Lump-Sum Social Insurance Refund for Foreigners in Vietnam

Yes. Foreign workers can claim a lump-sum social insurance refund for foreigners in Vietnam without leaving the country. A Government e-newspaper answer published on September 12, 2026 confirms it: a terminated labor contract plus nine months of contributions was enough to qualify, under Article 70 of Law No. 41/2024/QH15.

Who qualifies for a lump-sum social insurance refund for foreigners?

The question comes up at social insurance counters across the country. A foreign employee finishes a short contract. They stay on in Vietnam under a new visa or work permit. Does the lump-sum refund require an exit stamp first? Vietnam Social Security's Ho Chi Minh City branch answered through the Government e-newspaper: no. The case it cited involved someone who had paid nine months of mandatory contributions. Their labor contract had already ended. That combination was enough to meet the legal condition.

Foreign employees sorting out this kind of Vietnamese paperwork rarely stop at one form. FAS Localize's VietnamHelp team, in Central Vietnam, handles visa and residence paperwork, notarized translations and emergency on-the-ground help, quoted per case. Details are at faslocalize.com/vietnamhelp.

Article 70 of Law No. 41/2024/QH15, in plain terms

The legal basis is point đ, clause 2, Article 70 of the Social Insurance Law No. 41/2024/QH15. Lawmakers passed it on June 29, 2024 and it took effect on July 1, 2025. The article entitles a worker to a one-time payment when a labor contract ends. It applies equally when a work permit, professional certificate or practicing license expires without being renewed, per the Government policy portal's text of Article 70.

What goes into the dossier?

• Original social insurance book (sổ BHXH).
• Request letter on Form No. 14-HSB.
• Original, valid passport, for identity verification.

That is the complete dossier the official answer lists. No exit confirmation appears on it. No separate employer letter appears on it either, beyond what the form itself captures. If a former employer has not handed back the social insurance book, raise it with them directly before filing.

Where this leaves a foreign worker staying in Vietnam

Staying on in the country does not close the door on this claim; only the contract-ending or permit-expiry condition does. Related reading: Vietnam work permit documents and VNeID without a temporary residence card.

Still in Vietnam and need help with this kind of paperwork? FAS Localize's VietnamHelp team in Central Vietnam handles visa and residence paperwork, notarized translations and emergency help such as police reports, quoted per case. Get in touch at faslocalize.com/vietnamhelp.