In recent years, the demand for criminal record certificates among foreigners in Vietnam has significantly increased. This applies not only to those currently residing in Vietnam for purposes such as applying for work permits, establishing enterprises, or marriage, but also to those who previously resided in Vietnam and now require the certificate to complete dossiers for study, migration, or employment abroad. Distinguishing between the application dossiers for these two groups is important, as the legal requirements and documents to be prepared differ accordingly.
This article, prepared by DNP Viet Nam Law Firm, provides updated legal information on application dossiers for criminal record certificates for foreigners, thereby assisting individuals and FDI enterprises in accurately preparing the required documentation.
| Criminal record certificates for foreigners currently residing in Vietnam | Criminal record certificates for foreigners who previously resided in Vietnam |
| 1. Components of the dossier | |
| – Application form for a criminal record certificate (Form No. 01/2025/LLTP, Form No. 02/2025/LLTP, Form No. 04/2025/LLTP, Form No. 05/2025/LLTP); – Certified copy of the foreigner’s passport; – Power of attorney notarized or authenticated in accordance with Vietnamese law (not required if submitted by parents, spouse, or children); – Supporting documents proving eligibility for fee exemption or reduction (if any). Note: Foreigners are not permitted to authorize relatives in Vietnam to apply for a Criminal Record Certificate Form No. 2. The applicant must personally complete the procedure at the competent criminal record authority. | – Application form for a criminal record certificate (Form No. 01/2025/LLTP, Form No. 02/2025/LLTP, Form No. 04/2025/LLTP, Form No. 05/2025/LLTP); – Certified copy of the foreigner’s passport (with a stamp from Vietnam’s immigration control authority); – Power of attorney notarized or authenticated (not required if submitted by parents, spouse, or children), in accordance with either Vietnamese law or the law of the country of citizenship or permanent residence of the applicant. Where authorization is based on the law of the country of citizenship or permanent residence, the power of attorney must be legalized by consular authorities in accordance with Vietnamese law and translated into Vietnamese. Note: Foreigners are not permitted to authorize relatives in Vietnam to apply for a Criminal Record Certificate Form No. 2. The applicant must personally complete the procedure at the competent criminal record authority. |
| 2. Methods of application | |
| – Submit the dossier directly to the provincial Department of Justice at the place of residence. – Submit the dossier online via the National Public Service Portal or the provincial administrative procedure settlement system. – Submit the dossier via postal service. Results are provided either at the place of submission, by post (paper copy), or through the provincial administrative procedure settlement system (electronic copy). | – Submit the dossier directly to the National Center for Criminal Records, Ministry of Justice. – Submit the dossier online via the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Justice’s administrative procedure settlement system. – Submit the dossier via postal service. Results are provided either at the place of submission, by post (paper copy), or through the Ministry of Justice’s administrative procedure settlement system (electronic copy). |
| 3. Time limit for processing | |
| – Within 10 days from the date of receipt of a valid request. – In special cases: up to 15 days. | |
| 4. Competent authorities | |
| – Directly responsible authority: Provincial-level Department of Justice. | – Directly responsible authority: National Center for Criminal Records, Ministry of Justice. – Decision-making authority: Ministry of Justice. |
| 5. Fees for issuance | |
| – Students aged 16 or above, university students, persons with meritorious services to the revolution, and relatives of martyrs: 100,000 VND per person per application; – All other applicants: 200,000 VND per person per application. In cases where more than two certificates are requested in a single application, an additional 5,000 VND will be charged for each certificate from the third onwards. (Legal basis: Article 4, Circular No. 16/2025/TT-BTC) | – Fee: 200,000 VND per person per application. In cases where more than two certificates are requested in a single application, an additional 5,000 VND will be charged for each certificate from the third onwards. (Legal basis: Article 4, Circular No. 16/2025/TT-BTC) |
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