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Overseas Investment Registration Certificate in Vietnam (2026 Guide for Projects from VND 7 Billion)

Are you or your enterprise planning an offshore venture with a capital of VND 7 billion or more but remain uncertain about the legal requirements? A single error in the application process for an Overseas investment registration certificate in Vietnam (2026 guide for projects from VND 7 billion) can lead to rejection, project delays, or the inability to legally transfer capital abroad.

Starting in 2026, with pivotal changes from the Investment Law 2025 and Decree 103/2026/ND-CP, the licensing process for overseas investment has become more stringent. These regulations introduced new compliance conditions and documentation requirements that many investors may not yet fully grasp.

In this article, Viet An Law will clarify who is mandated to obtain a license, the essential dossier preparation, and a step-by-step procedure. We also share our expertise on how to shorten the licensing timeframe to just 15 days, ensuring your international project is launched quickly, legally, and with optimized costs.

Table of Contents

Quick summary on overseas investment 2026

A license is mandatory if the capital is ≥ 7 billion VND.

  • Processing time: 15 working days
  • Issuing authority: Ministry of Finance
  • Documents include: legal documents, investment decision, tax confirmation
  • Applicable according to the Investment Law 2025 & Decree 103/2026

What is an overseas investment certificate?

An overseas investment certificate is a legal document issued by a competent state agency, allowing Vietnamese investors to conduct investment activities abroad. This is a mandatory requirement for projects with capital of VND 7 billion or more, or those in conditional investment sectors, to ensure the transfer of capital and project implementation comply with legal regulations.

5 common pitfalls in overseas investment (80% of investors encounter these)

  • Failure to correctly identify cases requiring a license
  • Incomplete documentation regarding tax obligations
  • Failure to open an investment capital account before transferring funds
  • Failure to register for forex transaction in Vietnam
  • Failure to amend the license when the project changes.

Consequences:

  • Application rejected
  • Project delays
  • Inability to legally transfer funds

When is an overseas investment registration certificate in vietnam required?

When is an overseas investment registration certificate in vietnam required

According to the Investment Law 2025 and Decree 103/2026/ND-CP, Vietnamese investors must carry out the procedure for obtaining an overseas investment registration in the following cases:

  • Projects with investment capital of VND 7 billion or more
  • Projects with capital under VND 7 billion but belonging to conditional investment sectors.

Specifically:

  • Projects worth VND 1,600 billion or more must be approved by the Prime Minister beforehand.

Licensing procedures: Obtaining an overseas investment registration certificate in Vietnam 2026

Licensing procedures: Obtaining an overseas investment registration certificate in Vietnam

The process is being standardized towards greater digitalization and transparency:

Step 1: Prepare the dossiers

  • Determine the investment type
  • Prepare legal documents in Vietnam and abroad

Step 2: Submit the application

  • Submit through the National Investment Information System
  • Simultaneously submit the paper application to the Ministry of Finance

Step 3: Establish a company abroad

  • Contribute capital / purchase shares / open a company

Step 4: Open an investment account

Step 5: Register for forex transaction in Vietnam

Step 6: Transfer capital & implement the project

Applying dossiers for an overseas investment registration certificate in Vietnam

Viet An Law Firm provides guidance on the application dossier for a Certificate of Registration for Overseas Investment in cases not requiring prior review and approval by the Prime Minister.

The dossier includes:

  • Overseas investment registration document (original);
  • Documents on the legal status of the investor (certified copy);
  • Decision on overseas investment (original);
  • Confirmation from the tax authority that the investor has fulfilled their tax obligations (original or certified copy);
  • Documents identifying the location of the overseas investment project for projects requiring location identification (certified copy);
  • Documents identifying the form of overseas investment (certified copy);
  • Documents for certain projects and conditional business lines.

Processing time and licensing authority:

  • 15 working days: issuance of certificate
  • 5 days: request for additional documents (if missing)
  • Issuing authority: Ministry of Finance

Special cases:

  • Projects ≥ 25 billion VND → require consultation with the State Bank of Vietnam
  • Conditional business lines → require consultation with the relevant specialized agency.

Critical notes for the overseas investment registration certificate procedures

Enterprises with more than 50% foreign capital must:

  • Be profitable for two consecutive years
  • Use equity capital legally.
  • Capital contributions must be completed in Vietnam before transferring capital abroad.
  • After obtaining the license: Registration for foreign exchange transactions is mandatory.
  • When changing the following information, the license must be amended:
    • Investor
    • Investment capital
    • Project objectives
    • Location
  • Periodic investment reports must be submitted.

Why professional advice is necessary?

In reality, after 19 years of advising individuals and businesses on overseas investments, Viet An Law has observed that:

More than 80% of investors encounter errors in documentation or delays when handling the process themselves.

Professional overseas investment consulting services help to:

  • Shorten licensing time
  • Ensure correct documentation from the start
  • Minimize legal and financial risks
  • Optimize international investment structure

Why choose Viet An Law?

With nearly 19 years of experience, Viet An Law has assisted hundreds of domestic and foreign enterprises and investors in successfully implementing international investment projects, particularly in the US, EU, China, South Korea, Japan, and ASEAN markets.

Contact Viet An Law: Professional consultancy for overseas investment

If you are planning to invest abroad from Vietnam, contact Viet An Law for:

  • Investment strategy consulting
  • Fast document preparation
  • Representation in dealings with government agencies
  • Full legal support throughout the process

Common questions on overseas investment procedures

When is it necessary to apply for an overseas investment certificate?

Investors must apply for a certificate when the project has a capital of VND 7 billion or more, or falls under the category of conditional investment sectors as stipulated by Vietnamese law.

How long does it take to obtain an overseas investment registration certificate? The standard processing time is approximately 15 working days from the date a valid and complete dossier is submitted.

Which authority issues the overseas investment registration certificate?

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) is the competent authority responsible for issuing and handling the Amendment of Investment Registration Certificate in Vietnam for outward investment projects.

What does the overseas investment dossier include?

The dossier comprises: an application form, legal identity documents of the investor (similar to those used for Company registration in Vietnam), the investment decision, tax compliance certification, and project-related feasibility documents.

Is tax certification mandatory for overseas investment?

Yes. Investors must obtain a certificate confirming the completion of their tax obligations, issued within 3 months prior to the dossier submission date.

Are FDI enterprises allowed to invest abroad from Vietnam?

Yes, provided they meet specific conditions regarding owner’s equity, profitability, and the fulfillment of all financial obligations within Vietnam.

Are there additional procedures after the license is granted?

Yes. Investors must register their foreign exchange transactions and open a dedicated investment capital account at an authorized bank before transferring funds abroad.

Is it necessary to adjust the license when project details change?

Yes. Any changes regarding capital, investors, objectives, or location require an Amendment of Investment Registration Certificate in Vietnam to ensure ongoing compliance.

Do large-scale projects require special approval?

Yes. Projects with a capital of VND 1,600 billion or more must obtain approval from the Prime Minister before the registration certificate can be issued.

Is periodic reporting mandatory for overseas investments?

Yes. Investors are strictly required to perform periodic investment reporting in accordance with current Vietnamese regulations

The information above provides a comprehensive guide to the procedures for obtaining an overseas investment registration certificate in Vietnam (2026 guide for projects from VND 7 Billion). Understanding the workflow, documentation, and legal conditions will help investors launch international projects quickly, legally, and with optimized costs.

Whether you are starting with Company registration in Vietnam or planning to expand globally, Viet An Law is ready to accompany you—from strategic consultancy to final dossier completion and project implementation.

Contact us today for expert advice and prompt support within 24 hours: 09 61 57 18 18 (Zalo / WhatsApp)

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