Representative Office Establishment Services for Foreign Companies
Our optimized legal solution helps foreign traders establish a commercial presence in Vietnam for investment promotion and market research purposes. We are committed to a fast and compliant procedure in strict accordance with the Law on Commerce and applicable international treaties.
- Free consultation on conditions and preliminary legal dossier assessment
- License application dossier preparation and standardization
- Representation in procedures with the Department of Industry and Trade
- Company seal engraving and tax code registration
- Result handover and post-establishment operational advisory
What Do You Receive from MGI Consulting’s Representative Office Establishment Service?
We provide a full-package service and handle the entire complex administrative process in Vietnam on behalf of foreign traders.
Preliminary Consultation and Dossier Assessment — Free
We review the validity of the parent company’s business license and financial statements. We also advise on the conditions for the registered office address and the head of the Representative Office to maximize the chance of licensing approval.
License Application Dossier Preparation and Standardization
We prepare a complete application dossier in accordance with the forms prescribed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, including the license application, appointment letter for the head of the Representative Office, explanatory documents, and other required materials. We also support notarized translation of foreign documents.
Application Submission and Explanation on Your Behalf
We submit the application dossier to the Department of Industry and Trade on behalf of the client. We also directly work with the handling officer and provide explanations where amendment or supplementation is required.
Seal and Tax Code Registration
After the establishment license is issued, we continue to carry out procedures for engraving the official seal, registering the seal specimen with the police authority, and registering the tax code for the Representative Office, including the 13-digit dependent tax code, with the tax authority.
Result Handover and Post-Establishment Advisory
We hand over the complete result package, including the establishment license, company seal, and tax code. We also advise on mandatory annual procedures, such as periodic activity reports submitted to the Department of Industry and Trade, labor regulations, and personal income tax obligations for office employees.
MGI Consulting’s 5-Step Process for Representative Office Establishment Services
Step 1: Requirement Intake and Preliminary Consultation
We collect information from the foreign parent company, advise on the required documents, and guide the consular legalization procedure in the country of origin.
Step 2: Dossier Preparation and Completion
We arrange notarized translation of foreign documents into Vietnamese and prepare appointment decisions and other documents in accordance with the prescribed forms.
Step 3: Application Submission to the Department of Industry and Trade
We submit the online and physical application dossiers to the Department of Industry and Trade in the province or city where the office will be located. We monitor the progress and handle any supplementation requests.
Step 4: Establishment License Collection
We collect the Representative Office Establishment License after approximately 15 to 20 working days from the date the valid dossier is received.
Step 5: Seal Engraving and Tax Registration
We carry out procedures for engraving the official seal with the police authority and registering the tax code with the tax authority to complete the legal setup process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Representative Office Establishment
Q1: What is the most important condition for a foreign company to open a Representative Office?
The foreign company must be legally established and must have operated for at least one year from the date of establishment. If the business license has a fixed term, its remaining validity must be at least one year.
Q2: Is a Representative Office allowed to conduct business or sign contracts?
No. A Representative Office only has the functions of liaison, market research, and trade promotion. It is not allowed to conduct direct profit-generating activities, sign commercial contracts, or issue sales invoices.
Q3: Can the head of the Representative Office be a foreigner?
Yes. The head of the Representative Office may be either a Vietnamese citizen or a foreigner. If the person is a foreigner, they must obtain a work permit and temporary residence card to work legally in Vietnam.
Q4: Does a Representative Office have to pay taxes?
A Representative Office does not conduct business activities, so it is not subject to business license tax or corporate income tax. However, it is responsible for withholding, declaring, and paying personal income tax for employees working at the office.
Q5: How long is the Representative Office License valid?
The Representative Office Establishment License is valid for a maximum term of 5 years but must not exceed the remaining term of the foreign trader’s business license, if any. Upon expiry, the foreign trader may apply for an extension.
Q6: Can an apartment address be used as the registered office of a Representative Office?
No, unless it is an officetel located in a mixed-use building with a commercial function approved by the competent state authority. Residential apartments may not be used as the registered office of a Representative Office.