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Company Formation In Vietnam As Foreigners

Company Formation in Vietnam As Foreigners in 2023

Table of Contents

Because of its enormous population and rapidly expanding economy, Vietnam is an appealing alternative for investors from other countries. On the other hand, establishing a firm in Vietnam has proven tough for international investors.

The country’s patchwork of laws, administrative hurdles, language obstacles, and slow registration and licensing procedures are due to the country’s patchwork of laws. In recent years, the Vietnamese government has made significant efforts to implement new laws.

Such as the Law of Investment and the Law on Enterprise, to streamline and clarify the procedures that must be followed for the cheapest offshore company formation Vietnam. Because of this, a foreign investor may make a more calculated judgment about entering Vietnam and experience fewer setbacks than might otherwise be the case.

Assuming the foreign investor has all the necessary knowledge and paperwork to set up a foreign firm in Vietnam. In a drive to expand internationally, companies of all types and across many sectors have taken advantage of one of the ASEAN region’s fastest-growing economies.

Conditions For Vietnam Company Formation

Understanding the bigger legislative framework regulating foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam is important to become ready for establishing a foreign business in Vietnam. It should be done in preparation for the incorporation of foreign business.

An enterprise that has a legal existence in Vietnam and was created by foreign investors is considered a “foreign-owned company” under the Investment and Business Law. It is possible for businesses that have received 100% of their capital from foreign investors.

To collaborate with overseas investors to build new businesses that have received 100% of their capital from foreign investors. Investments can be made in limited liability corporations, representative offices, joint-stock companies, or by domestic investors and investors from other countries.

Step-By-Step Guide On Company Formation In Vietnam As Foreigners

For foreign investors to conduct their business in Vietnam lawfully and productively, the following steps must be taken for offshore company formation Vietnam.

I. Establish the Best Structure for Your Business.

The first thing you’ll need to do when forming a company in Vietnam as a foreigner is to decide what kind of company you want. Most foreign investors in Vietnam prefer to form a limited liability company (LLC) or a joint stock company (JSC).

· LLC (Limited Liability Company)

When a limited liability company (LLC) is founded, it is treated as a distinct entity from its owners and managers. As a result, stockholders have limited liability under an LLC arrangement and are only responsible for their share capital investments. Shareholders and directors are not individually responsible for the company’s debts or commitments.

Vietnam recognizes two limited liability companies: those with one member and those with more. A multi-member LLC needs at least two members and no more than fifty, while a single-member LLC needs one member who will serve as director and sole shareholder. Limited Liability Companies in Vietnam can be established in one of two ways: either with 100% foreign ownership or as a joint venture with at least one Vietnamese resident shareholder.

· JSC (Joint Stock Company)

Foreign investors frequently choose to form a Joint Stock Company as another business structure option. The equity of a joint-stock company (JSC) can be purchased and sold on the stock market. There is no maximum allowed number of shareholders for a JSC, and just three are required to form the entity.

Shareholders of a JSC have limited liability similar to an LLC, responsible for losses up to the amount of capital they contributed. Only joint stock corporations (JSCs) in Vietnam can issue bonds and list their shares on the Vietnamese Stock Exchange.

II. Rules Imposed On The Business Sector.

Knowing which sectors are off-limits to foreign investment is the next step. An individual can hold business ownership in Vietnam at a 100% rate in certain sectors.

However, complete foreign ownership is not permitted in sectors where locals are already engaged and fully integrated. To get into these markets, you would likely need to recruit a Vietnamese partner to form a joint venture with.

III. Establish A Business Address.

The subsequent step is to establish a business address in Vietnam that will serve as a company formation with registered office Vietnam. The address of the registered office serves as the primary place for receiving and sending letters and other forms of contact.

IV. Firm Name Reservation.

Following that, you will need to reserve your firm’s name with the Vietnam company register, which may be done using that country’s online business registration system.

V. Securing Necessary Licenses And Registration

Now is the right time to get business licenses and other paperwork in order so that you may register your company quickly and start doing business immediately. Except for representatives or Branch Offices, all foreign-owned businesses in the country necessary apply for an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC).

Following approval of their IRC application, international entrepreneurs must register their Vietnam-based company with the country’s Business Registration department to get a Business Registration Certificate (BRC). Finally, foreigners who establish limited liability companies (LLCs) in Vietnam must get a Foreign Investment License (FIC) before doing business there.

Documents Required For Registration Company  Formation In Vietnam

· IRC (Investment Registration Certificate)

All foreign investors must receive this certificate, which may be obtained through the DPI (Department of Planning and Investment), the agency that issues the certificate. This information provides specifics about the investor, their investment objectives, the project duration, the amount of investment cash, investment incentives/assistance, and other relevant information.

· ERC (Enterprise Registration Certificate)

It includes details such as the company’s name, the tax code, the address of the headquarters, and other relevant information. It is a document the investor must obtain to complete the company establishment procedure in Vietnam successfully. This document is provided by the authority in charge of business registration.

· Taxes & Capital Contribution

Investors must proceed with their tax registration, pay the company license tax, and make their initial capital contribution after receiving both certificates.

Requirements For The Formation Of A Company In Vietnam

i. Vietnam’s Foreign Ownership Rules

The Vietnamese government permits foreigners to possess a 100% stake in a firm in most sectors. These fields include commerce, information technology, manufacturing, and instruction. However, foreign investment is prohibited in some sectors.

The fields of advertising, logistics, and tourism are only a few examples. A Vietnamese joint venture partner is necessary for international investors in such a situation. WTO accords cover the majority of industries and place restrictions on foreign ownership.

However, some industries are not subject to nor governed by WTO agreements or domestic legislation. In such a circumstance, you’ll have to get the green light from the relevant ministry.

ii. Requirement Of Registered Address

To register a corporation in Vietnam, you’ll need a physical location. A virtual office might be useful for service-based enterprises such as consulting firms. But certain types of businesses require a physical storefront or office.

There are many different types of businesses, such as restaurants and stores. The Department of Planning and Investment may conduct an address verification during the incorporation procedure. Address verification documents are acceptable. It has to state that after incorporation, you intend to conduct business there.

iii. Requirement Of The Resident Director

In Vietnam, a minimum of one resident director is required for every company. At the time of incorporation, they don’t need to have any residence status. On the other hand, they will need to provide a Vietnamese residence address.

It is important to remember that a director who is also a founder does not require a work visa in any capacity. Instead, they will be required to apply for an exemption from needing a work visa. A foreign citizen who is not one of the company’s founders and holds the director position in Vietnam will require a valid work visa.

iv. Minimum Capital Requirements

In Vietnam, most businesses do not have to meet minimum capital requirements. However, it must be sufficient to pay expenditures until the firm can financially support itself.

The Department of Planning and Investment will determine whether or not your capital contribution is appropriate for your company formation made simple Vietnam after an assessment. Many companies choose to start with a capitalization of USD 10,000. However, based on our previous work, we know it is feasible to launch a commercial service organization with only three thousand dollars.

It’s important to remember that you’ll need more money than only the initial investment and equipment. You can expect to see your capital listed on your Business Certificate. If you want to change like this, you’ll have to revise the legal paperwork for your business.

Benefits Of Company Formation In Vietnam

The benefits of vietnam offshore company formation are as follows:

  • Vietnam is participating actively in the world economy. It participates in the World Trade Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). In addition, it participates in more than 60 double tax arrangements.
  • Vietnam is one of the Asian countries with the highest GDP growth and foreign direct investment (FDI) rate. It is due to the great expansion of the private sector and foreign direct investment.
  • Because of its strong government and well-established social order, Vietnam is an excellent location for business and financial investments.
  • Because of its placement in the ASEAN geographic center, Vietnam enjoys a very advantageous position in terms of its access to the market. In addition, Vietnam has a substantial amount of coastline near the primary sea lanes worldwide.
  • Vietnam has a large population that is not just youthful but also well-educated. The percentage of literate people is more than 90%.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I. What is a Vietnamese Company?

In Vietnam, a corporation is considered a separate legal entity from its shareholders unless it is a partnership firm, in which case the partners do not have limited liability protection. Vietnam has three distinct business forms: limited liability, joint stock, and partnerships.

By custom, only limited liability businesses and joint stock firms can be established by non-citizens. As the name implies, a joint-stock company must always have at least three owners, whereas a limited liability company can have anywhere from one to fifty shareholders.

II. What Preparations Must The Founder Of A Firm Make?

A company’s founder might be either an individual or another business. There is a distinction between the paperwork a sole proprietor needs and the paperwork a corporation requires. Each founder must provide a notarized copy of their passport.

Additional documentation in the form of a bank statement in their name is required. However, a company’s incorporation certificate, articles of organization, and board of directors are required. If the firm is under two years old, it must provide a bank statement instead of a financial one.

III. For How Much Should I Seed My Vietnam-Based Firm?

The minimum required by any rule does not govern initial investment for a Vietnam firm. Still, the Vietnam Department of Planning and Investment will usually provide guidance based on the type of business you plan to run. The odds of a company formation service Vietnam’s successful incorporation might be improved if the parties involved put up enough capital to support the company’s activities.

IV. How long does the process typically take when registering a business in Vietnam?

It will take approximately one month if the approval of your firm is not required at the ministry level. Please be aware that this period does not consider any sublicenses that may be required for your firm to continue operating.

Should your organization require additional permits, the application procedure might take three to four months to complete. Trading and tourism are two instances of enterprises that are examples of businesses that need extra permits.

V. What Are The Distinctions Between Forming A Joint Stock Company (JSC) And A Limited Liability Company (LLC)?

In contrast to an LLC, which has a straightforward corporate structure, the formation of a JSC in Vietnam necessitates the participation of at least three shareholders or founders. The regulations do not specify the maximum number of founders that can participate.

A JSC must have a management board, an annual general meeting, an inspection committee, a chairperson of the management board, and a director or general director who is to be appointed as the company’s legal representative as part of its organizational structure. An inspection committee must oversee these roles.

Conclusion:

The economy of Vietnam is expanding at a rapid rate. Although foreigners are often given the green light to put money into Vietnamese businesses, doing so is subject to several bureaucratic hurdles. Investments in other industries may necessitate going through a variety of regulatory hoops.

You should know that a shareholder can form a foreign-owned limited liability corporation and that the firm can have up to fifty members. You can contact the companies providing company formation services in vietnam if you wish to start a company formation vietnam and need assistance with the company registration process.

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