Company Setup for Foreigners

Foreign individuals can own a company in Vietnam outright in most sectors, but the process differs from setting up a domestic company: an investment registration certificate is required first, and the sector determines whether full foreign ownership is permitted.

Wise Counsel sets up companies for foreign founders, from checking the sector conditions through to the first licence and the work permit that follows.

What we help with

• Checking whether the intended activity permits full foreign ownership
• Advising on the appropriate entity type and charter capital level
• Preparing and filing the investment registration application
• Preparing the enterprise registration file and charter documents
• Completing post-establishment steps — seal, tax code and bank accounts
• Opening the direct investment capital account and advising on capital transfer
• Arranging the founder's work permit or exemption and residence card
• Advising on the ongoing reporting obligations of a foreign-invested company

Being a company owner does not by itself entitle you to work in it. The work permit or exemption is a separate step, and it should be planned from the start.