Guide
FBI Background Check for a Vietnam Work Permit
Vietnam joined the Apostille Convention on 11 September 2026, which removes the embassy legalization step for U.S. documents.
Quick answer
Yes. Decree 219/2025/ND-CP requires foreign workers to submit a criminal record certificate no more than 6 months old at filing, translated into Vietnamese and certified. Since the Apostille Convention entered into force for Vietnam on 11 September 2026, an apostilled document is exempt from consular legalization.
Key takeaways
- A criminal record certificate is required for the work permit (Decree 219/2025, Art. 18).
- No more than 6 months from issue to filing.
- It must be translated into Vietnamese and certified.
- Since 11 September 2026, an apostille replaces consular legalization.
What Vietnam asks for
| Document | Criminal record certificate or written confirmation (Decree 219/2025/ND-CP, Art. 18) |
|---|---|
| Age | No more than 6 months from issue to filing |
| Translation | Into Vietnamese, with certification (Art. 5) |
| Authentication | Apostille, since 11 September 2026; previously consular legalization |
For U.S. residents, the national criminal record is the FBI Identity History Summary. The FBI report needs the federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. A state apostille on a notarized copy or on a state police check won’t work. See what an FBI report needs before it can be apostilled.
If your employer or labor office still asks for embassy legalization, show them the Vietnamese consulate notice listed in the sources.
Getting the FBI report ready
We handle the federal side. If you already have your FBI report, mail it to us for the FBI background check apostille — $299, about 10–12 business days. If you still need the report, the FBI check + apostille bundle is $399, about 12–14 business days, starting with an in-person appointment at our West Palm Beach or Miami office. You get back the original FBI report, issued by the FBI with its seal and signature, with the U.S. Department of State apostille attached. We review every document before we submit it.
Our bundle takes about 12–14 business days. Leave time for the Vietnamese translation and certification before the 6-month deadline. Check your dates with the processing time estimator.
Need the translation too? See certified translation.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Vietnam work permit need an FBI background check?
Yes. Decree 219/2025/ND-CP requires a criminal record certificate no more than 6 months old. For U.S. residents, that is the FBI report.
Does Vietnam still require embassy legalization?
Not for apostilled documents. The Apostille Convention entered into force for Vietnam on 11 September 2026, and apostilled documents are exempt from consular legalization.
Does the FBI check need a Vietnamese translation?
Yes. Foreign documents for a work permit must be translated into Vietnamese and certified.
Official sources: Government of Vietnam — Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (foreign workers) · HCCH — Viet Nam joins the Apostille Convention · Consulate General of Vietnam — Apostille replaces consular legalization from 11 Sep 2026. Federal Apostille USA is a private service, not a government agency.
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