On 31 December 2025, Vietnam officially joined the Hague Apostille Convention. The Convention will enter into force on 11 September 2026. This represents a key milestone for foreign professionals, significantly simplifying the processes for work permits and immigration.

 

Foreign documents required for these processes (including assignment letters, employment and experience certificates, marriage and birth certificates, and academic diplomas) currently need multi-step legalization, involving notarization in the country of origin, authentication by local authorities, and legalization at Vietnamese consulates. This creates long delays and administrative complexity.

 

Under the apostille system, a single certification in the country of origin will replace these multiple steps, reducing administrative burdens and improving predictability for work permit and immigration applications. 

Please note that apostilles are only possible between countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention, which currently includes more than 125 countries. If the document intended for Vietnam is issued by a non-signatory state, an apostille will not be possible and the current legalisation procedure will remain required.

 

This development supports Vietnam’s broader strategy of administrative reform, digital transformation, and international integration, making it a more attractive destination for foreign investment and skilled international talent.