Effective June 1, 2026, a significant and immediate change has taken place in Vietnam’s digital administrative system. Enterprises, representative offices, and other registered organizations must now use Business VNeID (VNeID for Enterprises and Organizations) to access government online portals. The previous login method using a company e-signature or token has been discontinued without a transition period.
This development has direct and potentially disruptive implications for immigration procedures and broader business operations in Vietnam.
What Has Changed?
Since the introduction of Business VNeID in July 2024, companies had the option to access the National Public Service Portal and other government systems using either a company e-signature/token or Business VNeID.
As of June 1, 2026, the e-signature/token login method is no longer available.
Companies must now rely exclusively on Business VNeID to:
- Access government portals
- Submit administrative applications
- Manage ongoing regulatory processes
There are currently no alternative submission channels, including offline filings.
Immediate Impact on Immigration Procedures
The change has an immediate and critical impact on immigration-related processes, which are now fully dependent on Business VNeID access.
Affected procedures include:
- Visa pre-approval applications
- Temporary Residence Card (TRC) applications
- Exit visa applications
- Other submissions through the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) portals
Without a valid Business VNeID, companies are effectively unable to file or process immigration applications, which may lead to delays or compliance risks for foreign employees and assignees.
Work Permit Processes May Soon Follow
Currently, applications submitted to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA), such as work permits, may still be processed using the personal VNeID of an authorized individual where a Business VNeID is unavailable.
However, given the government’s direction toward a unified digital ecosystem, it is widely expected that Business VNeID will soon become mandatory for:
- Work permits
- Labor-related filings
- Other administrative procedures
Businesses should proactively prepare for this likely expansion.
Key Challenge: Foreign Legal Representatives
A significant practical issue arises for organizations whose sole legal representative is a foreign national.
Current practice suggests:
- A valid TRC is required for a foreign legal representative to obtain a Business VNeID
- However, TRC applications now require Business VNeID to be submitted
This creates a circular dependency:
- Business VNeID requires TRC
- TRC requires Business VNeID
At present, no formal workaround has been announced. This may create a critical barrier for foreign-invested entities.
Potential Corporate Structuring Implications
If no regulatory solution is introduced, some organizations may need to consider structural changes, such as:
- Appointing a Vietnamese national as legal representative
- Amending business licenses
- Revisiting governance arrangements
Such changes may not be desirable or feasible for companies that intentionally maintain a foreign-led structure and typically require time to implement.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
EIG recommends that companies take the following actions immediately:
- Confirm Business VNeID status and initiate registration if not already completed
- Assess exposure to pending or upcoming immigration applications
- Plan for delegation to ensure operational continuity
- Review corporate structure, particularly where foreign legal representatives are involved
- Seek guidance for urgent cases where filings are currently blocked
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.