Vietnam requires a variety of legal documents for different procedures (visa – IRC – ERC – license – M&A). The following content aims to help readers understand the practical steps, prepare the necessary paperwork, and avoid mistakes.
1. Investor Visa (DT1–DT4) – What Documents to Prepare & How to Submit
Required Documents
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Company documents showing investment:
- IRC (Investment Registration Certificate)
- ERC (Enterprise Registration Certificate)
3. Proof of capital contribution (bank statement or confirmation)
4. Visa application forms (NA5/NA6)
5. Temporary residence declaration (if applying inside Vietnam)
Where to Submit
- Vietnam Immigration Department (Ho Chi Minh / Hanoi / Da Nang)
- Or Vietnamese Embassy (if applying abroad)
Step-by-Step
- Verify investment capital status
- Prepare documents in English + Vietnamese
- Submit online or directly at Immigration
- Receive approval letter
- Get visa sticker or TRC card issued
Most Common Mistakes
- Capital not contributed → visa automatically rejected
- Company documents inconsistent between IRC & ERC
- Incorrect sponsor company information
2. Setting Up a Foreign-Owned Company (IRC + ERC)
2.1. Preparing Documents for the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC)
Documents from the Investor
- Passport
- Bank statement (≤ 3 months) showing sufficient investment funds
- Business plan (industry, scale, investment amount)
- Office lease contract + landlord documents
Documents from the Company (prepared by Asia Legal Group or lawyer)
- Application for IRC
- Investment proposal
- Charter draft
- Documents proving location meets business regulations
Where to Submit
Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) of the province/city
Online submission via National Investment Information System (F5–F6 steps)
Timeline
Pre-check industry conditions: 1 day
IRC approval: 12–18 business days
Typical Issues
Business location fails fire-safety/office regulations
Business line restricted to foreign investors
Investor fails to prove financial capacity
legal-services-for-foreign-investors-in-vietnam
2.2. Documents for ERC – Enterprise Registration Certificate
Required Documents
Application for ERC
Company Charter
List of members/shareholders
Legal representative appointment
Office lease documents (again, if required)
Where to Submit
DPI – Business Registration Office
Timeline
3-5 days
3. Changing Capital, Address, Business Lines (Amending IRC & ERC)
Required Documents
Updated Charter
Minutes of meeting (members/owners/shareholders)
Resolution on capital change or address change
Proof of paid-up capital (bank confirmation)
New office lease contract (for address change)
Sector-specific documents for conditional industries
Where to Submit
DPI (Investment Division for IRC; Business Registration Division for ERC)
Important Notes
IRC must be amended before ERC
Address change across districts requires tax office clearance
4. Business Licenses for Conditional Sectors
(Retail, logistics, e-commerce, education, etc.)
Required Documents
Explanation report on business plan
Financial statements
Proof of experience or qualifications (education sector)
Cybersecurity compliance (e-commerce)
Retail market impact assessment (retail stores)
Where to Submit
Department of Industry & Trade (DOIT)
Ministry-level authorities if required
Frequent Problems
Financial statements not accepted
Missing location compliance
Business scope overlaps restricted sectors
5. M&A, Capital Contribution, Share Purchase
Documents Needed
Passport of foreign investor
Company charter
List of current shareholders
Investment approval application (if required)
Share transfer agreements
Updated charter after transaction
Where to Submit
DPI – Investment Division
DPI – Business Registration Division
(both required for most FDI changes)
Critical Notes
Some sectors require prior approval
Anti–money laundering checks may delay bank transfers
6. Branch or Representative Office Setup
Documents Needed
Parent company license (notarized & legalized)
Appointment of Chief Representative
RO charter
Office lease + building legal documents
Where to Submit
Department of Industry & Trade (DOIT)
7. Legal Compliance & Investor Risk Monitoring
Includes
Monthly reports
Labor contracts & HR compliance
Tax declaration and periodic filings
Corporate governance documentation
Required Tools/Documents
Digital signature
E-tax login
Social insurance registration
Document archive & digital record system
8. Document Management & Digitalization – What Investors Must Prepare
Documents to Maintain Long-Term
IRC, ERC, business licenses
All resolutions & meeting minutes
Capital contribution records
Labor files
Tax filings
Contract archive
Digitalization Process
Scan and index documents by category
Create digital folders
Implement cloud-based archive
Apply retention policy (5–10 years)
🔥 Summary for Readers (Clear, Practical, Actionable)
Foreign investors need to prepare:
✔ Personal documents
Passport, notarized documents, financial proof
✔ Company documents
IRC, ERC, lease, charter, licenses
✔ Submission points
DPI, DOIT, Immigration, Ministry-level agencies
✔ Be aware of common mistakes
- Missing financial capacity proof
- Inconsistent document details
- Location not meeting regulations
- Delayed capital contribution
Source: Asia Legal Group
Phone:: 028 6674 3333 -0945 009002 ( P.TGĐ)
Website: https://dinhgiaav.com/
Address: 6-8 Phan Huy Thực, phường Tân Kiểng, Quận 7, TP.HCM
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