A foreign worker who qualifies for a one-time social insurance benefit in Vietnam can authorize another person to handle the procedure. Depending on the wording, the representative may prepare and submit the dossier, receive the decision and collect the payment.
The key is to use a valid written authorization with a precise scope. For a broader explanation of contribution rates, coverage and withdrawal rules, read Easytiger’s detailed guide to Vietnam social insurance (BHXH) in 2026.
Important 2026 update: Form 13-HSB was abolished by Decision 313/QĐ-BHXH. Some older articles and administrative pages still display it. Under the current guidance, use a written authorization that complies with Vietnamese civil and certification rules instead of relying on the old form.
Who can claim a one-time BHXH benefit?
Under Article 70 of the 2024 Law on Social Insurance, a foreign employee must first stop participating in compulsory social insurance and request the benefit. The employee must also fall within at least one of these cases:
- They have reached retirement age but have contributed for fewer than 15 years.
- They have cancer, paralysis, decompensated cirrhosis, severe tuberculosis or AIDS.
- Their working capacity has been reduced by at least 81%, or they have an extremely severe disability.
- They qualify for a pension but will no longer reside in Vietnam.
- Their employment contract has ended, or their work permit, practising certificate or practising licence has expired and has not been renewed.
For many foreign employees leaving Vietnam, the final case is the relevant one. Once the employment relationship or applicable permit has ended, compulsory participation has stopped and the legal condition is satisfied, the worker may apply without waiting 12 months. The competent social insurance office will make the final eligibility decision.
Documents to prepare
Prepare one complete dossier with:
- The original social insurance book, with the contribution history fully confirmed. Ask the former employer to complete the termination and book-finalisation process before filing.
- The original application for a one-time social insurance benefit, Form 14-HSB. Use the current form issued under the latest Vietnam Social Security procedure.
- A certified written authorization. It should comply with Vietnamese civil law and state exactly what the representative is permitted to do.
- Identity documents for both parties. Prepare the foreign worker’s passport or other accepted identity document and the representative’s valid photo identification. The representative should carry the original identification when filing or receiving payment.
- Case-specific medical records, but only when the claim is based on serious illness, an 81% or greater reduction in working capacity, or an extremely severe disability.
- Vietnamese translations and authentication documents, where a document was issued abroad or is not in Vietnamese.
The standard foreign-worker dossier identified by Vietnam Social Security consists of the social insurance book, Form 14-HSB and any required medical evidence. Keep the contract termination document, expired work permit and non-renewal evidence available in case the authority cannot verify the eligibility ground through its databases.
What the authorization should cover
Avoid a broad sentence such as “handle my social insurance.” List each permitted action. If the representative will manage the full claim, the authorization should cover:
- Preparing and completing Form 14-HSB and supporting documents.
- Submitting the dossier and providing clarifications or additional documents.
- Communicating with the competent Vietnam Social Security office.
- Receiving the approval decision, contribution record and other results.
- Receiving the one-time benefit and signing the payment receipt.
Include the parties’ full names, dates of birth, nationalities, passport or identification numbers, addresses and contact details. Also include the worker’s social insurance number, the date of authorization and its expiry date.
When the authorization includes receiving a social insurance benefit, it may be valid for no more than 12 months from the date it is made and must be certified as required by law. The representative should not sign Form 14-HSB on the worker’s behalf unless the authorization expressly permits it and the receiving office accepts that arrangement.
If the worker signs the authorization outside Vietnam
The worker can complete the authorization abroad. Use one of the routes accepted under Vietnamese law:
- Have it certified by a Vietnamese diplomatic mission or consular office; or
- Have it lawfully notarized or authenticated in the foreign country, then complete consular legalization unless an applicable treaty or reciprocity arrangement provides an exemption.
If the document is not in Vietnamese, prepare a Vietnamese translation with the required certification. Because formalities vary by country, confirm the proposed format with the receiving social insurance office before signing and sending the original to Vietnam.
How to apply
Step 1: Confirm eligibility and finalise the contribution record
Ask the former employer to report the end of participation and confirm the complete contribution history. Compare the record with VssID or other available records and resolve any missing months before submitting the claim.
Step 2: Complete Form 14-HSB and the authorization
Make sure names, passport numbers and the social insurance number are consistent across every document. Select the intended payment method and confirm the account or collection details with the receiving office.
Step 3: Submit the dossier
Vietnam Social Security lists three submission channels:
- Directly at the competent provincial or district-level social insurance office.
- By public postal service.
- Online through the Vietnam Social Security Public Service Portal.
For a worker who is already abroad, filing directly or by post through the authorized representative is often the most practical option because the authority may need to inspect the original authorization and identity documents. Confirm which office should receive the dossier before sending originals.
Step 4: Keep proof and follow the application
Keep the filing receipt, postal tracking number or electronic confirmation. If the office requests clarification or replacement documents, respond promptly because the official processing period starts when the authority has a complete and valid dossier.
Step 5: Receive the decision and payment
The maximum processing time is five working days from the date the competent social insurance office receives a complete dossier. There is no administrative fee. If the claim is refused, the authority must provide a written response stating the reason.
The result includes the decision on the one-time benefit, the confirmed contribution history and the payment. If the representative will collect the money, this power must be expressly included in the authorization. Do not assume that payment can be transferred to a foreign bank account or to the representative’s account without prior confirmation.
Final checklist before filing
- The worker’s compulsory social insurance participation has ended.
- At least one statutory eligibility condition applies.
- The contribution history is complete and confirmed.
- The current Form 14-HSB is complete and signed correctly.
- The authorization lists every required action.
- The authorization is certified and remains within the 12-month limit.
- Overseas documents have been legalized where required.
- Non-Vietnamese documents have certified Vietnamese translations.
- Identity details match across the passport, social insurance record, application and authorization.
- The representative has original identification and the filing documents.
- The filing office and payment method have been confirmed in advance.
- Copies of the full dossier, receipt, decision and payment record will be retained.
Practical notes
- A one-time BHXH benefit is a statutory benefit, not a refund of every contribution made by the worker and employer.
- Do not use the old Form 13-HSB simply because it still appears on a legacy webpage. Decision 313/QĐ-BHXH abolished that form, while the legal right to authorize another person remains.
- A five-working-day processing period applies only after a complete dossier is accepted. Legalization, translation, record corrections, postal delivery and payment processing can add time.
- Once a contribution period is used to calculate a one-time benefit, it cannot later be reused to calculate another social insurance benefit.
