When starting a project in Vietnam, understanding the time and cost of obtaining an investment certificate is a crucial preparatory step to optimize resources. Especially from March 1st, 2026, when the Investment Law No. 143/2025/QH15 officially comes into effect, this process has undergone significant adjustments under the new management of the Ministry of Finance after its merger. This article will provide the most detailed and practical overview of this roadmap.
What is an investment registration certificate and when is it required?
In the current legal context, the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) serves as a paper or electronic document recording the investor's registration information regarding the project. It is a mandatory document for foreign-invested legal entities to conduct business in the Vietnamese market.
The concept of Investment Registration Certificate
According to the regulations at Investment Law No. 143/2025/QH15, This is a tool for the State to manage investment activities aimed at generating profit. Possessing this certificate not only establishes the legal rights of the investor but also serves as a basis for carrying out subsequent procedures such as land leasing, construction, and enjoying preferential tax policies.
The subjects required to go through the procedure for obtaining a certificate.
Identifying the correct target group helps businesses avoid unnecessary legal risks. Specifically, the following groups are required or should undergo this procedure:
- Foreign investors (including individuals and organizations) when starting a new investment project in Vietnam.
- Foreign-invested economic organizations holding more than 50% of charter capital or having a majority of partners who are foreign individuals are subject to the provisions of Article 20 of the 2025 Investment Law.
- In some cases, investment projects by domestic investors, while not mandatory, may still require certification to demonstrate financial capacity or to obtain loans from international financial institutions.
Timeframe for issuing Investment Registration Certificates, according to regulations and in practice.
Time is always a top concern for businesses when planning their operations. In fact, the time and cost of obtaining an investment certificate depend heavily on the nature of the project as well as the preparation of the application by the investor.
Time as prescribed by law
According to the standard procedures stipulated by the investment management agency, the timelines for processing applications are clearly defined as follows:
- For projects not subject to policy approval: The processing time is 15 working days from the date the investment registration authority receives a complete and valid set of documents.
- For projects requiring approval in principle: After the investor receives the investment policy approval document from the competent authority, the investment registration agency will issue the certificate within 05 working days.
The processing time for business registration procedures is included.
After obtaining the Investment Registration Certificate, businesses need to take the next step of registering as a legal entity to obtain a tax identification number and a company seal. According to Decision 2354/QD-BTC of the Ministry of Finance, this timeframe has been shortened to the maximum extent to support businesses:
- The time required to issue a business registration certificate usually takes only 3 working days from the date the business registration application is received and processed on the national information system.
Actual implementation of the dossier in 2026
Although the law specifies concrete figures, the actual implementation is often affected by many objective variables. Based on observations from projects implemented in early 2026, the total completion time typically ranges from 20 to 25 working days.
This prolonged duration usually stems from the following common causes:
- The application needs to provide further details on the technology or environmental protection measures.
- Regulatory bodies need to seek expert opinions from various relevant ministries and agencies for projects that are unique in nature or fall under the category of conditional investment projects.
- Investors need time to have documents sent from abroad legalized by the consular office.
Costs associated with obtaining an Investment Registration Certificate.
To accurately estimate the budget, investors need to clearly separate fees paid to government agencies from legal support service costs.
State fees and charges
Currently, the government is accelerating administrative procedure reforms, therefore state fees are kept to a minimum. Below is a summary table of basic fees that businesses need to prepare for:
| Type of fee or charge applicable | Regulated price (VND) | Submission and note format |
|---|---|---|
| Business registration fees | 50.000 | Submit when receiving results directly at the one-stop service department. |
| Registration content publication fee | 100.000 | Implement immediately after receiving the establishment license. |
| Online registration fee | Free of charge | Applicable to applications submitted through the National Portal. |
Investors should note that the above fees are based on... Circular 47/2019/TT-BTC and current guidelines from the Ministry of Finance. Implementing online procedures not only saves budget but is also a top priority for management agencies to expedite the appraisal process.
Reference cost for investment consulting services
For businesses entering the Vietnamese market for the first time, using a professional consulting firm often yields better results. You can learn more about our support packages at IRC Investment Certificate Service. The cost of this service typically includes items such as document preparation, translation of specialized terminology, and representation in dealings with relevant authorities.
Typical service costs in the current market include:
- Comprehensive license renewal consulting package: Ranging from VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 (equivalent to USD 500 – 1,000) for typical projects.
- The cost of adjusting or changing the content on the certificate: This usually ranges from 300 to 400 USD, depending on the amount of information that needs to be changed.
Detailed procedures for issuing Investment Registration Certificates
A thorough preparation process will help businesses pass the approval process smoothly and minimize errors.
Required documents for applying for a certificate.
According to the latest guidelines from the Ministry of Finance, investors need to complete their application with the following key documents:
- The proposal for implementing an investment project must follow the prescribed format.
- Documents verifying the investor's legal status (Passport or Business License legalized by the consular office).
- Documents demonstrating financial capacity, such as audited financial statements or bank account balance confirmations corresponding to the investment capital size.
- The detailed project proposal includes a labor utilization plan and commitments to social responsibility.
Application submission and tracking process
In the digital age of 2026, the entire process was conducted online transparently through the following steps:
- Step 1: Investors access and declare project information on the National Investment Information System.
- Step 2: Digitally sign and submit the official electronic documents to the management agency.
- Step 3: Check the application processing status using the receipt number provided on the system.
- Step 4: Receive the results directly or via public postal service at the local Department of Finance.
If you encounter any difficulties during the process, you can contact legal experts through the provided information. here For the quickest assistance and answers to your questions.
Important notes when carrying out the procedure to optimize time and costs.
To ensure a smooth licensing process, legal experts recommend that investors pay particular attention to the following points:
- Data synchronization: Ensure that all information regarding capital, project address, and business activities is absolutely consistent between the investment dossier and the company dossier.
- Financial transparency: The appraisal agency will thoroughly check the ability to contribute capital according to the planned schedule, so the financial documents must be highly authentic.
- Understanding local regulations: Each province or city may have its own requirements regarding planning or building density, so researching them beforehand will help avoid having to revise the application multiple times.
Conclude
Understanding the time and cost involved in obtaining investment certificates is crucial not only for businesses to comply with the law but also for ensuring timely project implementation. From March 2026, with the implementation of the new Investment Law and the centralized management mechanism from the Ministry of Finance, the licensing process has become more transparent and modern than ever before.
To save time and costs in obtaining investment certificates, businesses should prioritize using online registration services and proactively contact reputable consulting firms right from the project proposal stage. This will minimize the risk of application delays and ensure that all investment incentives are established quickly and accurately.
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Content is moderated by: Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO of Man, CPA Vietnam Auditors With over 30 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial consulting...
