The Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) application service in Ho Chi Minh City helps foreign investors overcome legal barriers and optimize time and costs for starting a business in 2026.
Overview of Investment Registration Certificates in Ho Chi Minh City
An Investment Registration Certificate is a mandatory legal document that records the identifying information of the investor and details of the project in Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City, this is the most important legal prerequisite for foreign individuals or businesses to proceed with subsequent steps such as leasing premises, recruiting personnel, and operating their businesses. Possessing a valid Investment Registration Certificate not only ensures that the business operates in accordance with the law but also serves as the basis for enjoying preferential tax and land lease policies as stipulated by the city.
Legal basis for foreign investment in Vietnam
To ensure the rule of law and minimize project risks, the process for providing investment certificate services in Ho Chi Minh City always adheres closely to current legal regulations:
- Law No. 61/2020/QH14 on Investment provides detailed regulations on investment and business activities in Vietnam and forms of investment incentives.
- Decree 31/2021/ND-CP provides guidance on the implementation of several articles of the Investment Law, clarifying the list of sectors with restricted market access for foreign investors.
- Circular 03/2021/TT-BKHĐT stipulates the forms of documents and reports related to investment activities in Vietnam.
- The commitments in Vietnam's Schedule of Specific Commitments on Services upon joining the WTO and new generation free trade agreements (CPTPP, EVFTA).
Cases where an Investment Certificate is required
According to the current Investment Law, not all business activities involving foreign elements require an Investment Regulatory Document (IRC), however, the following cases are mandatory:
- An investment project by an individual or organization of foreign nationality starting a business in Vietnam.
- Projects of economic organizations with foreign investment holding 50% or more of the charter capital or having a majority of partners who are foreign individuals.
- Investment projects are implemented under the Business Cooperation Contract (BCC) model between domestic and international investors.
Common mistakes that lead to IRC application rejection
Based on practical experience at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Investment, many projects are stalled due to subjective errors commonly made by investors:
- Business sectors not yet open to the market: Registering for restricted sectors or those without WTO commitments can lead to immediate rejection of applications during the evaluation process.
- Inadequate financial capacity: Account balances or financial statements do not adequately demonstrate the ability to implement the project on the proposed scale.
- Location not in accordance with planning regulations: The address of the headquarters or factory is located in an area where production is not permitted or is not in line with Ho Chi Minh City's economic development plan.
- Foreign documents lacking consular legalization: This is the most common error that leads to documents being returned for additional information, wasting considerable time and effort.
Professional investment certificate services in Ho Chi Minh City.
Instead of facing the risks of doing it yourself, the solution IRC Investment Certificate Service Our comprehensive package helps investors optimize their legal roadmap with outstanding value:
- Our team of experts has over 10 years of practical experience, having successfully supported more than 500 projects from Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
- Review industry conditions and detailed site planning before accepting applications, ensuring an approval rate of over 98%.
- We are committed to providing a transparent, one-time quote with no hidden costs and a full refund if your application is rejected due to an error in our consultation.
- Completion time was shortened by 20% compared to the usual process thanks to the in-depth understanding of the operational mechanisms of the Industrial Park Management Boards in Ho Chi Minh City.
Comparing doing it yourself versus using a professional service.
The comparison table below helps investors gain an objective view of the effectiveness of the two methods of preparing their investment documents:
| Criteria | Perform the procedure yourself. | Use the all-inclusive service. |
|---|---|---|
| Legal knowledge | Industry codes and WTO commitments are easily confused. | Get the latest regulations up-to-date. |
| Preparation time | The process was prolonged due to the need for multiple revisions to the application. | Complete the full application package in 3 days. |
| Actual cost | It's difficult to control translation and travel costs. | One-time fee, no additional charges. |
| Legal risks | Risk of rejection due to weak explanation. | With expert advice on how to provide the best explanation, the pass rate is high. |
Note that, according to actual data from leading consulting firms, doing it yourself can take businesses 3-6 months to coordinate the paperwork related to capital and leased premises.
Documents and procedures for issuing Investment Certificates in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026
To expedite the processing of your application, investors need to prepare the necessary documents and follow these steps:
- The proposal for implementing an investment project must follow the standard form provided by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
- A notarized and consular-legalized copy of the passport or foreign business registration certificate.
- Demonstrate financial capacity through audited financial statements or bank account balance confirmations.
- A detailed investment project proposal and documents proving legal right to use the site.
The implementation process includes three main stages:
- Phase 1: Declare project information online through the portal. fdi.gov.vn to receive your case number.
- Phase 2: Submit paper documents to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Investment or the specialized management boards (HEPZA, SHTP).
- Phase 3: Receive the IRC results and proceed with the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) to obtain an official tax identification number.
Time and cost of service delivery
Below is the projected budget information for popular investment projects in the Ho Chi Minh City market in 2026:
| Investment sectors | Estimated processing time | Package service fee (VNĐ) |
|---|---|---|
| Retail trade, consulting | 20-25 working days | 30,000,000 – 45,000,000 |
| Industrial production, warehousing | 25-35 working days | 50,000,000 – 80,000,000 |
| Education, Healthcare, Tourism | 45-60 working days | 80,000,000 – 150,000,000 |
| Information Technology, Software | 20-30 business days | 40,000,000 – 60,000,000 |
The above fee includes all consulting and legal representation services, giving investors complete peace of mind regarding their budget. However, you need to prepare for the following additional mandatory fees and surcharges:
- Fee for issuing an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC): Approximately 100,000 VND.
- Fee for publishing investment registration information on the national portal: 300,000 VND.
- Cost of engraving a business seal: From 500,000 to 800,000 VND.
- Notarized document translation fees: Ranging from 150,000 to 300,000 VND per page, depending on the original language.
Frequently Asked Questions about Investing in Ho Chi Minh City
What is the operating period of the investment project?
Is it necessary to amend the license when the investment capital changes?
Can individual investors prepare their own applications?
Conclude
Obtaining an Investment Registration Certificate is a strategic yet challenging first step for foreign investors entering a dynamic market like Ho Chi Minh City. A well-prepared application, meeting all requirements regarding financial capacity and planning, not only helps businesses quickly commence operations but also builds a strong reputation with state management agencies from the very beginning. Hopefully, the detailed information about investment certificate services in Ho Chi Minh City above will help investors have a smooth and sustainable startup journey in 2026.
Contact us now to receive a free document checklist and one-on-one consultation with leading foreign investment lawyers in Ho Chi Minh City. We guarantee a response and detailed quote for your project within 24 business hours.
Contact information for MAN – Master Accountant Network
- Address: 19A, 43rd Street, Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
- Mobile/Zalo: 0903 963 163 – 0903 428 622
- Email: man@man.net.vn
Other services
- Auditing: Auditing Services, Construction Auditing Services, Financial statement audit services
- Accounting and Taxation: Tax accounting services, Tax report, Transfer Pricing Advisory. Tax Accounting Services, Tax reporting services, Transfer Pricing Service, Affiliate Trading Service
- Legal: Work permit services, Business registration certification services, Investment Certificate
- Other: Transfer Pricing Service, Affiliate Trading Service, Business Operations Consulting Services
Content production is overseen by: Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO of MAN – Master Accountant Network, CPA Vietnam with over 30 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial consulting.
