Where do FDI enterprises carry out business registration? What are the differences in the licensing process compared to other types of companies? In the following article, KMC experts will provide a detailed explanation of where to register a business for FDI enterprises, helping foreign investors optimize time and resources and ensure a smooth and efficient business registration process.
Where do FDI enterprises register for business registration?
In addition to business registration, enterprises with capital contribution from foreign individuals or organizations must simultaneously carry out the procedure for obtaining the Investment Registration Certificate. These two procedures are conducted at separate competent authorities.
Where to apply for the Investment Registration Certificate?
The procedure for applying for the Investment Registration Certificate is carried out at the Department of Planning and Investment for the following types of investment projects:
- Investment projects implemented across two or more provincial-level administrative units;
- Investment projects carried out outside industrial zones, export processing zones, high-tech zones, and economic zones;
- Investment projects within industrial zones, export processing zones, high-tech zones, or economic zones where no Management Board has been established, or which are not under the jurisdiction of the Management Board of industrial zones, export processing zones, high-tech zones, and economic zones.
The Investment Registration Certificate is issued by the Management Board of industrial zones, export processing zones, high-tech zones, and economic zones for the following projects:
- Investment projects for the construction and business of infrastructure of industrial zones, export processing zones, high-tech zones, and functional areas within economic zones;
- Investment projects implemented within industrial zones, export processing zones, high-tech zones, and economic zones.
Methods of submitting application dossiers:
- Direct submission: At the receiving and returning results division (Public Administration Service Center).
- Online submission: Through the National Foreign Investment Information System (https://dichvucong.gov.vn or the respective local system).
Where to apply for the Enterprise Registration Certificate?
The procedure for applying for the Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) for FDI enterprises is carried out at the Business Registration Office under the Department of Planning and Investment of the province/city where the enterprise’s head office is located.
Note: Prior to this, investors must obtain the Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) at the Department of Planning and Investment or the Management Board of industrial zones/export processing zones, as guided above.
Methods of submitting application dossiers:
- Direct submission: At the One-Stop Service Unit of the Business Registration Office – Department of Planning and Investment of the province/city, in accordance with Anpha Accounting.
- Online submission: Through the National Business Registration Information System using a business registration account or a public digital signature.
Specific challenges faced by FDI enterprises and Japanese investors when identifying the “place” for business registration
Business registration procedures are not simple, especially for foreign investors. Japanese enterprises and FDI investors in general often face specific barriers:
- Language and legal culture barriers: Vietnamese legal documents are drafted in Vietnamese with specialized expressions. A literal translation may not fully convey the meaning, leading to misunderstandings. In addition, working practices with state authorities also involve implicit rules that need to be properly understood.
- Frequent policy changes and updates: Vietnam’s legal system is continuously being improved. Timely updates on new circulars and decrees are mandatory to ensure smooth approval of application dossiers.
- Requirement for absolute accuracy: Japanese business culture places a strong emphasis on precision and perfection. Even minor errors in formatting or information in the application dossier may reduce credibility and raise concerns for investors.
- Need for a comprehensive solution: Investors do not only require a business license; they also need a clear post-licensing roadmap covering tax, labor, and sub-licenses from the outset.
So, where can business registration be carried out to meet all of these strict requirements?
Answering the question “Where to register for a business license”: Choosing a professional advisory partner for in-depth support!
Going deeper into the question “Where to register for business license,” it essentially refers to which advisory organization or service provider you should engage to accompany you throughout the entire process. This is because business registration procedures, especially for FDI enterprises, are never a simple set of documents. They involve investment project preparation, selection of business entity type, business lines, statutory capital requirements, registered office address, and all of these must be thoroughly reviewed from a strict legal perspective. A minor mistake at this stage may lead to serious consequences later, ranging from project implementation delays, incurred penalty costs, to potential operational risks.
If you are also looking for a professional partner to accompany you throughout the process of business registration and company establishment in Vietnam, and you need experts with in-depth knowledge of legal procedures for business registration as well as post-establishment legal advisory services, please contact KMC.
KMC is a consulting firm specializing in providing in-depth advisory and solutions for FDI enterprises, including business registration and company establishment, as well as tax, accounting, finance, and human resource consulting services.
Comprehensive business registration advisory for FDI enterprises
KMC’s team of legal experts and consultants, with strong professional expertise and excellent foreign language skills (especially Japanese), directly supports investors through every stage:
- Pre-investment advisory: Analysis of project feasibility, advisory on optimal legal structure, capital contribution arrangements, ownership ratios, and other aspects in accordance with business objectives and Vietnamese legal regulations.
- Preparation of complete application dossiers: All documents, from Investment Project Proposal, Company Charter, to foreign-issued documents, are reviewed, translated, notarized, and finalized with the highest level of accuracy to meet the strict requirements of both investors and Vietnamese authorities.
- Representation in administrative procedures: Acting as a direct liaison with authorities such as the National Business Registration Portal, Department of Planning and Investment, and Business Registration Office to submit dossiers, monitor processing progress, and receive results.
- Post-registration advisory: Immediately after obtaining the Enterprise Registration Certificate and Investment Certificate, we continue to support investors with tax declaration procedures, company seal registration, bank account opening, labor registration, and advisory on sub-licenses required for specialized business sectors.
Transparent & professional process
KMC has established and completed a clear and transparent working process, enabling investors—regardless of their location worldwide—to track the progress and status of their dossiers 24/7. All communications, documents, and reports are recorded and updated through a professional management system. This is particularly well-suited to the systematic working style and detailed reporting requirements of Japanese enterprises.
With practical experience in handling complex cases, KMC is confident in its ability to advise and anticipate potential issues that may arise, while proposing optimal solutions to help investors save unnecessary time and costs.
Above, KMC has provided an in-depth explanation to the question of where to register for business licenses. For foreign investors seeking to enter or expand in the Vietnamese market, if you are also looking for a professional partner to comprehensively support the business registration process, please contact KMC. We help shorten the journey of realizing your investment project in Vietnam, turning initial challenges into a solid foundation. We ensure that all legal procedures are handled professionally and in full compliance from the very beginning, minimizing potential risks.
For quick consultation and expert support, please contact KMC hotline: 081 489 4789.
