As of 1 June 2026, enterprises, representative offices, and other organisations registered in Vietnam found that access and applisation submissions to the National Public Service Portal online systems could no longer be made using the traditional company e-signature/token login method.
Access to these portals now appears to be available only through VNeID for Enterprises and Organizations (Business VNeID). While Business VNeID access had already been available to registered entities that had completed the required registration process, the key development is that the previous company e-signature/token login option has now been discontinued, making Business VNeID the only available access route going forward.
Although this transition had been expected since the introduction of the requirement for registered entities in Vietnam to obtain a Business VNeID approximately one year ago, it may have immediate operational consequences for businesses that have not yet completed the Business VNeID registration process.
What Has Changed?
Since VNeID for organisations and enterprises was introduced in July 2024, online administrative procedures could still be accessed using a company e-signature token, even after the introduction of Business VNeID.
As of 1 June 2026, this alternative login method appears to have been discontinued.
Companies must now use a Business VNeID to access the relevant online government platforms and submit applications.
Immediate Impact on Vietnam Immigration Procedures
The change has a direct impact on immigration application procedures that are now processed exclusively through online systems.
These include, among others:
- visa pre-approval applications;
- temporary residence card (TRC) applications;
- exit visa applications;
- other immigration-related submissions processed through the Ministry of Public Security’s online portals.
At the time of writing, immigration authorities do not appear to offer an alternative submission method for organisations that have not yet obtained a Business VNeID.
As a result, companies with urgent immigration needs may face delays if they have not already completed the Business VNeID registration process.
Work Permit Applications May Be Next
The impact is not currently limited to immigration procedures.
At present, Work Permit and other related applications submitted to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) can still be filed using the personal VNeID of an authorised individual if no Business VNeID is available.
However, given the government’s broader objective of consolidating online administrative procedures for registered entities under the Business VNeID ecosystem, it would not be surprising if Business VNeID becomes mandatory for work permit and related labour applications in the very near future.
Companies that have not yet initiated the Business VNeID registration process may therefore wish to do so sooner rather than later.
A Practical Challenge for Foreign-Invested Entities
One of the most significant issues created by the new system affects companies and organizations whose sole legal representative is a foreign national.
Current practice indicates that obtaining a Business VNeID requires the foreign legal representative to hold a valid TRC. However, immigration procedures for obtaining a TRC can no longer be submitted without first having a Business VNeID.
This creates a potentially circular situation:
- a TRC is required to obtain a Business VNeID;
- a Business VNeID is required to obtain a TRC.
The practical implications of this issue remain unclear and, at the time of writing, no formal workaround appears to have been announced.
Could This Lead to Corporate Changes?
If no practical solution is introduced, some businesses may find themselves having to consider alternative arrangements in order to obtain a Business VNeID.
For certain foreign-invested enterprises, representative offices, and non-governmental organisations, this could potentially raise questions regarding the appointment of local representatives and the management of corporate governance structures.
Such changes, which usually take times to complete, may not be desirable or practical for organisations that intentionally maintain a foreign legal representative structure.
Delegation Remains Possible
For businesses that already possess a Business VNeID, the system allows the delegation of authority to other individuals to proceed with online administrative procedures and applications, provided that the delegated individual has a personal VNeID and has been properly authorised within the system.
However, to proceed with such a delegation of authority, the primary Business VNeID holder, who appears to be required to be a legal representative of the registered entity, must first be in place.
More Than a Technical Change
Although the replacement of the company token with Business VNeID may initially appear to be a purely technical modification, its practical impact is potentially much broader.
The change affects how companies interact with immigration authorities today and may eventually affect labour, licensing, and other administrative procedures as Vietnam continues to expand its digital government infrastructure.
Businesses that rely on foreign employees, assignees, and regular immigration filings should closely monitor developments and ensure that their Business VNeID strategy is addressed before it becomes a critical operational issue.
