Vietnam's government promulgated Decree 283/2026/ND-CP on July 15, 2026, imposing fines on Vietnamese workers who illegally overstay abroad without justification after their employment contracts end. The decree takes effect on September 10, 2026. In response, reports say Vietnamese nationals unlawfully staying in Japan are increasingly turning up at immigration offices, including the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, seeking to return home before the deadline.
Contents of Decree 283
- Worker who illegally overstays: fine of 80-100 million VND (roughly ¥480,000-600,000)
- Brokers/intermediaries who unlawfully recruit or induce overstay: comparable fine
- Entities operating outside their permitted scope: fine of up to 200 million VND
- Statute of limitations for overseas-employment violations: extended to 2 years (1 year for general labor/social insurance matters)
- Promulgated: July 15, 2026 / Effective: September 10, 2026
Situation in Japan
Because returning before the effective date is seen as a way to avoid the new penalty, reports say the number of people appearing at immigration offices across Japan seeking repatriation procedures has increased. At the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, waiting lines reportedly extended from the 6th to the 7th floor.
Relevance to the Technical Intern Training Program
According to Immigration Services Agency statistics, the number of overstayers as of January 1, 2026 was 68,488 (down 8.5% year on year), of which 11,601 were Vietnamese nationals (down 2,695). Vietnamese nationals account for a large share of technical intern trainee disappearance cases by nationality, and this decree is part of Vietnam's broader effort to address disappearances and illegal overstay among its citizens working abroad.
Summary
- Vietnam's Decree 283/2026/ND-CP was promulgated July 15, 2026, effective September 10, 2026
- Fine of 80-100 million VND for illegal overstay; statute of limitations extended to 2 years
- Reports indicate immigration offices in Japan are congested as people rush to return before the deadline
For assistance with disappearance response and supervising organization operations for technical intern trainees, entrusting the matter to a qualified supervising organization and handling it carefully is essential. Consult Sakura Central Legal Office or Sakura Training Organization.