When a foreigner holding a Vietnam residence card leaves the job, ends the contract or goes home for good, the sponsor (employer, investor company, school or Vietnamese family member) must notify the immigration authority in writing that it no longer sponsors that person, and help ensure the person leaves or moves to a new sponsor. This duty sits in Article 45(2)(e) of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. Info Travel prepares the notification letter, files it with the immigration office and sorts out the foreigner’s next status – WhatsApp +84327828822.
What “returning” a residence card means
A temporary residence card is issued at the request of one specific sponsor. Once the relationship behind it ends, the card loses its basis even if the expiry date printed on it is still months away.
Under consolidated text 62/VBHN-VPQH (2026) of Law 47/2014/QH13, as amended by Law 51/2019/QH14, Law 23/2023/QH15 and later laws, the inviting or sponsoring party must:
- handle the invitation and sponsorship procedures for entry, exit and residence;
- coordinate on the foreigner’s activities and on the temporary residence declaration;
- notify the immigration authority in writing when a foreigner who already holds papers (visa or residence card) no longer needs sponsorship during the stay, and work with the authorities to have that person exit.
In practice this letter is called a residence card return or cancellation letter (“công văn trả thẻ tạm trú”), usually filed together with the original card if the company can collect it.
When the card must be returned
- The employee resigns or the labour contract ends before an LD1/LD2 card expires;
- The work permit expires or is revoked under the current labour rules (Decree 219/2025/ND-CP) – see work permit rules 2026;
- An investor sells the whole capital contribution or leaves the company (DT card);
- The company or representative office is dissolved;
- A student drops out or finishes early (DH card);
- A marriage ends or the Vietnamese family sponsor withdraws for a TT family residence card;
- The foreigner leaves Vietnam permanently.
The Law does not set a fixed number of days for the notification. Sponsors should still act as soon as the relationship ends, because until then they remain on record as responsible for the foreigner.
Who files, where, and what to include
The sponsor files, not the foreigner. The letter goes to the authority that issued the card or the competent immigration office: the Immigration Department or the provincial police immigration office where the sponsor is registered (see provincial immigration offices).
- Letter stating that sponsorship has ended, signed by the authorised person and stamped (seal and signature must match the NA16 registration);
- The original card if collected, and a copy of the passport;
- Proof of the reason: termination decision, work permit revocation, capital transfer papers, divorce decision, etc.;
- Letter of authorisation for the person filing in person.
Note: among the forms amended by Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA (effective 1 July 2026) we could not verify a dedicated NA form for returning a card. The circular adds form NA4 (“Phiếu yêu cầu thông báo”, notification request), but its exact use should be confirmed with the receiving office. Companies normally use their own letterhead letter with the foreigner’s details, card number, reason and end date of sponsorship.
What happens to the foreigner’s stay
| Situation | Legal route |
|---|---|
| Moving to a new employer | The new company obtains a work permit (or exemption) and applies for a new visa or card as sponsor – see residence card service and work permit service |
| Staying for another purpose (marriage, investment) | Purpose change where Article 7(4) allows it, then a new card |
| Going home | Exit within the period the immigration office accepts; if more time is needed, the sponsor may request a short visa or stay extension to exit – see exit procedures |
How long the person may remain after the card is returned is decided case by case by the immigration office; the Law sets no fixed grace period. Ask when filing, and avoid an overstay.
Revocation by the authorities
Revocation is different: it is the State cancelling the document. Under Article 6 of the Law, entry, exit and residence papers are revoked or cancelled when a foreigner:
- enters, exits or resides illegally, or forges or uses forged documents;
- gives false information to obtain papers;
- uses the stay to harm security, public order or the lawful rights of others;
- buys, sells, rents, lends or alters immigration documents;
- falls under the other cases the Law refers to (Article 21(3), Article 44(2)(b)).
Article 31 also lets the immigration authority cancel or shorten a stay for breaches of Vietnamese law. After a forced-exit or deportation decision the card can no longer be used.
Risks of not returning the card
- The company stays responsible if the foreigner overstays, breaks the law or works elsewhere;
- The sponsor may face an administrative fine under current rules (Decree 282/2025/ND-CP) – check the exact amount for the specific breach;
- Future sponsorship files from the company may be reviewed more closely;
- The foreigner working for another company without a new permit risks penalties.
How Info Travel helps
- Review of the card, work permit and the best next step (return, new sponsor, purpose change, exit);
- Drafting and filing the return letter with supporting documents;
- New card with the new employer, or a short visa extension to wind things up.
Service fees are quoted on WhatsApp +84327828822 after we see the case.
FAQ
Can the foreigner return the card personally?
The Law puts the duty on the sponsor. Ask the company or family sponsor to file; if the sponsor no longer exists, contact the issuing immigration office directly.
Is there an official template for the letter?
We could not verify a dedicated NA form in Circular 70/2026/TT-BCA. Companies use their own letter; confirm the content and attachments with the receiving office.
I am changing jobs – does the old card have to be returned?
Yes. The card is tied to the old employer. The old company notifies, the new company handles the work permit and new card; time both steps so there is no gap in legal status.
Can I leave Vietnam if my card was revoked?
Exit requires valid residence papers (Article 27), so contact the immigration office to arrange exit. If an exit suspension applies, the underlying obligation must be settled first.
Info Travel – visa solutions for foreigners in Vietnam
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