Procedures for establishing representative offices for domestic and foreign enterprises in Vietnam (2026)

According to Decree 07/2016/ND-CP, foreign enterprises wishing to establish a representative office in Vietnam must meet the following conditions:

• Being a trader legally recognized by the law of the country or territory (hereinafter referred to as the country) where the trader is established or registered to do business;
• Has been operating for at least 01 year since the date of business registration.
• Business license is valid for at least 01 year from the date of application submission.
• The content of the activities is consistent with Vietnam's commitments in international treaties.
• In case the operation is not in accordance with international commitments, the approval of the specialized management ministry is required.

The dossier for establishing a representative office of a foreign enterprise in Vietnam includes:

• Application for Establishment License according to the form of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
• Copy of Business Registration Certificate or equivalent document (consularized).
• Document appointing the head of representative office.
• Audited financial statements or most recent financial statement.
• Copy of passport/ID card of the head of representative office.
• Lease agreement or document proving right to use the premises.
• Other relevant documents (translated into Vietnamese and notarized as prescribed).

Submit

Businesses can submit applications in the following ways:

• Directly at the licensing authority (Department of Industry and Trade where the representative office is located).
• By post to the competent authority.
• Online if eligible apply.

Processing time

• Within 03 working days, the licensing authority will check and request additional information if the application is incomplete.
• Within 07 working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the licensing authority will grant or refuse to grant a license (with a written document stating the reasons in case of refusal).
• In case it is necessary to consult the specialized management ministry, the time may be extended.

See article details: Procedures and processes for applying for foreign investment licenses in Vietnam.

Establishing a representative office is an important step for foreign enterprises to access the Vietnamese market. Full compliance with legal regulations helps ensure legal and convenient operations for enterprises. If you need more detailed support, enterprises should contact GLA for professional advice to complete the procedure quickly and effectively.

According to the provisions of the Law on Enterprises, domestic enterprises can establish representative offices when meeting the following conditions:

• Legally registered business in Vietnam.
• Need to expand operations, promote brand or conduct market research activities.
• The head of a representative office must have full civil capacity.

Registration documents for establishing a representative office of a domestic enterprise include:

• Notice of establishment of representative office according to the form of the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
• Decision to establish a representative office of the business owner or Board of Members/Board of Directors.
• Copy of legal documents of the individual head of the representative office.
• Head office lease contract or document proving the right to use the location of the representative office.

(1) Submit application

Businesses can submit applications in the following ways:

• Directly at the Business Registration Office - Department of Planning and Investment where the representative office is located.
• By post to the competent authority.
• Via the electronic network on the National Business Registration Portal.

Documents include: 

1. Sample notice of establishment of representative office of enterprise.

The notice content includes:

• Business registration number/tax code.
• Name and address of the company's headquarters.
• Name of branch or representative office to be established.
• Address of branch office, representative office.
• Content and scope of operations of branches and representative offices.
• Full name, place of residence, ID card number or passport number or other legal personal identification.
• Full name and signature of the legal representative of the enterprise.

2. Written decision and copy of the meeting minutes of the Board of Members for a limited liability company with two or more members, of the company owner or Board of Members or Chairman of the company for a one-member limited liability company, of the Board of Directors for a joint stock company, of the general partners for a partnership company on the establishment of a representative office;

3. Valid copy of the decision appointing the head of the representative office;

4. A valid copy of one of the personal identification documents of the head of the representative office.

(2) Application processing time

• Within 03 working days, the licensing authority will check the application and request additional information if it is incomplete.
• If the application is valid, within 03 working days, the enterprise will receive the Certificate of registration of representative office operation.

Establishing a representative office helps domestic enterprises expand their network of operations without establishing branches or subsidiaries. Enterprises need to fully comply with regulations to ensure legal and effective operations. If more detailed support is needed, enterprises should consult professional consulting services to complete the procedure quickly and accurately.

• Representative offices are not allowed to conduct profit-making business activities.
• No direct business contracts may be entered into, except for contracts for office operations.
• No import and export transactions of goods are allowed.

• Enterprises must periodically report on the activities of representative offices to the licensing authority.
• The head of the representative office must fully comply with legal and tax obligations as prescribed.
• Representative offices must comply with labor regulations and foreign labor use (if any).

• Representative office licenses are usually valid for 5 years and can be renewed.
• Cases of license revocation:
  • Not in operation within 06 months from the date of license issuance.
  • Continuous inactivity for 06 months without notice.
  • Serious violations of laws relating to labor, taxes, or illegal business.

• Representative office headquarters must have a clear address and not be located in a restricted area.
• The lease contract must ensure a term consistent with the operating period of the representative office.

No, representative offices only perform trade promotion and market research functions and do not have the right to conduct profitable business.

Normally, 07 working days for foreign enterprises and 03 working days for domestic enterprises if the documents are complete.

Representative offices do not conduct business activities and therefore do not have to pay corporate income tax, but are still obliged to pay personal income tax for employees.

Yes, but only for the operation of the representative office, not for hiring workers for production and business purposes.

Yes, GLA provides consulting services and supports foreign enterprises to quickly and legally establish representative offices in Vietnam.