HCMC – Effective from March 1, the statutory processing time for licensing foreign representative offices in Vietnam will be reduced, according to a new Government decree.
Decree 62/2026/ND-CP amends and supplements Decree 06/2005/ND-CP regarding the establishment and operation of representative offices for foreign research and cooperation organizations.
Under the new decree, foreign organizations can now submit their applications through the National Public Service Portal, in addition to direct submission or postal services. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required to verify the validity of the application within one working day of receipt.
Notably, the timeframe for the ministry to grant or deny a license has been officially halved from 30 working days to just 14. In cases where an application is rejected, the ministry must provide a written explanation to the applicant.
The decree also refines the inter-ministerial appraisal process. Upon receiving an application, the ministry will consult relevant stakeholders, including local people’s committees and the Ministry of Public Security. These consulted agencies must now provide their feedback within 10 working days, down from the previous 15-day requirement.
If conflicting opinions arise, the ministry will seek further clarification, with responses expected within five working days. The final licensing decision remains contingent upon consensus between the Vietnamese governing agency and the Ministry of Public Security.
Regarding the validity of the license, the term will be based on the foreign organization’s request but shall not exceed the duration of their specific research programs or projects in Vietnam. For license extensions, organizations must submit their requests at least 14 working days before the current license expires.
This legislative update reflects Vietnam’s ongoing commitment to administrative reform, fostering a more transparent and efficient environment for international organizations to operate within the country.
