Foreigners generally need a Work Permit to work legally in Vietnam — whether hired by a local company or dispatched from a Korean head office to a Vietnamese entity. It is not enough to prepare an employment contract; you also need documents verifying the applicant's identity, education, career and suitability for the role. Vietnam is not yet a Hague member, so Korean-issued documents need embassy legalization. Apostille Korea handles issuance, translation, notarization, consular confirmation and embassy legalization in one online stop.
What is a Vietnam Work Permit?
A Vietnam Work Permit is the official authorization the Vietnamese government issues so a foreigner can work legally in Vietnam. It must be accompanied by documents proving you qualify as a manager, expert or technician — and Korean-issued documents may not be accepted as-is, so embassy legalization is required.
| Embassy legalization | Apostille | |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | Documents for non-member countries | Public documents between Hague members |
| Vietnam status | Currently required (non-member) | Scheduled from Sep 11, 2026 |
| Process | Notarization → consular confirmation → embassy legalization | Single-authority (1 step) |
When do you need it?
- Dispatched from a Korean head office to a Vietnamese entity
- Hired as a foreigner by a Vietnamese company
- Short- or long-term work for a specific project in Vietnam
- Proving manager / expert / technician qualifications by document
- Submitting Korean-issued academic, career or identity documents to a Vietnamese body
Documents involved
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| Identity | Criminal investigation record (background check) |
| Education | Diploma, degree, transcript, enrollment certificate |
| Career | Career certificate, employment certificate, recommendation, payslip |
| Qualifications | Certificates, licenses, training-completion records |
| Dispatch / employment | Dispatch order, employment confirmation, letter of appointment |
| Company | Business registration, corporate registry |
| Representation | Power of attorney, application, passport copy |
The process
- Issue documentsBackground check from the police, diplomas from the school, career certificates from former employers or relevant bodies.
- NotarizationPrivate documents are notarized at a notary office (or law firm) — required for private documents.
- Consular confirmationKorea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the notary's signature and seal (consular confirmation / legalization).
- Vietnamese embassy legalizationThe Vietnamese embassy in Korea issues the final consular legalization.
- Submit in VietnamSubmit the legalized documents to Vietnam's MOLISA or the local employer/agency to apply for the Work Permit.
How to apply
We run the whole chain online — issuance, translation, notarization, consular confirmation and embassy legalization. No visits required: apply on our site and submit scans.
FAQ
Isn't Vietnam an apostille country?
Not currently — Vietnam isn't a Hague member, so embassy (consular) legalization is needed. However, the Apostille Convention is scheduled to take effect for Vietnam on September 11, 2026, after which an apostille may replace embassy legalization.
Where do I get the criminal investigation record?
Via the police Minwon24 or Gov24 online services, or a nearby police station. If it's for overseas submission, check whether an English version is available.
Do diplomas and career certificates need notarization?
Yes — private documents like diplomas and career certificates must be notarized, then go through consular confirmation and embassy legalization. We handle notarization through embassy legalization together.
How long does the whole legalization take?
Including notarization, consular confirmation and embassy legalization, typically 2–4 weeks. It varies with document count and translation needs, with real-time progress updates.
Can translation be done together?
Yes. Vietnamese translation may be required for Vietnamese bodies, and we handle translation, notarization and embassy legalization in one stop.
Why Apostille Korea
- Recognized credibility — a Seoul-recognized brand and 'National Representatives 1000' selection.
- 300,000+ cases handled — deep know-how across countries and document types.
- 4.9-star average — trust verified directly by 1,200+ customer reviews.
- One-stop service — issuance, translation, notarization, consular confirmation and embassy legalization in one place.
- Contactless online intake — apply from anywhere, with no visit.