Entity Registration

Registration process

Pre-Investment Approval

For most standard small and medium-sized manufacturing or service projects, foreign investors can skip this approval step. However, if your project involves large-scale land leasing, a sensitive geographical location, or belongs to a special industry (such as building a nuclear power plant), you must obtain in-principle approval of investment policy at the provincial, prime ministerial, or parliamentary level before applying for a license.

Apply for an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC)

The Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) is a statutory permit for foreign investment in specific sectors in Vietnam, and it is also the most time-consuming part of the entire registration process. Investors must submit a complete set of documents, including a detailed business feasibility study, proof of financial capacity, and a site lease agreement, to the provincial Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) or Industrial Zone Management Committee where the project is located. The standard statutory approval time is 15 working days, but if the industry is restricted or additional materials are required, the actual process often takes 30 to 45 working days or even longer.

Apply for an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC)

After successfully obtaining the IRC, you can apply for a Certificate of Incorporation (ERC) from the Enterprise Registry. The approval of this certificate marks the formal establishment of a legal entity in Vietnam, and its number will serve as the company’s unique tax registration number. The application materials mainly focus on corporate governance documents such as the articles of association and letters of appointment for directors. Compared to the previous step, the ERC approval process is extremely efficient, with a statutory processing time of only 3 working days.

Mandatory Enterprise Electronic Identity Authentication (VNeID)

To adapt to digital government management, Vietnam will fully implement mandatory electronic identity authentication for enterprises starting July 1, 2025. All legal representatives or authorized agents of newly established enterprises must first obtain a Level-2 personal e-ID, and then use this identity to register a dedicated enterprise-level electronic account on the national public service portal. This is a necessary prerequisite for enterprises to subsequently file online tax returns and issue invoices.

Opening maintenance and capital injection

After obtaining the relevant permits, businesses must complete pre-opening preparations within strict timeframes. This includes engraving the company’s official seal and making an online announcement; more importantly, they must open a local Direct Investment Capital Account (DICA) and ensure that the committed registered capital is fully remitted from overseas to this account within 90 days of the ERC’s issuance date; failure to do so will result in severe penalties. Furthermore, since January 1, 2026, Vietnam has completely abolished the annual business license fee, significantly reducing the annual administrative filing burden on businesses.

Our Registration and Incorporation Services

Overseas company registration and branch office establishment

Company establishment in Malaysia (Sdn. Bhd.), Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Mainland China;
Foreign-owned controlling stake structure planning and BOI/Regional Headquarters architecture design;
Overseas branch registration and representative office filing.

Corporate Compliance and Extended Support

Annual Return and Company Information Updates
Entity Information Changes and Board Resolution Filing
Entity Deregistration or Dormant Application
Business License Application and Renewal Management
Bank Compliance Documents, Translation and Authentication Services

Why Us?

Professional Team Support: Familiar with Singapore and Southeast Asian company laws and regulatory requirements
One-Stop Service: Dedicated personnel handle the entire process from registration to compliance
Customized Solutions: Tailor-made solutions for different company types and industries
Efficient Implementation: Quickly complete registration and bank account opening processes, shortening the company preparation cycle

MSMC ASIA

#19-06 160 Robinson Rd, SBF Center, Singapore 068914