A foreign language centre may only provide educational activities once the Director of the provincial Department of Education and Training issues a decision permitting its establishment. 7S Law reviews facilities, staff and curriculum, prepares the proposal, files the dossier and follows it through to the decision.

1. Who this service is for

a) New education companies: opening a foreign language centre that need to handle both enterprise registration and the establishment permit.

b) Operating companies: adding education business lines and opening additional centres or training sites.

c) Foreign investors: wishing to invest in or establish a foreign-invested foreign language centre in Vietnam.

d) Existing centres: that need to review their legal documents or change location, director or curriculum.

2. Scope of work

a) Reviewing conditions: premises, classrooms, equipment, teachers, the centre director, curriculum and teaching materials against Decree No. 125/2024/ND-CP.

b) Legal structure advice: choosing the establishing entity, business lines, capital and staffing plan.

c) Preparing the dossier: application, establishment proposal, draft organisation and operation regulations, staff list and supporting documents.

d) Filing and liaison: filing with and working with the Department of Education and Training, explanations, supplements and coordination of site inspections.

e) Receiving the result: receiving the establishment decision and advising on post-establishment obligations.

The following are quoted separately when required: enterprise registration or changes, investment procedures for foreign investors, curriculum development, translation and consular legalisation of foreign teachers' qualifications.

See also: Study abroad consulting licence, Business licences, Company establishment.

3. Process

Step 1. Intake and review: 7S Law receives information, surveys the premises and planned staff and compares them with the conditions

Step 2. Completing conditions: the client completes facilities, the lease, teacher files and curriculum following 7S Law's guidance

Step 3. Preparing and signing: 7S Law prepares the application, proposal, regulations and document list for the client to sign and seal

Step 4. Filing and inspection: 7S Law files with the Department of Education and Training, provides explanations and coordinates the site inspection

Step 5. Result: 7S Law receives the establishment decision, hands it over and advises on disclosure and enrolment

4. Timeline and deliverables

Under Decree No. 125/2024/ND-CP, the Department of Education and Training reviews the dossier, conducts a site inspection and issues a decision within about 20 working days of receiving a complete dossier. Preparation time depends on how ready the premises and staff are.

Note: actual timelines may change if the authority requests supplements or amendments, if documents are provided late or incomplete, or if procedures or laws change.

Deliverables: the decision permitting establishment of the foreign language centre, the filed dossier and written guidance on post-establishment obligations.

5. Service fees

Fees are quoted separately according to the scope of each matter, based on the following factors:

Note: Service fees exclude 8% VAT, government fees, translation, certification, consular legalisation and travel expenses. The exact fee is confirmed in a fee proposal before work begins.

For a tailored fee proposal, please call +84 877 523 888 or email lienhe@7slaw.vn.

6. Information we need from you

Details of the establishing entity; address and lease or proof of the right to use the premises; floor plan and classroom areas; equipment list; files of the centre director and teachers (degrees, certificates); planned curriculum and materials; expected enrolment.

7. Legal basis

This service is provided on the basis of the following legal instruments:

a) Decree No. 125/2024/ND-CP dated 5 October 2024 on conditions for investment and operation in the field of education, effective from 20 November 2024

b) Law on Enterprises No. 59/2020/QH14, as amended by Law No. 76/2025/QH15 dated 17 June 2025, effective from 1 July 2025

c) Law on Investment No. 143/2025/QH15 dated 11 December 2025, effective from 1 March 2026

8. About 7S Law

7S Law has offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, works in Vietnamese and English, and serves Vietnamese companies, foreign-invested enterprises and individuals.

9. Frequently asked questions

a) Does a centre still need a separate operating licence?

Under Decree No. 125/2024/ND-CP, a foreign language centre may operate once it has the decision permitting establishment; there is no longer a separate operating licence procedure. The centre must maintain the registered conditions throughout its operation.

b) Who grants the permit?

The Director of the provincial Department of Education and Training decides on permitting establishment at the request of organisations and individuals.

c) Can the centre be located in an apartment?

The premises must meet requirements on classrooms, safety and fire prevention. 7S Law surveys the specific premises before the client signs the lease to avoid rejection.

d) Can foreign investors open a foreign language centre?

Yes. Foreign investors carry out investment procedures, establish an economic organisation and meet the specific conditions for foreign investment in education. 7S Law advises on the right sequence.

10. Contact 7S Law

CÔNG TY CỔ PHẦN TƯ VẤN VÀ DỊCH VỤ LUẬT 7S (7S Law Consulting and Services JSC)
Address: No. 60, Lane 18 Mac Thai To Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City office: 18th Floor, TNR Tower, 180 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: +84 877 523 888 | Email: lienhe@7slaw.vn
Send us your request via the contact page.