Business License Registration Procedures (PDF)

Business license registration procedures Step 1: Choose the Legal Structure of the Business and Register the Business Name 1.1: Choose the legal structure of the business Sole proprietorship General partnership Franchise Limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships (LLP) Limite...

Business license registration procedures Step 1: Choose the Legal Structure of the Business and Register the Business Name 1.1: Choose the legal structure of the business Sole proprietorship General partnership Franchise Limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships (LLP) Limited liability company (LLC) C Corporation S Corporation 1.1: Resgister the businee name When choosing a business name: - It should accurately reflect your brand’s identity and be memorable to your target audience. - The name should match your business's mission and values and follow Vietnamese naming rules. - Avoid names that are confusing or do not clearly Vietnamese regulations impose specific restrictions on business names to prevent confusion and protect public interest, include: No identical or confusingly similar name to an existing business. It must not violate public morals or national customs. Certain words are restricted or prohibited. For example, words like “Vietnam,” “national,” or “state” are typically reserved for government entities or require special permissions. Step 2: Prepare the Application Dossier For the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC), the core documents typically include: An application form completed as per MPI guidelines. A company charter outlining governance, shareholder rights, and responsibilities. A list of shareholders or members includes names, nationalities, contact details, and shareholding proportions. Copies of passports for foreigners or ID cards for Vietnamese shareholders. Proof of a business address compliant with zoning regulations. Step 3: Submit the Application and Pay the Fee Submitting in person involves visiting the local Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) office in the province or city where your business will operate. Alternatively, you can submit your application online through the National Business Registration Portal Step 4: The tax authority checks the documents For the file checking process, after about 3-5 working days from the date of receiving all valid documents, the subject will be granted a business license. Step 5: Receive the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) The ERC contains important details about your company, including: Company Name: The officially registered name of your business. Business Address: The physical location of your operations. Legal Representative: The individual authorized to act on behalf of the company in legal matters. Business Lines: The scope of activities your business is authorized to engage in. Registered Capital: The total capital contributed by the shareholders or members. Date of Issuance: The official date when the ERC was issued. Step 6: Register for Tax and Obtain a Company Seal After obtaining the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC), the next steps involve tax registration and securing a company seal, both necessary for legal operations in Vietnam. For individual business registration procedures Step 1: Prepare the Application Dossier – Notarized copy of household registration; – Certified copy of ID card/Citizen identification card/Passport; – Lease contract for store premises (if rented); House ownership certificate (if owner); – Application for individual business registration must include the following information; + Name of individual business household, business location address; phone number; + Industry, profession planned to register business; + What is the specific registered business capital? + Number of employees used for business households; + Full name, signature, residential address, valid ID card/Citizen ID card/Passport information of individuals registering for business or business unit representatives Step 2: Submit the Application and Pay the Fee Submitting in person involves visiting the local Department of Planning and Investment (DPI) office in the province or city where your business will operate. Alternatively, you can submit your application online through the National Business Registration Portal Step 3: The tax authority checks the documents For the file checking process, after about 3-5 working days from the date of receiving all valid documents, the subject will be granted a business license. Step 4: Receive the Enterprise Registration Certificate Upon receiving the application, the district/county business registration authority will send a Receipt and after 3-5 working days, the business registration authority will issue a Certificate of Business Registration for an individual household if the following conditions are met: + Fully paid business license registration fee. + Business owner's name registered in accordance with regulations; + Business lines are not prohibited by law; – In case the business license registration dossier is invalid, the business registration authority must clearly notify the business owner in writing of the content that needs to be amended and make appropriate adjustments and supplements.