Extension of the License for Establishment of a Representative Office of a Foreign Trader in Vietnam is an important procedure that businesses should proactively carry out before the current license expires in order to avoid any interruption to the legal operation of the Representative Office. In practice, many foreign traders only review the validity of their license when it is close to expiry, which often leads to rushed preparation, incomplete documents, and unnecessary legal risks.

In principle, a foreign trader may apply for an extension when the License for Establishment of the Representative Office is approaching its expiration date. The extension dossier generally requires legal documents proving the legal status and stable operation of the parent company abroad.

Key documents typically include:

• A copy of the foreign trader’s Business Registration Certificate or an equivalent legal document;
• A copy of the audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year; or
• A document certifying the fulfillment of tax or financial obligations in the most recent fiscal year in accordance with the laws of the country where the trader is established.

Businesses should pay special attention to the filing timeline. As a practical matter, the extension dossier should be submitted at least 30 days before the license expiry date to ensure sufficient time for supplementation or amendment if required by the competent authority. This is an important timeline that helps businesses minimize the risk of interruption to the operation of their Representative Office.

Normally, the processing time is approximately 07–10 working days from the date the competent authority receives a valid dossier. Therefore, proactively reviewing the legal status, license validity, and completeness of the application documents is a key factor in ensuring that the extension procedure is handled smoothly, on time, and in compliance with applicable regulations.