Foreign degrees used in Vietnam include lower secondary school diplomas, upper secondary school diplomas, certificates of completion of general education programs, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and equivalent degrees (hereinafter collectively referred to as degrees). The recognition of foreign degrees involves acknowledging the educational level of the learner as indicated on the degree according to the educational system of the country where the foreign educational institution is headquartered, and determining the equivalent level of training as specified in the Vietnam National Qualifications Framework. Below, Viet An Law will provide advice on recognize foreign degrees in Vietnam according to current legal regulations.
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Conditions for degree recognition
According to Article 4 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT, the following conditions must be met for the recognition of foreign degrees:
The education program must have a study and research duration appropriate to the National Education System Framework of Vietnam;
The education program must be accredited by an education quality assurance organization from the country where the foreign educational institution is headquartered, corresponding to the form of education;
The foreign educational institution must be authorized by the competent educational authority of the country where it is headquartered to provide training and confer degrees or must be accredited by an education quality assurance organization from that country.
Note: Degrees issued by foreign educational institutions operating in a country other than where the institution is headquartered (including Vietnam) must also meet the condition that the institution is authorized by the competent educational authorities of both countries to establish a branch, provide training, or approve cooperation and joint training programs.
Document requirements
The application dossier for the recognition of foreign degrees includes several documents as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT. Accordingly, clients need to provide the following documents to Viet An Law for processing:
The degree or a certified copy of the original degree requesting recognition, accompanied by a notarized translation into Vietnamese: a copy;
The degree supplement or academic transcript, accompanied by a notarized translation into Vietnamese: a copy;
Relevant degrees or certificates directly related (if any): a notarized copy;
Proof of study duration abroad (if any);
Authorization letter for verifying information about the degree (as required).
Authority for issuing recognition of foreign degrees
Director General of the Quality Management Department under the Ministry of Education and Training: Recognizes bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and equivalent degrees
Director of the Department of Education and Training: Recognizes lower secondary school diplomas, upper secondary school diplomas, and certificates of completion of general education programs
Procedure for recognizing foreign degrees
According to Article 1 of Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT, the process for recognizing foreign degrees is conducted as follows:
Step 1: Submit an online application for degree recognition
The applicant provides information about the degree uploads the application to the online public service portal of the Ministry of Education and Training or the Department of Education and Training, and pays the required fee as regulated.
Step 2: The competent authority processes the application
Within 20 working days, the competent authority responsible for recognizing degrees must provide the recognition results to the applicant. In cases where information verification from a foreign educational institution or a foreign verification entity is needed, the time limit for providing the recognition results shall not exceed 45 working days from the date of receiving the application.
If the degree does not meet the recognition criteria or if the verification information is insufficient within the stipulated time, the competent authority must notify the applicant in writing or via email.
If the equivalence of the degree with the training levels specified in the Vietnam National Qualifications Framework cannot be determined, the competent authority shall provide information and recognize the value of the degree according to the education system of the country where the foreign educational institution is based.
Step 3: Degree recognition
The competent authority responsible for recognizing degrees must record the recognition in the registry book, which includes the following information: full name, date of birth of the degree holder; name of the issuing educational institution; form of education; equivalent level according to the Vietnam National Qualifications Framework or the level according to the education system of the country where the foreign educational institution is based; and the registration number of the recognition certificate.
State Fees or degree recognition (250,000 – 500,000 VND)
Verification for recognizing degrees awarded to Vietnamese citizens by legally operating foreign educational institutions in Vietnam (including joint training programs between Vietnamese and foreign educational institutions where the degree is issued by the foreign institution): 250,000 VND per degree;
Verification for recognizing degrees awarded to Vietnamese citizens by legally operating foreign educational institutions after completing training programs abroad: 500,000 VND per degree.
Frequently asked questions about recognizing foreign degrees
Where can I find the current governing laws?
Currently, regulations on recognizing foreign degrees are governed by:
Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT, as amended and supplemented by Circular 07/2024/TT-BGDDT (effective from November 2, 2024)
Circular 164/2016/TT-BTC, as amended and supplemented by Circular 74/2022/TT-BTC.
Cases exempted from degree recognition procedures
According to Article 5 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT, foreign degrees that are recognized for use in Vietnam without undergoing recognition procedures include:
Degrees from foreign educational institutions within the scope of agreements, treaties on degree equivalence, mutual recognition of degrees, or international treaties related to degrees signed by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and published by the Ministry of Education and Training;
Degrees awarded to students sent abroad for study by the Ministry of Education and Training using the state budget;
Degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions to students under joint training programs with foreign institutions in Vietnam that have been approved by the competent authorities.
What should be noted when uploading the degree recognition application to the online public service portal?
In cases where the applicant has information and evidence for direct verification from the issuing educational institution or the competent verification authority:
Degree or a copy from the original degree registry book requiring recognition along with a notarized translation into Vietnamese/Degree appendix or transcript along with a notarized translation into Vietnamese: Scanned copy (no need for electronic certification from the original).
Related degrees or certificates (if any)/ Proof of study time abroad (if any): Electronically certified copy from the original.
In cases where the applicant does not have information and evidence for direct verification:
Degree or a copy from the original degree registry book requiring recognition along with a notarized translation into Vietnamese/ Degree appendix or transcript along with a notarized translation into Vietnamese/ Related degrees or certificates (if any): Electronically certified copy from the original, along with a power of attorney for degree information verification (if required by the verification entity).
Is the consent of the degree holder required for degree recognition?
According to Clause 1, Article 3 of Circular 13/2021/TT-BGDDT, degree recognition is carried out based on the needs of the degree holder, the human resource management agency, or the labor management unit with the consent of the degree holder.
Therefore, when the labor management unit requests degree recognition, the consent of the degree holder is required.
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