Quick answer
Foreign employees who have stopped compulsory social insurance contributions in Vietnam are entitled to a lump-sum, one-time social insurance payment under Article 70 of Law 41/2024/QH15 upon labor contract termination or work permit expiry without renewal. Unlike domestic employees who generally face a 12-month waiting period, departing foreign workers can submit their claim dossier immediately after their contract ends and their social insurance book is closed (chốt sổ BHXH).
Statutory processing time: Vietnam Social Security (VSS / BHXH) is required to process complete claims and disburse funds within 5 working days of receiving a valid dossier.
💼 Need professional assistance with your claim? Request our Social Insurance Claim Assistance Service for dossier verification, Form 14-HSB preparation, and authorized direct representation before VSS.
Eligibility: Who Qualifies for One-Time SI Claim
Under Article 70(2) of Law 41/2024/QH15 (and previously Decree 143/2018/NĐ-CP), a foreign employee participating in compulsory social insurance is eligible for a one-time lump-sum withdrawal in the following specific cases:
- Employment Contract Termination or Work Permit Expiry: The foreign employee's labor contract has terminated, or their work permit/practicing license has expired without renewal, and they are departing Vietnam.
- Reaching Statutory Retirement Age: The worker reaches retirement age (61 years 3 months for men, 56 years 8 months for women in 2025/2026) but has fewer than 15 years of compulsory contributions.
- Severe Illness or Medical Condition: The worker contracts life-threatening illnesses specified by the Ministry of Health (e.g., cancer, polio, severe cirrhosis, leprosy, terminal tuberculosis, or AIDS).
- Permanent Work Capacity Reduction: The worker suffers a work-capacity reduction of 81% or greater, or severe disability.
How to Calculate One-Time Social Insurance for Foreigners
The statutory one-time social insurance payout calculation is based on the foreign employee's total contribution years and the adjusted average monthly salary on which social insurance contributions were paid (Mbqtl):
$$\text{One-Time Payout} = \left( 2.0 \times M_{bqtl} \times \text{Years of Contribution from 2014} \right) + \text{CPI Adjustment}$$
Calculation Rules & Thresholds:
* Rate Per Contribution Year: 2.0 months of the average monthly contribution wage for each year contributed from 2014 onwards. * Partial Year Rounding: * 1 to 6 months of contributions = 0.5 contribution year (1 month of average wage). * 7 to 11 months of contributions = 1.0 contribution year (2 months of average wage). Maximum Contribution Wage Ceiling: Social insurance contributions in Vietnam are capped at 20 times the statutory base salary (mức lương cơ sở*), setting the maximum monthly calculation ceiling. * Inflation Adjustment (Hệ số trượt giá): Prior-year contributions are adjusted annually based on the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) CPI adjustment circular.
Practical Calculation Example:
An expat worked in Vietnam for 2 years and 8 months (32 months) with an average contribution salary of VND 36,000,000/month: * Total Contribution Period = 2 full years + 8 months (rounded to 3 full years). * Lump-sum entitlement = $2.0 \times 36,000,000 \times 3.0 = \text{\textbf{VND 216,000,000}}$ (plus applicable annual inflation coefficients).
Required Documents: Form 14-HSB & Social Insurance Book
To submit a valid claim dossier to the district-level Social Security office (BHXH quận/huyện), prepare the following documents:
| Document | Description | Source | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Form No. 14-HSB | Official Application for One-Time Social Insurance Benefit (Đơn đề nghị hưởng trợ cấp BHXH một lần) | Download/Prepare with Specialist | | Social Insurance Book (Sổ BHXH) | Original physical booklet with all contribution pages and the official closing confirmation page (Tờ rời chốt sổ) | Issued by employer upon labor termination | | Labor Contract Termination Decision | Official decision on labor contract termination or mutual agreement | Issued by Vietnam employer | | Passport & Valid Visa/TRC | Original passport with valid entry/exit stamps or work permit copy | Claimant | | Power of Attorney (If Authorizing an Agent) | Notarized/Legalized Authorization (Form 13-HSB or Notary Office POA) | Notary Office / Consular Legalization | | Bank Account Confirmation | Personal Vietnamese bank account details in the claimant's name for direct disbursement | Bank statement / Account certificate |
Step-by-Step Claim Procedure & Timeline
``mermaid flowchart TD A["Step 1: Employment Termination & Book Closing (Chot So)"] --> B["Step 2: Prepare Form 14-HSB & Dossier"] B --> C["Step 3: Dossier Submission to District VSS Office"] C --> D["Step 4: VSS Administrative Review (Max 5 Working Days)"] D --> E["Step 5: Direct Bank Transfer Disbursement"] ``
- Step 1 — Social Insurance Book Closing (Chốt sổ BHXH): Immediately upon contract termination, the employer must settle all pending contributions and submit your physical SI book to VSS for closing confirmation (tờ rời chốt sổ).
- Step 2 — Dossier Preparation: Complete Form 14-HSB with accurate bank account information, personal tax code (MST), and passport details.
- Step 3 — Submission: Submit the dossier directly or via an authorized representative to the Social Security office where the employer is registered or where you reside.
- Step 4 — Processing: Under VSS Decision 166/QĐ-BHXH, the statutory turnaround time is maximum 5 working days from the receipt of an error-free dossier.
- Step 5 — Payment: Funds are wired directly into your designated personal bank account.
One-Time Social Insurance Withdrawal Service Assistance
Navigating bureaucratic submissions, Vietnamese-language documentation, and banking restrictions while relocating abroad can cause substantial delays or dossier rejections.
Our certified team provides full Social Insurance Claim Assistance in Vietnam: Book Verification & Recovery: Expedite SI book closing (chốt sổ*) with your previous employer. * Form 14-HSB Completion: Flawless drafting of statutory declarations. * Authorized Representation (POA): Submit, monitor, and resolve queries on your behalf even after you have departed Vietnam. * Funds Settlement: Ensure direct, uninterrupted bank disbursement.
📞 Ready to claim your social insurance funds? Contact our Social Insurance Specialists or review our Leaving Vietnam Departure Tax Checklist.