A foreigner in Vietnam can be barred from leaving (an “exit suspension”) if they are a suspect, defendant or party with obligations in a pending case, have an unfulfilled court judgment or decision, owe tax, have not complied with an administrative fine, or for defence and security reasons (Article 28, Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, as amended). The ban is issued by the competent authority and must be lifted once the obligation is met. For tax debts: pay in full, obtain the tax authority’s official letter cancelling the exit suspension, then have the suspension cancelled at the Immigration Department – Info Travel provides a service for this last step. Info Travel advises on the procedure, prepares paperwork and keeps your residence status in order while the ban is resolved – WhatsApp +84327828822.
What is an exit ban in Vietnam?
An exit suspension (tạm hoãn xuất cảnh) means a competent authority temporarily stops a person from leaving Vietnam while an obligation remains unfulfilled or a case involving them is still being handled. It is temporary by design: the law caps it at 3 years, extendable, and the authority that issued it must lift it as soon as the grounds no longer exist.
It is different from being refused entry or being ordered to leave. A person under an exit suspension can still live in Vietnam but cannot clear departure control.
When can a foreigner be banned from leaving?
Article 28 of Law 47/2014/QH13 (consolidated text 2026) lists five grounds:
- Being a suspect, defendant or person with related obligations in a criminal case, or a defendant, respondent or person with related obligations in a civil, commercial, labour, administrative or family case;
- Having an obligation to comply with a court judgment or decision, or a decision of the Competition Council;
- Not having fulfilled tax obligations;
- Having an obligation to comply with an administrative penalty decision;
- Defence or security reasons.
In practice, the cases foreigners most often face are contract or employment disputes, unpaid personal income tax, tax debts of a company where they are the legal representative, and unpaid administrative fines.
Who can impose an exit ban?
| Ground | Competent authority |
|---|---|
| Criminal, civil, labour, administrative and other cases; court judgments and decisions | Heads of investigation agencies, chief procurators, chief judges, heads of judgment enforcement agencies, Chair of the National Competition Commission (within their remit) |
| Unpaid tax | Head of the tax authority |
| Unfulfilled administrative penalty | Minister of Public Security (on request of the competent bodies set out in law) |
| Defence or security | Minister of Public Security, Minister of National Defence |
The authority that issues a ban is also the one that extends or lifts it. Decisions are sent straight to the immigration authority and announced to the person concerned. Under Circular 71/2026/TT-BCA (in force from 10 July 2026, replacing Circular 79/2020/TT-BCA), the Immigration Department updates bans, extensions, cancellations and lifts in its system on the day it receives them.
Tax debts and exit bans
Tax is the most common trigger. Under Decree 49/2025/ND-CP on exit suspension thresholds, a foreigner who still has overdue tax when leaving Vietnam can be suspended regardless of the amount, while for a company’s legal representative the threshold is based on the company’s overdue tax. The tax authority notifies the taxpayer through the e-tax account or its website before issuing the decision.
To have the ban lifted you must settle all tax obligations (tax, late-payment interest and any penalties) and obtain an official letter from the tax authority cancelling the exit suspension. You then need to complete the procedure at the Immigration Department to have the exit suspension removed from its system; Info Travel offers a service for this step. Anyone ending an employment contract should finalise personal income tax before leaving – see social insurance and personal income tax for foreigners.
How to check before you fly
There is currently no single public portal where a foreigner can look up an exit ban. The careful approach is to review each possible obligation before booking:
- Tax: check notices in your personal e-tax account, and the company’s if you are its legal representative; confirm any balance with the tax office;
- Courts and enforcement: if you are involved in a case, ask the court or enforcement agency handling it, or have a lawyer check;
- Administrative fines: make sure every penalty decision you received has been paid – for example for working without a permit (see the 2026 work permit rules) or for an overstay;
- Your employer: ask accounting about outstanding taxes, insurance and labour disputes.
If you are stopped at the airport, border control will not process your departure and will report to the Immigration Department and the issuing authority. Ask which authority issued the decision so you know whom to contact. Our guide to exit procedures for foreigners covers the other common departure issues.
How to get an exit ban lifted legally
- Identify the issuing authority and the reason (tax office, court, enforcement agency, investigation agency…).
- Fulfil the obligation: pay the tax and late-payment interest, pay the fine, comply with the judgment, or take part in the case as the authority requires. In civil or labour matters, a lawful settlement or security permitted by law may give the authority grounds to reconsider.
- Submit proof and obtain a cancellation letter from the same authority that imposed the ban (for tax debts, the tax authority), with tax receipts, fine receipts or enforcement agency confirmations.
- Cancel the suspension at the Immigration Department: with the cancellation letter, complete the procedure at the Immigration Department so the exit suspension is removed from its system. Info Travel provides a service for this step; only book your flight once the cancellation is confirmed.
For criminal matters or complex disputes, hire a lawyer licensed in Vietnam. Foreign documents in your file may need a notarised translation or consular legalisation.
Staying legal while the ban is in place: An exit ban does not extend your visa or residence card. If your permitted stay is running out, arrange a visa extension or a temporary residence card as instructed by the immigration office so you do not add a new violation. If you lose your passport in the meantime, see what to do after losing your passport in Vietnam.
How Info Travel can help
- Procedural advice: which ground applies, which authority to deal with, which documents to prepare;
- A pre-departure checklist for tax and administrative fines;
- Handling the procedure at the Immigration Department to cancel the exit suspension once the tax authority (or other issuing authority) has issued its cancellation letter;
- Keeping your visa or residence card valid while the ban is resolved;
- Translation and legalisation of documents, and coordination with partner lawyers and accounting/tax firms where needed.
Info Travel does not replace the authorities or a litigation lawyer and cannot promise an outcome on their behalf. Fees depend on the case – message us on WhatsApp/Zalo +84327828822.
FAQ
How long can an exit ban last?
Up to 3 years, and it can be extended. It must be lifted as soon as the grounds no longer exist – for example once the tax is paid in full.
Will I be told before I am banned?
The law requires the decision to be announced to the person concerned. For tax debts, the tax authority notifies you through your e-tax account or its website before issuing the decision, so check those channels regularly.
Can I fly as soon as I pay?
Not yet. After paying, you need the tax authority’s letter cancelling the exit suspension, and then the procedure at the Immigration Department to remove the suspension. Info Travel can handle that step; only book once the cancellation is confirmed.
My company owes tax – can I, as a foreign employee, be banned?
The measure for company tax debts applies to the legal representative above the legal threshold. An employee who is not the legal representative is normally not affected unless they personally owe tax.
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