Since mid-2026, the business of overseas study consultancy in Vietnam has fundamentally changed: you no longer need an operating licence as before. If you are still looking for a “licensing dossier” template under the old rules, this article updates you on the new legal framework — so you do not waste time preparing paperwork the law no longer requires.
1. The new legal framework: two decisive milestones
1.1. From 1 July 2026: study consultancy is no longer a conditional business line
Appendix IV of the Investment Law 143/2025/QH15 (effective 1 March 2026, replacing the entire Investment Law 61/2020/QH14) lists conditional business lines. From 1 July 2026, “overseas study consultancy services” was removed from this list. The direct consequence: enterprises no longer need to satisfy entry conditions or obtain a licence before operating.
1.2. From 17 September 2026: all old licensing conditions repealed
Decree 360/2026/ND-CP (issued and effective 17 September 2026) repealed Chapters II, III, IV, V and VIII of Decree 125/2024/ND-CP — including Articles 115, 116 and 117, which previously governed the conditions, dossiers and procedures for the Certificate of registration of overseas study consultancy activities.
Important note: online guides that still cite Articles 115–117 of Decree 125/2024 as current law are out of date. Since 17 September 2026, those provisions no longer apply.
1.3. What about licences granted before?
Under Article 47 of Decree 360/2026/ND-CP, establishments licensed before 17 September 2026 do not need to re-apply. Old licences remain recognised; businesses continue operating under the new post-inspection framework without filing for re-issuance.
2. What does opening a study-abroad consultancy require in 2026?
No licence does not mean “no rules”. An enterprise only needs to complete business registration and satisfy post-inspection conditions — the regulator now inspects afterwards instead of licensing beforehand.
Step 1 — Business registration
Register the enterprise with the business registration authority under the Law on Enterprises 59/2020/QH14 (amended by Law 76/2025/QH15, effective 1 July 2025), including study consultancy among the registered business lines. This is the only remaining “application-and-approval” step.
Step 2 — Meet the four groups of post-inspection conditions
| Condition group | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Registered business lines | Study consultancy fully registered in the Enterprise Registration Certificate |
| Personnel | Consultants with appropriate qualifications and competence; keep complete personnel files ready for inspection |
| Internal rules and service contracts | Internal operating regulations; clear service contracts with each client (scope, fees, rights and obligations) |
| Complaint-handling mechanism | A process for receiving and resolving client complaints; archive complaint files and outcomes |
State management has shifted from “pre-inspection” (licensing first) to “post-inspection” (checking later). Your business may be inspected at any time and must be able to produce documents proving compliance with the above.
3. Two risks of misunderstanding the new rules
3.1. Still “applying for a licence” under the old rules: wasted time and money
Many operators still prepare dossiers under Articles 115–117 of Decree 125/2024 — hiring consultants, waiting for appraisal — while authorities no longer accept such applications. The result is months of delay with no legal value.
3.2. Ignoring post-inspection conditions: penalties on inspection
Conversely, some businesses read “no licence needed” as “no conditions at all”. When inspected without internal regulations, service contracts or personnel files to show, they may face administrative penalties under current regulations.
4. Six-step checklist for opening a study-abroad consultancy in 2026
- Define the business model (pure study consultancy, or combined with language training and visa support).
- Register the enterprise with study consultancy as a business line (no entry conditions since 1 July 2026).
- Recruit and train competent consultants; keep personnel files.
- Issue internal operating regulations and standard service contract templates.
- Set up complaint reception, resolution and archiving.
- Periodically review post-inspection compliance; track new legislation (note: Law 24/2026/QH16 amending the Investment Law takes effect 1 March 2027).
5. Frequently asked questions
Do centres licensed before 17 September 2026 need to do anything further?
No re-application is required. Continue operating, ensure post-inspection conditions are met, and review internal regulations and service contracts for alignment.
Is a practising certificate required for study consultants?
Current law imposes no mandatory practising certificate for study consultants after the licensing conditions were repealed. However, businesses must still ensure suitably competent personnel for post-inspection purposes.
Is online study consultancy treated differently?
As a legal principle, the mode of service delivery (in-person or online) does not change the framework above: business registration plus post-inspection compliance.
6. Conclusion
2026 marks a turning point for study consultancy: from “licence first” to “register, take responsibility, and face post-inspection”. Businesses that grasp the two milestones — 1 July 2026 and 17 September 2026 — save significant time and cost, and avoid both traps: applying under repealed law, or neglecting post-inspection conditions.
If you are preparing to open a study-abroad consultancy and need a legal file review, contact FLAT Law Firm for advice.
This article has been reviewed by the QA Council.
Transparency note: this article was prepared by the FLAW AI Legal Council based on legislation in force at the time of writing (14 October 2026). It is for general information only, is not an official legal text, and does not replace legal advice for your specific case. Please verify with your local business registration authority before acting.
