XIN GIẤY PHÉP TRUNG TÂM NGOẠI NGỮ

Currently, Vietnam is progressively integrating more deeply into the global economy, necessitating a workforce with strong foreign language proficiency. Accordingly, investment in foreign language education has attracted greater attention than ever before. Recognizing this trend, an increasing number of enterprises are focusing on and entering this market segment. Consequently, the establishment of foreign language centers has become increasingly common in recent years.

However, not all enterprises are fully aware of the legal regulations governing the establishment of foreign language centers. To establish a foreign language center, the owner must obtain an operating license from the competent authority. The procedure for obtaining a license for a foreign language center is relatively complex and requires considerable time and effort. In this section, BKC Law provides detailed information on the procedure for obtaining a foreign language center license, along with legal advice to guide owners in complying with current legal requirements.

I. Eligible Entities and Conditions for Obtaining a Foreign Language Center License

1.1 Entities Eligible to Apply for a Foreign Language Center License
Pursuant to Article 2 of the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of Foreign Language and Informatics Centers (issued together with Circular No. 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT dated August 21, 2018, of the Minister of Education and Training), foreign language centers are classified into three types based on the establishing entity:

• Foreign language centers established by the State;
• Foreign language centers established by domestic organizations or individuals;
• Foreign language centers established with full or partial capital contribution from foreign individuals or organizations.

Thus, individuals with full civil act capacity, as well as legally established economic, social, or professional organizations, are fully entitled to establish a foreign language center for business purposes.

1.2 Conditions for Obtaining a Foreign Language Center License
When establishing a foreign language center, an enterprise must register a business line that includes training functions. Registration of a training-related business line is a necessary but not sufficient condition for conducting training activities; it is a prerequisite for applying for a license in subsequent steps. Vietnam’s system of business lines includes numerous codes, and enterprises must select the code appropriate to their training functions.

II. Procedure for Obtaining a License to Establish a Foreign Language Center

2.1 Dossier for Obtaining a Foreign Language Center Establishment License
Organizations or individuals wishing to obtain a license to establish a foreign language center must prepare the following documents. Additional documents may be required depending on the specific entity. Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 47 of Decree No. 46/2017/ND-CP on investment and operational conditions in the education sector, the dossier includes:
“a) Written request for establishment of the foreign language and informatics center;
b) Establishment plan for the foreign language and informatics center, containing: name of the center, type of center, location, necessity and legal basis for establishment; objectives, functions, and tasks of the center; curriculum and training scale; facilities; organizational structure, director, deputy directors (if any), and departments (or specialized units); curriculum vitae of the proposed center director;
c) Draft regulations on the organization and operation of the foreign language and informatics center.”

In addition, the following documents are required:

• Application for educational operation registration;
• Decision on establishment of the center; Decision on appointment of the center director; Decision on tuition fees;
• Regulations on the organization and operation of the foreign language center;
• List of director and department heads; List of teachers and staff;
• Inventory of facilities and curriculum of the foreign language center;
• Sample certificate of course completion;
• Official letter requesting recognition of the center director; Official letter requesting recognition of the foreign language center; Official letter requesting ward-level confirmation of the center’s operations;
• Three-year financial projection for the foreign language center;
• Business Registration Certificate and Investment Registration Certificate (certified copies);
• Fire prevention and fighting inspection record;
• Director’s dossier, including: Identity Card and qualifications (certified copies), confirmation of experience, curriculum vitae (locally certified), health certificate, labor contract;
• Dossiers of teachers and other staff, including: certified copy of Identity Card, qualifications, curriculum vitae (locally certified), health certificate, labor contract.

2.2 Sequence of Procedures for Obtaining a Foreign Language Center Establishment License

Step 1: Prepare the dossier
The organization or individual prepares one complete set of the dossier as described above and submits it to the Chairperson of the provincial People’s Committee or the Director of the Department of Education and Training (in person, by post, or online).

Step 2: Receipt and processing of the dossier
Within five working days from receipt, the Director of the Department of Education and Training receives the dossier. If the dossier is incomplete or incorrect, written notification will be issued specifying the required corrections or supplements.
Within ten working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the competent authority coordinates with relevant agencies to conduct an on-site appraisal of compliance with the prescribed conditions and records the results in an appraisal minutes.
Within five working days from the appraisal results, the competent authority issues the decision permitting educational operations. If permission is not granted, written notification with clear reasons will be provided.

Step 3: Return of results
The organization or individual receives the results on the date specified in the appointment notice.

III. Timeframe and Fees for Issuing a Foreign Language Center License

3.1 Timeframe for Issuing a Foreign Language Center License
Under legal regulations, the timeframe is 20 working days from receipt of a complete and valid dossier. In practice, however, processing typically takes 25 to 30 working days from the date the competent authority receives a complete and valid dossier.

3.2 Fees for Issuing a Foreign Language Center License
Current law does not prescribe any fees for issuing a foreign language center license; therefore, no fees are payable for this procedure.

IV. Foreign Language Center Establishment License Services Provided by BKC Law

With a team of highly experienced lawyers possessing solid legal expertise and strong bilingual consultation capabilities, BKC Law is confident in being one of the best legal partners in the market to assist enterprises wishing to establish foreign language centers.

In addition, BKC Law provides the following services:

• Litigation
• Post-Establishment Corporate Services
• Comprehensive Accounting and Tax Services
• Services for Foreign Nationals in Vietnam