How Is a Work Permit or Exemption Certification Revoked?

Revoking a work permit is a concern for many businesses and foreign workers when a permit expires or changes arise during employment. Understanding the cases and procedure for revocation helps both sides handle it correctly and avoid being caught off guard.

Under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, revocation applies to both a work permit and an exemption certification (giấy xác nhận không thuộc diện cấp giấy phép lao động).

📌 What Is Work Permit Revocation?

Foreigners working in Vietnam may need a work permit or an exemption certification, depending on their specific situation.

When a work permit or exemption certification is no longer valid for use, the employer must carry out the revocation procedure and return it as required.

These two types of documents have their own revocation cases, but the handling procedure shares some similarities.

⚠️ Cases Where a Work Permit Is Revoked

Article 30 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP sets out three groups of cases where a work permit is revoked.

• The work permit has expired under Clauses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Article 156 of the Labour Code.
• Regulations on issuance, re-issuance, or extension of a work permit have not been properly followed, involving the employer or the foreign worker.
• Vietnamese law has been violated during employment, leading to the foreign worker being prosecuted or facing criminal liability.

These are cases that need to be carefully reviewed before deciding whether the worker should continue working.

Employers should keep complete records to demonstrate compliance with the procedures they have carried out.

🔄 Procedure for Revoking a Work Permit

Article 31 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP distinguishes the procedure by each group of cases.

Case Where the Work Permit Has Expired

Within 15 days from the date the work permit expires, the employer retrieves the work permit to return it to the competent authority that issued it.

A written report on the revocation case should be included.

If the permit cannot be retrieved, the employer must state the reason clearly.

Case Where Regulations Were Not Followed or the Worker Is Prosecuted or Faces Criminal Liability

The competent authority that issued the work permit will issue a decision revoking the work permit.

That authority sends a notice to the employer requesting the return of the work permit.

At the same time, the notice is sent to the Vietnam Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security (Cục Quản lý xuất nhập cảnh thuộc Bộ Công an) for awareness and coordinated management.

The employer needs to follow the notice and return the permit within the requested timeframe.

📄 Cases Where an Exemption Certification Is Revoked

Article 32 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP sets out five cases where an exemption certification is revoked.

• Working in a way that does not match the content recorded in the issued exemption certification.
• The employer abroad sends a written notice that the worker will no longer work in Vietnam.
• The employer in Vietnam or abroad ceases operations.
• Regulations on issuance, re-issuance, or extension of an exemption certification have not been properly followed.
• Vietnamese law has been violated during employment, leading to prosecution or criminal liability.

These cases relate directly to when a foreign employee is exempt from a work permit and the content that has been certified.

When there are changes to the business, job position, or a decision from the overseas party, the validity of the exemption certification should be re-checked.

🧾 Procedure for Revoking an Exemption Certification

Article 33 of Decree 219/2025/ND-CP also divides the procedure into two groups.

Case Where Work Does Not Match the Certified Content, the Overseas Party Notifies That Work Will Stop, or the Employer Ceases Operations

Within 15 days from the date the exemption certification expires, the employer retrieves the certification to return it to the competent authority that issued it.

A written report on the revocation case should be included.

If the certification cannot be retrieved, the employer must state the reason clearly.

Case Where Regulations Were Not Followed or the Person Is Prosecuted or Faces Criminal Liability

The competent authority that issued the exemption certification will issue a decision revoking the exemption certification.

That authority sends a notice to the employer requesting the return of the certification.

At the same time, the notice is sent to the Vietnam Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security for awareness and coordinated management.

✅ Checklist for Handling a Revocation

• ☐ Identify which revocation case applies to the work permit or the exemption certification.
• ☐ Check the expiry date of the permit or certification to calculate the 15-day period.
• ☐ Retrieve the original from the foreign worker, if they still hold it.
• ☐ Prepare a written report on the revocation case to submit together with the document.
• ☐ State the reason clearly if the document cannot be retrieved.
• ☐ Follow the revocation decision and notice from the competent authority, when the authority issues the decision.
• ☐ Keep the return receipt and related notices for later reference.

💡 Notes to Avoid Risks When Extending and Continuing Work

Many revocation cases arise from not properly following regulations on issuance, re-issuance, or extension.

Therefore, businesses need to proactively track deadlines and carry out the work permit extension procedure at the right time as required.

When a worker changes position, type of work, or employer, it is necessary to check again whether the permit or certification is still appropriate.

If you are unsure which case applies, the employer should check the current provisions or documents, or contact the competent authority for guidance.

Handling revocation in the correct procedure and within the correct timeframe helps businesses and foreign workers maintain clarity and transparency while working in Vietnam.

If you need support reviewing your records or learning more about work permit procedures, please contact paa.vn for suitable information and advice.