The Ministry of Home Affairs issued Decision No. 863/QĐ-BNV, effective from July 1, 2025 and the procedure for receiving sickness benefitis specifically guided as follows:

Step 1: Employees are responsible for submitting the required documents to their employers. The deadline is no later than 45 days from the date of returning to work.

Step 2: Within 07 working days from the date of receiving the complete documents from the employee, the employer must prepare the list of employees on sick leave and submit to the social security office along with the documents.

Step 3: Within 07 working days from the date of receiving the complete documents from the employer,  the social security office is responsible for processing the record. If the record is not settled, a written reply with a clear explanation must be provided.

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Method of Submission: In person, online, or via postal services.

Required Documents and Quantity

For employees or their children receiving inpatient treatment: Submit either the original or a copy of one of the following documents: Hospital discharge paper; Medical record summary; Other documents proving the inpatient treatment process; List of employees on sick leave listed by the employer.

For employees or their children receiving outpatient treatment: Submit one of the following documents: Certificate of sick leave eligible for social insurance benefits; Hospital discharge paper indicating the required duration of outpatient treatment after inpatient treatment (original or copy); List of employees on sick leave listed by the employer.

For employees or their children receiving medical treatment abroad:  Submit medical documents indicating the illness and duration of treatment issued by foreign medical facility. These documents must meet the following requirements: Notarized or certified Vietnamese translation document  as prescribed by law on notarization and certification; Consular legalization unless otherwise it is stipulated by international treaties that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member with another regulation.

Employees are entitled to sick leave benefits if they take time off work in any of the following cases: Illnesses treatment without being included in occupational diseases; Treatment due to accidents without being included in occupational accidents; Receiving treatment, rehabilitation due to accidents occurring on the way to/from work in accordance with regulations on occupational safety and hygiene; Undergoing treatment or functional rehabilitation due to recurrence of occupational accidents and diseases, or accidents under regulation; Donating, harvesting, or transplanting human tissues or body parts in accordance with the law; Taking care of illed child under 07 years old.

Employees are not eligible for sick leave benefits in the following cases: Intentionally causing self-injury or harming their own health; Using narcotic or precursor substance as listed by the Government, except for using as prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner; During the initial period of leave for treatment or rehabilitation from occupational accidents and diseases; During leave period that overlap with paid leave under the Labor Code, or while being on full paid leave under other legal provisions, or during maternity leave, convalescence, or health recovery periods as stipulated by the Law on Social Insurance.