work Permit Expiring on January 10, 2027
This case falls within the transition period and requires individual assessment.
The employer may compare the permissible filing periods under Decree 219, Resolution 24, and Decree 393 to identify an appropriate submission strategy.
If the application is submitted under Decree 393, the employer must ensure it is filed at least 10 working days before January 10, 2027.
The calculation should also account for public holidays, particularly New Year’s Day on January 1, 2027, and the actual working schedule of the receiving authority.
Example 3: Work Permit Expiring on January 25, 2027
As of December 4, 2026, more than 45 calendar days remain before this work permit expires.
Accordingly, the employer would not yet be within the permissible application window under Decree 219.
The employer should therefore plan the extension under the submission window established by Decree 393, provided that the application satisfies the relevant eligibility and documentation requirements.
Recommendation: Before deciding when to submit a Vietnam work permit extension application in 2026, HR departments should calculate both the earliest and latest permissible filing dates for each employee.
Important Considerations for Work Permit Extensions Under Decree 393
1. Applications Must Be Submitted at Least 10 Working Days Before Expiry
Clause 1, Article 29 of Decree 393 requires work permit extension applications to be submitted at least 10 working days before the existing permit expires.
This is an important requirement when planning a Vietnam work permit extension in 2026.
Employers should not confuse 10 working days with 10 calendar days.
When calculating the application deadline, weekends, public holidays, and the competent authority’s actual working schedule must be considered.
2. The Five-Working-Day Processing Period Applies Only to Complete Applications
Clause 3, Article 29 provides that work permit extension applications must be processed within five working days from receipt of a complete dossier.
Where documents are missing, invalid, or require correction or supplementation, the actual processing timeline may be longer.
Careful document preparation therefore remains essential, even though the statutory processing period has been shortened.
3. A Work Permit Can Only Be Extended Once
Under Article 30 of Decree 393, a work permit may be extended only once, with a maximum extension period of two years.
Where an employee has already obtained a work permit extension and continues working for the same employer in the same job position and professional field, the employer must apply for a work permit in accordance with Clause 3, Article 21.
For this procedure, the application must be submitted at least 10 working days and no more than 60 days before the existing work permit expires.
Employers must distinguish between a standard work permit extension and a work permit issuance application for an employee whose permit has already been extended once.
The required documentation and applicable procedures are not identical.
4. Employment Contract Requirements Following an Extension
Under Clause 4, Article 29 of Decree 393, foreign employees falling under the employment arrangements specified in Points a and m, Clause 1, Article 2 are subject to specific employment contract requirements.
Following approval of the work permit extension, the employer and foreign employee must sign a written employment contract in accordance with Vietnamese labor law before the employee’s intended date of continued employment.
Employers should verify the relevant form of employment to ensure compliance with this obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnam Work Permit Extensions in 2026
1. Is a medical certificate required for a Vietnam work permit extension in 2026?
Under Article 28 of Decree 393/2026/ND-CP, a medical certificate is not included in the required work permit extension dossier from the decree’s effective date.
However, employers must still prepare all other required documentation applicable to the employee’s circumstances.
2. Is a Vietnamese worker recruitment notification required when extending a work permit under Decree 393?
Employers are not required to complete the Vietnamese worker recruitment notification section under Section II of Form No. 03 for a work permit extension.
Under the revised form, this section applies to work permit issuance applications.
3. Will applications submitted before December 5, 2026 automatically be processed under Decree 393?
No. Under Clauses 2 and 5, Article 35 of Decree 393, applications submitted before the decree’s effective date continue to be processed in accordance with the applicable transitional provisions.
Where an employer wishes to withdraw an application or change its submission approach, the application’s processing status and relevant administrative procedures should be reviewed separately.
4. Can a work permit be extended a second time?
No. Decree 393 provides that a work permit may only be extended once.
Where an employee continues working and falls within the circumstances specified in Clause 3, Article 21, the employer must follow the applicable work permit issuance procedure.
5. Should employers wait until December 5, 2026 to submit extension applications?
There is no single answer that applies to every employer or foreign employee.
The appropriate submission date depends on the work permit’s expiration date, the permissible filing period, the number of previous extensions, the employment arrangement, and the status of the supporting documents.
If delaying the application could cause the employer to miss the statutory deadline, the application should not be postponed simply to benefit from the new regulations.
What Should Employers Prepare Before December 5, 2026?
To prepare for Vietnam work permit extensions in 2026 and the transition to Decree 393, HR departments and corporate legal teams should take the following steps:
- Review Work Permit Expiration Dates: Check the validity periods of all work permits held by foreign employees.
- Verify Extension History: Determine whether each employee’s work permit has previously been extended.
- Confirm Employment Arrangements: Identify the correct employment category and corresponding documentation requirements.
- Calculate Application Windows: Determine the earliest and latest permissible filing dates for each employee.
- Review Existing Documentation: Identify documents that are nearing expiry or contain information requiring updates.
- Establish an Application Schedule: Prepare a realistic submission plan to reduce the risk of disruptions to lawful employment arrangements.
Early preparation allows employers to manage work permit extension procedures more effectively as the new regulatory framework comes into force.
Is your foreign employee’s work permit approaching its expiration date?
Share the work permit expiration date, previous extension history, and employment arrangement with 68 SOLUTIONS. Our team can help assess the applicable requirements, identify the permissible submission window, and advise on the documentation needed for the application.
68 SOLUTIONS – Legal & Travel
Hotline / Zalo / WhatsApp: (+84) 935 595 536
Email: sales@68solutions.vn
Website: https://68solutions.vn/
Legal References
- Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP dated August 7, 2025: Articles 27 and 28, and Form No. 03.
- Resolution No. 24/2026/NQ-CP dated April 29, 2026: Relevant provisions on administrative procedure simplification.
- Decree No. 393/2026/ND-CP dated October 20, 2026: Clause 3, Article 21; Articles 28, 29, 30, 35, and 36; and Form No. 03 in Appendix I.
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information as of the publication date and does not constitute case-specific legal advice. Illustrative filing dates during the regulatory transition must be verified against the actual work permit expiration date, application eligibility, working-day calculations, and instructions issued by the competent authority.
