On 31 December 2025, Vietnam has formally acceded to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents — commonly known as the Apostille Convention. The Hague Conference on Private International Law confirmed Vietnam’s accession on December 31, 2025, with the Convention set to enter into force on September 11, 2026, for Vietnam and all member states that do not object during the six‑month waiting period.
With Vietnam’s participation, the Convention now includes 129 member states, including the United States, most of Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and others.
Background
The Apostille Convention streamlines the authentication of foreign public documents used across borders. Instead of a multi‑layer consular legalization process (first in the issuing country, then again in the receiving country) documents can be validated through a single Apostille certificate issued by the originating country.
Once effective, Apostilles issued abroad will be recognized in Vietnam, and Apostilles issued in Vietnam will be recognized by all participating countries.
Current Challenges
Under Vietnam’s existing legalization system, documents such as diplomas, criminal checks, experience letters, marriage or birth certificates, and assignment letters must undergo several steps:
- Notarization in the issuing country
- Authentication by local authorities
- Legalization by a Vietnamese embassy or consulate
- In some cases, additional certification when entering Vietnam
This process can be slow, expensive, and logistically complicated, often requiring:
- International couriering of original documents
- Multiple rounds of authentication and re‑certification
- Coordination between employers, employees, notaries, consulates, and Vietnamese authorities
It is common for legalization to take weeks or even months, especially when errors require re‑issuance or re‑processing. Costs can accumulate quickly for organizations handling multiple work permit or TRC applications each year.
Impact
- Vietnam’s adoption of the Apostille Convention is expected to bring a significant shift to immigration and labor compliance:
- Simplified Authentication: A single Apostille will replace multi‑step legalization, reducing administrative burden and processing time.
- Lower Costs and Faster Processing: Fewer steps mean lower notary, consular, translation, and courier fees—critical for companies relocating or onboarding foreign staff.
- More Predictability for Business Planning: Apostille acceptance will help accelerate work permit filings, onboarding timelines, and project mobilization for foreign assignees.
- Benefits for Vietnamese Nationals: Vietnamese documents will also be easier to use abroad, facilitating overseas study, employment, investment, and cross‑border personal matters.
- Alignment With Government Priorities The reform supports Vietnam’s broader agenda of administrative modernization, international integration, and improved business climate for foreign investment.
What to Expect
Vietnamese authorities are expected to release implementing guidance and operational instructions in the months ahead. Businesses should monitor updates to understand transitional rules, document formatting standards, and any sector‑specific implications for work permit and immigration processes.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.