After Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnam's Ministry of Transport agreed to mutually recognize international driving permits, Apostille Korea has launched a non-face-to-face service to help drivers obtain and prepare the permit remotely.
- The arrangement lets Korea and Vietnam mutually recognize each other's international driving permits.
- Apostille Korea offers remote, non-face-to-face issuance support for affected drivers.
- The service suits Koreans driving in Vietnam and Vietnamese residents needing recognized permits.
- Where supporting documents must cross borders, the company arranges the matching certification.
What the mutual-recognition arrangement changes
Under the understanding reached between Korea's foreign ministry and Vietnam's transport ministry, an international driving permit issued in one country can be recognized in the other, easing driving for travellers, workers and long-term residents. Apostille Korea says the change creates clear demand from Koreans heading to Vietnam and from Vietnamese nationals in Korea who previously faced uncertainty about whether their permit would be accepted. The company has set up a remote process so applicants can arrange the permit without visiting an office in person.
How the non-face-to-face service works
Through the service, an applicant submits a request online and Apostille Korea handles the issuance steps and any related paperwork on their behalf. Where a supporting document — such as a driver's licence record or an identity document — must be recognized across the border, the company prepares a certified translation and the certification appropriate to the destination: a (local) apostille route where applicable, or embassy legalization where it is not. By keeping the process online, the company says drivers can prepare a recognized permit within their travel or relocation timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Who benefits from the mutual recognition?
Koreans driving in Vietnam and Vietnamese nationals in Korea, whose international driving permits can now be recognized in the other country.
Can I arrange it without visiting in person?
Yes. Apostille Korea offers a non-face-to-face service, handling issuance and related documents remotely.
What if a supporting document must be certified?
The company prepares a certified translation and the matching certification — apostille or embassy legalization — for the destination country.
Source: 전자신문 (etnews.com) ↗